City Guide: The Best Wine Bars in NYC

September 29, 2017 0 0

In a city that never sleeps, the possibilities are endless. Though NYC is full of great cocktail bars, and breweries, some often neglect the fact that the best wine bars in New York City are fantastic, too. Whether you’re a sommelier or consider yourself inexperienced, you’ll be impressed with the plethora of options to be found scattered throughout the metropolis. For example: Spots like June and Blue Mountain Wine House are low-key and will give you that homey feeling, while other places like City Winery will leave you amazed at the amount of options and square footage. Either way, you’re sure to find the perfect choice, and the following rundown, which details some of the best wine bars in New York City to swing by when in town, can help you pick just the right spot.

Name	Location	Description
June	231 Court Street	The kind of place you go when you want to just have a low-key evening, June is made to look like a rustic train car with a lot of booths, and gives off a cozy sort of vibe. Though there are some selections offered from California vineyards, the wine here is mostly all natural and imported from Europe. If you like white, try the Cantina Giardino, or the Yvon Metras if you prefer red. Either way, the list of choices is long here, so you’ll have numerous options to pick from.
The Immigrant	341 E 9th St	The Immigrant may be small, but it never feels cramped. In fact, the venue’s intimacy pairs well in combination with the dim lighting and exposed brick. Plus, you’ll find wine from all over the world featured here: Try the Chardonnay from Finger Lakes, New York, or go with Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, France. The $8 a glass happy hour specials guarantee that your wallet will thank you, too.
Lois	98 Loisaida Ave	When you come to Lois, you won’t have to worry about whether the bartender is judging you. The staff is super friendly and will be happy to answer all your questions, so don’t be concerned about seeming inexperienced. This place is the first wine bar to offer all of its selections on tap, which means they’re sourced from unique places, are environment friendly, and won’t cost too much to enjoy. The selection of white ranges from a Roebling Blend from Brooklyn to a Gruner Veltliner from Austria, and in terms of red there’s Sherry, Pinot Noir and more.
City Winery	155 Varick St	City Winery is huge, and is as close to an actual vineyard as it can get in New York City. There’s a lot to do here, so you can either make reservations for the Barrel Room, where you can taste the wine on tap, like the NYC Cab or the Merlot, and order dishes like squid ink pasta or angus steak from a full food menu. Alternately, you can buy some tickets to enjoy live music and concert dining. The wine list is incredibly extensive to boot.
Vanguard Wine Bar	189 Amsterdam Ave	Vanguard separates its menu into relatively simple terms, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for without a fuss. Reds are classified by categories like elegant and simple, rich and powerful, youthful and bright, and zesty and savory. Whites, on the other hand, are separated by classifications like crisp and refreshing, luscious and fragrant, complex and nuanced, and full and flavorful. Try vintages like the Maison Champy or the Andrew Will while listening to classic Frank Sinatra songs that play in the background, and it’s likely that you’ll feel like you’re in an old Hollywood movie.
Casellula	401 W 52nd St	Casellula is considered a wine bar, and when you come here you can choose from Italian wines like Aia Vecchia or Damilano Marghe, or American ones that are closer to home like the Alba or the Clos Du Val. However, what Casellula is really known for is its cheese – to make the most of your time here, order your preferred wine and then pair it with selections like the Cabochon or Ibores. If you’re unsure as to what to pick, ask the chef for some recommendations – you’ll be warmly received.
Lelabar	422 Hudson St	The U-shaped bar at Lelabar is conducive to being social, so you can come here alone and still have a great time. Plus, its happy hour is great too. Bottles that normally run for $50 and above are reduced to only $28, and you can get glasses for just $8, too. There are over 200 wines to choose from as well.
Black Mountain Wine House	415 Union St	Black Mountain Wine House allows you to escape the frenzy of Manhattan, or the usual bars on Smith street, and settle down in a cozy outpost. The lighting is perfect for a date night, and the fireplace will absolutely keep you warm when it starts to get a bit chilly out. As for the menu, you’ll find lots of cheese, some small plates like fondue, and selections such as Riesling and Pinot Noir.
The Ten Bells	247 Broome St	The Ten Bells is a well-known favorite for its oysters alone. Every day until 7PM, you can get $1 oysters, or even a $15 carafe of wine. Even when it’s not happy hour here, though, the prices are still affordable. Bottles of Muscadet or Carignan will set you back less than $60, and there’s plenty other sweet, sparkling, red, orange, and white options to choose from. Sometimes, the spot even hosts events where you can meet the winemaker and learn more about where exactly what you’re drinking is coming from. Check out the website for details and updates.
Rebelle	218 Bowery	A big plus about Rebelle is the fact that it never really gets that crowded, so you can enjoy your time here knowing that it’s mostly your own little secret. There is some formal dining to be found in back, but sitting at the bar will give you the same effect, with a lot less hassle. You can snag a bottle of Brut-Triple Zero or Sur Lie Origine for less than $60 here – just a couple options on an extensive menu of choices to sip on at one of New York City’s best wine bars.

 

CHEAT SHEET:

For more on the best wine bars in New York City, also hit up the following links:

• The Infatuation – 23 Wine Bars That Don’t Suck
• Thrillist – The Best Wine Bars in NYC
• Zagat – Best Wine Bars in NYC

 

Tags: Food and Drink, Top 10 Guides, Travel Categories: Food + Drink, Top 10 Guides, Travel