A Wine Lover's Guide To New York City

Ready for a wine adventure? We’ve found 10 essential spots for wine lovers in NYC. Starting from the Upper West Side and ending in Brooklyn, you’ll have a great time exploring NYC through wine with this guide.

Vanguard Wine Bar

Bar, Wine Bar, French

This casual wine bar on the Upper West Side has a lot to offer. Located conveniently near Lincoln Center, Vanguard is a great place for locals and tourists alike. The menu is divided by color and body, with wines from all over the US and Europe. Their small plates are French-inspired, so make sure to try a tartine with your Syrah. Feeling decadent? Try the Champagne float with candied cherries and vanilla ice cream.

Casellula

Wine Bar, Pub Grub, Vegetarian

Next, head down to Hell’s Kitchen. If you’re seeing a show or just exploring Midtown, Hell’s Kitchen is the ideal neighborhood to escape the mayhem for a moment. Stop by Casellula for a little wine and cheese. They offer a variety of both, so the servers will help you out if you’re overwhelmed by the choices.

NYC Winter Wine Festival

Market, American

If you’re in the city around February 6th, make sure to grab tickets for the NYC Winter Wine Festival. Featuring over 250 wines, live jazz performances, and hors d’oeuvres, this festival is the perfect winter event for a wine lover in NYC.

Pierre Loti

Bar, Wine Bar, American, Italian, Tapas

With locations in Union Square and Chelsea, Pierre Loti offers a vast selection of wine and excellent Italian tapas. They have featured wines of the month and a variety of wines organized by country. If you’re looking for a wine bar on Valentine’s Day, Pierre Loti has a special including a sparkling wine, a bottle, a cheese plate and, of course, chocolate. The candlelit patio tables are ideal for a romantic date.

Winebar

Bar, Mediterranean, French, Italian, Spanish, Tapas

This East Village spot is a great place for a date or to catch up with friends. The Mediterranean-style bar has a chic but welcoming atmosphere. If you’re hungry, try one of their main plates like grilled skirt steak au poivre with roasted rosemary potatoes. They even have a brick oven in the back where the chef prepares fresh pizza.

Amélie Wine Bar

Wine Bar, Bar, French

Head over to Greenwich Village for wine and cheese at French haunt Amélie. Amélie offers a happy hour between 4pm and 7pm, so you can try a flight with three wines for $12. Since this is located near Washington Square Park, take in the sights and stop in to try traditional French dishes and cheeses.

Brooklyn Winery

Winery

If you’re looking for a true winery, Williamsburg is the place to be. Brooklyn Winery, while a great spot for weddings and other events, also has its own wine bar where you can try wine made right here in NYC. Brooklyn Winery also hosts tours and tastings; just make a reservation ahead of time.

Cocoa Bar

Bar, Cafe, Wine Bar, American, Dessert

Check out this Park Slope spot that’s a cafe by day and a wine bar by night. Cocoa Bar has a great happy hour from 3pm to 8pm. You can also try a wine and chocolate pairing, or just go straight for the raspberry truffle chocolate cake.

June Wine Bar

Bar, Wine Bar, European

This romantic Cobble Hill venue features wines from all over the world and delicious small plates. June’s wines are all natural, and their dinner menu includes some tasty vegetarian options, like fennel and figs or Brussels sprouts with parmesan cream.

The Chocolate Room

Bar, Wine Bar, American

Finish off your night at The Chocolate Room, a dessert wine bar in Cobble Hill. You can either pair your wine with a delicious dessert or go for one of their dessert wines. They have suggested pairings for their signature desserts, with everything from a brownie sundae to butterscotch custard with port.

About the author

Kristie Garrell

Kristie currently studies Media, Culture, and the Arts at The King's College. While she loves writing both nonfiction and fiction, she also enjoys making collages and sketching. She loves sitting in parks, exploring caf?s and bars in Brooklyn, and admiring clothes she could never afford. She enjoys the poetry of E.E. Cummings, and Jeffrey Eugenides is her literary idol.