The classic question of what drink pairs best with an evening out has stirred people for centuries. Especially here in NYC, where wine is a delicacy, it’s no secret that the city is home to some of the freshest wines imported worldwide. From cozy aesthetics to knowledgeable sommeliers, the dedicated wine bars in NYC are an experience like no other. And no matter what kind of wine you desire, there’s always a spot to find a fresh and well-aged flavor you’re after. These are our favorite spots to grab a glass of goodness.
Book Club, East Village
Our first pick for best wine bars in NYC also doubles as a home for book lovers! Book Club may be one of the coziest spots in the city to indulge in some new sips, all while finding your new favorite read. If you’re the quiet kind of bookworm who may need some guiding out of their shell, they also host various events designed to spark your creative side and help you make friends. And don’t worry about selection – Book Club’s wine bar offers a variety of reds, whites, and sparkling flavors to suit any palette.
The Ten Bells, LES
The Ten Bells in the Lower East Side is a cozy and dimly lit den that offers a wide variety of natural wines to pick from. Their intimate indoor setting is perfect for a date night, a solo expedition, or even a gathering with a group of friends. If you go, we suggest grabbing some food since their tapas-style menu surprisingly goes well with their curated wine list. Or if you’re really going for it, try their $1 oysters during happy hour.
June, Carroll Gardens
If you’re in Brooklyn, one of our favorite spots is June, whose assortment of natural wines will have your head spinning. Their intimate atmosphere makes this one of our favorite date spots in the city, and their in-house staff is also sensational. Their wine selection ranges in taste and price, but there’s just about something for everyone!
Skin Contact, LES
Another great wine bar in NYC for dates is Skin Contact, which cheekily lives up to its name. Though you don’t need to be looking for romance to settle in here, it’s undoubtedly a cozy spot for anyone seeking intimate conversations – at least about good wine. The menu here has one of the widest selections you’ll find this side of the city, with a small-print 12-page menu…11 of which are all unique flavors of wine!
Ruffian, East Village
This cheerful East Village wine bar and restaurant serves top-notch wines and small plates, all with a cozy and candlelit ambiance. With a focus on Southern France, Eastern Europe, and everywhere in between, Ruffian’s highly curated wine list consists of over 250+ options by the bottle and 30 wines by the glass, that are constantly rotating. If you go, we recommend grabbing something from their French food menu to pair with a natural wine, like the caviar.
bibi, East Village
bibi is an eclectic and intimate spot sure to please anyone, whether you’re out with all your friends, on a charming date, or enjoying the finer things in life by yourself. Their wine list is passionately curated, generously poured and paired with delicious snacks worth indulging in. What makes bibi the best though is the big windows that let in plenty of sun during the day and city lights at night. If you’re not sure when to visit, stop in on Monday nights when you can order a Wine Flight of three half-glasses that let you sample a trio of terrific flavors!
Entwine, West Village
Step into this cute little natural wine joint that has good wines, a back patio, and some great staff. Entwine’s house selection of wines are always worth a look at, and they also have a fair amount of cocktails as well. We recommend grabbing one of their meat and cheese boards if you go, because the ingredients are always fresh and mouth-watering. Their rustic vibe is what really attracts us at heart!
Amelie, West Village & UWS
For an affordable glass of high-quality European wine, you’ve got to check out Amelie. Between their Euro-decor and French bites, you’re sure to have a wine/food combo that you probably won’t forget. Their wait staff is pleasant and knowledgeable, and their happy hour flight deal (3 wines for $12) can’t be missed!
Ayza, Midtown
Prepare yourself for the sweetness that is Ayza, a wine and chocolate bar that you have to give a try! They have an overwhelming amount of wines to choose from, including their “Ayza’s Signatures,” but we, of course, have to recommend one of their chocolate and wine pairings. We personally love the “Milky Way” (wine flight: Garnacha, sauvignon blanc & chocolate shop and chocolate platter: alize heart, tiramisu, rose hip pistachio & caramelized hazelnut).
The Four Horseman, Williamsburg
The Four Horsemen’s wine list is not to be messed with. Consisting of 47 pages (yes, you read that right) of wines to choose from, you may need a little extra time to thumb through your options! They range in origin, from Europe to Australia to even America! Plus, this spot, which is partially owned by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, is the perfect place to pick up your new hobby of wine. Their staff is some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable, and they will have you leaving with some newly learned facts!
LaLou, Prospect Heights
LaLou in Brooklyn is a chic and modern natural wine bar that serves some of the most niche French and Italian wines around. Their cute outdoor patio is perfect to dine at on a warm day, and during the colder months, we love chatting with the bartenders at the long indoor bar. They have decent food as well and a good oyster happy hour too.
Rhodora, Fort Greene
If you’re looking for a lovely little natural wine spot, we recommend Rhodora in Brooklyn. This zero-waste and carbon-neutral bar serves wine by the glass (at a decent price) as well as by the bottle (over 100 options). What’s really cool about this place, though, is the events they throw. Whether it’s wine tastings, guest chef appearances, or pop-up parties, there’s always something going on here! Check out their socials to see what’s on.
Arlo Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Technically, this spot is a boutique hotel, but it does serve wine and quite a bit more. Known for its social spaces and design-forward vibe, Arlo Williamsburg also offers a full restaurant (Sungold) and a lobby bar where you’ll find a variety of wines, by the glass and bottle. Much in style with their inkling for innovative events, this season, they’re also hosting An Idiot’s Guide to Wine, a hilarious wine tasting-meets-comedy show, where you savor six delicious wines in a no-snobbery-allowed setting.
Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, Midtown
Located in Midtown and inspired by each city block, Aldo Sohm Wine Bar embodies the energy of New York with the laid back atmosphere of Aldo’s own living room. This wine bar is stocked with a great selection of wines and with events like movie nights and a daily 9 pm pour!
Sauced, Williamsburg
Sauced in Williamsburg is essentially a backyard hangout, complete with some of the most unique wines you’ve ever seen. Sourced from all over Europe, the friendly staff here will be sure to welcome you with open arms, no matter what. We particularly are fond of their orange wine selection, a category that’s hard to come by in NYC, as well as their food! The social element of this wine bar, though, is what makes it perfect for catching up with friends or really any occasion!
Jadi’s Wine Bar, LES
When you’re in the mood for a casual glass of sophisticated wine, look no further than Jadi’s. Take a seat on their comfy couches or even at the bar while you sip on one of their affordable glasses of vino around. Their happy hour is one of the best deals around and the relaxed atmosphere of this place makes it easy to sit back and enjoy the taste of your drink in peace.
Spēs, East Village
Spēs is without a doubt one of the best natural wine bars in NYC, and it’s due to the 100+ flavors they offer, all served by the glass. Take a seat at one of their rounded tables while you become mesmerized by the shelves and shelves of bottles from across the globe. They also have pretty good food as well if you’re looking to pair it with something nice! There’s something about the flavor of their natural wines that just hit different.
St. Jardim, West Village
This West Village hangout doubles as a cafe by day and a natural wine bar by night, making it one of the most versatile on our list. Their wine menu is diverse and lengthy, and their food is awesome as well (and varies depending on the night of the week). Be sure to stop in during the morning and night, so you can get the best of both worlds!
142 Sullivan Bar, SoHo
142 Sullivan Bar specializes in hand-crafted wine-based cocktails, which are…incredible. With eight iconic cocktails, alongside a tasting menu of white and red wines, the selection is small yet specialized. What really sets 142 Sullivan apart, though, is their willingness to go above and beyond to accommodate the needs of larger parties. Famous for festive birthday parties and holiday events, this spot is perfect for reservations and celebrating something special.
The Immigrant, East Village
Rounding out our list is The Immigrant, a wine bar nestled in a former tenement space in East Village. It’s cozy, down-to-earth, and has just enough space for you and some close friends to stop by! Though their snack menu changes with the seasons, you’re guaranteed savory olives, cheeses, cured meats, and, of course, a couple of in-house specialties worth sharing with special people. Wines here are promised to delight any palate, with hand-selected reds, whites, rose, bubbles, and even a few rare orange varieties worth a sample. One of our favorites, too, is the Hot Dog and Chips combo that just fits the vibe of this classic spot.
