The Best Wine Bars in New York for Every Occasion

Similar to its Nolita location, its interior features classic New York brickwork, and is lined with a variety of individual tables and rustic banquettes. However, the location’s crown jewel is its extensive marble bar, perfect for chatting with the expert staff or cozying up with your plus one. The cherry on top? The bar just opened the doors to the Experimental Cocktail Club, located just downstairs. Bottle highlights include picks from Domaine Roulot, Guilbert-Gillet, and López de Heredia (decades-old bottles included!), but we recommend letting the expert staff guide you to the perfect pick.

While the food offerings are more robust than those at the LES location, the focus here still remains on wine. More than 500 bottles grace the bar’s impressive list, which boasts a French-heavy focus, specifically on Burgundy and Champagne. Up-and-coming “cool kids” (Domaine de Cassiopée, Wasenhaus) comfortably sit alongside the classics (Montevertine, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey), with prices remaining incredibly reasonable across the board. Our advice? Make the most of the experience by going with a group to enjoy as many of these well-priced gems as you can.

Another relatively new hotspot, Frog Wine Bar​​, officially opened its doors last year and is already making waves across Brooklyn’s natural wine bar scene. Overseen by wife-and-husband duo Alexandra McCown and Charles Gerbier, formerly of Fort Greene-based Cafe Paulette, this cozy destination has become a go-to for neighborhood locals and city dwellers alike. It’s all in thanks to its massive, year-round garden space and interior pool table that promises just as much of a good time on rainy days, should the weather not be outdoor space appropriate.

​​Frog’s offerings err on the natural side of things — ”funky” for some, though pretty standard for those acquainted with the style. Glasses hover around the $15 mark — which, while slightly pricey for the neighborhood, is pretty standard for New York these days. A reprieve can be found on the bottle list, which features options as low as $45, with most clocking in under $100. Light bites are also available, though Frog is definitely more about the drinks and (outdoor) ambiance. Come for the garden, stay for the juice. ​​​​

​​Walk-ins only.​

In addition to an epic selection of natural wines, June’s equally thoughtful kitchen is helmed by chef Jaye Witham, who utilizes seasonal ingredients to create comforting classics that pair beautifully with the bar’s wines — think lavender ricotta toast with grape jam and candy-striped beets with whipped chèvre and almonds. Their bottle offerings lean heavily on France and Austria, with regular staples from Les Vins Pirouettes and Lis et Bertrand Jousset regularly gracing the by-the-glass menu — though be sure to dive into the bottle list, as there’s so much more than meets the eye.

Beyond simply serving blind flights, Maniec and her knowledgeable staff equip each courageous taster with a Court of Master Sommeliers’ tasting grid, as well as talk each guest through their tasting journey upon deduction and bottle reveal. Perhaps even more impressive is the team’s kind and enthusiastic nature, which creates a safe and comfortable environment for those looking to hone their skills in a judgment-free zone. In addition to by-the-glass options and flights, Corkbuzz’s impressive bottle offerings span a variety of classic regions and up-and-coming ones alike, with all Champagne sold at retail price as the cherry on top.

Contrary to the exuberant vibe of Le Bernardin, Aldo Sohm Wine Bar was modeled after a quaint and comforting living room to provide guests with a more warm and convivial environment. Around 40 rotating wines by the glass — and more than 200 bottle selections — are offered, along with a number of comforting snacks and heavier entrees. Sure, the prices are a bit on the higher side, though a handful of by-the-glass picks can be found around the $15 to $16 mark, which is pretty standard, if not pretty decent, for the neighborhood.

With Emidio Pepe offerings from ​​​​​​1974, 1980, and 2001, as well as back-vintage Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Il Greppo Riserva (1970, 1997), Hubert Lignier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Baudes (1997-2000), and Domaine Dujac Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru 2000, it’s no surprise that Eli’s has remained one of the top places for drinking aged wines in the city — ​​​​at relatively reasonable prices to boot. Where else are you getting 1999 Domaine de La Roche Aux Moines ‘Savennières Roche Aux Moines’ at just $115 a pop?

Located in the bustling neighborhood of Dimes Square, Le Dive brings a touch of Parisian flair to the area’s up-and-coming food and wine scene. Helmed by restaurateur Jon Neidich, this buzzy natural wine-focused bar pays homage to the classic tabacs of the City of Lights, whose spirit Neidich likens to the many great dive bars of the world. Above all, his vision for Le Dive is to bring a piece of casual Paris to the table through offering well-curated by-the-glass pours and a handful of refreshing small plates, including ricotta, raw oysters, and beef tartare. Sure, the price tag is certainly higher than you’d find at a classic Parisian haunt, but for those craving a taste of France’s beloved capital city, the ambiance is 10/10.

​​The wine list leans heavily Italian, with classic favorites from Piedmont (Colombera & Garella, Produttori del Barbaresco) and Sicily (Passopisciaro, Girolamo Russo), as well as off-the-beaten path picks from Friuli, Lazio, and Campania. A particular highlight? Foradori Teroldego from Trentino-Alto Adige, which pairs perfectly with a variety of flavors and seasons, especially when served chilled. Best of all, guests have access to the full restaurant menu​ from chef Marc Forgione​, featuring standout seasonal pastas and wood-fired meats and veggies that promise to leave a lasting impression. ​​​

Few New York wine bars open before 5 p.m., though Somm Time, which sits on Broome Street, breaks the mold by starting service at 4 p.m. daily — perfect for getting a pre-dinner glass in, no matter what time your reservation may be. Wine director Maria Rust brings her passion for hospitality and service to this relaxed and cozy bar, which also serves as an event and party space. Around 20 wines are offered by the glass, with sparkling, skin-contact, and chillable red options always on the menu. Currently, the bar’s pouring Thibaud Capellaro-Slope Ze-Ro, a delicious Syrah-Viognier blend, alongside Stobi’s Vranec (Macedonia), Fabrizio Vella’s Catarratto (Sicily), and Weingut Hans Wirsching’s Silvaner from the Franken region of Germany. In short? Whether classic or esoteric is what you’re after, you’re likely to find something at this tucked-away, LES gem.

Call (212) 860-0401 to make a reservation.

Cult natural favorites from Andreas Tscheppe, Gut Oggau, and Frank Cornelissen can also be found, and the bar regularly updates their “Last Bottle” section, offering guests the chance to get in on unique picks before it’s too late. Stop in until midnight on Fridays or Saturdays for a post-dinner bottle or glass — and be sure to save room for the bar’s signature crab fritters, served with ají amarillo ranch.

The bar’s four-course tasting menu costs a mere ​$60, with wine pairing options available for an additional $55. Current menu highlights include smoked root vegetable spread with smoked pepitas, as well as Georgian-inspired khachapuri prepared with egg yolk, mushroom, potato, and apple butter aijka. Come for the food, stay for the wine — or vice versa. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

A handful of snacks, cheese, and charcuterie are always offered, as well as more substantial fare, including slow-cooked cauliflower, Korean fried chicken wings, and more. The only thing more eclectic than the bar’s by-the-glass offerings? The way in which they’re presented on the colorful 29-page loose-leaf list, featuring various “alerts,” custom graphics, and hilarious pop culture references (no seriously, see for yourself).

Founded earlier this year by wife-and-husband duo, Carenn Mackinnon (formerly of Frenchette and Estela) and Max Mackinnon, (chef and partner at Libertine), alongside San Antonio food-and-beverage expert, Chad Carey, Plus de Vin​ is an absolute must-visit for those looking to simply savor in the delights of great food and wine pairings. Located on Graham Avenue in Williamsburg in the former Pheasant space, this walk-in only spot offers quality bites and a relaxed outdoor garden that’s open daily, with wine selections focused on small-batch bottles made by artisanal winemakers and farmed responsibly.

Snack highlights include pork rillettes with mustard and crackers; as well as frites with aioli; peekytoe crab toast, made with celery, horseradish, and trout roe; and potato salad prepared with cornichons, celery, scallion, and herbs. The bottle list is constantly rotating, though half-pages of bubbles and skin-contact offerings, as well as full pages dedicated to white and red, respectively, are always on deck. As the founders say, “Come by, let us feed you some snacks, pop you some bottles, and have some hangs in the garden.” Count us in.

Walk-ins only.

Cora’s food offerings change regularly based on seasonality, with options ranging from small snacks to larger, shareable plates. Current highlights include the restaurant’s signature pull-apart rolls served with sunflower seeds and cultured butter, along with the little gem salad prepared with sprouts, seeds, and “lots of herbs.” A variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian options are also available — meaning no matter your dietary restrictions, you won’t go hungry (or thirsty) — at this hidden gem wine bar.