Translation from English

Monday, September 23, 2013

Vanguard Wine Bar

This is a large but reclusive feeling establishment that would actually be easy to miss in this busy Kips Bay/Murray Hill area of East Midtown

People who go there seem to like it very much though, lot of good reviews--I don't sense any of the hostility that sometimes gets into these Yelp write-ups

Vanguard Wine Bar

4.0 star rating
21 reviews Rating Details
Category: Wine Bars  [Edit]
530 2nd Ave
(between 30th St & 29th St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Kips Bay
(212) 447-9463
Nearest Transit Station:
28 St.
33 St.
23 St.
Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 2 am
Good for Groups:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$$
Outdoor Seating:
No
Music:
Background
Best Nights:
Thu, Fri, Sat
Happy Hour:
No
Alcohol:
Beer & Wine Only
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No
Noise Level:
Average
Good For Dancing:
No
Ambience:
Classy
Has TV:
Yes
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21 reviews in English

  • Review from

    • 1 friend
    • 43 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    5/11/2013
    My favorite place in the area to relax and unwind after a day's work, or just on the weekend when I feel like grabbing a drink with someone near my place and catching up. Beautiful, beautiful interior (even the bathroom is gorgeous -- how many bars can say that?!) and solid wine and food, every time. Unlike some of the other reviews, I happen to think the wine selection here is interesting and sophisticated, and at a decent price. Now, I wouldn't call myself a snob or a connoisseur (I might hate myself if I did), but I've tried some really good stuff here, and have never been disappointed by the selections or suggestions by the staff.

    Even though this is a wine bar though, I think I come just as much for the food. The tartines they have are SO good, and not expensive for what you get. Try the white bean and kale one.... oh man I wish I had some of that right now. The charcuterie and cheese plate is expensive, but worth it if you're in the mood to splurge. It's sinful.

    Best bar in the area, in my opinion. Oh, and the music is also amazing. Perfect for a date or low-key evening with anyone.
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    5/20/2013
    Not bad.  Went with my girlfriends before a movie one evening....they were doing $30 bottles of wine, so we got a sparkling Rose and enjoyed at the front table.

    The wine was GREAT.  The decor and the ambiance so very European and old school, it was just perfect.  My type of place.

    I cannot give it five stars because the help was SLOW and I mean SLOW.  They just didn't move and we were grabbing a quick drink before the movie, so we needed service to be a little speedy.

    Also, the glasses were dirty also.... :(

    To get $30 bottles in a cute place...with great ambiance is totally worth it.
  • Review from

    Hoboken, NJ
    5/19/2013 3 photos 1 check-in here
    On the TV above the bar they had Midnight in Paris playing. So fitting...

    When you walk into the bar you feel like you are transported back to the 1940's in Paris from the music to the subway tiles on the wall. It is both romantic and lively, in a mature sort of way that doesn't exist anywhere else in Gramercy. They have a nice wine selection with glasses around $10 and bottles in the $40 range.

    If you need a great post date spot for a drink and are tying to impress your date, come here.
    • Great bar. Feels like you were transported to Paris.
    • Ok, so I know bathroom shots are odd, but you know it's cla…
    • And what bathroom would be complete without a 1950s radio t…
  • Review from

    • 1 friend
    • 311 reviews
    Clifton, NJ
    9/4/2013
    A wine bar with some food. Reminds you of France. The place isn't that big but good date place. Very friendly bartender who will help you choose your wine.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 14 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    9/14/2013
    The atmosphere, wine, and food were all good, but the prices are high and the portions are tiny. A good place for a quick drink, but not if you're hungry. Unless the prices fall or the portions expand, I wouldn't go back.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 5 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    8/3/2013
    Went here for the first time last week after work - very nice place, cozy interior, clean bathroom. Had two glasses of white wine and one rose - 4 stars since i think they are a little bit pricey and also no selection of rose wines, only one choice in fact. But overall a great place and would definitely come back.
  • Review from

    • 19 friends
    • 38 reviews
    Financial District, Manhattan, NY
    7/19/2013 1 check-in here
    I've been eager to check this place out since it opened months ago.  Very small staff consisting of the owner (it looked like) and 1 chef behind the counter.  You have to order everything at the bar and bring it back to your table.   The place was decently crowded and had a great atmosphere when I arrived at 9 PM.  Drinks were the average price for a glass of wine.  It happened to be one of the hottest days of the summer, but all things considered it definitely could have been cooler inside.  I will definitely go back though to try the food.  I wouldn't travel far to go here, but if you live in the neighborhood definitely worth trying.
  • Review from

    • 142 friends
    • 66 reviews
    San Diego, CA
    7/11/2013 1 check-in here
    Came here on my last night in NY! Antonnio was amazing! He was so nice and helpful! My friend and I are kind of wine noobs. And he was really great about helping us find a nice wine to try! Definitely made my last night even better! Loved the vibe of the place and met some really nice people! It's definitely a nice chill place to come unwind and relax. Also that meat and cheese platter was delicious...but that might have been the wine talking  :)
  • Review from

    • 89 friends
    • 416 reviews
    New York, NY
    1/6/2013 1 check-in here First to Review
    Nice looking place, and nice guys working here, but I felt like it is kind of a wine bar for beginners. If you don't know much about wine the menu is arranged into categories, something like "big and bold" or "fruity." I tried a few of the reds and wasn't too impressed with any of them; did better with the whites. Still, a nice addition to this sad stretch of dive bars. I'll be back to see how it comes along.

    P.S.: Sad to see the number of shill reviews that have posted since my visit here.
  • Review from

    • 24 friends
    • 82 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    3/28/2013
    Some people on here have called this a wine bar for beginners, but really, who cares.   Wine snobs can go flock somewhere else if you don't like it. Leave it for the rest of us who just want to enjoy some good wine with some good company.

    I've been to Vanguard 3 times, and with each time, I like it even more. It's quaint with a warm interior filled with vintage decorations and they even play old movies on a screen behind the bar. And don't even get me started on the bathroom. Probably the NICEST bar bathroom I've ever been in. Don't believe me? Give it a go.

    They have a decent amount of wines and some small plates, too. I've heard the food is fantastic, but I can't vouch for it personally because I haven't tried it yet. I do, however, like the wine. And from the looks of it, everyone else in the place likes the wine, too.

    The staff is really helpful and extremely nice. They even dress the "vintage" part. Really seals the deal on the time era they are trying to go for. The prices are pretty average as far as glasses of wine go in the city.

    I'll definitely be coming back here soon for an after-work drink..or three.

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