Wine Bars of the West Village | Alcohol Professor

Commerce and Barrow Streets, West Village NYC - Teri Tynes from New York, New York, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0

“Ah, good conversation - there’s nothing like it, is there? The air of ideas is the only air worth breathing.” Famed New York City writer, Edith Wharton penned this prose in her 1921 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Age of Innocence, chronicling high-society life around New York’s West Village. The neighborhood is a canvas for the creative mind with chefs, artists, and writers all drawing inspiration from the winding streets, intimate bistros, and each other.

When searching for an exemplary counterpart for good conversation (or lack thereof) a glass of wine (or bottle) in the enchanting environment of a West Village wine bar is sure to offer some libation inspiration. Even if the conversation turns stale, Ernest Hemingway (another West Village writer) wrote, "A bottle of wine is good company” (The Sun Also Rises, 1926) — so you’re never really losing. The small enclave’s wine lists are ready to quench the thirst of novices while satisfying New York’s seasoned palates. The creative expressions of the bathrooms are also not to be missed.

The perimeter may differ from patron to patron, but, officially the neighborhood is bordered by West 14th Street to the north, The Hudson River to the west, Sixth Avenue to the east, and Houston Street to the south. Our somm-approved picks for some of the best wine bars in the neighborhood (in no particular order) are enclosed within these tree-lined, historic, and vibrant boundaries.

Stafili Wine Café

796 Greenwich Street

The influence of wine on Greek culture has been demonstrated throughout history, namely in the writings of Socrates and Homer, among others. Here at Stafili (meaning ‘grape’) Wine Café, your Greek wine odyssey begins (or continues) its journey. The wine list is beguiling, overwhelming, and thrilling all at once, perhaps like the relationship with your Greek in-laws. Ordering a glass of agiorgitiko (aye-yor-yee-tee-ko) can be intimidating even for the seasoned wine drinker. The staff is super friendly and can be very helpful with your pronunciation — however, there’s the threat of no wine if you don’t at least try. The menu has all the classic dishes to stimulate your need for Mediterranean cuisine — plenty of olives, feta, and cured meats. Have the tyrokafteri (feta cheese spread with a jolt of spice) with a tasting flight of three very different styles of Santorini assyrtiko ($35 per flight) - because your date is hoping for a segue into talking about their trip to the island this summer.

Other Wines to Try

Silva Daskalaki ‘Grifos’ Vidiano 2022 Crete

Honeycomb tangled up in a wreath of orange blossoms and lemongrass with approachable tannins. A yummy skin-fermented wine made from the indigenous Cretian grape, vidiano.

Parparoussis Mavrodaphne di Patras 2004 - Peleponesse

Salty and sweet - is there no better combo? The famous dessert wine from Peloponesse shows out with notes of sea salt, prune, figs, and honey.

Lela Bar

422 Hudson Street

I couldn’t help but wander a little further west to get away from the weekend annoyance of 7th Avenue. Here I found Lela Bar, a charming neighborhood spot where you can chat with locals while drinking everything from New Zealand Pinot Noir to Croatian white and finding some new (or old) favorites in between. The atmosphere is charming, with a thoughtfully curated cheese list and cozy dishes that are served on mismatched plates - á la the country garden motif that your grannie loves. This particular afternoon mood craved a thought-provoking white wine. Enter: Luis Seabra ‘Xisto Ilimitado’ Duoro white ($21/GL) with its savory, almondy, sea-spray goodness was a delightful match to some Marcona almonds while taking in the goings-on of the neighborhood. Wanna show off your blind-tasting skills to your new friends? There’s a “mystery wine” that is offered, and if you correctly guess (or thoughtfully conclude) the unknown wine in your glass, your next one is half off.

Other Wines to Try

Isbabelle & Thierry Daulhiac ‘Bise’ Vin de France 2021

Floral, grippy, yummy. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon fermented on the skins. Supper delicioso with the cheese and truffle panini.

Schramsberg ‘Blanc de Noirs’ North Coast, California 2020

The enthralling bubbles of this Cali sparkler are not to be missed. Herbal, creamy, tart, yet juicy, is an ideal mate for all things cheese.

Moonflower

201 W. 11th Street

There are special breeds of nocturnal flowers called “moonflowers” — flowers that only bloom at night. Here at the apex of W. 11th, Greenwich Ave, and 7th Ave, is Moonflower, a colorful natural wine bar with lots of flower power. The wine list showcases the lunar-laden laws of biodynamics in a far-out way. Of course, grapes need sun, but the lunar cycle also provides nourishment. The food menu is thoughtful and not overwhelming — that is left to the wine list. However, the staff is kind and knowledgeable and can guide you to an out-of-this-world selection. Scheuermann ‘Vin de Soda’ Weissbergunder from Pfalz, Germany is the friendly fizz a hot-n-muggy New York afternoon calls for. Notes of lemon balm and fresh gooseberries paired perfectly with the most vibrant rendition of fresh cucumbers that a plate has ever seen, tucked underneath a sauce blanket of tahini and sesame. Moonflower also has a great happy hour, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4-6, featuring $10 glasses of select wines.

Other Wines to Try

Oliver Pithon ‘Mon P’tit Rouge’ 2022 - Cotes Catalanes, France ($16/GL)

A fruity chilled red chockfull of pomegranate and tart cherry fruit rounded out by plush plummy notes. Try with the whipped ricotta.

Antonio Ribeiro Pereira ‘Tinto Bom’ 2021 - Vinho Verde, Portugal

A flirty and fresh red Vinho Verde that is as playful as much as it is delicious.

Temperance

40 Carmine Street

A wine list with some of the world’s most interesting wines served alongside all the allure of mid-century modern decor? No restraint here, we’re in. The wine list showcases some of the most interesting wine regions such as Armenia, Brazil - and even the state of Virginia. The award-winning list is so exciting it's impossible to try it all in one sitting, probably alluding to the bar's namesake virtue. Something interesting, yet familiar, is always a good way to start, and the organization of the list makes it easy to navigate. Tsiakkas Xynisteri from Lemesos, Cyprus is a noteworthy substitution for Savvie B lovers. A cold glass of this is a great way to wash down a bowl of mussels in white wine sauce under the glow of the bar’s neon red lights. Temperance offers happy hour discounts on bottles and bites from Tuesday to Friday 4-6 PM.

Other Wines to Try

Osmote ‘This is Pet Nat’ Cayuga White 2022 - Finger Lakes, NY

Lip-smacking acidity meets tangerine goodness and grapefruit pith in a fizz made from the New York State homegrown hybrid, Cayuga White.

Scions of Sinai ‘Atlantikas’ Pinotage 2022 - Stellenbosch, South Africa

Justice for Pinotage. There are many good renditions these days like this one full of buoyant red fruit and yummy freshness.

Leitao

547 Hudson Street

Leitao (‘suckling pig’ in Portuguese) doesn’t market itself as a “wine bar” - but there’s wine - and a bar - so we feel like it counts. Modeled after the great cervejarias of Portugal, Leitao offers fine Portuguese cuisine, like Prego no Pão and Bacalhau. This lively spot offers a darling little wine list, not too many, not too little, just the right amount of selections. A glass of Quinta do Ameal Reserva, made from 100% Loureiro, with its fruitiness and subtle oak finds its long-lost companion in the Camarao Tigre - tiger shrimp with bottarga and chiles. After dinner, if you’re craving something sweet, the Portuguese have this category mastered. A solid glass of unctuous white Port with its honey and candied quince flavors alongside the famous Pastel de Nata is everything you didn’t know you needed. This West Village hot spot also offers some palate-pleasing cocktails and isn’t to be missed, if you can snag a table.