Vanguard Wine Bar (Upper East Side)

If you're looking for the perfect spot for a date night, I have to recommend Vanguard Wine Bar on the Upper West Side. It's such a cozy little place with an intimate vibe that’s just right for conversation and making memories.

As soon as I walked in, I loved the warm lighting and laid-back decor. It really feels like the perfect place to escape the city's hustle and bustle.

The wine list is seriously amazing! They have a great selection of local and international wines, so whether you're a wine expert or a casual sipper, you'll find something you love. The staff there is super friendly and knowledgeable, so they can help you pick the perfect wine to match your taste.

And don’t skip the snack menu! They’ve got a bunch of delicious bites that go great with the wine. Sharing a few snacks while sipping wine makes it that much more fun.

If you want a cozy atmosphere, great wine, and tasty snacks, this is definitely the place to be!

Friendly, helpful bartender and a good selection of wine. Was appalled however, at the meager rations on the $29 "charcuterie plate." I could make a better plate digging through a dumpster behind an italian deli. Go for the wine, but eat before.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 5

Excellent place to grab a glass of wine alone or with friends! Quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Ryan was a great server and gave us fun background on the wine we ordered. He let us sample a couple different choices to make sure we liked it before choosing our wine. I got the Fess Parker Syrah which was very tasty! It’s definitely worth stopping in here sometime!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delightful wine bar, several of their own French-vineyard wines plus a great selection of other French wines. The staff knows their wine, which, you know, important at a wine bar. No notes. Lovely.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

I threw a party here for about 35 people here and it was a seamless, positive experience! The food and wine were fantastic and the staff were friendly and accommodating. Strongly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Really fun and friendly staff, detailed menu, delicious wine, great experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

good wine and v nice chill vibes. service was great. cool posters/decorations on the walls making in feel homey. we got a bottle of white and it was perfect and reasonable. we went on a friday and it was pretty busy but offered a bit of calm. always playing some film in the background which gives it a unique touch. only qualm is that the cheese board was okay. not standout.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Charcuterie

Solid date spot with excellent atmosphere. Dimly lit with sort of a French feeling to it. no reservations to my knowledge but I’ve yet to have difficulty getting a table or spot at the bar. I will say, service can be slow if the bar is busy.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 4

Simple wine spot with a little bit of small bites

Drinks with friends; bar service was great with selection of wines.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

A great neighborhood spot with a cozy, “sitcom hangout” vibe.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mushroom Shallots Truffles

Jemina made our experience so much more amazing! Even with a bar full of people she was still extremely attentive and went out of her way to interact with every customer that walked in. This will be my new go to bar in the city!!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Great wine selection and atmosphere however the food was disappointing. $16 for a small plate of tarts. Bread was also around the same price and not even enough for 1

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4

Highly recommend! A spacious, popular space for an excellent glass of wine and nibbles (they have a decent beer selection too!). With darker lighting and candles, without a doubt this is also a lovely, very popular date spot. Every time I have gone in there, I love always finding plenty room at the bar or the tables in the back. The menu offerings are enough to satisfy a small appetite but wouldn't count on a large filling meal here. This is order at the bar service only. There was limited yet very impressive staff that covered a very busy bad, would wish there was maybe a bit more help to avoid waits. Regardless, friendly service. Enjoy!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Kale & Apple Salad

Great for a date night! We love to go for a glass of wine after dinner nearby. FYI you have to order at the bar, but the staff is very friendly and attentive. Can definitely get crowded but usually you can squeeze in somewhere! I’ve never had a problem trying to get a spot.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5