Bowery And Vine

I don’t normally write 2-​star reviews and if you look at the over 1800+ reviews I have written, I rarely give out 2-​star because I know that most businesses are really trying to help the customer out while also eking out a difficult living in NYC and some establishments live or die by Unilocal reviews. But with that said, I really had a less than average experience here.
Currently, I am looking for some bourbons for a very serious bourbon drinker. I called the store in the morning and asked about a few different kinds of bourbons (namely Noah’s Mill and Elmer T Lee). The man on the phone was very helpful and knowledgeable, so this store gets 1-​star for his excellent customer service.
Later in the day, I came into the store to pick up the Noah’s Mill ($ 53). I was immediately greeted by an older gentleman who was very helpful and knowledgeable in directing me to the bourbon selections. And indeed, they have quite a nice selection (including Jefferson, Elijah Craig, Breckenridge, Hudson Baby, etc). Another star for his helpful service.
But what ensued after this was an all down-​hill experience. I wanted to look at some wines and was browsing around looking at all the selections, but one of the salesman was basically riding my ass and watching me like a hawk. I couldn’t even browse without him invading my personal space. Finally, he asked if he could help me find a wine. I was eyeing a bottle of Barone Di Villagrande Etna Rosso DOC ($ 22) and asked if this is the only kind of Etna Rosso they carry, and he told me yes. He then wanted to direct me to a Syrah, telling me it was similar to an Etna Rosso and then said to me, «it is high-​tech.» And since I did not understand what that meant, I asked him to explain. He then told me that «hi-​tech» means that there is temperature control for processing the grapes. In which I reply, «interesting, but that isn’t natural, not sure how I feel about it.» He then tells me, «wine is a big business and this is the trend of how wines are made.» He then asks me if I have ever tried a German Pinot Noir, and I said, «no.» I asked if it was more spicy, in which he responds flatly, «no, it is ashy.» At this point, we aren’t having the best chemistry, but I decide to show him a pic of an Etna Rosso I really enjoy, and then he mutters something about «IGT.» I ask if there is something similar in the store to the Etna Rosso I like, and then he points me back to the original bottle I was eyeing, «this is similar to the one you like, it is DOC, like the one in the pic!» And he seems really angry and annoyed. Good customer service is a clearly lacking in this salesman.
I pick up the original bottle I wanted and move to the register to pay for both of my bottles. No issues with check out.
But what strikes me as odd is why this salesman had a clearly belittling manner towards me, and he wasn’t really trying to educate me (I am not a wine expert), or be helpful. Maybe it was just a bad day, but honestly, I had a less than mediocre experience (and I felt like everyone was trying to rush me out) and with so many other wine and spirits shops in the city, I have a choice where to spend my money and I won’t be coming back here to give them my business.

Love this place! I went in looking for a special bottle of wine for my mothers birthday. The people were friendly and knowledgeable. I left excited about my selection. Would definitely shop there again.

Great selection but the owner seems kind of… Not accepting of most people. It’s a shame really. It’s hard to support a local business that has that kind of viewpoint of the world. Especially in NYC.

Nicely located, excellent selection, the presentation and architecture are inviting. Right around the corner from Whole Foods Market, very convenient, and a step up from average. Try it you’ll like it.

Owner is a jerk– unwilling to answer basic questions. Acted like I was wasting his time. Gee, so sorry I didn’t just want to buy the basic brands that fly off the shelf anyway and was interested in something that’s a little harder to sell. It’s called customer appreciation. Will be going to Astor Wine & Spirits.

Came in on a blustery day after an amazing meal nearby, was looking for a night cap bottle. Their selection is amazing, and best part is that their refrigerated section also has good selections.
If you’re in that neighborhood, you’re more than likely to be going to some house party or some kind of byob situation. Bowery hence is so centrally located to downtown happenings.
We got two bottles: a Pinot from Oregon and Chappelet cuvée. We’ve been expanding our wine taste buds, and can’t wait to open the Pinot. Our friend introduced us to Chappelet and we know it’s an exceptional winery. It’s actually not easy to find this winery in NYC

We have bought from in the store, as well as ordered delivery several times as it is close to our house, but unfortunately have been let down so many times due to terrible service and unknowledgeable staff — we have been over-​charged, and also given product that we did not order (for example vodka that is $ 30 cheaper than the vpdka we paid for) — I would not recommend this if you care about price, service or wine knowledge.

Kinda expensive and really horrible manager who looks like he wants to rush u out the a store. Never going back

Have to say I don’t usually review liquor stores, but I had to share my great experience. Strolled in here one day while picking up art supplies Soho and was looking at whiskeys. They have a fine collection — which includes many high end varieties. After about 5 minutes of looking up and down the shelves, one of the staff, with an Australian (?) accent asked if he could help.
I said I was looking to try a new whiskey but didn’t want to pay too much. We started talking about whiskeys and he suggested Elijah Craig 12 year as a good sipping whiskey that goes good with a cube of ice at a very reasonable price. He also pointed out Old Weller Antique 107, both stronger bourbons that sip well.
Well, long story short, I bought both. I figured I would start with the backup first, Old Weller, and cracked it open. What a great sipping whiskey! I haven’t tried the Elijah Craig, but I read some great reviews and look forward to it.
The reason I’m giving these guys 4 stars is because they had a great selection of whiskeys and he knew his whiskeys. Also, he mentioned Whiskeypig, which I mentioned I tried and loved — but he didn’t try to upsell me, but focused on what I wanted at the moment (a reliable, inexpensive, but good sipping whiskey I could keep stocked). Most liquor stores could care less about what I was buying as long as I bought it and would recommend the expensive brands, regardless of taste.
Thanks guys!

Excellent selection of spirits with some rather hard to get and obscure producers available.
The wine selection is decent but could be better by having a large selection of higher end French and Italian options.
Prices are a bit high compared to other shops on most items with some being completely out of whack.
Worth stopping in if you are in the area.

Was calling all over the lower east side and no one even seemed to know what Applejack was, much less carry it. When I finally got to B & V on my list they let me know that they had it in stock so I went to pick it up. I also looked at their website and it’s very informative and easy to navigate.
As soon as I entered the fairly large store compared to most of the other liquor stores in the area I was greeted with a smile and asked if I needed help. I said I already knew what I wanted but would like to look around so they backed off but let me know if I had any questions they’d be glad to help. 5 stars just for that! As I looked around I was very impressed with their selection. They have all the standards at competitive prices as well as many more obscure and hard to find brands. They’re not as cheap as Astor but not so much more that I’d be better off hopping on a subway or cab to save at Astor. They also have a great selection of bitters, other than Angoustura, which is the only bitters any of the other liquor stores in my area carry. Not hating on Angoustura but I like to try different things now and then.
All in all a great overall experience and I’ll def be going back.

Decent wine and liqueur store near the Whole Foods on Bowery – such a blessing! Last time I went in it was early Saturday night and there was a steady stream of people coming and in out, getting their supplies for the night. Staff was very friendly and gave great suggestions. Prices are standard – you can definitely get some nice wines for under $ 12 here.

I went there to buy wine glasses. Found the ones I like, and asked for 3 of them. They had only 2 in the store, so they told me they will bring a 3^rd one from the storage. After about 7 minutes of search, they packed everything really nicely and handed me the bag with the glasses. I arrived home, and was very surprised to find out that the 3^rd glass was different from the first 2. So I guess this is what happened — after they didn’t find the requested glass in the storage, they just added the 3^rd different glass that was in the store, instead of the one I asked (I know that because I saw this particular glass in the store). I wouldn’t expect ANY store to do something like that…

BEST WINE/​LIQUOR DELIVERY EVER.
Super fast. Amazing easy to navigate website. Great selections. Rad prices. And they usually have great sales on spirits.
The Cannonball Cabernet Sauvingon is spectacular.
When I’m sitting at home in my stretchy pants and lazier than the guy who designed the Japanese flag, Bowery and Vine always puts a smile on my face when the door bell rings and Mr. Delivery brings mommy her medicine. x

I occasionally went here for wine on the way home because its right in the area. A few weeks ago I walked in with two or three friends to buy a bottle of whiskey for a friends party and three employees crowded around us like we were criminals. This will be my last purchase here. The selection isn’t that great as a few have mentioned and I’d much rather go somewhere with better customer service.

Went here Friday night. Spent about 30 minutes talking bourbon, whisky and rye with an incredible salesman who knew so much. I got an education and made two purchases. Van Brunt Stilhouse American Whiskey which he said to snap up. Pricey little bottle but I should have bought the other one too. I had selected a barrel aged Manhattan from Utah that I bought there before. Loved it so I bought another. They have tastings and a great selection in a small store. I never leave her empty handed. Close to the subway so I can pick up on the way home. Would have bought more but I had my hands full for the journey home.

Mediocre review for this place — just like everyone else’s.
Decent all around. Nothing bad. Wide selection. Decent upfront staff except but the cashiers are always reading magazines, phones or anything that doesn’t involve the customer.

Above average wine shop. Here’s what they have going for them:
— Reasonably large selection that covers most bases, and even includes a few off the beaten track choices.
— Under $ 15 bottles well represented. (Or at least well enough represented).
— Always a staff member on hand who knows the wines, can make intelligent recommendations and answer questions.

Since I live within their delivery area, I started to utilize this service. Home delivered wine within the hour? Only in New York City! Their range of wines is extensive, from a cheap red that tastes fantastic, to ones on the higher end and double as good.
Just to reiterate… They deliver! How awesome is that!

While my heart belongs to New York in so many ways, as a Californian, I don’t get why you dudes can’t just sell beer, booze and wine in supermarkets?! Why make it so difficult to get your crunk on?
At least Bowery and Vine somewhat rectifies that inconvenience by being just around the corner from Whole Foods and a skip and a hop (maybe two) from my apartment. Couple that with a wonderful assortment of wine, sakes and liquors, always a plethora of knowledgeable staff on hand, totes reasonable prices (especially their bargain bin, tee hee) AND best of all, wine and cheese tasting in the evenings on Fridays and my friends, we got ourselves a winner!
They also have that non-​sketch factor which I appreciate in a liquor store.