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98 Rivington St., at Ludlow St. (Lower East Side)
New York, NY
(1) 212-614-0473 | www.inotecanyc.com
AMBIANCE
Wine BarHOURS
Sun.-Wed.: 12:00pm-1:00am; Thurs.-Sat.: 12:00pm-3:00pmRESERVATIONS
Only accepted for groups of six or moreDOOR POLICY
NonePRICE (COCKTAILS; GLASS OF WINE; ANTIPASTI)
USD 12-13; USD 6-13; USD 7-14YEAR OPENED
2003SIGNATURE DRINK
Any of the winesBAR
Yes - full barFOOD SERVED?
Yes - hearty Italian small platesNOISE
MediumOUTDOOR SPACE
Yes - cafe-style seatingPRIVATE ROOM AVAILABLE?
YesSUBWAY
Delancey St.-Essex St. (F, J, M, Z); Grand St. (B, D); 2nd Ave. (F)

VIBE
This window-wrapped, light-flooded Italian wine bar sits on the corner of one of the most lively intersections on the Lower East Side, drawing thick crowds of the devastatingly hip. While the space is primarily a restaurant with a tiny bar attached, it’s all about wine, wine, wine. The menu, which boasts over 600 selections hailing from some of Italy’s best vineyards (as well as a handful of Italian small plates, like panini and antipasti), is poured over daily by oenophiles and chatty post-work tipplers itching to socialize.
WHAT WE WOULD WEAR
The scene is stylish casual; opt for a breezy top, cute skirt, and some colorful bangles.
GO HERE WITH
Friends; wine lovers; significant other; a date
CROWD
Oenophiles, foodies, and fashionable types in for the atmosphere.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, and almost every wine delightfully affordable. The private downstairs wine cellar with an antique farm table is a wonderfully rustic venue for dinner parties.
WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE
The line, which seems to be ever-present.
GOOD TO KNOW
‘inoteca comes from the brains behind ‘ino and ‘inoteca, liquori.
OTHER LOCATIONS
‘inoteca, liquori (New York); ‘ino, café/bar (New York)
CLOSEST COMPS
Turks and Frogs (New York); Peasant Wine Bar (New York); Ara Wine Bar (New York)
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