VIBE

Very much like its sister bar, the room (also in the West Village), this dark wine bar appeals to rendezvousing romantics and serious oenophiles with its weathered, bricked-walled interior and shadowy nooks lit with flickering votive candles. Chalkboards list the day’s options, selections set to please drinkers of all tastes and budgets, ranging from the house collection of over 50 beers (including some draft) to exotic wines from around the world. The sultry vibe is enhanced by the flirtatious bartenders and the dressed-up couples who often settle in for the evening (space is tight, so tables are slow to turn over).

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Relaxed chic; we’d go for a dark fitted top, designer denims, comfy pumps, and some sparkly earrings.

GO HERE WITH

A friend or two; significant other; a date

CROWD

After-work twosomes or threesomes, first daters, and the occasional wine enthusiast.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The bartenders here are wine and beer specialists; it’s always nice to be served by someone who really knows what they’re talking about. Plus, the romance is undeniable, what with the candlelit, rustic interior and close-quarters seating arrangements, which beg for leaned-in heart-to-hearts.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

On weekends, the bar occasionally gets overrun with loud spillovers from the nearby clubs, which can disturb the peaceful ambiance.

GOOD TO KNOW

If you’re looking for a night out away from the scene of the Village’s louder and busier venues, this one’s a gem. The bar is beer and wine only–no hard liquor. The artwork is by local artists, adding a bit of funky neighborhood flair to the mix.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Venice Beach

CLOSEST COMPS

anotheroom (New York); the room (New York); The Ten Bells (New York)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.