Where to Drink Rosé in NYC
Published 05/15/2018
One of the prettiest wines around, rosé continues on its course to becoming summer’s unofficial drink. It’s easy to see why: there’s a style for all palates, though it mostly leans toward dry with citrusy, flowery notes, and the blush-colored wine is fun to drink, especially with NYC as your backdrop. In case you were wondering, the wine is made by staining the juice red with grape skins for a few hours (the skins are removed before the red pigment reaches a deep color). Here are some prime NYC places to satisfy your unabashed craving for this seasonal favorite. —Christina Parrella
1
Bar Primi
1
325 Bowery
Bonus points go to the East Village’s Bar Primi for being one of the first establishments in the City to offer a frozen rosé (known also as “frosé”) all year long. The Bowery restaurant, which offers curbside seating, began making their frosé with its slushie machine following a successful attempt at freezing negronis. Bar Primi’s frosé features wine from Sicily, Italian rosé vermouth and pureed strawberries.
2
Bar Veloce
2
176 Seventh Ave
This fashionable Italian wine bar has locations in the East Village, Chelsea and Columbus Circle, where you can sip rosé in style. The coral-colored offering here hails from the Lombardy region and is on the dry and flowery side. It pairs well with plates of bruschetta or panini. Plenty of reds and whites flesh out the wine list.
3
Gilligan's
3
310 West Broadway
This pop-up outdoor bar is located on the ground level of the Soho Grand Hotel and brings all the charm of beach life (minus the sand) to the neighborhood. Shade from lush green plants; life preservers, buoys and other decor that could be from a shipwreck; and the occasional cooling spray from a misting system all add to the nautical theme. Try a refreshing summer cocktail (like the popular frozen watermelon margarita) or the thing you probably came here for: rosé. There are seven varieties; the on-tap option goes for $16 a glass. Use it to wash down some fresh oysters caught on Long Island.
4
Grand Banks
4
Pier 25
Head to Pier 25 in Tribeca, where Grand Banks—a seasonal seafood restaurant—is located aboard the historic schooner Sherman Zwicker. Try lobster rolls, oysters or soft shell crabs with your rosé, which comes with views of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Most of the seafood here is sustainably sourced; profits from sales benefit the Maritime Foundation for ocean conservation.
5
The Ides
5
80 Wythe Ave.
Take the elevators at the Wythe Hotel up to the hotel’s expansive rooftop bar, The Ides, where a stellar view of the Manhattan skyline awaits. The chic, open-air bar offers a rotating selection of rosés, including organic entries from sustainable makers like France’s François Cazin and a variety from Monje in the Canary Islands. A menu of small plates is also available.
6
La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
6
249 Centre St
With its subtle lighting, glass-front facade and wines on display, this rustic French bar is as close to Paris as you can get in New York City. Similar to its original Parisian location, the Nolita bar offers almost 600 different wines, a majority of them coming from France. There are a number of high-end reds and whites, and the rosés are just as exquisite (one comes from Saint-Pierre, a tiny island in the Rhône river).
7
Le Bar
7
225 Liberty St.
Plan on enjoying a relaxing view of the New York Harbor at Le Bar. Part of French food hall Le District, Le Bar offers a French-inspired menu, cocktails like the Beauborg Bellini (a sparkling rosé drink infused with peach nectar and liqueur) and a host of French wines. Try the rosé options from Côtes de Provence for something less sweet.
8
Lois
8
98 Ave C
This Avenue C bar is a bit of a hike from the closest subway stop, but once you arrive you’ll be rewarded with your choice of 16 different wines on tap. Serving the wine by this method is meant to keep the price down (good news) and to ensure consistency and quality (also good news). They rotate their rosés, which means you’ll be coming back for more.
9
Molyvos
9
402 W. 43rd St.
This Greek restaurant carries more than 700 bottles from the Mediterranean country, among the largest selection of Greek wines in NYC. Aisde from its red and white selection, the menu features an exclusive collection of sparkling and dry rosés. Notable offerings include Gaia Estate’s fruity Agiorgitiko and the dry Meliasto (a blend of Moschofilero and Agiorgitiko) from Domaine Spiropoulos, both imported from the Peloponnese region. Try them with fresh Greek specialties like grilled octopus and crispy Lesvos feta sticks.
10
The Poni Room
10
316 Bowery
This “rosé-centric izakaya,” located underneath Saxon + Parole, focuses on small shareable seafood dishes with plenty of rosé to accompany it. The casual bar features seven varieties (including a sparkling version) from France, California and Spain, served by the glass, fish pitcher or bottle. There are non-rosé options as well, including beer, soju and cocktails.
11
Rooftop Reds
11
63 Flushing Ave.
The views are as good as the wine at the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s rooftop vineyard, the first of its kind in the borough. Using grapes sourced from the Finger Lakes region, Rooftop Reds offers red and white varieties including riesling, chardonnay and a lovely dry, light rosé. Wednesday evenings bring a $25 cheese and wine pairing; the skyline views are free.
12
Serra at Birreria
12
Eataly NYC Flatiron
This spacious, leafy rooftop at Eataly in the Flatiron District celebrates the Italian countryside with regional dishes that change seasonally. Among the summer highlights: arancini (fried rice balls with prosciutto) and imported cheese from Emilia-Romagna. Find the largest selection of biodynamic Italian wines in NYC here, including six rosé varieties from Sicily and Tuscany.
13
Sant Ambroeus
13
259 W. 4th St.
The pasticceria-confetteria, which traces its roots back to 1936 Milan, has a devoted following of fans who come to the cozy West Village spot; there are locations in Soho and the Upper East Side as well. The popular Italian eatery is known for its cappuccino, cornetto and celebrity clientele, but its elegant dining room and casual outdoor seating are perfect for trying its rosé options, including its Tuscan house brand, Felice.