Photo of Vanguard Wine Bar by Sayle Milne.
Two new bars opened in the past couple of weeks, and we’ve already been hearing raves about one of them.
The Vanguard Wine Bar, a new bar at Amsterdam between 68th and 69th, has already gotten some buzz from our readers, with several writing to tell us that they’re very impressed. While wine and cocktail bars are ubiquitous a few blocks away, there don’t seem to be as many on Amsterdam in that area. “It is really fantastic,” said Sayle. “Kyle the barkeep/manager is an affable guy and does a nice job engaging with customers and ambiance is very warm, and welcoming, with echoes of a French bistro,” one yelper wrote.
The NYLO Hotel (it used to be called On the Ave) at 77th and Broadway now has a terrace bar on the 16th floor serving drinks from 5 to 9 p.m. accompanied by acoustic guitar music. The bar, just a couple of blocks from Central Park and the museum of Natural History, offers nice views.
The other bar at NYLO on the ground floor on 77th street will be opening its large garage door on pleasant nights and setting up a sidewalk cafe, a rep tells us. The ground floor bar is nicely designed and there’s a nice mix of cocktails, including an “Upper West Side Old Fashioned.” But when I went shortly after it opened last year, it wasn’t clear if the vibe was “tourists looking at their maps” or “mysterious strangers mingling.” Has anyone been recently?
When the NYLO’s predecessor went before the CB 7 to get their approval for the “Terrace Bar”. They claimed that the Terrace would only be for guests who were staying at the hotel. Access they said was restricted; of course it wasn’t which an easy visit to the hotel before the hearing made clear. Residents who objected said it was unlikely that the hotel would go to all that trouble for a hotel guests only watering hole and the residents were right.
But who cares the hotel got is liquor license and isn’t that really all that matters?
I live in LT so decided to visit the Vanguard the other day. Was surprised at how busy it was on a weekday just after it opened. Good mix of young folks that work in the nabe and some older residents. The food emerging from the electric oven was really good, and the bartender and cook were able to keep up with demand. Nice vibe, they seem to be doing well and it’s a nice addition to the nabe.
Oh, Pedestrian, how will the poor residents deal with the cacophony of acoustic music on a tiny terrace bar from 5 to 9PM?! I will pray for you!
Pedestrian is right. Some people have kids that go to bed or elderly parents and have a right to know whether their lives are going to be impacted. Whether having the terrace there and/or playing the music is one thing, if false pretenses caused CB7 to grant the license, then it should be revoked. Perhaps if Pedestrian had all the facts he/she would have appeared in opposition to the terrace and changed some minds. . .
Ah please… this is Manhattan. Noise is everywhere. Always has been. If one wants peace and quiet from 5pm to 9pm. I suggest they move to another borough or the suburbs.