(212) 260-3200

175 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003 40.7305 -73.9864

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Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

Hours:

Mon-Sun 5pm-3am

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Neighborhood Bars, Bars & Clubs, Wine Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Work, Romantic Nightlife

What People Are Saying About Bar Veloce

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – One of three Veloce outposts, this sophisticated Italian wine bar is surrounded by a sea of frat-friendly, cheap beer-serving locales. A late-20s crowd listens to instrumental jazz while sipping sake, grappa, sexo (a red wine with tannic cherry highlights), and classics like sherry, bourbon, cognac and port, all while nibbling a menu of delectable pressed sandwiches. Servers clad in suits and ties, an endless stream of muted black-and-white movies on a big-screen TV, and candles that flicker before an impressive display of wine racks add to the classy vibe. – –…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Wines range from $7 to $17 a glass and may be ordered by the bottle as well ($32 and up).
The Extras:
Not in the East Village? No sweat--there are two other Bar Veloce locations, one in Soho and one in Chelsea.
ambiance
89.73999977111816% positive
  1. The ambiance couldn't be more pleasant in such a hectic city.
  2. Decor was very nice and cozy, but a bit small for my taste.
  3. Even if you are on a romantic evening it might be fun to stop here even though it is busy--you'll be forced to get close and put your lips to each other's ears so that you can have your conversation!
  4. Excellent products that doesn't need decoration
  5. The crowd was engaging and most of all, we could relax and have fun!
  6. Most of us come here to be with our friends and enjoy the great atmosphere, excellent service and delicious, yes delicious wine and food selection.
  7. The word, trendy, does not match this wine bar's delightful atmosphere when you first walk in.
  8. Yes, it is always crowded which means that you won't get as much of the bartender's time as you would like, but the atmosphere is congenial and it is alllllllllllll FUN!
  9. the ambience is romantic and mature.
  10. Our overall experience at East Village location was beyond what we expected - Cool service (the bartender didn't need to babysit us, Bar Veloce menu was self-explanatory, the description was helpful), straightforward bar snacks (just melted in our mouths,
  11. Classy atmosphere without being too pretentious, Veloce strikes a nice balance between traditional and modern.
  12. Met up with friends to catch a movie next door and having just visited their Chelsea location, this place was just as refreshing.
  13. went to the location in Nolita, which was really great.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. highly recommend the nutella dessert with the vanilla gelado!
  2. love the desserts.
  3. Great Italian wine, good cheese platter and awesome hazelnut dessert.
drinks
95.71000099182129% positive
  1. It' perfect for a few snacks and drinks w/ one or two friends.
  2. Our overall experience at East Village location was beyond what we expected - Cool service (the bartender didn't need to babysit us, Bar Veloce menu was self-explanatory, the description was helpful), straightforward bar snacks (just melted in our mouths,
  3. Most of us come here to be with our friends and enjoy the great atmosphere, excellent service and delicious, yes delicious wine and food selection.
  4. my husband and I always like to come here either after work, or befor dinner on the weekends, relax and sip on some amazing wine.
  5. The word, trendy, does not match this wine bar's delightful atmosphere when you first walk in.
  6. We're used of wine poured to the top to give the illusion that we are getting more for the buck, I might as well order a beer if I want to guzzle it down.
  7. And we just keep finding ourselves back at this real cool wine bar.
  8. Offering interesting wines by the glass and traditional Italian snacks like bruschetta and pannini, Bar Veloce has the inside track on nouveau wine bars.
  9. Real cool wine bar
  10. Seriously, this bar is one of a kind and a really amazing place.
  11. I'm a big fan of Italian wine bar, especially ones that are close to my apartment.
  12. the wine is always fabulous and the staff - decked out in suits and ties - is courteous and professional.
  13. Best bar in NY!
  14. The Italian wines smelled delicious, we were anxious to experience the delicacy of each wine.
  15. We ordered a cheese plate which was delicious, a couple of glasses of Sicilian wine, and found that this is probably the only bar we've ever been to where we could have a conversation without shouting.
  16. Great place to grab a snack and a nice glass of wine.
  17. It has a wonderful selection of wines, great paninis and knowledgable and friendly staff.
  18. Thank you for serving various wines at a reasonable price.
  19. Great service at bar veloce
  20. What a great bar!
  21. love this place and insist on anyone who loves wine to check it out.
  22. Intriguing food, interesting wines, enlightening talks, and most of all, being in the company of your loved ones and maybe just down to business.
  23. Enjoyable and interesting wines, the bartender was delightful.
  24. Excellent bar-man and knowlegable with wines.
  25. Yes, the place to go for affordable, comfort food-selected, interesting Italian wines!
  26. The long corridor-style bar, black and white art movies and bartenders dressing in charming traditional costume will have you thinking Vespas and Fellini in no time.
  27. The wine selection is amazing, the bartenders are friendly and always willing to teach you (in a non-condescending way) about the great Italian wines on the list.
  28. Crispy-tasty-melted cheese paninis, fresh cold cuts, soft tea sandwiches, flavorful-crispy bruschettas, and if you're still hungry- move onto the nutella panino or strawberry gelato or Italian sorbet.
  29. The bartender was terrific, and the wine list is fantastic!
  30. The food was perfect with our wines and sipping a cordial after our meal was much appreciated.
  31. The wine selection was smaller than I anticipated but those wines that were offered were delicious and of a wide variety.
  32. Great Italian wine, good cheese platter and awesome hazelnut dessert.
  33. Great wines by the glass and when the guys and gals want to get together, the bottle
  34. could keep on eating and drinking at this delicious wine bar!
  35. Good selections of wine and the food is on par with the pricing.
food quality
96.87999725341797% positive
  1. Good selections of wine and the food is on par with the pricing.
  2. Excellent meat and cheese plates w/ warm bread.
  3. The wine selection was smaller than I anticipated but those wines that were offered were delicious and of a wide variety.
  4. It has a wonderful selection of wines, great paninis and knowledgable and friendly staff.
  5. The food wasn't trying too hard and food was fresh and clean.
  6. Yes, the place to go for affordable, comfort food-selected, interesting Italian wines!
  7. We ordered a cheese plate which was delicious, a couple of glasses of Sicilian wine, and found that this is probably the only bar we've ever been to where we could have a conversation without shouting.
  8. Most of us come here to be with our friends and enjoy the great atmosphere, excellent service and delicious, yes delicious wine and food selection.
  9. The food was perfect with our wines and sipping a cordial after our meal was much appreciated.
  10. My friends told me that they serve great food, next time I'll have to try it.
  11. So get a bruschetta with pesto some cheese and a great Shiraz, then a tomato & cheese salad with a crisp Pinot Gris.
  12. We arrived 1 A.M.: bruschettas (toasted bread with fresh toppings), paninis (pressed the original way, thin flavorful), meat/cheese plates,("melts in your mouth, not in your hands"), salads accompanied with the BEST bread we've ever had.
  13. Crispy-tasty-melted cheese paninis, fresh cold cuts, soft tea sandwiches, flavorful-crispy bruschettas, and if you're still hungry- move onto the nutella panino or strawberry gelato or Italian sorbet.
  14. could keep on eating and drinking at this delicious wine bar!
  15. The Italian wines smelled delicious, we were anxious to experience the delicacy of each wine.
  16. Intriguing food, interesting wines, enlightening talks, and most of all, being in the company of your loved ones and maybe just down to business.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The wine selection was smaller than I anticipated but those wines that were offered were delicious and of a wide variety.
  2. Good selections of wine and the food is on par with the pricing.
  3. It has a wonderful selection of wines, great paninis and knowledgable and friendly staff.
  4. Our overall experience at East Village location was beyond what we expected - Cool service (the bartender didn't need to babysit us, Bar Veloce menu was self-explanatory, the description was helpful), straightforward bar snacks (just melted in our mouths,
  5. Most of us come here to be with our friends and enjoy the great atmosphere, excellent service and delicious, yes delicious wine and food selection.
  6. The wine selection is amazing, the bartenders are friendly and always willing to teach you (in a non-condescending way) about the great Italian wines on the list.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. this is still a great place to meet up with one or two friends.
  2. its a great place to have good conversation.
  3. the place has a very professional feel, without any of the attitude, its a great place to unwind.
  4. What a great place!
  5. It's a great anytime place.
service
100.0% positive
  1. Excellent service.
  2. The bartender was terrific, and the wine list is fantastic!
  3. Enjoyable and interesting wines, the bartender was delightful.
  4. Yes, it is always crowded which means that you won't get as much of the bartender's time as you would like, but the atmosphere is congenial and it is alllllllllllll FUN!
  5. The service was great; we were seated and served right away.
  6. the wine is always fabulous and the staff - decked out in suits and ties - is courteous and professional.
  7. The service was amazing!
  8. The staff is always attentive.
  9. The service is good.
  10. The wine selection is amazing, the bartenders are friendly and always willing to teach you (in a non-condescending way) about the great Italian wines on the list.
  11. Thank you for the excellent service!
  12. Most of us come here to be with our friends and enjoy the great atmosphere, excellent service and delicious, yes delicious wine and food selection.
  13. The bartender was nice and knowledgable.
  14. Still delivering excellent products and service, still the same great crowd.
  15. Great service at bar veloce
  16. The long corridor-style bar, black and white art movies and bartenders dressing in charming traditional costume will have you thinking Vespas and Fellini in no time.
  17. It has a wonderful selection of wines, great paninis and knowledgable and friendly staff.
  18. Our overall experience at East Village location was beyond what we expected - Cool service (the bartender didn't need to babysit us, Bar Veloce menu was self-explanatory, the description was helpful), straightforward bar snacks (just melted in our mouths,
value
100.0% positive
  1. Good selections of wine and the food is on par with the pricing.
  2. And the prices were very reasonable.
  3. Yes, the place to go for affordable, comfort food-selected, interesting Italian wines!
  4. Thank you for serving various wines at a reasonable price.
  5. great cheese plates, best I've had in a long while- and nice vibe, scene, prices, --- a sure thing for the couple or maybe 3 or 4 size group.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. The long, narrow space is best enjoyed during the week when it isn't too crowded.
  2. great cheese plates, best I've had in a long while- and nice vibe, scene, prices, --- a sure thing for the couple or maybe 3 or 4 size group.
  3. The long corridor-style bar, black and white art movies and bartenders dressing in charming traditional costume will have you thinking Vespas and Fellini in no time.
1 Star Rating: Poor

12/19/11

Sad to report Veloce and Carrera have gone down hill...

by WilliamR80

Couldn't help but notice the dates on all these previous reviews are 2009 and older... know that there is a big reason for this. Bar Veloce and Bar Carrera use to be one of my top neighborhood spots for over 5 years until everything at each location went awry almost overnight. Last year I noticed quality went down big time in the food and service department. It got to the point where just getting a glass of wine took forever and I even had to specifically explain to a newer bartender what Amaro was and where to find mine behind the bar. Saw on Eater recently that the owners are being sued by the staff over illegally taking wages and tips from them. I already stopped heading to these spots on account of the fact that they've dropped off a cliff with respect to quality. Because of them stealing from their employees i know to never return... shame on you guys for ruining what were cool spots.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/23/09

YUM!

by musiqnu2

great cheese plates, best I've had in a long while- and nice vibe, scene, prices, --- a sure thing for the couple or maybe 3 or 4 size group.

  • Pros: way Up
  • Cons:  none
4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/01/08

Good (Italian) Selection, Helpful Staff

by MikeTyke10

I'm a big fan of Italian wine bar, especially ones that are close to my apartment. Classy atmosphere without being too pretentious, Veloce strikes a nice balance between traditional and modern. Great wine selection by the bottle or glass from all regions of Italy; appropriate selections of olives and meats also available. The long, narrow space is best enjoyed during the week when it isn't too crowded.

  • Pros: Good Wines/Curated Menu, Relaxed Atomoshpere
  • Cons: small, cramped when crowded
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/07/08

Great for an early drink or even a Nightcap

by joeyballer

Frequently make a stop at Veloce - either early or late in the night. The staff is always attentive. Good selections of wine and the food is on par with the pricing. I love the desserts. Bartender always remembers who you are and usually remembers what you drank last time.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/13/08

Great Chill Atmosphere

by ladybug04

Great Italian wine, good cheese platter and awesome hazelnut dessert. Decor was modern simple and cool. The only service is the bartender, (he was great) and the place is like a train car w/ limited seating. However, even if every seat is taken, it is not a loud rowdy place...very chill. It' perfect for a few snacks and drinks w/ one or two friends.

  • Pros: Good snacks & wine
  • Cons: A little cramped

The Details on Bar Veloce

Place Categories:

  • interesting italian wines
  • excellent service
  • knowledgable bartender
  • best wine bar
  • great food
  • great cheese plates
  • very nice decor
  • pleasing crowd
  • enjoy great atmosphere
  • romantic ambience
  • warm bread
  • excellent products
  • amazing locations
  • best enjoyed narrow space
  • reasonable price
  • obnoxious little kids
  • best routes
  • fresh toppings
  • great paninis
  • more pleasant ambiance
  • really great nolita
  • perfect veloce
  • great anytime place
  • fun romantic evening
  • always attentive staff
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