(212) 737-3242

1609 Second Ave
New York, NY 10028 40.7772 -73.953

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Yorkville, Midtown

Last updated 11.15.09

Category:

Wine Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Bar Menu

Bar & Club Special Features:

Romantic Nightlife

What People Are Saying About Barvis Pa

Featured Review

Lucy Blatter

Contributor

In Short – Wine and cheese lovers, rejoice. The owner of popular Upper East Side restaurant Vespa has opened a bar devoted entirely to Italian and Spanish wines. Modeled after Rome's wine bars, Bar Vespa offers 100 wines by the glass, each available to taste, or by the full glass or bottle. The space--a former antique shop--is divided into two long rooms. The first, ideal for those in a hurry, is a long, sleek and casual bar perfect for standing, downing a beer and snacking on a panini. Directly to the left is a lounge, where, for a $2 fee, patrons may sink into the red velvet banquets,…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Make the $2 cover charge for lounge entry worth it by asking for a sampling of the day's special; the staff will happily provide a small plate of cheese or meat.
Save Money:
Sample a variety of wines before you commit to a whole bottle.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. Finally a beautiful atmosphere for the UES.
drinks
80.0% positive
  1. the wine by the glass selection is huge and our waitress never hurried us along like in some other restaurants i will definitley be back!
  2. great experience, and finally a true Italian wine bar !
  3. love chill house music, and BarVespa was on point with music and wine.
  4. The cheese was a perfect compliment to the wine, and we even got complimentary gelato cones on our way out the door.
  5. Service was extremely slow, I waited over 20 minutes for a second glass of wine and ended up cancelling the order.
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. Their menu is not traditional, but the waitress recommended the Asparagus Frittata because I had 'omelet' on the brain and my girl friend got the Roman Toast (their French toast).
  2. Both dishes where the perfect size and the bread basket we ordered were fresh baked goods from a famous NYC bakery.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. Their menu is not traditional, but the waitress recommended the Asparagus Frittata because I had 'omelet' on the brain and my girl friend got the Roman Toast (their French toast).
  2. the wine by the glass selection is huge and our waitress never hurried us along like in some other restaurants i will definitley be back!
  3. The small menu brought out amazing artisinal cheese selections.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. the wine by the glass selection is huge and our waitress never hurried us along like in some other restaurants i will definitley be back!
service
100.0% positive
  1. the wine by the glass selection is huge and our waitress never hurried us along like in some other restaurants i will definitley be back!
  2. My boyfriend also loved the red dresses on the waitresses.
  3. The manager recommended a phenomenal sangiovese , of which i was also given a tasting
  4. Service was warm and attentive.
  5. Atmosphere was cool and service was great.
  6. Their menu is not traditional, but the waitress recommended the Asparagus Frittata because I had 'omelet' on the brain and my girl friend got the Roman Toast (their French toast).
value
100.0% positive
  1. the wine by the glass selection is huge and our waitress never hurried us along like in some other restaurants i will definitley be back!
wait time
25.0% positive
  1. loved everything they picked for me, and when my friend didn't love her glass, they were quick to replace it with something she did like.
  2. Service was extremely slow, I waited over 20 minutes for a second glass of wine and ended up cancelling the order.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/22/08

really cute for a first date

by clnarosff

one of the better wine and cheese bar/cafes on the upper east. the wine by the glass selection is huge and our waitress never hurried us along like in some other restaurants i will definitley be back!!!

  • Pros: great wine selection
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/15/08

Relaxed Brunch

by shelikesfood83

My girl friend and I went to Bar Vespa for brunch last Sunday. It was so nice not to have to worry about a loud brunch restaurant with a long wait! We sat right down (the place was pretty much empty, I am not sure people know about this place yet??) and they quickly gave us their house Bellini's, which were fabulous. Their menu is not traditional, but the waitress recommended the Asparagus Frittata because I had 'omelet' on the brain and my girl friend got the Roman Toast (their French toast). Both dishes where the perfect size and the bread basket we ordered were fresh baked goods from a famous NYC bakery. The prices were not cheap, but not over priced and we even got to hang out and drink our cappuccinos without being rushed out. Perfect Lazy Sunday.... I would definitely go back!

  • Pros: Quick sitting and relaxed atmosphere
  • Cons: a bit empty
4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/01/07

Hot new wine bar.......great cheeses too!

by cebonds

Bar Vespa is my new favorite spot on the UES! They have a great selection of wine and cheese which my girlfriends and I loved; and although the wine list seems a little dense with over 100 wines by the glass, the staff is more than eager to help you choose something you will enjoy. I loved everything they picked for me, and when my friend didn't love her glass, they were quick to replace it with something she did like. The cheese was a perfect compliment to the wine, and we even got complimentary gelato cones on our way out the door. It was my friends birthday and we had a blast. So glad to not have to hang out in a sports bar or irish pub when on the UES!

  • Pros: great wine and fun staff
  • Cons: a little crowded
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/28/07

The best of UES!!

by naldob

If not the best in NYC! I live in Brooklyn, and someone told me through a blog about BarVespa. So I went on Friday night. I love chill house music, and BarVespa was on point with music and wine. Atmosphere was cool and service was great. Although, upon entering the bar, we faced our biggest obstacle of the evening... the front door was antique and couldn't figure out which side let us in. So if that was the only issue I have to say I could handle that any day. After getting in we were warmly greeted by employees, and definetly felt like we belonged there!! WE'LL BE BACK!!!

  • Pros: Music!
  • Cons: Door!
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/23/07

100 wines by the glass!

by carolh76

Yes they have 100 wines by the glass, and my boyfriend and I tried a small tasting of 7. Finally a beautiful atmosphere for the UES. Comfortable, clean red couches. The small menu brought out amazing artisinal cheese selections. It did get a little crowded as it got later, but nice customers. Since I live 6 blocks away and my boyfriend lives downtown, I got a feeling he"ll be visiting me a lot more at BarVespa on the UES.

  • Pros: 100 wines!

The Details on Barvis Pa

Place Categories:

  • extremely slow service
  • beautiful atmosphere
  • great experience
  • recommended manager
  • huge wine
  • love chill house music
  • nice customers
  • fresh baked goods
  • loved red dresses
  • favorite spot
  • perfect bread basket
  • perfect size
  • amazing cheese selections
  • awesome guide
  • fabulous house bellini
  • loved everything
  • recommended waitress
  • famous nyc bakery
  • great cheese
  • not love glass
Advertisement

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

The Carriage House

219 East 59th Street,, New York,, NY

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

La Zarza Lounge

166 First Ave, New York, NY

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Broadway Comedy Club

318 W 53rd St, New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Katra

217 Bowery, New York, NY

Advertisement