Astor Wines & Spirits Inc

(212) 674-7500

399 Lafayette
New York, NY 10003 40.7282 -73.9927

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Neighborhoods: NoHo, Downtown

ASTORWINES.COM

Last updated 4.01.09

Category:

Wine Stores, Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Chinaware & Glassware, Liquor Stores

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Other Locations:

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Astor Wines & Spirits Inc

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Background – Novices and seasoned oenophiles alike will find much to rejoice about at this popular Manhattan wine vendor. Unlike so many pretentious boutiques, where mispronouncing a French label is a cardinal offense, Astor employs some of the most approachable staff around. The clearly labeled sections, wide aisles, and astonishing selection tempt customers to linger, checking out staff picks or sampling exotic vintages at one of the tasting nights. – – The Appeal – Whether stopping in for an old standby or scavenging for a unique bottle from regions unknown,…

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
On tasting nights, get 15 percent off wine or sake sampled in the store. Every Tuesday, a different region is discounted at 15 percent.
The Extras:
Upstairs is the Astor Center, an event space that also doubles as a classroom for the Culinary Insitute of America.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “wines are good, but not the biggest collection i've seen yet.”
  2. “The wine was oxidized although I had kept in a cool air”
  3. “Good wine store in the city”
  4. “The new Astor Wines on Lafayette is a great looking store with a decent selection of wines.”
  5. “The prices are decent and they often have wine tastings with very info.”
  6. “Astor Wines and Spirits is really a nice Manhattan wine store - the wine selection is really significant in terms of varying regions and pri.”
  7. “couldn't say whether it's the place to go if you're looking for a $500 bottle of Lafite, but for what most of my friends need in a wine store (good selection, sensible prices, knowledgeable staff, unpretentious environment, passionate about what they se”
  8. “Their cool room (a feature many other stores have) is not just for the high end wines (as is the case with the others), but rather houses all their natural and biodynamic wines that are sensitive to temperature changes.”
  9. “mean, first off, I think it's really neat that the cool room isn't just for fancy high-end wines - it's got a bunch of stuff that mere mortals like myself can actually afford (in addition the the stuff that makes me want to quit my job and and become an”
  10. “have to agree this is the best wine store ever.”
  11. “Awesome varieties of great wine.”
  12. “Not only do they continue to stock their massive store with wines that are interesting and unique (as opposed to the usual Parker rated selections that every other store tends to carry), but their treatment of the wines themselves is just remarkable.”
  13. “Best wine store in the city!”
  14. “The wine was oxidized although I had kept in a cool air conditioned place.”
  15. “Great wine shop”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “find the staff to be knowledgeable and helpful - they listen to what you're looking for, they make suggestions for food to go with it, and they're happy to help you find what you want.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Astor Wines and Spirits is really a nice Manhattan wine store - the wine selection is really significant in terms of varying regions and pri.”
  2. “Not only do they continue to stock their massive store with wines that are interesting and unique (as opposed to the usual Parker rated selections that every other store tends to carry), but their treatment of the wines themselves is just remarkable.”
  3. “like Astor Wines - granted, I'd got used to the old store where I knew where everything was, but I was in the new place the other day and they still have the same great selection at good prices.”
  4. “They have a substantial single malt selection at reasonable prices (the maccallan 25 is $349, while other places it was $400).”
  5. “The new Astor Wines on Lafayette is a great looking store with a decent selection of wines.”
  6. “Awesome varieties of great wine.”
  7. “couldn't say whether it's the place to go if you're looking for a $500 bottle of Lafite, but for what most of my friends need in a wine store (good selection, sensible prices, knowledgeable staff, unpretentious environment, passionate about what they se”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “have to agree this is the best wine store ever.”
  2. “The new Astor Wines on Lafayette is a great looking store with a decent selection of wines.”
service
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “Everything is neat and organized, the people are helpful yet you're more than welco.”
  2. “couldn't say whether it's the place to go if you're looking for a $500 bottle of Lafite, but for what most of my friends need in a wine store (good selection, sensible prices, knowledgeable staff, unpretentious environment, passionate about what they se”
  3. “The store itself is gorgeous, and the sales staff is always ready to help you pick out a good bottle.”
  4. “Worst customer service - Do not buy online”
  5. “The staff is fairly knowledgeable although not as much so as a.”
  6. “find the staff to be knowledgeable and helpful - they listen to what you're looking for, they make suggestions for food to go with it, and they're happy to help you find what you want.”
  7. “Decent very helpful staff.”
value
87.5% positive
  1. “Rest aside, good price and awesome quality.”
  2. “The prices are decent and they often have wine tastings with very info.”
  3. “couldn't say whether it's the place to go if you're looking for a $500 bottle of Lafite, but for what most of my friends need in a wine store (good selection, sensible prices, knowledgeable staff, unpretentious environment, passionate about what they se”
  4. “On my first visit, I arrived ready to purchase an expensive White Burgundy.”
  5. “The prices are decent-- sometimes it's a few dollars more, and sometimes it's a few dollars less-- so you need to shop around if you're making a big purchase.”
  6. “like Astor Wines - granted, I'd got used to the old store where I knew where everything was, but I was in the new place the other day and they still have the same great selection at good prices.”
  7. “They have a substantial single malt selection at reasonable prices (the maccallan 25 is $349, while other places it was $400).”
  8. “25 year old mccallans, lagavulin, etc. decent prices too.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/21/09

great selection

by AWAREBEE

the scotches here are really great. 25 year old mccallans, lagavulin, etc. decent prices too. wines are good, but not the biggest collection i've seen yet. i go here to pick up what i cant get in jersey.

1 Star Rating: Poor

12/19/08

Worst Customer Service -

by sthakrar

I signed up for a class but could not make it because of a snowstorm (all returning flights that day were cancelled). I called to see if I could reschedule to another class and before I could even finish 'Kimberly' cut me off and told me no changes within 48 hours and then hung up!

Will never buy from them again.

1 Star Rating: Poor

10/22/07

Worst customer service - Do not buy online

by kostasg

I bought a box of wine along with several other wines in May and opened it in June. The wine was oxidized although I had kept in a cool air conditioned place.

I brought the wine to their shop and they refused to exchange it. I asked them why as the return policy allows for store credit and they answered "because we never exchange wine-only hard liquor"!!

  • Pros: Wide selection
  • Cons: Poor customer service, Terrible online return policy
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/02/07

Wonderful selection.

by vreelander1

The ten under ten selection is one of the city's few real bargains. The only bad thing about Astor is that thye won't guarantee a delivery time, and get abraasive if you try to request one, even if you're call way in advance.

  • Pros: Good selection
  • Cons: Deliivery service expects you to wait around for them; only delivers in Brooklyn after noon, forcing you to alter your plans around them
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/13/07

good selection...

by suebeelin

Astor actually has a very good selection, and the new location is much more spacious than the old location (tho I miss the feel of the old place!!). They have a substantial single malt selection at reasonable prices (the maccallan 25 is $349, while other places it was $400). I'm also an avid sake drinker, and they have a nice selection appropriately located in the fridge section. The prices are decent-- sometimes it's a few dollars more, and sometimes it's a few dollars less-- so you need to shop around if you're making a big purchase. On the plus side, Astor does deliver for free if you buy more than $75.

The Details on Astor Wines & Spirits Inc

Place Categories:

  • like astor wines
  • decent prices
  • knowledgeable staff
  • nice manhattan wine store
  • cool room
  • cool air
  • awesome varieties
  • helpful employee
  • helpful people
  • like mere mortals
  • great wine shop
  • good bottle
  • horrible shopping experience
  • worst customer service
  • expensive white burgundy
  • great old astor
  • really great scotches
  • great tastings

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