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212265WINE

236 W 54th St (Between Broadway and 8th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019 40.764 -73.9829

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Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown

Years in business

Established in 2002

Hours:

Mon-Fri 4:30pm-1:30am

Sat 7pm-3am

Sun 6pm-1am

Last updated 4.16.09

Category:

Bars & Clubs, Bars & Pubs, Wine Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Divine Bar

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

How about a flight of California chardonnays to leave the day behind? This midtown tapas bar brings the wine-tasting experience to a boisterous after-work crowd. The restaurant, which holds a roomy chrome bar downstairs, sprawls over two floors plus a roof deck. The quieter upstairs area, filled with plush velvet couches, serves a huge selection of fancy appetizers. In addition to over 60 wines and mix-and-match flights, there's also an adventurous selection of microbrews and imports. Each item on the food menu comes with a wine recommendation--but paired or not, the little dishes are…

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Every other Tuesday at 6:30pm the restaurant offers a wine-tasting class, which includes sangria-making instruction. Tickets are $38 at vino-versity.com, $48 at the door (if available).
What to Drink:
In addition to beer and wine, the bar serves uniquely garnished martinis like the Martini Divine (served with Midori and a prosciutto-wrapped melon wedge).
Know Before You Go:
Saturday is sangria night--grab friends and share a pitcher.
The Extras:
There is a designated smoer-friendly area on the rooftop deck.
ambiance
97.22000122070312% positive
  1. “enjoyed everything about the location.”
  2. “Although we didn't try any of the food, the drinks were unique, fun and good (and yes, there is a full bar in addition to the wines and beers).”
  3. “The decor and multi-level layout is awesome, the drinks are great and the menu, though not extensive is perfect for when you'd rather be spending your time enjoying good conversation versus downing a huge meal.”
  4. “Bottom line on this venue: Excellent service, extremely accomodating for holding parties/get togethers, very nice selection of wine flights, tasty appetizers, and a pleasant atmosphere.”
  5. “Excellent wine, good atmosphere.”
  6. “The atmosphere was laid back and intimate, and us teens of the 80's loved the 80's music.”
  7. “lots of choices from mini lamb chops to empanadas to donut samplers -- and drinks were delicious and reasonably priced, and the ambiance was perfect!”
  8. “The drinks are fabulous, the tapas are wonderful, the atmosphere is eclectic!”
  9. “Excellent service, great decor.”
drinks
89.58000183105469% positive
  1. “Tons of options for the beer and wine lover served by a knowledegable, friendly staff.”
  2. “Bottom line on this venue: Excellent service, extremely accomodating for holding parties/get togethers, very nice selection of wine flights, tasty appetizers, and a pleasant atmosphere.”
  3. “lots of choices from mini lamb chops to empanadas to donut samplers -- and drinks were delicious and reasonably priced, and the ambiance was perfect!”
  4. “The decor and multi-level layout is awesome, the drinks are great and the menu, though not extensive is perfect for when you'd rather be spending your time enjoying good conversation versus downing a huge meal.”
  5. “We enjoy the bar on any given day of the week.”
  6. “If you love wine, it is a great place to try a few different types and learn.”
  7. “We had to chase down the waitress to order drinks and food and to get the bill.”
  8. “The drinks are fabulous, the tapas are wonderful, the atmosphere is eclectic!”
  9. “have lived in NYC most of my life and I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BARTENDER refuse to get someon another drink if they hated the drink they were saved.”
  10. “Great sophisticated bar!”
  11. “Excellent wine, good atmosphere.”
  12. “Although we didn't try any of the food, the drinks were unique, fun and good (and yes, there is a full bar in addition to the wines and beers).”
food quality
97.7299976348877% positive
  1. “Try the scallops for a tasty treat!”
  2. “Our waitress assisted us on some very tasty tapas selections.”
  3. “Divine is tasty.”
  4. “We had to chase down the waitress to order drinks and food and to get the bill.”
  5. “Bottom line on this venue: Excellent service, extremely accomodating for holding parties/get togethers, very nice selection of wine flights, tasty appetizers, and a pleasant atmosphere.”
  6. “lots of choices from mini lamb chops to empanadas to donut samplers -- and drinks were delicious and reasonably priced, and the ambiance was perfect!”
  7. “Although we didn't try any of the food, the drinks were unique, fun and good (and yes, there is a full bar in addition to the wines and beers).”
  8. “The decor and multi-level layout is awesome, the drinks are great and the menu, though not extensive is perfect for when you'd rather be spending your time enjoying good conversation versus downing a huge meal.”
  9. “Nice waitress, and the food was great.”
  10. “The food was outstanding.”
  11. “The food -- excellent tapas towers.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The decor and multi-level layout is awesome, the drinks are great and the menu, though not extensive is perfect for when you'd rather be spending your time enjoying good conversation versus downing a huge meal.”
  2. “Our waitress assisted us on some very tasty tapas selections.”
  3. “lots of choices from mini lamb chops to empanadas to donut samplers -- and drinks were delicious and reasonably priced, and the ambiance was perfect!”
  4. “Bottom line on this venue: Excellent service, extremely accomodating for holding parties/get togethers, very nice selection of wine flights, tasty appetizers, and a pleasant atmosphere.”
  5. “Tons of options for the beer and wine lover served by a knowledegable, friendly staff.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “There is a seating area upstairs and I think it's a nice place to bring a date.”
  2. “If you love wine, it is a great place to try a few different types and learn.”
service
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “This place has potential, but the service is so bad, you'll leave feeling like you just ate an ashtray.”
  2. “Nice waitress, and the food was great.”
  3. “Nancy, the manager, gave us a warm welcome 5 years ago and every time I go to NY, I go there just because of her and her excellent service and knowledge!”
  4. “The manager and wait staff accommodated us beautifully and set aside great space for us (couches, club chairs, tables).”
  5. “The hostess was rude; the service was inattentive; and our orders were incorrect.”
  6. “Excellent service, great decor.”
  7. “Loved the flights (pinot noir, thank you) and the helpful service.”
  8. “Bottom line on this venue: Excellent service, extremely accomodating for holding parties/get togethers, very nice selection of wine flights, tasty appetizers, and a pleasant atmosphere.”
  9. “The bartenders and waiters are friendly and helpful.”
  10. “Tons of options for the beer and wine lover served by a knowledegable, friendly staff.”
  11. “Our waitress assisted us on some very tasty tapas selections.”
  12. “It's popular with a friendly, mature, good-looking after-work crowd on Thursdays.”
  13. “We had to chase down the waitress to order drinks and food and to get the bill.”
  14. “We got a great table in the quieter upstairs lounge area for our large group on a Saturday night, and our waiter was attentive but not overly solicitous.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Order a cheese plate - they are huge with excellent and generous fruit too.”
  2. “The decor and multi-level layout is awesome, the drinks are great and the menu, though not extensive is perfect for when you'd rather be spending your time enjoying good conversation versus downing a huge meal.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/28/09

Year After Year, Always a Favorite

by nycjjp at Citysearch

My co-workers and I have been in love with Divine Bar for years now. It's popular with a friendly, mature, good-looking after-work crowd on Thursdays. Hint to the guys: the chic but laid back wine bar scene keeps this place packed with girls. Weekends are a little slower but very popular for dates and the theater crowd (B'way stars included as I've seen quite a few having post-show drinks over the years). Tons of options for the beer and wine lover served by a knowledegable, friendly staff. And of course, you must try the food! Mainly Mediteranean tapas are consistently good. This place is such a gem in an otherwise touristy west Midtown.

  • Pros: excellent wine selection, friendly staff
  • Cons: Can be slow on the weekends if you're looking for a crowd
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/30/09

Love this place!

by anjelik32 at Citysearch

I discovered this place about 4 years ago and I still love it. We live 2 blocks from there and I find myself visiting every few months when we're in the mood just to sit and have some wine. The atmosphere is wanna-be trendy, but different than most of the other bars in the midtown. They have great tapas - I love the muscles, goat cheese bruschetta, and the bag-o-donuts. There is a seating area upstairs and I think it's a nice place to bring a date.

  • Pros: Great tapas
  • Cons: Limited wine selection after you've been a few times
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/08/08

a true treasure!

by LisaLinamen at Citysearch

I just happened upon this great treasure! Nancy, the manager, gave us a warm welcome 5 years ago and every time I go to NY, I go there just because of her and her excellent service and knowledge! The drinks are fabulous, the tapas are wonderful, the atmosphere is eclectic! I would highly recommend this wonderful place for everyone!

  • Pros: everything from the food, service and drink selections are top notch!
  • Cons: closed christmas day and the day after -tourists need a cool place to go
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/16/08

Phenomenal customer service

by LouNYC21 at Citysearch

Despite recent negative reviews, I decided to hod a surprise birthday party for my fiance at Divine Bar. Bottom line on this venue: Excellent service, extremely accomodating for holding parties/get togethers, very nice selection of wine flights, tasty appetizers, and a pleasant atmosphere. I would highly recommend checking this place out. It's a great find for midtown west.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/03/08

Totally not worth it

by adriane26 at Citysearch

I had my birthday party at Divine Bar last weekend. Everyone at our table ordered food and at least two $15 martinis (totally not worth it by the way). After about two hours, my friend pulled out some brownies she made and my group started to sing to me when the waiter rushed over and informed us that if we ate our brownies, we would all be charged an additional amount. We didn't make a big deal about it at the time, but looking back, it was ridiculous. After that happened, we just got the bill and took our business to a brownie-friendly establishment. Our bill was over $300 and we would have spent a lot more if not for that. I realize that you generally shouldn't bring food into an establishment but it seems like at a birthday party where the group is likely to drop close to $1000, they would let it go. I will never go back.

  • Pros: Creative martinis
  • Cons: Way overpriced, service is nothing to write home about

The Details on Divine Bar

Place Categories:

  • favorite wonderful place
  • helpful bartender
  • excellent helpful service
  • consistently good mediteranean tapas
  • outstanding food
  • helpful waiters
  • great sophisticated bar
  • delicious ambiance
  • excellent wine
  • generous fruit
  • great decor
  • loved flights
  • nice waitress
  • good conversation
  • loved teens
  • friendly staff
  • liked red walls
  • pretty good sangria
  • huge meal
  • excellent date place
  • bad service
  • tasty treat
  • hated drinks
  • good atmosphere
  • tasty divine

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