Von

11/04/09

Oh No, Nasty Bartender Ruining Our Favorite Hangout

by pennearrabiata

My husband and I always loved the atmosphere at Von. Love Kareem and Luis and Happy the Pitbull. Have spent many a great night here over the past 8 years- always found it the perfect place to have a drink and a conversation -- esp the back room. At Von you never had to worry about catching attitude from staff or patrons. Which is why we have been so disappointed of late. On three separate occasions the same bartender (female, tall) has doused our spirits with an attitude that is at best indifferent, though more often anger laced and overtly rude. The last incident was the capper- I ordered a scotch neat for my husband. She poured it over ice. My husband apologized and reminded her politely that I ordered it neat. She glared at us as she dumped the glass, barked, "Why didn't you just say that?" --huh?-- and then turned away and took someone else's order.

I'm not thin skinned. I can handle a bit of attitude. But when someone in the "service" industry is so consistently rude it makes me think the people who run the place no longer care about my business. we hate to have to do it, but i suppose we'll be drinking at the Scratcher from now on.

• Pros: Chillaxed vibe, Good Wine List, You can have a Conversation
• Cons: Rudest Bartender in NYC

09/06/08

A nice little gem on Bleeker Street

by socialbuttafly

I really liked this place. They had a great selection of wines, and the crowd was very unpretentious. The "hidden" room in the back was a nice surprise. Will definitely go back again.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, lots of chill space
• Cons: Can't think of any

06/19/08

One of the better wine bars

by bkc1997

This is a very inviting, calm, unpretentious place. It has a cool ambience with great wine and drinks. Owner and bar staff are congenial - it is a very inviting place to be.

10/12/07

Chill Bar, Cute Doggy

by ghhhreat

Very relaxed atmosphere with decent wine list. Definitely a big departure from Manahatta across the street.

• Pros: Knowledgeable bartender, dog friendly
• Cons: can be hard to get drinks when it's packed

03/26/07

My 2nd Favorite Bar

by thinlizzy

Von is a gem. It would be my first favorite if it were 3 blocks closer to my apartment. Cervantes, Kareem and Luis are my favorites and Happy the pitbull always makes me smile.

And who else has Chimay on tap?!

• Pros: Everything! Atmosphere, Service, Beer / Wine Selection... PERFECT
• Cons: Can't think of a one. Oh - gets a bit busier than I'd like on weekends, but everywhere downtown does.

11/21/06

One of the best

by phonohohno

This is my favorite bar in the neighborhood. Fun regulars, nice atmosphere, plenty of room, and absolutely no pretension. I can't go here without getting stuck for hours.

Fine European beers and select wines by the glass served up with rumpled charm.

by Contributor

No matter that Von now has a full liquor license, with its fine Eurobrews, extensive wine list and nice selection of wines by the glass it's still a beer and wine bar in spirit. Plank floors and benches, candlelight and threadbare sofas give the place a frayed romanticism that perfectly offsets the unmistakable element of hipster cool. After-work drinks through after-hours rounds provide just enough of "scene" without sacrificing the homey feel.

04/30/03

Worth a Visit

by TommieGerl

Von's a great spot to visit with a group of friends or alone. They have a (great) limited selection of beer and the atmosphere is welcoming and cozy. And it's not a "too-trendy" scene.

• Pros: atmosphere, crowd
• Cons: single bathroom

02/13/03

great wine & liquor too!

by kittycat99

They make liquor drinks now, too. It's not just beer and wine anymore. And i must say the mojitos are delicious!!! It's an awesome place to meet for a quick drink, or to spend the whole night.

05/21/02

Double your Pleasure

by jessicabranch_citysearch

The great thing about Von is that you can opt in or out of the scene. Sure, it's cruising territory, but I've seen people come in and peacefully read a book unmolested. You don't get attention here that you don't want, and there are plenty of folks just stopping in on their evening dogwalk or to enjoy a casual glass of wine with friends.