01/30/09

Incredibly Rude Staff

by mdb282

I once liked vbar, but recently one of the employees (the one with brownish-red hair and a mustache) was incredibly rude. I purchased an upwards of $15 of food/drinks from him, and he first refused to serve me because I didn't initially tip him (who tips BEFORE they are served?), and then after I DID tip him, he singled me out and asked me to leave, claiming again that I didn't tip. If the owner is reading this, I recommend firing this guy. I will never go there again. I recommend instead Esperanto or Think. At least they are cordial.

01/11/08

good beer selection, kitchen closes for weird reasons

by drink_club1

t could have been deadly. I was the only one to show up for drink club. The small place was packed, and the kitchen was closed. ("We ran out of bread."). But there was a great beer selection, and the guy next to me was friendlier than a wino. We talked for hours... turns out he owns the place. Don't expect it to be empty if the weather's bad. People come here to get out of bad weather. --Drink Club NYC is a roving group of NYC drinkers.

• Pros: friendly staff, friendly crowd, good beer selection
• Cons: forget about the "cafe" part of the name if you arrive after 8PM

11/03/07

disappointing

by sl001

Nice atmosphere in this little bar but the bartenders are totally rude, and seem to have a problem with anything other than single patrons or couples. They are very strict about where people can stand or sit and seem intent on keeping the place quiet and subdued, even on a weekend. There is no tolerance for large groups or general merrymaking so don't even think of going in with a group of your mates.

• Pros: nice decorations, good wine and beer
• Cons: rude bartenders, very stiff policy about where patrons can stand or sit

07/15/06

Good ambience and a selection of wine and beer from other nations

by purestar

This is a best kept secret wine bar/cafe. The ambience is great, and feels French. The lights are bit too dim at night and there's only one bartender but it's an intimiate place for a date or with a small group of friends. You can have a cup of coffee (large portion) daytime and read a book there, or play Squabble with friends. Nighttime you can share some baquette with olives and white wine with a date. I enjoy my time there every time I go.

• Pros: ambience, intimate feel, French atmosphere
• Cons: dim light at night

01/07/05

I miss you Vbar

by milourd

I basically lived at this place for a good two years, and it's one of the few things I miss about New York. During the day it's great for coffee and a quiet read, and at night there is a happy lack of skeazeballs. The bartenders are friendly, capable, and hilarious; the wine/beer selection is always interesting and well-chosen. My only problem with the V Bar was that the tables and chairs are not particularly conducive to short people. The best part of this place is that it attracts a great crowd of regulars and has its own mini-library.

10/14/04

Great spot

by fippony

Spent a fabulous year down there while studying in the neighbourhood during the (not that fabulous) years of 2001/2002. Always a cozy place to spend a night when you're far away from home and in search of nice a glass of beer. As said before: great staff that makes you feel home

• Pros: Staff, Choice

07/29/04

yes

by pamela_t

Great bar, wood-paneled and cozy without feeling cramped, all kinds of music that youve never heard of (I havent, anyway, but its always interesting). Perfect place to split two bottles of wine on a Sunday night and play scrabble with your girl, or have round after round of cold beers with your buddies after work. Also a great place to get a drink on your own; the bartenders are always friendly and fun and know when to chat you up with some funny story or leave you alone with your drink and your thoughts. The asian bartender with all the eye liner always seems pouty but she dances while shes washing the dishes and makes it worth it.

11/22/03

NYC's secret cool hangout

by evan_lantry

Where the Holden Caufields of the world converge. I have been there 4 times & have always met somebody interesting & intelligent. The bartender Joe has big round glasses & fluctuating facial hair, he is full of wit, sarcasm, & a very funny guy to talk to. He's there on friday nights bartending with this girl who obviously sold her soul to look like a super model, she's on wed nights too, check her out. There is an assorted list of smart & funny regulars with a generous array of diverse individualism. The guy who works friday day & sunday night, is also very nice & interesting, but needs a serious Queer eye for the straight guy make over, get rid of the cowboy boots & put on a black t-shirt!

If you're cool, and not in an over hyped cocky way you should check it out.

• Pros: Staff, atmosphere, selection

11/08/03

Excellent mellow scene

by bfarwell

An excellent bar with a fantastic friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a glass of quality wine and a chance to unwind after a rough workday, or just want to hang out with some friends and talk somewhere where you can actually hear what they're saying, it's a great location.

• Pros: Excellent Staff, Friendly Atmosphere, Good drink selection
• Cons: not in brooklyn

08/14/03

Cozy cafe by day, cool and casual wine bar by night. Both work.

by Contributor

The Scene
Sleepy NYU students shuffle in for coffee and a croissant before morning classes, or linger over a newspaper and ham-and-fontina panini at lunch. But when the sun goes down, the sandwich press cools and crates of selected reds and whites line up on the bar. Tall, communal wooden tables and stools create a warm neighborhood place with a quiet crowd. It's so inconspicuous most passersby don't know it's there.

The Draw
Carafes are filled to the brim, supplying a deliciously solid and very affordable buzz. Real wine drinkers will appreciate the respectable list of glasses and bottles, and the bartender's happy offer to taste before you commit. Draft and bottled beers have their place, too, so everyone feels at home. Where else combines fresh tulips on the tables with Tom Waits crowing into the early morning hours?