I would not recommend City Winery for a sold out show. It appears to be a classy venue with a good sound system, but audience seating is way, way too crowded to enjoy a show by someone you'd like to see. Food is OK & drinks are expensive but that's to be expected. Service was bad as the hard working server simply had too many tables to service. You're not getting what you'd expect from a good music venue.
Review Source:Very nice, classy place to dine or drink and listen to an artist performing. Â Service is generally attentive, but when I went with friends, our server never came back to us with our orders, so we ended up never eating. Â The ambiance is nice but it doesn't feel too personal. Another thing is that the concert should start when stated instead of being late - that part is a bit unprofessional. Â Overall, it's good, but I think your experience would depend on a lot of factors: artist, performance, music, service, staff, etc.
Review Source:Show Ticket Buyers Beware!
WARNING: The floor plan that is shown when buying tickets looks spacious but is not. The tables that are shown for 4 people are actually tables for 2 people with 4 chairs crammed around it. Â
a quick summary of my dining experience: Imagine sitting down to dinner in a subway car during rush hour and trying to see a show. (we did not even stay for the show, it was to uncomfortable)
Details Below:
My Parents and I bought 3 tickets for $45 each to the Suzanne Vega show. When we were seated, I was surprised that the table was actually a very small table usually used for 2 people with 4 chairs squished around it. The tables are set so there are 2 chairs on either side of the table (like the floor plan shows) However, with the chairs touching the chairs still hang off the edge of the table 3-4 inches.
Clearly the tables are only meant for 2 chairs.
The 3 of us tired to make the best of it. We pushed the 4th chair aside and all squeezed in.
Once seated, it took so long for the server to come over and take an order. Since the tables meant for 2 people were all set for 4, she was very busy. Â We barely squeezed our 3 entrees on the table and once are drinks arrived (after the entrees) it was almost impossible to find space.
During dinner, the table next to us was seated. The ladies were sitting so close one ladies hair was brushing my shoulder every time she moved her head.
Then to make matters worse, the host sat a 4th stranger at our table. There was no space on or around the table, so the host tried to take my entree plate. I wanted to finish my dinner and kept my plate, but the stranger now seated at our table, had no room and was siting watching use eat. It was a bizarre and very uncomfortable dinning experience. As more and more people showed up and took their seats at the surrounding tables, it become almost impossible not to elbow someone while eating.
Finally I gave up and walked over to speak with the lady in charge of seating. (the server was non existent, at this time, so busy with other tables) Â Her only option was to move us to a table to the side of the stage, where the performance could not be viewed, and once other guest showed up we would still be in the same predicament.
Suzanne Vega had not taken the stage yet, and we asked if it was possible to get a refund on our tickets or a credit to see another show. We were told to wait by the door for the Concierge Manager to arrive. (I find it interesting that none of these employees would walk over to the table to speak to us. Im guessing because it was to crowded)
Rebecca Spindler the Concierge Manager came to speak with us. She was polite but to sum up her words: "tickets are non refundable, didn't you see the images of the venue online?" That was it. So we paid for our dinner, plates un cleared, and left.
I feel tricked. The website shows large table for 4 people, somewhere comfortable to have dinner and watch a show. But once you have bought your non refundable ticket, the City Winery can do whatever they want, and you can't do anything about it.
Worst part this restaurant looks like it would be a wonderful place to have dinner and drinks or even sit at the bar for happy hour. I wish I had not had an awful experience at the Suzanne Vega show.
My next step it to write an e-mail to the General Manager David Richter. Hopefully I will be able to post a positive update and add a few stars.
Its hard to do it so right while being so ambitious.
This place really comes very close.
City Winery has the ambiance, the right tunes, location, alcohol, service and price.
The food itself leaves something to be desired but heck, I guess it would be weird if it was perfect.
Overall I am a real fan and have been back many times and can't wait to visit again.
It's such a nice place for dating though I didn't go there for a date. I went for one of my favorite singers, Keren Ann's concert's.
It's such a sophisticated place with nice audio system - very relaxing and comfy to enjoy the music. Wine was very nice and staff were friendly. Overall, it's a good spot in town I would love to come back or recommend to friends for wine and music.
However, there was one thing really really really annoying to me - they said doors open at 6, show starts at 8. But the show didn't start until 8:30... Ok, I blame the delay to Keren Ann since she is French.
One of my favorite places to go in all of Manhattan!
It's kind of hidden on Varick Street right before the entrance to the Holland Tunnel, and it's so nice inside!
The spacious area with different levels adds to the appeal, and the diversity of events City Winery is capable of holding is impressive!
I've been here for brunch, happy hour and a Goo Goo Dolls concert! Not many places can provide these very different options!
The place is very cool for a show, the stage is never too far away and the sound is perfect for the venue. Keep in mind you will most likely be seated unless you are standing in the back or by the bar so expect a laid back atmosphere. Â
You do get to eat while watching the show too! I love their kale salad and the pecan crusted halibut! The sliders are pretty kick-ass too.
You can hang at the bar, get a private room or go to the barrel room area...all good choices.
All this praise, and I haven't even mentioned the wine! I guess you get the point, City Winery is first rate and worth a visit for any number of reasons.
City winery has 3 entrances:
1. The main entrance for live music
2. The barrel room (for easy going bar area)
3. Private area
I went to the barrel room and was amazed by their super cheap happy hour (4-7pm everyday) which is $5 off glasses of tap wine and $10 off carafes. What a steal! Their sauv blanc was wonderful and the waiters super nice.
Like this spot a lot. Service was amazing!! Food was great!! The mushroom tartar and duck tacos...amaze balls!! I was able to taste several wines before making my selection. Which was nice! I was pleasantly surprised with the live music. The place is a lot larger then it seemed. I would go back for drink and or dinner.
Review Source:I have been back twice since my last review. For the Fab Faux and a comedy show. Yes the food COULD be better, but not much better, it's pretty damn good. The key to this place really is : get the whole bottle of wine. :)
The stuff from my last review stands.
Oh this is totally irrelevant and probably prohibitively expensive but I think this would be an AMAZINGand BEAUTIFUL place to have a wedding. Or a birthday party.
Cool Venue to see a Concert. Small and intimate  for shows, which I like.
I was a bit annoyed when I was taken to my seat, by a host, then had another one come tell me  I had to move, I was in the wrong spot. (THEY SEATED ME)  Â
They were standing over me rushing me to move. Then After I paid the bartender, and was ready to move, they noticed I was only suppose to be one seat over from where I was originally seated.
Even the bar tender felt bad, and gave me a free glass of wine.
A glas of wine was about $12 which I thought was a bit high.. But it's NY and it was a show, so  I guess it is to be expected.
All in all, it was a nice place. I enjoyed the show, and would come back for more musical events.
Raul, was so accommodating -- thank you for your great service! The most memorable wines were the "City Cab" and a soon to be released (non-labeled) "Russane"? white wine. I love this place for a date night or business party since the venue provides a rustic and approachable space for people to feel "at home". We ordered the Braised Duck Tacos and Veal meatballs to start and for entrees the Cedar River prime beef and the Baked Black Cod with miatake mushrooms on top.
Paradise is real folks. The wine paired so well with each hearty dish. I think wine is what City Winery does best. I actually enjoyed the appetizers (quick bites) much more than the entrees (main acts). If you are looking for a new dining spot I say check out City Winery and order your favorite bottle of wine with a few appetizers. You will leave full and happy. Trust!
Cool spot.........They have wine and most of it is pretty good stuff........simple good food.....................and a large space where they do a lot of live music, which is good because I don't know about you but I'm getting burnt out on DJ's. A good first date place if you don't do the usual go to, 'Sushi'.
Review Source:I've been here twice for shows, and it's a great venue to see live music. Â The food and service leave something to be desired, however, and it's unlikely I'll eat a meal again.
Our appetizer never came out and we had to ask three times for it to be taken off our check. Entrees were OK but portions not so great, as others have pointed out--really could have used that appetizer! I had the hangar steak, which came out just as I ordered it, though it was at room temperature by the time it came to me (not that crazy for a rare steak, but still...) and it was underseasoned. Â Asked for salt--all of the food could have used it--but it never came. Â The "duck fat artichoke potato hash" was actually some chunks of roasted potato and a roasted artichoke heart--not really a hash at all in my book. Â Wife had the short ribs, which was a good dish apart from needing some salt.
We've had the "tap" wine both times we went. Â It's good, but not the bargain one might think--it works out to about $45-50/bottle, if you were buying it in 750 mL sizes. Tasty, though.
Overall, I plan to continue going to shows here, but won't eat dinner here again. If not for being such a great music venue, I'd only give two stars.
Ambiance wise I give this place 5 stars. Â Rustic, romantic, and intimate- a great place for a date or if you want to catch up with the girls. Â My friend and I were immediately greeted at our table with a complimentary tasting of one of their wines. Â Our waitress was friendly and helpful- she had great suggestions for how to pair the wine with the meal. Â The menu is pricey and the proportions are dainty. Â I ordered the Braised Short Rib, which was served over polenta and mix vegetables. Â It was mouth watering good, and I cleaned my plate. Â Next time I'll come back to watch a show and for some wine! (Reservations are recommended!!)
Review Source:I think city needs more venues like City Winery. It's not a dive bar with live music, it's a performance space, restaurant, bar- all in one place. You can sit at the bar, or dining area, order just a glass of wine or have a full meal. They have a decent wine list, pretty good food, nice atmosphere, interesting line up of performances. They even have wine pairing classes downstairs. The only thing that didn't make it a five star experience for me is how tightly they pack the tables and chairs in the performance space. You can barely get up or fit a meal on your table.
Review Source:Went here for a friends birthday. Â It has a very rustic feel. Â There was a performer in a side room. Â
We all had the tasting menu which was paired with wines. Â Everything was fresh and delicious. Â The waiters were attentive and always describe the dishes and the wines thoroughly. Â
I wouldn't rush back but it's something different.
When it's 20 degrees out and you're going out to lunch, you're not going very far, and City Winery is very close to my office. Â They serve lunch in The Barrel room which has a bar and some low and high tables. Â I have had lunch here once or twice before in the main room, and I think moving it to the Barrel Room was a great idea because it creates an intimate atmosphere. Â A friend and I split a salad and a flatbread (which was more pizza-like than flatbread-like) and were both happy with our food. Â The City Winery Salad is mixed greens with goat cheese and zinfandel vinaigrette for $10.00. Â The flavors were good even though the salad was slightly over dressed (I always think they use too much dressing here). Â The Buffalo Mozzarella Flatbread was perfect ($13.00). Â The tomato sauce was sweet and tangy, the mozzarella was good, yummy fresh basil, and the crust was thin with an ever-so-slight char on the bottom. Â The flatbread is sliced into 8 little slices which makes it ideal for sharing with another dish. Â Service was friendly and attentive. Â $30.00 for lunch for 2 people is about average in this neck of the woods and I think the Buffalo Mozzarella flatbread better than commonly found in the area*. Â I have had the mushroom flatbread on a previous visit and it was nowhere near as good and this flatbread.
*Mezzogiorno (a few blocks away on Spring Street) has a pizza and salad special for $15 which is better quality, more food, and a better deal.
This is a pretty sexy space. And for NYC, it's quite large. We came to see a show and had a really good time. The decor is great. The sound was great. Their menu looked pretty decent, though we'd eaten elsewhere ahead of time. The woman next to us had some good-looking sliders.
It wasn't all great....they adhere to the model of cramming as many people into an inch of space as possible. It was like Paris sans the smoking. The chairs are far less than comfy. Their wine-by-the-glass was limited and a tad spendy. And the annoying drunk guy behind me stomped his foot to the music, rattling my chair...hollered out stupid requests....and at intermission, literally clocked me upside the head as he made some gesture when speaking to someone in his party. Wow! That got my attention. That is not the venue's fault. Well, except that we were sitting on top of each other.
A friend, who has lived in NYC for a dozen or so years, had not heard of this venue. That's why you have me. To help you decide how you want to spend your time and money. You're welcome!
Check out City Winery's sched....see if anything appeals...and then go peep it. It's a nice spot.
Took my father to City Winery (John Hiatt Concert) as a surprise for his birthday. Â
We thought we'd take the simple route and eat at the Barrel Room - just as a way to be close to the concert. Â We were very impressed by the menu, the service, and the wine in the Barrel Room. Â
Highly suggest eating at the Barrel Room before a show. (and also suggest buying enough wine there to last through your concert, as the prices in the main venue are astronomical!)
1 star shy of 5.
I love this place. It's a great venue for concerts. It has great food. The wine selection is good. The only thing that's holding me back is price. Sitting there for a 3 hour show can get pricey...really pricey.
Food:
Risotto chorizo balls with marinara - delicious, wish they were served a bit hotter though. The marinara was hotter than the risotto balls.
Their flatbreads are good too, but it's $16 for a small little pie. Their entrees are a decent price, but paired with drinks and appetizer, it starts to get ridiculous.
This general idea and vibe of this place is great, but the table situation is so crowded and if you need to go to the bathroom- forget it. Once you're in your seat you are trapped.
We saw Bebel Gilberto there in September (we won't even discuss how much of a raving diva she was - yelling at staff, screaming at her band in front of everyone), and we purchased seats 83 and 84 for the evening. At the time, it was the last table and was listed next to a "door" on the floor plan. We assumed it was an exit door and had no idea that we would be seated next to the kitchen door. They kept the door propped open all night, with a bright light shining on us the entire time. The kitchen staff gathered there and talked, loudly, during the sets and that's also where they bused the tables, so dishes were clanking. This was the most unenjoyable live music experience I've ever had - because I couldn't hear anything over the dishes and the staff.
I've since noticed, as I've looked at the floor plan for additional shows, that they've added a table BEHIND that one. I'm, honestly, not even sure how that is physically possible, but it exists, according to the seating chart.
The problem is that they occasionally have decent acts come through here. It stresses me out picking seats here any more, because I NEVER want to have another experience like that again.
The food was actually pretty good and decently priced. The wine was mediocre and overpriced, but necessary for a night here.
Excellent venue for live music. Very good food and wine. Very good service. Â Wine is pricey though. One thing I do not understand is that they make their own wine and if you want to purchase that, you buy it at a retail price, for example a good red at $22. However, there is a corkage fee on top of $25 - so for the wine they make you pay $47 for a 3/4 liter bottle. Â Isn't a corkage fee for a bottle of wine YOU BRING into a restaurant? I thought a corkage fee was basically a way of making people happy that they can bring their own favorite wine, yet the venue makes $$ too by opening it for you. And so everyone wins.
I don't understand why a corkage fee of $25 is on THEIR wine???
I love how the "yelpy insight" is "40 somethings like this place!" Way to make me feel old, ha.
Anyway, I really enjoy this place as a music venue---you can sit, have a glass of wine, some food, and relax. The food is pretty good, though I think I would stick to the small plates---I tried the pomegranate glazed cornish hen, and it was merely okay---the glaze did not add anything good to the chicken. The flatbreads are good though. Also, their wine selection is good, but be warned that their "house wine" is pricer than what you might expect for a house wine.
One annoying experience---came here for a debate party during the presidential debates. Showed up on time, but the previous show was going long. It was annoying to show up on time to an advertised event but not be allowed in because a ticketed event was running over. Quite a crowd accumulated outside. Finally some of the older women who were waiting insisted we let in as the debate was actually starting. Aside from that experience, I've had some good times here, and I'm sure I'll return for another show.
Came here Sunday night for the Hurricane Sandy benefit show featuring 25 stand up comedians. We got there early and had dinner - there was a limited menu because the power had been out so long and they didn't have a lot of the foods on their regular menu. But what they had was delicious - sliders and fries, coconut shrimp, scallops, edamame...we shared a bunch of plates and a couple of carafes of the chardonnay on tap.
I am giving the place 4 stars because the service was seriously improved from the last time I was there. We were glad to be there for such an important fundraiser, and eating and drinking like kings and queens to boot!
The klezmer brunch was recommended by a friend, but I found everything but the music to be a colossal disappointment, three weeks ago:
1. The service: After being seated, we waited fifteen minutes to be handed menus. It took another ten minutes to get water. (I should point out that attendance was still pretty sparse, at that point--only ten other tables were seated!) When we tried to order cappuccino, we were told that the espresso machine was broken. It was approximately 11:00 am. If you're serving brunch to a large crowd, you might want to make sure your espresso machine is working.
2. The food: French toast from challah is fairly easy to make. Charging $2 to add "caramelized apples" that turn out to be two tablespoons of applesauce is tacky, though. We also ordered the mezze sampler, which arrived with bagel chips so thinly sliced that they broke off in the dips. It's nouvelle-cuisine portions at regular New-York-brunch prices...which makes no sense.
In short: lovely venue, but not worth it, I'm sorry to say.
Note to servers at CW: remember the announcement at the beginning of the show to curtail your conversation out of respect to the artist? That applies to YOU too!
When a couple is sitting there, swaying back in forth in total rapture while the divine Suzanne Vega sings her heart out, you do NOT lean in and YELL into the couple's ears: "CAN I TAKE YOUR PLATE?" in the middle of the quiet part of the song - especially when said plate is still half full of food!
Oh, and you don't return 2 songs later to do the same thing!
If only the servers had been as eager to take my order, bring the food, etc. as they were to take my plate.
I had high hopes for this place, but unfortunately it's a typical high end NYC "supper club" type place. What that means is: the service is completely incompetent & the food is mediocre and WAAAY overpriced.
Oh: make sure to check your bill. There were all sorts of things on there that we hadn't ordered, as well as one thing we ordered & never even received. By that point we'd given up on the "dining" portion of the evening.
The venue is lovely, the artists are top tier, & the staff - although obviously not even slightly trained - was friendly I'll give them that. Next time we'll eat somewhere else beforehand & all will be well.
Really like this place for seeing shows. Barely any bad seats in the house other than a couple of seats behind the pillars. Glad I was warned about the service before coming. Our waiter was amazing! He checked on us a bunch of times and without disrupting the show. Loved seeing the show there and the food was good. Their hummus and scallops are my two favorite things on the menu so far.
The hostess on the other hand seemed a bit green and couldn't figure out the seating map... Good thing I was with an easy going group because that took about 30 minutes.
3-3.5 stars for now. Might update at the next show. Let's see if next time they are able to seat us without 5 people reading the seat map. :) Cheers!
Not a typical review.
As I walked out of a job interview wondering if I did a good job or completely blew it, I walked passed a line of people who were getting wrist bands while music drifted out from the alley they were approaching.
I walked past, then said "what the hell". I went back and asked the two people at the entrance what was going on and they said "free concert, cash bar for food and drinks."
I'm in!
Apparently they host free concerts through the summer in the open space behind their building. The entrance to this area is on Vandam street, and almost right in the middle of the block on the south side of the street.
Not sure if the food and beverages change, but yesterday (Tuesday June 26, 2012) there were several German beers, foods and a tasty Edlerberry soda that you could drink alone or have mixed with vodka. it was delicious!
$9.00 for a mixed drink
$6.00 for beers
$6 or $7 for wine
$4.00 Edlerberry soda
$4-6 for bratwurst ( I think, I couldn't see from where I was standing.)
I had one drink and had to leave to meet someone at a place uptown, but will be back and stay longer to enjoy the music during the summer.
Portable bathrooms on site (thanks for thinking of this very important detail that is often overlooked by other venues.)
Thanks for the free concerts!
I'd suggest eating and drinking before you get here: this place is very expensive. The cheapest glass of wine at this place is $10, and the tap wine comes in a carafe that's about 3/4 of the size of a bottle.
As a concert venue, it was great. But, I wasn't expecting to have to drop an extra $50 on a few glasses of wine for the two of us.
City Winery is a beautiful space. I visited for the Klezmer Brunch on Sunday and, although I'll be back for wine (duh), I have to compliment whoever is managing the venue. The staff is extremely professional, though not stiff, and very knowledgeable about grapes. They helped me pick out a seat based on acoustics. There were some sound problems with a reverb for a minute or two but they resolved it.
I was surprised there was such a small turnout for the Chai Notes but the beautiful weather outside might explain it. In any case, even Klezmer tunes provide more of a muzak backround noise for conversation than a full-on brass show, albeit one had in elevated voices.
My large challah egg sandwich was surprisingly good, nice, puffy and rich. The home fries that came with were pretty bangin'. Prices were reasonable. As you descend the stairs to the basement you pass a wall of cellared wine bottles and a barrel cave downstairs. Nice. I can see why the space works well for special events.
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