Vanguard Wine Bar (Upper East Side)

A group of us walked in at closing and were fully expecting to be (fairly) turned away. The bartender initially said they were done for the night but then he said he’d be willing to serve us one round. Really appreciate his generosity in letting us get that round even though I’m sure he was ready to wrap up and head home. Vanguard was a super cozy place to end the night and their sparkling rose is delicious! Will definitely be back

good wine and v nice chill vibes. service was great. cool posters/decorations on the walls making in feel homey. we got a bottle of white and it was perfect and reasonable. we went on a friday and it was pretty busy but offered a bit of calm. always playing some film in the background which gives it a unique touch. only qualm is that the cheese board was okay. not standout.

One of my favorite wine bars in the city! So cozy and warm inside with friendly, attentive service a varied, delicious menu. I love the descriptions of each wine - they've never steered me wrong. The food menu also looks so yummy although I haven't tried it yet. Such a great date spot (went here on an early date with my boyfriend, fond memories!) and I also love to come by myself to read at the bar with a nice glass. Lovely spot to catch up with friends as well, I often see groups here. Highly recommend!

Great local wine bar. Charcuterie board is amazing and plenty of great wines to enjoy! They also have a bunch of outlets of you need to charge a device.

Friendly, helpful bartender and a good selection of wine. Was appalled however, at the meager rations on the $29 "charcuterie plate." I could make a better plate digging through a dumpster behind an italian deli. Go for the wine, but eat before.

I love this bar. The wine selection is great and all of the bartenders are great- very knowledgeable about wine and so friendly.

Great for a date night! We love to go for a glass of wine after dinner nearby. FYI you have to order at the bar, but the staff is very friendly and attentive. Can definitely get crowded but usually you can squeeze in somewhere! I’ve never had a problem trying to get a spot.

This spot offers a quiet, cozy vibe ideal for conversation, enhanced by classic films playing gently in the background. While the bartenders bring friendly energy, the rest of the service leaves something to be desired. It’s a fine date night option, especially if you're not in a rush. A short but solid wine list comes paired with prices that feel a bit ambitious.

Food was very good! Service was normal but Ambiance was nice! It was not packed and you really get to enjoy a wine bar for what it is! I went to the back and we ordered the Smoked Salmon, Chives, Crème Fraîche, Mission Figs, Jambon Sec, Goat Cheese, and Pimento Cheese and chips! I don't usually go wine bars but this was a pretty awesome place if you're going out on a date and want no reservations. The ambiance and how hidden it was compare having very little crowd was good. I would totally recommend the Smoked Salmon, Chives!

My friend and I came here on a Saturday night. It wasn't too crowded in the back. Chill vibe. Nicely curated menu. Though when we ordered our second bottle of something different, the bartender told us we should have sent the first one back. (What?) It was quiet enough to have a good conversation but still with a cool vibe. I'd come back.

Absolutely love coming here for a post-dinner late night drink! The wine selection is excellent, and the decor inside is kinda cozy and trendy at the same time. Nice space to sit at the bar too!

We didn't order any of the food but based on the apps the other tables had, they looked absolutely delicious and fresh. The wines were luscious and variant! The reds - to die for. The sparkling whites, evoke memories of when I spent summers in Bordeaux with my grandma. The staff were quick and attentive and offered good pairing suggestions. It got louder and for a date night I wish it was not as busy but hey that's New York. Would recommend.

Really nice and cute spot on the UES! They have a great selection of wines and it's usually pretty easy to get a table too.

Cute spot with single yet satisfying small plates that pair well with wine. Solid wine selection by glass and by bottle. There's definitely a date night vibe here.

Excellent spot for a casual hangout with a group of friends. Great wine selection and very friendly staff. The bartender offered helpful suggestions based on what we're looking for and let everybody try their wine before pouring a glass! Everybody orders drinks at the bar. Food is delivered to the table. Great charcuterie board and delicious hummus! Would definitely come back again.

I friggin loved the wine here, just wish the price was a little more reasonable! That being said, it was a fun night! Apparently they are just re-opening after the pandemic; so, I'm glad they made it out. They have an interesting one-man setup; where you order everything at the bar & it's brought out to you. The charcuterie board was delicious, albeit pricey. The white wine was stellar. Perfect for a girls night or date. It's super close to my work, so I'm sure I'll be back.

Bartender gave a good rosé recommendation Snack was good and watched some delicious looking snacks and charcuterie go out

Came in on a Sunday night for a drink - great wine list with descriptors, super friendly bartender and cozy atmosphere. Perfect for date night!

What a great wine bar on the upper east side! Came here with 2 of my girlfriends and sat at the bar which we love doing. We shared the hummus, cheese plate and 2 flat bread pizzas - 1 with ham and the other with mushrooms. Both flat breads were equally amazing in their own way, that I cannot decide which one I like better. The hummus was pretty good but my least favorite of the few. Ans as for the cheese plate - LOVED it. All the cheese there are pasteurized so no issues for those with bebe on board. Cheese comes with bread with olive oil, honey, apples and grapes. we quickly devoured it and finished our meal with some chocolate bon bons. Definitely look forward to going back again. My lady friends enjoyed their wine and I took a sip which was enjoyable. The atmosphere is quiet and laid back so a perfect place to catch up with some friends :)

It's a low key and cozy UES late night wine bar. It has good wine options and the meat and cheese plate is great! Love how quiet and not busy it is during weekday evenings. Friday and weekend evenings are busy and crowded. Two different vibes and both are great.

immaculate wine bar with heavy pours and great selection. If you are in the area make sure to check it out!

Behold, Vanguard's third and newest location in UES! At the outset, I was surprised how small and discreet the location seemed to be. Trying to locate this bar from down the street, I barely noticed the small signage outside. However, upon stepping inside, I was surprised to find that it was larger than it initially appeared. On a Thursday night, the bar was quiet enough for conversation, but lively enough to set the mood. The ambiance is super sexy, with its dim lighting, candles, and bottles of wine lining the walls. In addition to bar seating, there are also high top tables for couples and small groups. I recommend sitting at the bar as Vanguard is primarily for drinking, so it's nice to be able to easily get the attention of a bartender. They have a decent selection of wines for various tastes, and are happy to let you try a wine you're not sure about. Our bartender was a pleasant woman who helped us narrow down our choices until we selected a bottle we liked. The bottles are reasonably priced for a fancy pants wine bar ($40-$65 for stills, $48-$75 for sparkling). Their small plates menu is much less impressive, but does offer a few options if you are looking to snack along with your wine.

This is a good spot if you have a group and don't want to worry about bills. Everyone orders from the bar and you start your own tab. They still bring you the food to your table. The pimento cheese is excellent. Good options for wine and the bartenders are nice.

Lovely place for drinks and light apps. High touch personal service. All around a good vibe and cozy.

Great wine bar on the UES! Loved the vibe, food, & wine selection. It's a great place to meet friends or for date, or even just to sit at the bar and have a bite.

Y'all, can't say enough good things. Very relaxed vibes on a a Saturday night -- easy to talk with friends and have a lovely glass of wine. I can't say enough good things about the bartender John. He was very friendly, easy-going, and when my friend left her phone, he somehow found a way to contact us and stayed late just to make sure she got her phone back.

Nice place, we had 5 glass of wine each wine glass cost us $13-$14. You need to go to bar and get the wine and sit at your place. We tipped the bar tender $8, which he said we under tipped. This is not a full service restaurant. I am surprised we are expected to tip 20% in a self service bar, where we ordered just wine.

If you're looking for a great wine bar on the UES, look no further. Vanguard has a nice setup, with plenty of seating in a comfortable, modern space that's great for dates and small groups. I like the system of seating yourselves and ordering glasses/bottles from the bar in the center. The lack of a server adds to the privacy at the tables, in my opinion. The wine selection is great, with a menu that covers a lot of ground without feeling overwhelming. Servers at the bar were very friendly and helpful. Next time I need a glass of vino in a quality setting, Vanguard will be at the top of my list.

Really cute local wine bar, didn't really offer table service but we didn't mind too much... we ordered a few app's: cheese platter, beer cheese dip, and the arugula salad with grapes, nuts and blue cheese. Prices were reasonable for food. Cute spot. Only has pacific north west and French wine... wouldn't go out of my way but would go back.

Came here for drinks on a Thursday night and was really pleasantly surprised! The space is really big, yet still can be intimate if that's what you're looking for. They have a good selection of wines and small plates. There are outlets at every table and the taller benched tables have somewhere to put your feet which makes it super comfortable. The cheese platter, while really beautifully presented, did not have anything worth writing home about. The meats and cheese included were not listed, so I'm not sure what was what, but barely anything had any flavor. The blue cheese was the only cheese that tasted like anything and there was only one meat that did. This was a shame because it looked so appetizing, but I would not order again because it really didn't taste like much at all. If they switch up the cheeses and meats it could be worth it! The ham, caramelized onion and gruyer flatbread was amazing in flavor. A little small, but a fair portion for the price. We were blown away by how good it was!! Definitely would recommend it. I think this is a good place for small groups and for something more wine centered (not too shocking since it's a wine bar). Definitely wouldn't come for a full dinner. I do wish they had some sort of happy hour special that isn't only late nite. Overall enjoyed it and really like the space itself!

It brings me great sadness to leave such a negative review about what used to be one of the best wine bars on the Upper East Side, and potentially in all of Manhattan. Let me preface by saying after living in Lenox Hill for several years, I moved to the West Village about a year ago. After I heard that Vanguard had re-opened after being closed for so long, I was so excited and made a special trip uptown to visit. What a mistake that turned out to be... Upon arriving at Vanguard (around 11:30 p.m. this past Saturday night), I proceeded to the bar to order a glass of wine. I politely asked the bartender if I could try a taste of two different wines before deciding which one I wanted to drink. He rudely replied with, "Well, are you going to buy a bottle?" and I responded by saying I wasn't sure yet. After my girlfriend also asked to try two different wines, he looked at us both and said, "You know, you really aren't allowed to just sample multiple wines. If the manager or owner were here, they would not allow this." I was pretty taken aback by this comment, considering I have come to Vanguard more times than I can count, and the bartenders are always willing to recommend a wine and allow customers to try a taste before deciding what to order, especially considering everything is offered by the glass. At this time, we also ordered a charcuterie board. We knew the kitchen closed at midnight, so we purposely ordered when we first arrived. After getting our wine and sitting down, the bartender came over to our table and said that we needed to either 1) move tables or 2) move the chair so that it wasn't blocking the walkway, as that was a "fire hazard." He also called me an "obstruction." There wasn't another table that would comfortably sit our group, so I simply moved my barstool out of the way, as he had asked. After we had been sitting for about 25 minutes, I went up to the bar to ask about the charcuterie board and the other employee (not the bartender) informed me that the kitchen was closed, so they couldn't accommodate it. I told him that we had ordered it from the bartender nearly 30 minutes ago, which he didn't realize, so he said he would check with him. I overheard the bartender say, "Oh shoot!," clearly indicating that he forgot to put our order in. About 5 minutes later, the bartender came over and said that he purposely didn't bring out the charcuterie board because, "we hadn't moved to the larger table like he had asked, and the board wouldn't fit on the table." Imagine being out to dinner, being sat at a small table, ordering multiple appetizers, and then being told mid-way through your meal that you had to "move" because the restaurant couldn't fit any more food on your table... Next, which is really what shocked all of us, the bartender went back behind the bar and started talking poorly about us to other patrons that were sitting at the bar! He said things like "I told them to move tables and they didn't listen" and "The holidays always bring in these kinds of people." After my girlfriend called him out and said there was no need to talk ill about us, he quickly denied this. About 2 minutes later, we heard him saying other condescending and inconsiderate things about us to additional patrons at the bar. About five minutes later the other employee brought out the food and, needless to say, it fit without a problem. At this point, we were so fed up with being talked about and treated poorly that we asked for the check. When the bartender brought the check over, he very rudely said, "I feel like there's an issue here, so I don't even want your tip!" Made the decision that much easier for us... Needless to say, I will not be visiting this location of Vanguard again. I have told many of my friends that still live in Lenox Hill about this experience, who have also said they won't visit here again. Vanguard was closed for a long-time as a result of the pandemic and I can't imagine they'll be able to keep their doors open for much longer if management continues to hire staff that treat and speak to their customers in such a condescending, demeaning and inconsiderate way.

Short: terrific atmosphere, wine list, and small bites. Long: Great place. Terrific menu, highly recommend the mushroom truffle flat bread. Vivianna and her staff are great conversationalists and will help you pick the wine and food to match if asked. The atmosphere is one of the best in UES. Be sure to try one of the cab francs!

Vanguard is a rather low key, relaxed, relativey no-frills wine bar. It has the same high tables along the walls and lack of table service that you'd find in a pub, which makes it a great place to gather with friends. But if you're looking for swank or romantic you should look elsewhere. I went on a Saturday and found the menu to be a bit limited. It was a single page with 8 reds, 8 whites, and a few other cocktails and beers. There was also a limited food menu, offering items like caviar bites in very small portions relative to the price. Each time I wanted a drink (I had 3 and bought one for a friend) and ordered food I had to get up and schlep to the bar, wait for the lone bartender to take my order and pour my drink and then carry it back to my seat. After spending about 2 hours and $70 I left there tipsy and still quite hungry. All in all it wasn't a bad experience, but the selection and service left a lot to be desired.

I love this place. It's so perfectly chill and whoever is manning the bar is always super helpful if you're having trouble deciding. Yummy cheese plates too

Solid date spot with a good selection of wine for all palettes. Plenty of seating both at the bar and among the various table arrangements throughout the establishment. Bartender was super helpful and insightful about the list of wines they offer and was not quick to up-sell us by any means! Not library quiet but certainly not loud where you can't hear members of your party across the table or next to you! Definitely recommend as I look forward to returning in the future!

Nice atmosphere, however, the food prices are ridiculous, to say the least. We paid $16 (or more) for 3 crackers with a thin layer of salmon (!) That menu (or the management) has to go, otherwise-- :(((

Little pricey but good wines. Not the best place if you're hungry. The food options while tasty, are small and come from a limited menu.

We were excited for this place to open, but was disappointing when it did. Mainly for the service. We walked in and sat at the bar on a not too busy night. The two female bartenders were over in the corner shmoozing with some guys. Finally one of them came over about 8 minutes later to take our order, and I've got to say, the attitude was just pouring out of her. She was also oddly climbing ontop of the ice chest or whatever was there to pour our wine. Later, she was eating her dinner behind the bar. By beind the bar, I mean in the exact same place that she works. I'm sorry, but I found that to be deplorable. Not only are you eating in front of customers, but it is unsanitary. If you need a break to eat, then take it. If you cant take one, then eat before, but PLEASE, can I not watch you shove food in your face when I'm trying to enjoy some wine. Pretty sure that is a health code violation because I watched you NOT wash your hands when you were done eating and pouring more wine to guests. Thanks

Vanguard is a wonderful addition for Yorkville locals who love wine. Ideal for a small group or date, this place offers up delicious glasses of red, white and sparkling accompanied by small plates. Unsure whether or not they have happy hour yet as it's still new, but that would be ideal since this place is on the pricier side. As others have mentioned, don't come here expecting a full meal, either.

I'm a huge fan of the Vanguard wine bars in Lincoln Center and Kips Bay, so I was really excited to see another outpost in my neck of the woods. As is the case with the other Vanguards, they have a curated wine list with lots of descriptions so you know what you're getting. They also provide small tasting sips before you commit to a glass, which is always nice. The staff was upbeat and accommodating, and surroundings remarkably chic, yet warm. I can't wait to come back.

Love Vangaurd UWS....not entirely sure but UES version is lacking a vibe, character, etc. Feels very expensive for the neighborhood, they could definitely use some specials and happy hour wines.

Great wine bar in the UES! Ask for Fany and she'll prepare some of the most memorable wine paired dishes you'll ever have! Service is tremendous, staff is best of the best and the food is fantastic! Always a great time at Vanguard! Viviana and Tristian are the best of the best and know their vino well!

If you're looking for a date spot "just to grab a drink" you found a gem on the upper east side. Plenty of seating and an atmosphere where you can hear each other speak and a solid selection of wines. Change it up after dinner with a class of wine.

This is by far the best wine bar I have been to, and I know wine bars! I decided to host my husband's 50th birthday party here and Stefan made everything so easy! That night Viviana made sure everyone was happy and I never had to keep an eye on the food or wine- all I had to do was enjoy the party! Friendly service, fabulous wine and food (the tartes are amazing), you can't go wrong here. I'll be coming back for sure!

Went in for the first time this weekend. Great wine menu - good mix of fancy and reasonable wines. The staff were really helpful - and the woman behind the bar was fantastic in giving suggestions. She let us try wines to make sure we would like whatever we ended up with. The ambience was fantastic, and so fun. We ordered some snacks, and while the food was perfectly fine, I was expecting a little bit more. Happy to try again, though. Great place - looking forward to going back!

The new bartender is an excellent conversationalist--to whomever she's talking to on her phone. She courteously held the phone away from her ear to ask if I was doing ok (sensing my glare). I still like Vanguard, I'll just have to be more selective about who's serving. (You can return to your call now.)

Came here in a Thursday night. Bummed they didn't have any sort of happy hour or specials since all the wine was $10+. However I really enjoyed the wine. The atmosphere was super laid back for a Thursday and there was plenty of seating. If you are down for a low key night then this is a great spot to check out! Otherwise, I would go next door to Bro J's or the Gem!

Perfect place for a date, not very loud like lots of wine bars. Good wine, really a nice selection with a nice staff. I only regret they don't have an happy hour !

This place wants so badly to be cool but it's just another cut and copy of any other wannabe French wine bar. The decor is confusing (an out of place crystal chandelier, "antique" maps of Paris and New York, various other clichée 20th century posters). The menu is also exactly like any other wine bar in the UES (hummus, cheese plates, tartines). All in all not worth a second trip (or a first trip if you can avoid it).

I stopped in here on a Saturday night with a date and it turned out to be a great decision. We came in at about 8PM and the bar area in front was b-u-m-p-i-n with cheese plates and corks popping; light French music topped off the ambiance and gave it a Parisian feel (as did the very well versed woman behind the bar). The crowd was young, not particularly well dressed (but certainly not frumpy), and chill - perfect really. I was looking for a step below the midtown business crowd, but a step above the slimy upper west side crowd - it was a perfect middle ground. We walked passed the bar section to the empty back section which was lined with wooden benches and pillows, high top tables, and chairs - all nearly empty. It was amazing. I'm a firm believer that any wine worth having that doesn't come out of a box with a pre-installed spout is WAY out of my price range, so I was nervous, but coming here was a pleasure. Those with even the most basic wine knowledge can seem like full on soms (sommeliers). When asked if I'd like to see the menu, I simply waved my hand in a dismissive "aint-no-one-got-time-fa-dat" way and asked what the bartender suggested. We back-and-forthed for a few seconds and I landed on the Château Grivière Cru Bourgeois - a phenomenal Cab/Merlot blend - get it, you won't be sorry. I didn't get a chance to dive into the cheeses or charcuterie, but from being super nosy and asking other diners what they thought, they seem quite delectable. All in all, this place is very chill - a great go-to wine bar with a knowledgeable staff, comfortable seating, and great wine. What more could you really ask for?

Great wine selection, decent prices, and fabulous service! Went there before dinner reservations, not too busy at that point. There's tons of plug outlets and seems like some folks were having meetings and had their laptops up, so could be a great place for wine and working!

Have been a few times now for after-work drinks. Never crowded on a week day. Very nice wine selection, friendly staff, tasty meat and cheese plate.

After reading the Yelpers reviews of the Vanguard on the UWS & in Kips Bay, and, after being disappointed in my nabe's offerings, I was excited to check this place out. Well, the excitement fizzled very quickly. Here are the CONS & PROS: CONS - a) Pastry Twists came w/White Bean Hummus. They were stale, and, clearly not the right choice to accompany the hummus. The Millenial Man behind the bar, tried to justify them being stale, by saying they were "baked." I don't care whether they were baked or fried; they were stale!; and b) The Millenial Man was robotic & condescending; saying "No Worries", and "It's All Good" to us, several times, when we complained. As a female Gen X'er, I cringe when I hear those responses; especially when it comes to someone working in the food/hospitality business; c) There is only one bathroom - unisex (ew, especially in a wine bar!!); has one toilet, and is located smack-dab, in the middle of the bar area (another ew!!) This place was a pet store before, so they really should have spent the $$ to have more than one unisex bathroom, and should have located all bathrooms, elsewhere; d) I asked for a dry rose & was shown their only selection - a 'wet' rose, that is sold in 76 Liquors for $9.99 (yuk); and e) They, admittedly, rest on their formula, from their other 2 locations, and refuse to take any constructive criticism. PROS - a) The Mushroom/Shallot/Truffle Tartine was tasty; b) Even though I'm not a white wine fan, their Sauvignon Blanc selection, was decent; c) Even though the layout was more akin to a sports bar, and even though the bathroom was "centrally located", the decor was classic, cozy wine bar. Once again, I'd prefer to entertain my friends in my cozy apartment, where the quality of the wine/food & the service, far exceeds anything we can get, if we venture out, in this neighborhood!! Sad, but true!!

Have been coming here since day 1 of this location opening, as I was a huge fan of the west side location. Every wine I've tried has been fantastic, and you really can't go wrong with any of the small plates- Every one is delicious! The atmosphere is inviting and perfect for having actual conversations with friends (you CAN hear each other over the music- which is also great- low key covers of songs you know). I also attended a friend's birthday party here, and would definitely recommend it for an event. The team is extremely accommodating and will take great care of you!

Ok neighborhood wine bar. They had some interesting wine selections, but I do not recommend eating there. Food was ok and there were not as many options. Service was also a bit slow. I had to get my own bottle of water and glasses for the table...

Outstanding. The wine, the service, the music, the decor. Tristan has the best suggestions!!!!!!

First time here. Just like all the other reviews, cool hangout. Simple wine list. Great meat & cheese platter. Casual hangout