For Brooklyn vibes & billiards: Frog
Far too many spots claim to be a “neighborhood restaurant,” but Bed-Stuy’s Frog, with its consistent cadre of locals typing away at their laptops thanks to extended weekend hours, dogs with sizeable Instagram followings, and friends playing pool, is a wine bar that actually fits the bill. The wine list here is undeniably natty, so don’t feel awkward about asking the staff questions before diving wallet-first into a bottle of Slovenian pet-nat you’ve never seen before. Outdoor space is precious in the city, and Frog’s sizeable backyard is a big draw—it’s just right for ordering a grilled cheese and round after round of orange wine underneath the string lights.
For Riesling and comfort food: Terroir
Making your way through the binder-sized menu at Terroir feels like reading a hand-scrawled letter from a good friend who cannot stay focused on a single topic if their life depended on it, but in the best way possible. Owner Paul Greico is known for his obsession with Riesling—“Rudolf Steiner urged us to become aware of one’s humanity. By drinking Riesling, you become a better person,” reads one page.
You can dive into the terroir-verse by snagging a ticket for The Summer of Riesling, an iconic, three-hour booze cruise Greico organizes every year, or just sidle up to the bar and ask the staff about their favorite pours. While Riesling certainly is the main attraction, there’s also plenty of variety from France, Germany, Spain, and beyond, as well as an impressive vermouth list. Not one for the usual wine bar charcuterie and tinned fish spread? The food menu offers more substantial fare like smashburgers, Tteokbukki, and a stellar shaved Brussels sprouts salad.
For a sleek raw bar: Penny
Shellfish and Champagne go together like peanut butter and jelly, an adage that couldn’t be clearer at Penny. This sleek, L-shaped marble counter is widely exempt from the New York City reservation hunger games, as most seats are saved for walk-ins—that doesn’t mean you’ll sit down quickly, but there’s standing room at the front to pass the time with a few rounds of razor clams and one of the 800-plus bottles curated by owner Chase Sinzer and wine director Ellis Srubas-Giammanco.
Order an icebox packed with oysters, shrimp, mussels, and scallops, and pick a bottle from the stellar selection of Loire Valley white wines, or a Chardonnay from the trendy Jura region in Eastern France. The only real mistake you risk is skipping the brioche ice cream sandwich for dessert.
For an economical date night: June
Between the charming backyard patio and the snug, candlelit interior, there’s a reason to go to June on a year-round basis. Part of the Oberon Group, which also operates Brooklyn institutions like Rucola and nattier-leaning sister wine bar Rhodora, June has been a date night mainstay since 2015. The by-the-glass list is priced entirely under $20, and all bottles are 20% off between the hours of 4:00 and 7:00 PM.
While the list definitely shows favoritism to natural French wines, you’ll also find some hidden gems from San Luis Obispo, Umbria, Galicia, and beyond. Come in with a group (but definitely make a reservation) and ask for the magnum list—you won’t regret it.
