One of summer’s greatest pleasures is drinking on or near a body of water, and now there’s a new place to do just that.
City Vineyard, a massive wine bar that just opened on Pier 26, features an expansive terrace and rooftop cafe with seating for 200 right by the Hudson, plus an enclosed restaurant that will seat another 75. There are stunning views of the river, the Freedom tower and, of course, beautiful New Jersey.
An offshoot of City Winery in Tribeca, it’s the most alluring outdoor imbibing spot to open since Grand Banks oyster boat on neighboring Pier 25.
And, City Winery founder Michael Dorf notes that the vineyard has one big advantage over the floating Grand Banks: no potential sea sickness.
“I like Grand Banks a lot, but you rock,” he says. At his new spot, “It’s nice to be on land but be on the water.”
Dorf has wanted to open an outdoor place for years, and finally nabbed the prime pier location after losing his bid on the reopening of Tavern on the Green.
The vineyard calls itself a “wine garden,” and is decorated with crawling vines. There are tables and umbrellas galore, beckoning day drinkers to wile away the weekend.
“Why go to the Hamptons?,” says Dorf.
He says the vineyard was inspired in part by the rollicking beer gardens in the Meatpacking District, but the focus is, of course, fermented grape juice. Ten wines will be served fresh from the tap ($10 to $17), and all but one will come from City Winery in Tribeca, where they’re made with grapes from California, Oregon and New York.
The simple food menu is geared to complement drinking, with a cheese plate ($23), a cured meats board ($20) and various dips served with pita ($13 each).
Dorf says: “We’re all about supporting consumption of wine.”
Pier 26 in Hudson River Park, 233 West St., at North Moore Street; 646-677-8350, cityvineyardnyc.com