City Winery

By QRO on May 22, 2009

Fastball

City Winery is located on 155 Varick Street, Manhattan, on the corner of Varick & Vandam Street. Situated in Greenwich Village, it is an actual restaurant and winery that also has a stage for seated shows. Opening at the start of 2009, it was started by Michael Dorf, the founder of the now defunct Knitting Factory to the southeast.

Stretching down along Varick, the entrance is at the southwest corner of Varick & Vandam. There is a bar along the north side, with a large circular staircase going down to the wine cellar and bathrooms. Past that are the tables, with a raised section farther south. The actual stage is on the west wide of the restaurant, across from the street side, hidden by curtains until opened, but within clear view of all the tables. The sound system is good, though some of the technical kinks still need to be worked out.

In addition to wine-tasting and -making classes and the ‘Klezmer Brunch’ on Sundays, City Winery has a couple of shows a week. They naturally tend towards the older artists, as well as more towards the singer/songwriter plus backing line-up than your standard band. There are also no openers, which leads to prompt start times, but also extensive sets by the artists booked. Like other seated venues such as Joe’s Pub, or the far larger Town Hall and Radio City Music Hall, you can’t dance or worm your way to a great spot, but do have a great view and aren’t squeezed. You can also have dinner with your show, along with an intimidating wine list (don’t worry: they also have beer), and the prices, though not cheap, are not as expensive as you might expect for a restaurant. Marrying a restaurant and a music venue is never easy, but it’s a relaxing and classy way to see a show.

Capacity: 300

all ages

Address:

155 Varick Street (Corner of Varick & Vandam Street)

By Subway:

A, C & E trains to Spring Street – walk 1 block west on Spring Street, turn left on West side of Varick Street
1 & 2 trains to Houston Street – walk 3 blocks south on West side of Varick Street
1 & 2 trains to Canal Street – walk 5 blocks north on West side of Varick Street
A, C & E trains to Canal Street – walk 1 block northwest on Canal Street, 5 blocks north on West side of Varick Street
N & R trains to Prince Street – walk 7 blocks northwest on Prince Street, 1 block west on Charlton Street, 1 block south on West side of Varick Street
A, B, C, D, E, F & M trains to West 4th Street – walk 7 blocks south on 6th Avenue, 1 block west on South side of Vandam Street

QRO Coverage:

-Fool’s Gold Party, September 3rd, 2012 – photos

-Mugison, August 18th, 2009 – photos

-Fastball, May 9th, 2009 – photos

Fastball