Vintry Wine & Whisky: Something Different Downtown

Boite is a New York Times Sunday Styles column about hip nightlife, the “in” spots of New York, Miami, Los Angeles and other cities.

On a recent Thursday evening, Leanne Shear was reporting the latest installment of the column at the hand-carved wooden bar of Vintry, a newly opened Stone Street wine, whisky and small plates bar and restaurant.

“This place is great,” Shear said. “I pitched my editors and they loved the idea of doing a Downtown spot.”

Along the bar, servers swooped in to pour wine (80 are available by the glass) and make robust Manhattans. The place was standing room only. But those without chairs proved it is possible to eat moist and flavorful veal meatballs, house-marinated olives and pleasantly different salmon knishes standing up.

“We wanted a change of pace, something new” said Peter Poulakakos, who owns Vintry and nine other bars and restaurants in Lower Manhattan. “So far, business has been great.”

As The Times’ cameraman darted between customers, stylish retro soul played at a comfortable level. When Shear’s column appears, New York will be introduced to Vintry. But by the look of things, word is already spreading.