Mars Bar has been closed to make way for the B&T bourgeoisie, and Hank’s Saloon may be next. The Bowery is no longer a grimy haven, and it’s easier to find an artisanally-made vegan scoop of fat-free ice cream than it is to find a decent bagel in New York City.
Luckily, some are still kicking it old-school. The founder of the Knitting Factory, Michael Dorf, was sick of the slick, so he opened up a place where New Yorkers can still embrace their inner crusty even if they’ve grown up a bit.
Not only is it the only winery in the city in which you can actually make your own wine from scratch, you can also just kick back, enjoy some fancy fermented grape juice, and catch shows from bands who could play at much bigger venues, but choose to play there.
Check out an interview with Dorf on his history in NYC as he prepares to open a second City Winery location in the Second City this fall.
TOPICS: Eat to the Beat, Kathleen Willcox