What a big wine/ liquor store which I did not expect from passing by it many times. Finally went in over this past weekend. They have many different liquors and wines from all over. I could spend a good amount of time in here. It is pretty big and high ceilings. I am sure they have what you would be looking for. The people who work here though were not so friendly. No one welcomed us in or asked if we needed any help. They had good music playing in here though. read more

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Helpful, knowledgeable staff. Competitive pricing. One of my " go tos " in the neighborhood.

Clean, spacious interior. Pleasant staff. Fair price. Had my pickup order ready quickly.

This wine store is in my neighborhood and is a good option in Midtown East. They have a variety of different price points, whether you are looking for a $15 bottle or something fancier. The store is well-organized and clearly laid out. I have never had a problem with customer service or had an issue, so it is too bad to see the reviews here. Seems fine to me! read more

Fabulous service! Very nice selection at reasonable prices. Even Gus enjoys going in. read more

First Avenue Vintner - a woman and a dog in a wine shop - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - New York, New York

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Excellent and friendly service consistently. Been shopping here for years and am always happy with the selection and helpful staff. read more

Very rude and condescending staff. Will never go back. Decent selection though I will say, of spirits that is. Wines are all big brands and nothing interesting at all. read more

The best, super friendly, down to earth, and helpful. We needed to borrow something and they lent it to us no problem. Truly a neighborhood place :) read more

Excellent selection at every price. Dog friendly accommodating staff. Bargains if you look closely. Totally kind and smart staff. Terrific resource for neighborhood. read more

Very rude and disrespectful!!! Over the past few months, I would visit this establishment on my travels home. I have only interacted with the owner once, who seemed a little stand-offish, but I didn't feed into his body language. I usually spoke with the store clerk as it is easier to communicate in a common language. Today, I stopped in a little earlier than usual to avoid traffic from the UN or possibly be redirected due to street closures. After completing my purchase, the owner places my item on the register. I ask for a bag. With no response, the owner gives me a blank stare. I repeated, do you have a bag? He slammed my receipt on the desk with an attitude and said, we do not have any bags. Taken back by his reaction, I said, okay, not a problem. I wish I had known you were out of bags before I completed my purchase. Yes, I know there is a bag law in NYC. However, sometimes I forget to carry it with me, and everything does not fit in my crossbody bag. As I walk out of the store, I hear a loud grunt and a slam. As I turned around, the owner said out loud, I'm getting the Fuck out of here. He throws his bag over his shoulder and breezes past me, and states fuck you get the fuck out of my store. Confused about the overall interaction, I turned around and entered the store to ask the store clerk if I had done something to offend his boss by asking for a bag. Assuming the store clerk did not want to get involved, he said, sorry, you had to deal with that. I respond with, sorry, you just lost a customer. I walk back out of the store and see the owner on the corner at the fruit stand. Trying to defuse the situation, I walked over with my two-finger out (Peace Sign) and said, peace boss. Is there something I did to offend you? Before I could finish, the owner said, get the Fuck away from me and never come back to my store. Several people at the fruit stand are looking in awe. I said, it is not a problem, and I'm sorry that this is how your customer service is, then we parted way. Some of you might find this review aimless. However, I pride myself on being polite and friendly with everyone I interact with, but I will not tolerate things like the situation stated above. I don't want to play the race card, but if I was of another race, would I have been greeted in the same manner, or had I engaged in a verbal altercation on first ave between 55th and 54th street, what would have been the end result? I know this establishment is not catering to me but to those of the neighborhood. Just remember the world is changing and you never who be walking in your store next. Treat all your customers with respect!!! Without any consumers, you have no business. read more

Have been coming here for years and have always found the staff to be friendly. Their advice on wines is always valuable and they have a good selection. Don't let the bad reviews sway you. First Avenue Vintner has been a welcome addition to the neighborhood. read more

a very friendly old fashion wine and booze shop on 1st ave in the 50ish street area that has a nice simple window display with a old gothic look. inside its simple to navigate around in its old woodsy look displaying a vast assortment of wines , gin , whisky, vodka, champagne , etc. the guy who was behind the counter gave me the ok to bring my nieces dog which i was walking inside and quickly i was able to grab a few bottles of chilled skinny girl margarita mix for my gal pals . the display of all the bottles are in order from a to z and its easy to find what you need even without asking for help. as i stated before i dont drink the devils water but i do like looking at all the fancy bottle labels which are pretty cool and interesting . some of the other reviews are not that star friendly but for me i gotta go with 4 stars over for my first visit. read more

The friendliest staff and the best selection and prices. I won't go anywhere else in Sutton Place.

Okay , so they do great window displays but these people are the rudest, least service oriented and inconsiderate merchants I have met since moving to this neighborhood. Even after explaining my situation, the man insisted that I was giving him attitude and refused to deliver to me because he could not understand ,me. Thank God, Ambassador Wines is right down the street on Second and I have yet to explore other wine stores in the area. Who needs you First Avenue Vintners. This was on the telephone but it's worse if you go in. read more

I only go because they have nice wines...i am there twice/week (more often for holidays/parties!)...same 2 guys always there...1 acknowledges me...the other looks right through me. In my old 'hood, the owner knew what I liked...and was quick to suggest something new. I am now more apt to go to 57th St Sutton Wines...always a friendly hello! Too bad for First Avenue Vintners... read more

I had to pick up peach schnapps in a pinch for a pastry dish. We walked in to the store and was literally ignored by the staff (the guy behind the counter was either the owner or a manager). When I asked for help, he seemed bothered. I asked for the schnapps and he had to rummage around to find a bottle. What he found was covered with dust and the label peeling. Without any embarrassment, he dinged us the full price (16-17 bucks before taxes, but with attitude). Up and coming mid-town east as expensive condos are being built will insist on top quality service and quality. With so many wineshops in NYC and stiff competition this place ain't gonna last much longer. We left, pledging never to return. To add insult to injury, we found better quality schnapps at a lower price at another midtown wineshop. read more

Seems like this place has very mixed reviews, however, I've always found the staff to be very helpful. I'm not a big wine connoisseur but i can taste the difference between crap wine and good wine. Usually, I pick my wine based on price points and vineyard location, but every time I'm here, i ask whoever is working. They are very kind in helping me find a great bottle (or 2) of wine to go along with the occasion. read more

Not sure why this place has bad reviews. The staff is helpful and they have a solid selection. It's also easy to find inexpensive wines, and they don't judge you for asking about inexpensive options like they do at ambassador wines around the corner. They have wine tastings a lot too. read more

Having dealt with these people here for about 10 years, I am happy to say that if you are nice to them, they respond accordingly. The wine selection is varied, the staff are helpful. the prices are fair. No one has EVER criticized my selections, their recommendations are reliable and their deliveries are speedy and on time. read more

After reading these reviews I am so glad I was not the only one!! I use to buy my spirits and wine from here though it did not have the best prices by any means and the selection was actually quit poor. I believe it was the actual owner who was horrible to deal with. When I use to go in the staff were fine and then one day he was there yelling at one of his staff and oh the foul language. I couldn't take what I was hearing so immediately left. Such a nightmare and rude individual. I went back about a month later on my way home just to see if that poor employee was there but didn't see them. I hope they quit. I will never step foot in any of his vintner stores in the city. I can't support anyone who treats his employees like that and try to spread the word. You really wouldn't believe it and am so glad I did not have my children with me. read more

Nice neighborhood store with a staff than makes decent recommendations (if you want one). Good selection of wine and booze. The nasty reviews make me think it is the from competition. read more

There is one guy who works there who looks like he puts shoe polish in his hair to color it. He is very rude and has a terrible chip on his shoulder. A total DB. The rest of the guys are pleasant and sweet. Good wine selection. read more

I would give a minus star if it was allowed! Been here 3 or 4 times. Each time I dealt with the manager who thinks that his opinion is the one that matters not the customers. When you ask for a wine you like you are either berated for paying too much for a wine he thinks isn't worthy or told that he knows better what you want. Really?? I am not asking for suggestions but service which this place does not believe in. How it stays in business is more a commentary on the fact that so many are depressed by the economy and will buy their alcohol anywhere. Do yourself a favour and walk 3 blocks to American First Liquors on 58th street. They will treat you with courtesy and better prices. read more