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    Lea Wine Bar

    3.6 (152 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Sautéed mushrooms
    Anessa O.

    Not sure how we ended up here (the person I went with always surprises me with new places to dine) but as soon as we walked in we were warmly welcomed by an older gentleman who although told us that we may not get seating due to a private party he graciously focused on finding us private seating in the matter of minutes . Although the place had alot of chatter and pretty crowded the service was still immaculate. The maitre d was very friendly and attentive , the drinks were delectable (you can always spot a mixologist) and the food was absolutely delicious, sides served family style - and we enjoyed every moment. I cant wait to come back .

    Margherita
    Srini V.

    Lea is hard-to-find but conveniently located in the Helmsley Building. It likely goes after the same base of midtown white collars that would go to The Campbell Apartment, but the ones who prefer some peace and quiet in a cozy setting. Lea is a plush-looking lounge with fancy decor, largely in red and black, with gilt-framed paintings and fit-for-purpose lighting. I am a big fan of their thin-crust pizza (tortizza), the grilled vegetables, edamame and several other selections from the tapas menu. Others might find the sushi bar and cocktails to be the draw. Regardless, I am impressed with what Lea has created as a viable, and relative more attractive, alternative to the lounges and bars in the area. They are open late (1am), but not on weekends, except for private events. Lea will leave you wanting to come back, especially if you work in and around the area.

    Lisa F.

    Fantastic wine bar midtown east with a comfortable, contemporary atmosphere. Hidden, tricky to find if you are not familiar where to go. We went off peak so it was not overcrowded. Inviting ambiance, great aesthetically, with wonderful artwork on the walls. Wine, old fashioned and the appetizers (mini meatballs) we had were very good.

    It's just really loud after work.
    Sunny C.

    I must have passed by this place a million times but only recently had the chance to step in for drinks, and I thought it was pretty good (minus the loud after work crowd) The bar is dim, somewhat upscale and because of its obscure location is free of tourists (amen!). The drink menu seemed creative although pricey ($17-19 for a cocktail is a lot, even by midtown standards). Ordered the Lychee Martini and was not disappointed! Wanted to review it because I loved its location right next to grand central but for some reason, it doesn't really stand out for anything else. Would have liked to try their sushi but was told the chef was in Japan (yeah, okay). I could see this as more of an after work drink venue or a late night date spot bc during early evening, you'll have to shout across the table. So yeah, if you want to lose your voice, this is the place!

    Léa's Wine Bar: Manhattan's Secret to a Decadently Romantic Hot Spot!
    Alessandra B.

    Léa's Wine Bar: Manhattan's Secret to a Decadently Romantic Hot Spot! Dark and discreet, nestled inside The Helmsley Building Walkway is Léa's Wine Bar, a hidden gem located under the arches behind Grand Central Station. This was the quintessential, chic, cozy spot to hold Edgewater Markets' Holiday Bash back in December of 2018. Decorated in a decadently romantic way, with its long bar, high party tables, tall bold red walls, accentuated by a yellow-gold ceiling bedecked with artistic reproductions of Italian neo-romantic paintings framed in gilded antique gold. Think late 1800's bordello with wonderful music, or late 80's famous upscale mega-nightclub, Nell's, nesting hole to the "rich & famous", minus the coke denned bathrooms. Beautifully blended influences from French and Italian cultures, Léa's has an intimate feel centered around an artsy wall of liquor, though their apparent focus is on wines from different countries and a diverse scrumptious menu screaming: "Eat Me!" Unbeknownst to the local passerby, this jewel, co-owned by Rick Passarelli, owner of the famous Bobby Vans', with Chef Bobby Dickert at the helm, offers an interesting and marvelous tapas menu with heavenly options, lush in taste and aroma. We were tempted by the succulent nibbles of the Brazilian Pasteis, a saporous corn and palmetto deep-fried chicken empanada, and the chicken satay in an ambrosia of plum-ginger sauce. Both divine. Exciting the sensations, the Wild Crab Taquitos in a chipotle, chives and sesame sauce. The choice Filet Mignon Tips on toast with a caustically delicious biting horseradish sauce. The sushi station was a glorious addition to the delights of savory palmfuls of rice where the Sushi Chef, prepared the most unique flavored Dragon rolls, perfectly paired with the high-quality Chardonnay being served by the friendly staff. Resembling the swooners from the 50's, the likes of Frank Sinatra, Lenny Passarelli, Léa's General Manager, enchants guests with his charismatic old-world class elegance. Everything was prepared close to perfection. The cheese platters were covered with artisanal cheeses. The meatballs, scrumptious. The music wasn't too loud so you could speak to each other. The vibe was amazing. In the city where everything is on display, Léa's Wine Bar is the best kept secret in the heart of New York. The ideal spot for an afterwork "apéro" or delightful nibble! The best wine bar Manhattan has to offer.

    Mike L.

    I liked this place....larger than I was expecting, there were about 10 chairs at the long bar and a bunch of tables/booths, and hightops spread across the rest of the space. The menu was light fare from flatbread pizzas to sushi rolls...the wine list was pretty good and ranged across a broad range with one or two varietals from specific Regions. Not having the biggest appetite, I had a flatbread pizza and a side of sweet potato fries...and a couple glasses of wine. This would be a great place to grab a couple glasses of wine, a light bite to escape the crowded streets for awhile!!!

    Tahara M.

    A little on the pricey side but the service was excellent. We got the trio burger, tacos, and truffle fries and everything was delicious. Great place if you are in grand central and want to go somewhere close.

    Sam P.

    Oh Lea, how you are suffering from a location problem! I think this bar is gorgeous and a lovely little surprise in the East Helmsley walkway - as Lauren C put it - an "oasis" in the strange, bustling desert of midtown east. Fabulous cocktails, a gorgeous staff, and I not loved the sexy, stylish decor and awesome staff, I clearly would not have chosen it for a Yelp Elite event. But here's why it's 4 stars instead of 5. The two times I visited this place before deciding to hold the event here, it was full of some very uptight corporate types in light blue shirts and grey slacks who were all in serious need of a drink. Decidedly not my crowd. And secondly, while the management staff couldn't have been more wonderful - thanks again Mario and Sheila! - the bartenders were simply not up to snuff. Several people told me they were rude, and there was no care whatsoever taken in mixing the drinks for the event. It doesn't makes sense to me for a bartender to have attitude about mixing comped drinks as long as people tip - and my Yelpers always tip. It's not like you're getting a cut of what the bar makes in charging for drinks! But aside from some unfortunate attitude behind the bar, this is place is quite lovely, and I love knowing about it. A great place to take a friend for a drink who's in town on business and won't get to see much of NYC beyond Grand Central. Or just sexy place to pop in for a drink if you work in the neighborhood or happen to find yourself there.

    The reserved card says 'Lea'. Take a look at our receipt - Bobby Van's

    Disappointing!!! This is no longer Lea's. It has been bought by Bobby Van's Steakhouse. We called the previous day to make reservations for 4:30 pm and were told that it was not necessary since it was early. When we got there, the restaurant was quite full. They gave us a high top table in the corner. The restaurant was packed by now, with noisy loud patrons. The next thing that surprised us was the menu. The menu that we saw online (Four Square) mentioned tapas, sushi and cocktails for around $12 - $15. That was Lea's menu...which no longer exists. Bobby Van's has their own menu, all cocktails were $6 more. This is false advertising. Not to mention stinking bathrooms. Our dinner out felt cramped and loud, a total disappointing experience!

    Tuna tacos

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    4 years ago

    Amazing drinks and even better service! Fun bartender, great for happy hour. Would def go again.

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    Paradise Lost

    Paradise Lost

    4.4
    (171 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Thank goodness we FOUND paradise LOST. You ring the doorbell, and are buzzed in to be put on the…read morelist. For my group of 2, it was approximately a 25 minute wait on a Saturday at 7. We jumped over to the bar right beside and drank some girly drinks before getting the notification our table was ready. As with nearly every establishment in NYC, it is very close quarters in paradise lost. We stood at a table while waiting for seats at the bar to become available. Which, we didn't mind. I could see how this might be a little harder to get a seat for a bigger group if you aren't there before 6. It seemed that once a group got a big table, they camped out. The drinks were strong and creative. Friendly bartenders, good music, and yummy options for bar snacks. Also, the bathroom is a nice touch. Given the hell theming for the bar, the bathroom is a 180 and while using the Lou, you can listen to the bible being recited. Theres also a spooky surprise if you press the button in the bathroom. Speaking of the bathroom, it is at the bottom of some decently narrow stairs. So, try and stay sober enough for stairs or you may fall. Go to this bar. You will have fun.

    The vibe is cute, and the ambiance is cute, but everything is overpriced, although most tiki bars…read moreare. I don't know if I've ever had such a bad pina colada in my life at a tiki bar. I mean, I've had bad pina coladas at dive bars, but I expected more from this place. I would say it was very strong, though, so you know what? That's a good thing to be very strong for that price I'm paying. The spam musubi was also a rip-off. You see two here, but each one costs its own $10, so save your money. Eat somewhere else. Eat a pizza across the street.

    Photos
    Amazing atmosphere!
    Amazing atmosphere!
    Beware the shark!
    Beware the shark!
    Damned Dumplings ($10) and Kappa Krab Roll ($15)

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    Damned Dumplings ($10) and Kappa Krab Roll ($15)
    Osamil Upstairs

    Osamil Upstairs

    4.3
    (144 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Recommended to us by the folks from Atomix, we were excited to visit Osamil Upstairs for a drink…read morebefore dinner. It was on a weekday, the day of NBA Finals Game 3 when everyone else were at bars & lounges getting ready for the game to start. This afforded us a beautiful and tranquil experience at Osamil Upstairs. Hidden behind a locked door inside Osamil, it's a spot you have to seek out to get in. After we shared we were going to Osamil Upstairs, the hostess from Osamil promptly unlocked the unmarked door for us to head upstairs to Osamil Upstairs. Had other customers not come out as we were walking up the stairs, we might have passed the entrance to Osamil Upstairs and continued upward! Much like what you might expect of a speakeasy, it's well-hidden, and the interior just blows the mind. It's elegant, beautiful, and comfortable. The drinks were good. My cheese in the trap was smokey (as promised!) and alcohol forward. My hubby had the Jung cocktail and it had the most magical, delicious combination of flavors! We also ordered a foie gras with toast appetizer as a pre-dinner snack; it was OK. All in all, a really pleasant experience and we'd return if we were in the area again!

    this bar has great vibes, and is speak easy esque, tucked behind a hidden door and upstairs of…read moreosamil. The ambiance is not too loud which is perfect for catching up with a friend. I got the omija, which seems to be one of their more popular drinks, which is yogurt clarified. It's definitely a bit on the sweeter side for me but nonetheless delicious. Super easy to get a last minute reservation here!

    Photos
    Beautiful interiors
    Beautiful interiors
    Inside coach seat area
    Inside coach seat area
    Beautiful interiors

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    Beautiful interiors
    Lillie's Victorian Establishment

    Lillie's Victorian Establishment

    3.9
    (2.1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Free WiFi

    The food was wonderful. It took them about 36 minutes to come and take our order which would be…read morefine if they hadn't started to bus our table while we were eating because they had another reservation to fill. If you need a good turnaround time I would encourage you to service your customers faster. The service overall was very nice and the food was good. Just did not make me want to return.

    I almost missed it at first, it's a bit tucked away, but finding Lillie's feels like discovering a…read morehidden gem. The moment you step inside, you're transported to the Victorian era, with ornate details and charming décor that make the entire space feel like an experience in itself. We stopped in before a show without a reservation and, while the dining room was full, we were able to grab seats at the bar. Honestly, I think it worked out for the best--the bar felt more spacious than the table seating and had a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere for a Wednesday afternoon. The mocktails were as creative as they were delicious, and the cocktail menu offered plenty of tempting options as well. The bartenders were attentive, friendly, and impressively efficient, striking that perfect balance of great service without constantly interrupting your conversation. We shared the sliders and the summer salad, and both were generously portioned and perfect for splitting. Between the beautiful setting, excellent drinks, and seamless service, this is definitely a place I'll be returning to.

    Photos
    Lillie's Victorian Establishment
    Lillie's Victorian Establishment
    Lillie's Victorian Establishment

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    Rosevale Cocktail Room

    Rosevale Cocktail Room

    4.5
    (84 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$

    Rosevale Cocktail Room is the perfect spot for a date night! It's super cozy and I love their jazz…read morenights. They also have great cocktails and food. The atmosphere makes me feel like I'm no longer in NYC. We had a really great night here. The staff was also very accommodating, knowledgable, and welcoming. I highly recommend checking it out!

    First time visit to New York! First restaurant as soon as we landed, checked into hotel and got…read moreready for our first night out! And oh & did my hubby do so well on choosing this place! We needed a place close to our Broadway show "Social Club" From welcoming, to ambiance, to service and to of course the food! My husband had indicated it was our birthdays so they provided a cute birthday card and made sure to wish us Happy Birthday when we checked in. Due to some unforseen circumstances (on our part being First time visitors not understanding NY traffic) we were short on time and they were still able to accommodate us! We were looking forward to do one their prix fix menus but had to cut our time shorter. We had the shrimp cocktail, would recommend and also really loved the serving coupe it came in! Fried artichokes that were mid at best and saved by the sauce it comes with. To save time we split the steak frites, I would recommend, though bot as tender as I normally like, I appreciate the serving and flavorful bites. The drinks are amazing and we love how they're all accompanied by a story! I had the heir to empire and our lovely waitress asked for my favorite color and when the drink arrives, it came with a little coaster in purple! And it was strong without it being overwhelming. For the remaining of dinner, I had a red wine and it was a perfect choice for the meal. Our trip to New York was too short because we wished we had been able to go back and check out their live performances. The vibe if the place was moody and inviting and we wished we could have gone back! We loved the Broadway homage throughout without being tacky.

    Photos
    Rosevale Cocktail Room
    Rosevale Cocktail Room
    Blue Room, Private Cocktail Room, Broadway

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    Blue Room, Private Cocktail Room, Broadway
    Bar Bonobo

    Bar Bonobo

    4.3
    (87 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    How happy hour ought to be... mini tinis and oysters to pair!…read more Bar tenders having fun, folks from all walks of life celebrating, smiling, sharing. A diverse space that is as much a spot for business as it is for the Party as the DJ stand indicates. Oh, and gold. Gold everywhere. Super fun spot that still maintains super crisp, clean program. Clean, rooted and martini driven. No bonobos here, just well manicured martinis that are built for the pallet, not the instagram grid(but, hey, they're pretty damn photogenic, too)

    I went to Bar Bonobo to celebrate my birthday. The ambiance is undoubtedly gorgeous, swanky, and…read morehip. Very vibey for a GNO or date night. My only two gripes with the spot were - they didn't acknowledge my birthday, even with a happy birthday from my server or the hostess. I am not sure why Resy prompted me to indicate the occasion if it wouldn't even be acknowledged or looked at. It obviously feels good to feel celebrated, so they dropped the ball in this regard. The second issue is it got sickeningly loud inside. This was a sunday night, and I ended up having to shout just to be heard by the girl right next to me. Everything else was good! Though there wasn't a dish that just blew my mind, everything was consistently really good and enjoyable. I recommended ordering a handful of dishes and sharing with a group. The cornstar martini was fun (and the popcorn was great!), the vodka pasta, caesar salad, and truff fries were enjoyable as well. The cute matchboxes were a cherry on top as we were leaving! I would come back for more of a going out event instead of a sit down dinner, but it's a cool spot!

    Photos
    Back Bar area
    Back Bar area
    Very cool Friday night vibes on a Wednesday at 5pm
    Very cool Friday night vibes on a Wednesday at 5pm
    Bar area

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    Bar area

    Lea Wine Bar - wine_bars - Updated July 2026

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