Summary: sake selection in itself is good but the experience with the staff makes this spot worth avoiding in my personal opinion Lengthy story--! I've visited this sake shop before and liked the sake selection. I didn't have much interaction with the staff previously so that never bothered me until my recent visit. I was in the area with friends and we thought to drop by and see if we wanted any sake. It was 7:54pm and we saw on google the store closes at 8pm. My friend being more thoughtful called the store just to check if they would still be open by the time we walked there. The owner who picked up responded that they were closing up in a bit and my friend told him we were just 2 min away and he was fine with that. Mind you she didn't ask him to stay open or anything she simply asked if he'd still be open in 2 min which is before their advertised closing time. We get there in 2 minutes and the second we walk in we see the owner leaning against the wall staring straight at us obviously already looking annoyed as if he'd waited for hours. We say hello while he doesn't even greet us and we get right to browsing the sake while he continues to stare us down. Sensing the weird atmosphere and not seeing anything appealing to us, we tell him politely thanks and maybe we'll get something another night. He pauses in disbelief and raises his eyebrows then says "well can I help you?" in a dramatic and condescending tone. We say it's fine and thank him and start walking towards the door. While we're at the door he mutters audibly without looking at us "so I stay open for you and now you just". We were so shocked he felt the need to snark a remark like this. My friend apologizes and says maybe next time and he continues to not look at us and waves his hand to motion us to leave. The second we walk out the door the metal gate comes rolling down shutting right behind us. At this moment it's 7:57pm. I haven't written a review in a long time but I felt the need the point out this kind of behavior of the store owner for people who might think of visiting 15 min before advertised closing time. It's not even at the level of a staff service issue just an awful personal interaction that really killed our spirits. The behavior was very petty and immature while we were trying to be polite. From reading other reviews this is not the only time this store owner has behaved like this. I think it's fine if he prefers to close shop earlier, I'd advise the store to just close earlier then everyone, including this unhappy owner, can avoid these scenarios. We wouldn't have minded at all if when we called he said he was closing and asked us not to come. Customers are not required to purchase but he acted as if that was what we should've done and we wronged him in some way. It was a truly shocking experience and such a shame for a nice shop with good sake. read more

A sake-only (ok, they have shoju as well, and I thought I saw plum wine) shop on my old block? Cool! One more place to hit when I walk back to the old 'hood. Supposedly it's the only such shop east of the Rockies. It was a novel experience for me; the last sake shop I'd been in was in the Japanese Alps a couple years ago. They have tastings; one was enough to persuade my wife to buy a $50+ bottle of nama sake. Not at all her usual order but excellent and enjoyed by both of us. The place has a high end vibe, but it isn't pretentious. There are many selections in the $20 range, which is about as cheap as it gets for passable sake. It gets much more expensive (and better), of course. I know a little about sake, not alot, so I can't really say how knowledgeable the staff are. I can say their selection and recommendations work fine for me. Much better than the small selection of bottles hipper wine shops tend to offer, though sometimes they'll get a few things right as well. These guys are way into sake, so this is a no-brainer for buying sake. Pricing varies, so you can choose what you spend. I'll keep going back. Life is too short to drink bad sake. These guys seem to only have good sake. And let's face it: good sake is good! read more

I have an Asian fetish, nothing unhealthy or queer, but definitely a strong reverence for the culture, people, clothing, food. I fondly recall my first instructions using chopsticks as a child and have never lost my attraction for their use. Cereal with chopsticks? Totally possible. Naturally a love for Asia should include a love for SAKE, I mused, although my experience with sake was limited to the too common collegiate event (I went to a top ten football school, don't judge) where one places two chopsticks parallel on top of a glass of beer with a shot glass of sake resting on top. Chanting loudly "sake, sake, sake" the table is pounded powerfully by one's fists to "bomb" the sake into the beer, which is instantly chugged down with gusto. Bomb to the head. I was itching for a new education. It was time to give sake a real go, a proper test, and guess what? It is AWESOME...a refined beverage with flavors that retain ones origin, a luxurious product akin to a fine wine in sparkling, sweet, unfiltered varieties. Truth. Plus the bottles are so damn cute. At Laut in Union Square I made this initial sake unearthing after sampling a delicious milky sake in lieu of dessert wine and was determined to continue my edification. So I headed to the East Village to Sakaya to peruse the options, receiving instruction on the terrior, style, etc. of this enchanting Asian potion. The store is brightly lit and intimate, the personable owner extremely knowledgeable and eager to impart his sake skills. And the store is home to the first sake club in America. Woot woot! Join the ranks! Sake mimosas with cereal munched with chopsticks, sounds like a perfect brunch. read more

The perfect place for sake lovers, at all levels. Im a beginner myself, and have learned from Rick in my short visit to this wonderful sake shop. They only sell sake from Japan, none of that American made stuff. Most things here are premium grade, and most if not all are safe bets to get. Talk to Rick and he'll guide you if you are a noobie. I know I did. Also sign up for the email listing for updates on FREE tastings . Cant beat it. I will try and make one of these epic offerings. read more

Unfortuantely this place doesn't refrigerate sake like you are supposed to. It's a very small shop but they offer free tastings a few times each month. clicky: http://www.sakayanyc.com/events.php I took my foodie meetup here: http://www.meetup.com/teamfoodie/calendar/7685163 read more

I'm not a sake drinker - but i had a few good experiences drinking Sake lately and I wanted to learn more. So after reading a little bit online, I wanted to ask someone about Sake. The staff is really helpful. This store is run by Rick and his wife and they are pretty much there all the time. They are very knowledgeable and are willing to stand and talk with you for a while and discuss sake with you. So with that said - the prices are a little pricey, although I don't know what sake usually goes for. They do say that most of the sake they stock are smaller craft sake from smaller places as opposed to the mass made stuff. What I actually got was this little gold can for 8 bucks. (7.99 plus tax or something) - of some sake that was pretty good and sadly the cheapest item on the shelves. According to Rick it was their best seller and it makes sense! It's a little can that looks like an energy drink. You could pop it open anywhere and drink it! I like this store - very neat and clean. I'll sure to be visiting again. Oh Be sure to get on their mailing list. They have free sake tastings every now-and-again so you drink a little - learn a little and maybe buy something. read more

You will not find another place with a greater Sake selection than Sakaya! Sakaya offers a variety of different sake at different price ranges. You don't need to break the bank if you don't want to. However if you are a sake connoisseur, they can also order $200+ bottles for you. I find myself there more often now that I've signed up for their mailing list and I hear about what new or limited sake they just got in stock. I appreciate the weekend tastings, it allows me to try out the flavors before springing for a full bottle. Although my fridge is full, need to drink more before returning for another bottle. The owners Rick and Hiroko are knowledgeable and are willing to help you select a bottle for whatever occasion. Last time I was there, a girl came in looking for a bottle that costs (some price she wrote on her phone) but tastes like a million bucks. Rick found her a bottle. Since it's spring, don't miss the opportunity to try out namasake, which is unpasteurized so it is much stronger than your traditional sake. Love love love! read more

Sakaya is a great, cozy sake shop that's unassuming, modest and neat as a pin. In addition to tried-and-trued favorites like "Star-Filled Sky" and the delicious nigori "Dreamy Clouds," Sakaya stocks a whole arsenal of excellent sakes you've probably never tried or even heard of. I always seem to find myself in front of Sakaya without expecting to, and more often than not I allow myself to drift in and accept one of the owner's judicious recommendations. Walking home with any of the well-curated bottles in tow pretty much ensures a great evening, either that same day or sometime later. As nice as it is to take the sake home and drink it right away, it's almost just as good to come across it in the refrigerator after a few days, patiently waiting to be retrieved. read more

The selection seems to be good. But the guy behind the counter was such a mean person. Idk if it was the way I was dressed. But he rushed me out of his store so quickly. I was trying to find an yuzu and before I could even ask him what I was looking for he rushed me out. And closed down the gate behind me. What a mean person. The shop looks so airy and had such a good feel. But that guy leaves plenty to be desired. I'd never ever return. Never. read more

Good selection and staff happy to educate and make recommendations... They also have a varied ranges of sake from to match all palates and wallets. Lucky I don't live nearby, otherwise I'd visit daily. Tell them what you like to do (tasting, a bottle for a meal, a bottle for sushi, a bottle for lamb) and they can guide you to some decent matches within your price range. I'm going back here. read more

I love how all the sakes are labelled with pairing recommendations and descriptions. It really makes the selecting process easy. My partner and I were looking for recommendations and I wish the woman helping could have been more specific in her suggestions since we are new to drinking and collecting sake. Still, friendly service, beautiful store, and fair prices. read more

Meh. I don't know why this place has such good reviews. When I went in there was no other customer and two store attendants yet they had no interest in helping me. Instead, they were talking among themselves about their personal lives. Seriously turned off by the horrible customer service. Luckily, I knew what I wanted to buy and just went in to grab it and leave. read more

This is a nice little sake shop with the right blend of intimacy and variety. I wanted to get my boss a gift for helping me out, so I walked in and asked the staff what she thought he might like, given his taste for earthier, deeper alcohol (whiskey, etc.) I have no idea what the hell she recommended, but my boss liked it. It was from the northern part of Japan, which is more rural and a land of myths and legends. It seemed to be a reasonable price (maybe $35). I'll probably go there again when I want to get more sake, as I felt rather comfortable here. The aesthetic, as I hinted, is cozy and somewhat small. It's rather Japanese in that regard - everything is in its right place, and nothing is out of order. They make good use of space, color, and lighting. At the risk of hyperbole, stepping inside Sakaya is good foreplay to downing some sake with friends. I would like very much to go back to Sakaya and get something else. They didn't have habushu the last time that I was there - the Okinawa alcohol with the snake lurking within. Alas - not everything can be imported effectively and at a cost-effective price. Although I never tried the sake that I bought, my boss said that he enjoyed it, and regardless it looked tasty (I've sampled a variety of sake in my time and know generally when it is of good quality... I think.) Eventually I will take up the Okinawa jamisen, buy something from Sakaya, and walk the five blocks to Union Square and host my own party and throw out a tip jar. In the meantime, I'll go to Sakaya for any other time that I would like some delicious, smooth Japanese sake. read more

Best Sake selection and educated staff... this is all you need.. small store but big selection... Call about the tastings.. read more

Wonderful selection. Always find what I'm looking for here. Really quality stuff. Find new items here every time I'm here. Great customer service. Always helpful and polite. Get great service here on regular basis. And their prices are very reasonable and affordable. Great location too. read more

I've been visiting this spot for over 10 years, so I serve as a seriously valid reviewer. They have a wealth of knowledge about a vast variety of sake including history and the entire process for these classics. There is a weekly tasting on Saturdays, they are courteous and helpful, and there is a classy and charming atmosphere here. I have not yet found another place on par with them in the NYC are, so this is likely one of the best locations available in the metro area (and perhaps beyond) for sake. They deserve your review, so see if you agree with me. read more

5 stars for being unique and also for helpful service. The owners, Rick Smith and his wife Hiroko, graduated from the Sake Professional Course in 2007 with this passion in mind: to create New York City's first shop dedicated only to Sake. Here is a good article about the owners. http://www.urbansake.com/interviews/interview-rick-and-hiroko-of-sakaya.html I already knew before going here that Rick has a passion for his product and the purity of the culture. I wanted to buy a sake for my attorney who is wealthy and famous and I owe him much so I wanted to get him something that says class and taste. I know he eats mainly fish and I already gave him a sake jar and he said he drinks sake so I went by to get him sake so I needed Rick's assistance to choose the right sake. If you have read many of my reviews you may have noticed that I appreciate excellence. So I felt safe with Rick choosing the sake for my attorney. I told him my attorney's name and he knew of him and chose something specifically for him. I asked him why this one and not the others on the shelf and he said it is a personal favorite of his. So I feel very confident in his choice. In my opinion this store is what New York is about. True and unique. They are really dedicated to sake and have taste and excellence. If I would have had to chose one I would have chosen the wrong one so I am grateful for Rick's help. read more

While my usual default for sake here is MITSUWA, I really like this place for the intimate experience and selection of sake. The staff really know their sake. Many people have complained that it's expensive. But I don't feel they are too much more. I mean you can get something in MITSUWA but you have to pay $15 to cross the bridge plus gas but you won't get the same experience as you would at a store that only sells sake. I think the selection at MITSUWA is decent but this place gets more small batch sake which I appreciate. They also offer free sake tastings at 5 on Saturdays I believe. Havent done the tastings yet but will def swing by one day to check it out. read more

If u like sake. You definately shoud stop by here great selection is Salesian a tiny place. Owner Rick will help u in any matter you need. I have been shopping here last 1 year never dissatisfied read more

My new go-to place for sake. Their selection is immense, especially of daiginjos and namazake. Apparently the owners did their research on what to stock based on nice long evenings in Sakagura. That's my kind of market research! They do great weekly tastings, just an open bottle and some cups, but always a great way to taste something new. They can also do custom orders of sake that they might not have in store, so just ask! read more

Tiny little East Village shop with a great selection of sakes. After we described what we liked and what we would be pairing it with, the owner did a great job pointing us to a couple of great bottles that were just we were looking for. They carry a few super-premiums that are over $100 a bottle, but most of the selection was about $20-30 for the 750 ml bottles. Clean, well-lit store; everything is clearly labeled and easy to access. Bonus points for carrying one of my all-time favorites. I'll be back for my next sake fix. read more

Still the best place in New York City to buy sake! Plus.. a NYTimes write up! http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/dining/reviews/28pour.html

I've been a regular at Sakaya since they opened - can't say enough good things about Rick and Hiroko and their amazing shop. Very well-designed space, regular tastings with sake makers from Japan, and by far the best selection of sake in New York. The collection covers all price ranges and is very well curated as the owners know everything there is to know. If you love sake you have to visit Sakaya. read more

there are only 3 sake stores in the whole country. thank god one of em is in nyc. i'll take a great bottle of sake anyday over a bottle of premium wine. thank god sakaya deals with high end. it is really easy to miss this place when walking by, from the outside it almost looks like a boutique art gallery. the store is well decorated. the staff is very friendly. they carry a decent sized stock. for a nice clean dry sake try their shichihon yari shizuku jun daigin. if you like a sweet sake try the ginga shizuku divine jun daigin. actually you can't go wrong with any of the jun daigins. i'm surprised they don't stock nanbu bijin jun daigin - my all time favorite sake, truly a complete meal. thank god they can order it! read more

I visited this store today. I work at a high end sushi restaurant so I am well versed in sake so when the man at the store asked if I needed help I kindly declined. He then said that I had ten seconds to either buy something or leave. I looked at the clock and it was 7:53 with the store advertised to close at 8. He told me that meant he would be on his way home by 8 and told me to leave. I've never been treated so rudely by a store owner, especially when was planning to buy something. Maybe it was because of the way I was dressed or my age or possibly my ethnicity. But I will not be supporting this store in the future. read more

It's a tiny, tiny store full of sake and the woman working there was wonderful. It's a bit pricey but not compared to some bills I've had during sake nights with friends. I'm considering it a budget-saver. read more

Wow, what a cute place. My friend brought me last summer for a sake tasting (they do them once a week, I believe), and I walked out with a couple of bottles for gifts. I've come back since for more, and they always make good recommendations based on what you're looking for and what food items you might be pairing your drink with. The interior is very charming and the owners are nice. A nice find. read more

I've been "researching" the subject as of late, and this place showed up a lot, so I stopped in with my girl. Definitely a small spot, pay attention or you'll walk right past! The owners are very cool and endlessly patient in explaining their wares. His selection for me was spot on; given the meager descriptors I could muster as to my likes and dislikes. Sake for every budget, including small bottles already in the fridge. Will be back. read more

A wonderful little shop, very warm and inviting with a carefully-chosen selection of high quality sake at every price point. I was welcomed by the owners who took their time with me and were very understanding of my newness to sake. I ended up getting a couple of bottles including a Dassai 23, which was spectacular! A great place... I will definitely return. read more

Sakaya! Such a great place. Get your premium here (in NY or online). 100+ bottles! Rick and Hiroko not only do a great job of bringing premium nihonshu (fairly priced!) to market, they know their nihonshu and care about education as much as promotion. I'm down with Sakaya. read more

Excellent selection (5 stars) but poor customer service (1 star) - thus 3 stars overall. Like some other recent reviewers commented, staff had no interest in helping me even after I asked a few questions. This is VERY unfortunate as Sakaya is one of few places you can buy descent sakes in Manhattan. Will I come back? Probably no. I felt little about Japan from this place, other than a nice display of sakes on shelves. read more

Stumbled into this sweet little sake nook on a Friday, beckoned by a sign outside for a 6-8pm tasting. The friendly guy dishing it out apparently made this particular sake himself and they had the bottles going for $50 in the back of the narrow space. Great spot to stock up or grab a gift. read more

This is my go-to happy place every time I'm in the neighborhood. Owners show great pride, care, and love of what they do and you will too. The unassuming classy place is not going to disappoint you. read more

Super friendly owners, welcoming and most importantly informative. The whole store is sake only and it's set up is clean and refreshing. Love this place! We will be returning to buy more sake soon! Thank you! read more

Finally got a chance to check it out. Great shop, selection, and reasonable pricing for the product. Got great advice and have already enjoyed the first of the two bottles that I bought. I wish that I lived closer to take advantage of the frequent free tastings. I did find out that they ship, so I'll be ordering to CT very soon. Sign up for the newsletter for tasting info. read more

If you're looking for high quality, authentic sake, look no further--Sakaya is the only place you need to go. I've been a fan of Sakaya's online shop for years. The online store has a great selection and the service is helpful. (And the bottles were packaged perfectly and arrived safely.) I finally made it to Sakaya's physical store, which is on a neat little East Village street with cafes, clothing boutiques, and the Dinosaur Hill toy store. I almost walked right by Sakaya, since the storefront is nondescript. But inside, the store is full of warm light and, of course, sake. Each bottle has its place on the shelf, with helpful descriptions in English telling you where the sake was made, what type it is, what the flavor notes are, and what food pairings work best with it. Even if you're no sake expert, you can easily become an informed sake drinker and learn what types of sake you like. (Sake, like all wines, comes in many varieties, with something for everyone.) As for prices, you can get tiny bottles for a few bucks, but the main sake types are about $20 - $60 dollars, with some premium bottles up for grabs around $100. Obviously the bottles would be a bit cheaper if you were in Japan and buying locally in the region the sake was produced, but since you don't have that luxury at the moment, you'll have to pay a bit more for the importing fees and all that. In that respect, the prices are about right. read more

I emailed Sakaya out of the blue recently about a pear Sake I've been trying to hunt down forever. Rick got back to me right away and even had done a bit of research to educate me about what I was looking for. I very much appreciated the attentive service. Thank you. read more

They sell actual Mirin (like, the quality that Brushstroke and other Kaiseki places cook with in NYC). And they custom order whatever they don't have in stock. And the staff are awesomely friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. You don't get much better than this. read more

my husband and i have a habit of taking pictures of sake we like when we go out ... and they nearly had every bottle in stock that we asked for (except for one thats only brewed at the beginning of the year and sells out quickly) ... sure its kind of pricey, but if youre a sake fan, they have some of the nicest sake out there! read more

Rick and Hiroko of Sakaya are wonderful. They've helped me steer through the mysterious world of sake and opened my eyes to what is such a beautiful beverage. It's here that a large part of my year-long sake fetish was formulated, with me taking home different bottles to try. The store is tiny and cute. Maybe one day they can expand! Overall a high quality shop and WONDERFUL owners. read more