The Best Wine Bars for a Date in Lower Manhattan in New York

Jadis has been setting the scene for romance on the Lower East Side since 2006, with exposed brick walls, soft candlelight and an intimate atmosphere made for a wine date. Tucked along Rivington Street, this cozy wine bar has hosted countless first dates over the years. It's a lovely spot to share a bottle, get to know someone new and enjoy a little old-school New York romance.

Parcelle is a relaxed place to drink on the Lower East Side, with about 10 wines by the glass and its full bottle inventory to choose from. Wine fans who like talking about wine will feel at home here. A full food menu is available, though it is especially good for a drink before dinner.

Pintxos, vermouth on tap and plenty of bar stools come together at Bar Oliver, a Basque-style wine bar in Two Bridges. A few small plates give you something to share, and the drinks stay with wine, vermouth and sherry, with no hard liquor. The corner room works well for lingering, and the food is good without pulling attention away from the scene. Tables are booked on Resy, and walk-ins can take a seat at the bar.

Right beside the Di Palo grocery in Little Italy, C. Di Palo Wine Bar is easy to miss. The list sticks to off-the-beaten-path Italian wines from at least 20 regions, so the two of you can taste something new together. Share a meat and cheese platter of five selections, and ask for the chef's choice.

At Claud, a wine bar in the East Village, the table to hope for is the single one pressed up against the open kitchen, which has the best light and a view of the cooks. The razor clams from the raw bar stand out, and the chicken liver agnolotti is very rich and a must. Save room for the devil's food cake, which can sell out, so it helps to get it early.

Tiny as the room is, Lei, a Chinatown wine bar, doesn't feel cramped. The wine list runs over 25 pages and mixes big names with newer producers, yet it is not daunting, which suits a pair who are not wine experts. Snack and keep the focus on the wine, perhaps with the short rib, which is small but memorable. The flavors across the menu are distinctly Chinese, balancing sweet, salty, sour and umami. Walk-ins get many of the seats, while bookings open at 9am two weeks out.

LELABAR is a candlelit West Village wine bar built around a single U-shaped bar, so the two of you sit side by side instead of across a table. Jazz plays in the background, and friendly sommeliers help you find your way through the long by-the-glass list. Oysters, cheese and charcuterie are on offer, and happy hour runs daily from 4 to 6.

WarrenPeace sits on a quieter Tribeca block, where candles, antique lamps, rugs and palms give the bar a well-collected apartment look. The kitchen cooks Mediterranean food with Balkan touches, so drinks can turn into dinner, and desserts include Torta Della Nonna and Kiss & Tell. Friday and Saturday start with an early apéro pour from 4 to 6pm, and the bar is closed Sundays.

Wildair is a Lower East Side restaurant and natural-wine spot on Orchard Street, opened in 2015 by chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske. Small tasting pours let you try a wine before committing to a full glass, and the list changes often, so a return visit brings new bottles. The small plates are made to go with the drinks. It is open Tuesday through Saturday evenings from 5:30pm to 10pm.

The Ten Bells is a natural wine bar on the Lower East Side. Low light and a lived-in feel give it mood, never gloom. The wine list centers on small-scale producers, and the food is Basque-style. Come before 7pm each day for the happy hour of oysters and wine, a good way to start a date together.