A Bespoke reader sent in some information this weekend and has reported that Nectar Wine Bar on FDB/8th Avenue will be closing its doors soon. Apparently this coming Friday will be the last day for the eatery by West 121st Street which was one of the many new establishments that populated the lower FDB corridor. Does anyone have any more information on what is going on with Nectar?
That's a shame. I wondered how they were getting along as it always appeared to be pretty quiet when I passed by. They really could have done with some of the condo developments near them (220 St Nicholas for one) following through to completion to help provide some extra foot traffic.
ReplyDeleteSeems odd as we were there for a very busy Sunday about two weeks ago and met an owner and I asked about why the shelves were so bare at Harlem Vintage and she said because they keep selling out! She explained they had just started a brunch on Sundays and that was why it was so busy we couldn't find a place to sit down. It would be a real shame if they closed!
ReplyDeleteThe last few times I was there the service was terrible! I am sorry to see them close but they could've done more to entice more people to frequent. They could've expanded their food and wine menu, offer happy hour specials, etc.
ReplyDeleteOh No! Really? I love that place!
ReplyDeleteIt seems odd to me seing that me and my guests would frequent quite often. As a business owner that markets other businesses, now I understand JaiJai's frustration. She wanted to know why we weren't working with other orgs like Park to Park, Experience Harlem, Welcome to Harlem etc. The reality is WE have reached out to ALL of them. They have been indifferent to respond. This is what we get as a result!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately competition (Red Rooster, Lido, Harlem Tavern, Cedric) had a broader offering - wine, good environment, full menu. Nectar had two of the three - I always enjoyed Nectar but it just didn't fit our evolving needs (which is more a nice dinner out not just wine and snacks).
ReplyDeleteNo more wine bars, please. Let's find something original. The possibilities are endless. Something that will attract not only the community but beyond. Wine bars? Bleh.
ReplyDeleteHas no one wanting to open a restaurant/bar in Harlem paid attention to the craft beer revolution? (and no, Bier Int'l and Harlem Tavern don't make the cut.) Almost every week a new craft beer bar opens downtown or in Brooklyn and people are pouring into these places. PLEASE SOMEONE OPEN ONE UP HERE!!!!
ReplyDeleteIMHO, the problem was the food. The portions were so small they didn't count as a meal. That cut out a lot of people who might have gone otherwise. Even without a proper kitchen there were things they could have done with hot plates and cold dishes.
ReplyDeleteSo does this mean Harlem Vintage is closing as well? Same owner, right next door... As Kathleen pointed out - the shelves at Harlem Vintage are bare - not a good sign. How can you be a successful business with nothing to sell your customers? They also didn't understand the concept of a nice bottle of wine for $7 or $8... Very little was at that price point. They forgot that the person who buys a $30 bottle of wine for a special occasion wants an $8 bottle with dinner every evening.
I believe the last day for Nectar is next Wednesday, not this Friday...
ReplyDeleteYeah, enough with the wine bars eh. Going to have to open an English pub that serves good beer (yes, cold) and people can just play a bit of music on the jukebox and relax. Tired of wine bars with 'atmosphere'.
ReplyDeleteDo the peeps out there think this might work in Harlem?
@Chris:
ReplyDeleteI am frankly amazed nobody has gone the pub route here yet. Harlem Tavern doesn't count.
Were anybody to open a Blarney Stone type of joint on FDB it would be a money machine.
I liked Nectar, but winebars aren't really my kind of thing and I'm not alone in that feeling.
Jay also has a point too, about not being able to get really fed there.
Those kind of things matter. I realize selling beer n' grub to the proles isn't sexy but its what the people WANT.
I'm still sad to see Nectar go.
How about a pub with Harlem down home food instead of the usual Irish suspects. Now that's a combination I would go for!
ReplyDeleteGiving it some serious thought Vic. Just need to round up a few investors! I think it could really fill a gap. Pignoli, you have a good point. It's interesting, in England a lot of the pubs have gone the gastro route with traditional English grub along with Indian and a few other options. You probably wouldn't offer the Indian grub here, but you could certainly adopt a similar approach with some good southern style food.
ReplyDeleteA Gastropub would be grand! And it could be sensitive to local food trends, but just really good and a regularly changing menu.
ReplyDeleteWe need more restaurants in Hamilton Heights, where there is little to no competition. It sure would be nice if more people thought of us in the 130's-140's rather than just congregating in the 120's. Trufa opened less than a year ago and is doing great business, but we need more places like this.
ReplyDeleteI spoke on the phone w someone at harlem vintage. They told me that Nectar was closing soon for renovations but would not provide more info.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mg. Maybe they will renovate and reopen in time for the start of the summer season. Best of luck to them.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping this isn't true! And I agree we could use a pub, but let's keep the wine bar as well.
ReplyDeleteI spoke with bartender at nectar who confirmed wed. As the last day. They seemed unsure about whether or not they would actually reopen.
ReplyDeleteThey have been struggling for a while. They were trying out different things - live entertainment, the sidewalk seating, brunch, but none of it could cancel out the competition along FDB. Maybe they will focus on continuing to keep the doors of the wine store open.
ReplyDelete@Gwin - word. We in the 130s and 140s are generally neglected by this restaurant boom that's happening further south in Harlem. I'm a little farther east of you on Lenox, but I would gladly walk a few blocks to Hamilton Heights than have to schlep all the way over to lower FDB for a night out in what is technically still my neighborhood, but nowhere near where I live.
ReplyDeleteI would love a gastropub. Or a plain old pub. I just want a place where I can go and have a beer, either alone with my book or with pals, something to eat. Not be bothered by loud partiers. A proper old man bar like the Old Town.
I echo the need for a community bar - Harlem's very own cheers if you will. Decent prices... relaxed atmosphere... and great bar food.
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