June is shaping up to be one of the best months for wine lovers in New York City. Whether you're a seasoned collector or someone who just loves a good glass on a rooftop, there's something happening in the five boroughs right now that belongs on your calendar. Here's what we're watching.
Decanter Fine Wine Encounter Returns to NYC (June 6)
If you only make it to one wine event this summer, make it this one. The Decanter Fine Wine Encounter returns to New York City for its fifth consecutive year on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Founded in 1975, Decanter is Europe's most influential consumer wine publication -- the team behind the annually definitive Decanter World Wine Awards, which see hundreds of global wine experts evaluate thousands of bottles.
For the NYC event, that expertise translates into access to over 200 wines from around the globe, poured by the producers and importers who made them. The venue offers views of the Manhattan skyline, which honestly makes everything taste better. Tickets are available now at future.swoogo.com/decanter-nyc -- don't wait, these sell out.
Whether you're deep into Bordeaux, fascinated by natural wines, or simply want to expand your palate beyond what's on the neighborhood wine list, this event is worth your Saturday.
Stars: The East Village's New Wine-First Bar
The team behind two of NYC's most beloved wine spots -- Claud and Penny -- quietly opened Stars at the end of last year, and it's already earned its place on every serious NYC wine list. Partners Chase Sinzer and Joshua Pinsky built Stars as a true wine-first counterpoint to their sibling restaurants: a compact, 12-seat bar that is unusually serious about what ends up in your glass.
Eater NY called it "your new favorite wine bar" and we'd have a hard time arguing. The East Village location (90 E 10th St) means it pairs beautifully with a walk through the neighborhood before or after. The list leans adventurous -- expect producers you haven't heard of next to bottles you've been hunting.
Babysips Is Growing Up
The Lower East Side wine bar Babysips, which opened in 2025 and quickly became a neighborhood staple, has a new project in the works -- this time with a full kitchen. No official opening date yet, but the team has confirmed it's coming and it'll be in the same downtown orbit. Follow their socials if you want to be first in the door.
The NYC Wine Hit List: Spots Worth Your Time Right Now
Beyond the new openings, the Resy team recently updated their NYC Wine Hit List for spring/summer 2026 and the picks are solid. A few worth noting:
- Stars (East Village) -- already mentioned, but it bears repeating
- Arvine -- making serious noise in the natural wine world
- Aldo Sohm Wine Bar (Midtown) -- the sommelier at Le Bernardin runs one of the most thoughtful lists in the city
- Il Buco (NoHo) -- a New York institution that somehow keeps getting better
- Liar Liar -- the new addition on the list, and people are paying attention
Summer Wine Strategy for NYC
A few things to keep in mind as the warm months set in:
Book ahead. The best wine bars in New York fill up fast on weekends, especially in summer when rooftop and patio seats get competitive. Places like Parcelle, Four Horsemen, and Wildair regularly have waits. Book through Resy or call -- don't just show up and hope.
Explore the neighborhoods. The West Village, East Village, and Lower East Side remain the most wine-dense areas in the city. But Williamsburg's bar scene has matured significantly -- Four Horsemen and Place des Fêtes (Clinton Hill) are both worth the subway ride.
Go natural. NYC's wine culture has fully embraced natural, low-intervention, and skin-contact wines. If you haven't explored this side of the glass yet, summer is the perfect time -- lighter reds, orange wines, and pét-nats are all built for warm weather drinking.
What's Coming Up
We'll be tracking wine events, new openings, and seasonal picks throughout the summer. If you know of a tasting, festival, or bar that should be on our radar, drop us a note -- we're always looking for tips from people who actually live this scene.
Cheers, and drink well out there.