The Sweet & Lowdown on new LES wine bar

New to the Lower East Side bar scene is Sweet & Lowdown, a welcome addition to the quickly developing stretch of Allen, between Rivington and Broome. The rustic candlelit setting brings a much needed wine bar to this neighborhood. With many wine bars in the city becoming crowded and losing their atmosphere, Sweet & Lowdown enters the scene at a perfect time as spring frolics eagerly wait to develop.

S&L sits below a palm reading shop and looks unassuming outside, but beyond the opaque glass doors, the mood becomes considerably sexier. The place is perfect to carry out a secret rendezvous or an illicit affair. Walk beyond the massive white oak bar in the front and perch on the high candlelit tables where you can exchange sweet and lowdown nothings to your partner in crime. The wine list is comprised of domestic favorites from California and the West Coast to lesser-known regions like New York, Virginia and Texas. If you want to nibble on something more than your lover’s ear, try one of the small plates to complement your wine – the cheese melts were deliciously sinful as melted cheese always is, but S&L is really a place to enjoy wine and intimate company.

The inside scoop is that the weekends bring in larger groups and it definitely poses a great atmosphere for a civilized gathering of friends – an excellent departure from the mob scene of the LES on weekends. Sundays bring in a DJ for a pleasant unexpected vibe, but that really depends on what Saturday night was like. With great beers and a flavorful sangria available, S&L can be more than just an intimate wine bar -- and its seating definitely encourages that. But until then, those looking for their encounters to be sweet and romantic have something to keep on the “lowdown.”