About 10 years ago, a tiny wine shop called Urban Wines and Spirits opened its doors to the East Village. Located on 1st Avenue, between 2nd and 3rd Streets, the shop started to build a true sense of community. Not only did it sell a lot of good wine, it made some great memories. Strangers became friends outside on the bench, a dog wall was created to celebrate the neighborhood’s kanine crowd, and the workers of the shop became trusted counselors on what to drink for every type of occasion in the city. 

In 2021, a few doors down from Urban’s original location, a corner spot sat vacant. It was the former Exquisite Dry Cleaner’s. It had so much space, two entrances, and a ton of potential. After walking by every day, the team at Urban started thinking.

Would it be crazy to open a wine bar?

25+ wines by the glass, 200+ by the bottle, delicious local beer, a carefully curated selection of tapa-style dishes and a very casual vibe: Welcome to Rake!