The Shaker & Vine — Restaurant in City of Schenectady

This place is amazing! I am a "regular" and follow them on social media. I've only seen other customers having a great time while I'm there so I was shocked to see some reviews... Especially ones by people who have never actually been inside! Seriously? So as a frequent customer, I have to share how great it really is! It is a fun, unique, creative BAR! It seems like some reviewers think this is a restaurant and don't "get" this, or have never been to a cocktail lounge. Like all bars (and restaurants and public establishments) they have a maximum occupancy determined by the fire marshal or some kind of similar public safety agency. When they reach this maximum occupancy they have to stop admitting people into the establishment! I get that it's disappointing to not be able to get in when they are full, but to get angry and post poor reviews when they are doing exactly what they should be doing to ensure that all of the customers can safely evacuate the premises in case of a fire or other emergency is ludicrous! No they don't have a wait list...I've NEVER been to a bar that does! I've waited in line outside busy bars many times when they were full. I waited in line at college bars, I waited in line at bars in major cities, and I've waited to get into popular bars around the capital district. It's common for bars to stop letting people in when they are full! And I've never been put on a wait list at a bar. RESTAURANTS have wait lists. They turn tables over and are able to make fairly accurate estimates as to how much longer a party will be at a table based on what course they are on. It is much more difficult for bars to accurately estimate how long their customers will remain. People here don't eat and leave. They hang out and enjoy cocktails and/or wine and it's nearly impossible to know how long people are going to stay. I've stayed for several hours with my friends! The Shaker and Vine is a fabulous wine and cocktail bar. They offer delicious food, but are first and foremost a bar. My friends and I LOVE it here and wouldn't want them to...

12/2024 Review: I don’t always come back to add follow-up reviews, but Shaker & Vine deserves it! I LOVE THIS PLACE 🫶 it is my favorite date day/night location. Between the comfortable atmosphere, wide array of seating options and ever changing wine wall and drink menu that is updated seasonally you can just feel how much attention to detail and love goes into making this place the perfect destination. Oh, and the food, I’m always impressed with everything I’ve tried. My go to orders are always the charcuterie and flatbread (I haven’t tried one I don’t love) and my new favorite menu item is the burrata cheese with pesto sundried tomatoes and crustini.

If you love wine, you’ll love the Wine Wall vending machines, such a great concept and fun to sample different wines.

When it’s not too cold, the outdoor fire pit tables are so inviting. Overall this place is a 1 billion out of 10 stars ⭐️

2019 Review: I was a little apprehensive about trying this place thinking it would break the bank with crazy prices. I was happily surprised with the prices for most of the wine.

They offer wine tasting, with wine “on tap” that have 3 different pour sizes. 1oz pours ranging from a little under $2 up to around $8. 3oz pours ranging from about $4 Up to around $20 and 5oz from about $8 up to under $90 for the expensive stuff. They also offer these same tasting wines by the 8oz (starting about $11) or bottle (starting about $30)

The food was very good, we tried the large Charcuterie board ($28) and large veggie with hummus ($18) and both we prefect accompaniments to wine and plenty of food for 4-6 people

The atmosphere is really cute, they have 2 bar stool areas, high and low tables, as well as, couches. In the warmer months they offer outdoor seating that looks really cute.

My only complaint was it was pretty HOT in there, so I do not recommend heavy sweaters or multiple layers unless you like to sweat. There was a girl wearing a tank top in November and I was jealous that...

This is usually our go to restaurant for when family and friends are in town. We usually tell them we’re taking them to a very nice restaurant and we always enjoy the food drinks and atmosphere. However, Just because of this one experience, it’s very doubtful that we will be back This season. As soon as we walked in, we noticed how warm it was. The ice melted in our drinks almost immediately. Everyone in my party was immediately sweating as soon as we sat down the table. We were all greeted by the server right away. After about 30 to 45 minutes of sitting and sweating, We finally asked to turn the air conditioner up. We were told it was because the door was open, but they can try. We looked around and realize they were no doors open, But we ignored that. She came back to tell us that the air conditioner was actually broken. For $20 a drink And $30 appetizer and it being 90 degrees and humid, If the air conditioner is broken, we should’ve been told as soon as we got our table. That would’ve changed our entire. I would’ve left with saying “we will have to come back here another time” instead of “ I am so sorry you all had to sit through that”. When it came time to get the check, it took 20 minutes to get the bill And another a WHILE for the waitress to come and pick it up. I am not one for leaving reviews. Especially negative reviews. But for people that are consistent customers, I feel kind of scammed that I wasn’t told In the beginning that if I chose to sit down, I’d be sitting in my own sweat, And the Drinks That were made incorrectly would take a while ( The blue Hawaiian was green, and the lemon cello martini that was ordered was so tart entire shot of simple syrup had to be added). We went there in December and it was perfect. January to today, service has been slow and there has definitely been a change in atmosphere. Thank you...