Bar in New York City, United States
Temperance
100Pearl PointsLow-key West Village bar, book ahead weekends.
About Temperance
Temperance on Carmine Street is a low-key West Village bar that works well for a date night or an early evening drink without the pressure of a reservation system. The intimate, conversation-friendly atmosphere sets it apart from louder neighbourhood options. Walk-ins are feasible, and the location near West 4th Street makes it an easy add to any West Village evening.
Temperance, New York City: Quick Verdict
Seats at Temperance on Carmine Street fill up on weekend evenings, and the intimate scale of this West Village bar means your window for a relaxed, unhurried visit is narrower than it looks on a map. If a date night in one of Manhattan's most walkable neighbourhoods is what you're planning, timing your visit matters more than most bars in the area.
What to Expect as a First-Timer
Carmine Street sits at the heart of the West Village, a stretch of New York that still runs at a human pace. Temperance occupies that neighbourhood register: the kind of bar where the room does the work without needing to announce itself. Expect a lower-key atmosphere rather than a high-energy scene — the sound level is conversational rather than competitive, which makes it a better call for a two-person evening than the louder options a few blocks north. If you're walking in for the first time, the room is small enough that you'll get the measure of it quickly. Go early in the evening on a weekday if you want space to settle in; Friday and Saturday after 9 PM the dynamic shifts and the bar gets tighter.
The address — 40 Carmine St , puts you close to Bleecker Street and a short walk from the A/C/E at West 4th, so arrival is easy from most parts of the city. This is a neighbourhood bar in the leading sense: unpretentious, genuinely local in feel, and not dependent on a reservation queue to feel worth the trip.
Date Night Potential
For a two-person evening, Temperance earns its place on a short list of West Village bars that work without requiring you to plan a week in advance. The atmosphere is low-key enough for actual conversation, which puts it ahead of louder, more performative spots in the neighbourhood. It doesn't carry the cocktail-programme credentials of Amor y Amargo or the late-night draw of Attaboy NYC, but it also doesn't ask you to queue or navigate a no-walk-ins policy. That accessibility is part of its value on a date: you can build it into an evening without the evening depending on it.
If cocktail depth is the priority, Angel's Share in the East Village offers a more structured programme with a quieter room. For something more spirited and fun, Superbueno brings more energy and a sharper drinks identity. Temperance sits between those poles , relaxed, accessible, and suited to a first or second date where the conversation should do most of the work.
Practical Details
Located at 40 Carmine St in the West Village, Temperance is easy to reach by subway and sits in a neighbourhood with strong pre- or post-bar dining options. Booking difficulty is low , walk-ins are a reasonable option, particularly earlier in the week. Specific pricing, hours, and menu details are not confirmed in our records; check directly with the venue before visiting. For context on the wider bar scene in the city, see our full New York City bars guide.
Quick reference: West Village bar, 40 Carmine St, walk-ins feasible, leading earlier in the week or before 9 PM on weekends.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Temperance good for groups?
Small groups of two or three are a better fit than larger parties. Temperance at 40 Carmine St is an intimate-scale bar, so a group of five or more will feel the squeeze quickly, especially on weekend evenings when the place fills up. For larger gatherings in the West Village, you'll have more room to work with elsewhere.
Does Temperance have happy hour deals?
Happy hour details for Temperance are not publicly confirmed. Your best move is to arrive earlier in the evening on weekdays, when the bar is less crowded and the pace is easier regardless of any formal pricing structure. Calling ahead or checking their current hours is the only way to get a definitive answer.
Is the food good at Temperance?
Temperance is a bar first, and the West Village location means strong dining options are a short walk away on Carmine Street and the surrounding blocks. Treat it as a drinking destination and plan your meal before or after rather than expecting a full food program.
Does Temperance have outdoor seating?
Outdoor seating at Temperance is not confirmed. Carmine Street itself is a pleasant block, but if a specific outdoor setup is a priority for your visit, verify directly before going. The interior is the draw here.
Is Temperance good for a date?
Yes, for the right kind of date. The intimate scale at 40 Carmine St works well for two people who want a relaxed drink without the noise level of a larger venue. It earns a spot on a short list of West Village bars that don't require a week of advance planning. Amor y Amargo is a stronger pick if you want a more structured cocktail-forward experience.
What's the signature drink at Temperance?
Specific menu details for Temperance are published details are limited, so naming a signature drink would be speculation. The bar's name suggests some thematic intent around temperance-era drinking culture, but confirm the current program directly before your visit. Check the venue's official channels for the latest details.
What's the crowd like at Temperance?
Expect a West Village neighborhood crowd: adults who live or work nearby rather than tourists running down a list. Weekend evenings draw more of a going-out energy, while weeknights run quieter and more conversational. The intimate scale keeps the room from getting rowdy.
Location
40 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
New York City, United States
Compare Temperance
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| Temperance | |
| The Long Island Bar | World's 50 Best |
| Dirty French | |
| Superbueno | World's 50 Best |
| Amor y Amargo | World's 50 Best |
| Angel's Share | World's 50 Best |
What to weigh when choosing between Temperance and alternatives.
Also Consider
- The Long Island Bar, Notable alternative
- Dirty French, Notable alternative
- Superbueno, Notable alternative
- Amor y Amargo, Notable alternative
- Angel's Share, Notable alternative
How Temperance Compares
Among West Village and Lower Manhattan bars suited to a quieter two-person evening, Temperance sits in a practical middle ground. Amor y Amargo on East 6th is the stronger call if you want a bar built around a specific drinks philosophy, their bitters-focused programme gives a cocktail conversation a clear direction. Angel's Share in the East Village offers a more refined, quieter room with a structured cocktail menu that suits a more considered evening. Both require more deliberate planning than Temperance, which remains walk-in friendly and lower-stakes by comparison.
For energy and a stronger drinks identity, Superbueno and Attaboy NYC both outperform Temperance, Attaboy in particular carries a cocktail programme with real depth and a reputation that draws serious drinkers from across the city. If the bar programme itself is the point of the evening, either of those is the better booking. Temperance makes more sense when the neighbourhood, the ease of access, and a relaxed atmosphere matter more than a destination-level drinks list.
Dirty French is a different category, a restaurant bar with a fuller food offer, so direct comparison is limited. The Long Island Bar in Brooklyn brings a similar low-key, neighbourhood-first sensibility to Temperance but requires a trip across the bridge. For a West Village evening where you want a reliable, unfussy stop without a queue or a reservation window, Temperance is the easier choice.
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