Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar: Wine, Fondue and Chocolate Martinis on West 31st, With a Sun–Fri Happy Hour
Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar sits at 11 West 31st Street, between Fifth and Broadway, a block from the Koreatown strip. It’s wine, fondue and chocolate, in that order or any order. Verdict: it’s a date spot, and a good one. The Sunday-to-Friday 4–6pm happy hour is the smart way in, since the room fills up once dinner starts.
The Deal
Happy hour runs Sunday through Friday, 4 to 6pm. Not Saturday. The bar doesn’t publish happy hour prices, so we’re not going to make any up. It opens at 4pm, which makes the happy hour the first two hours of the day.
The Room
The inside is lit by 33 handmade iridescent lights from artist Sinem Disli, hung so it feels like eating under a night sky. Out back there’s a heated, flower-filled garden, which is about as quiet as this part of Midtown gets. It also hosts group dinners, private events and guided wine-and-chocolate tastings for birthdays and team outings.
The Drinks & Food
The list runs 29 wines, mixing New York producers with bottles from around the world. The chocolate martinis are the house signature, for better or worse. Food is European-leaning and built for sharing, with fondue as the centerpiece and artisan chocolates to finish. There’s no lunch or brunch. Dinner is daily from 4pm, and the kitchen closes 30 minutes before the bar.
Who Ayza Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| A date that isn’t a steakhouse | Iridescent lights, fondue, wine and chocolate |
| An early drink after work | Happy hour Sun–Fri 4–6pm |
| A small birthday | Guided wine-and-chocolate tastings |