Brooklyn Bridge`s wine cellar

Bet You’ve Never Heard This Before

The Secret Wine Cellars of the Brooklyn Bridge – a hidden story behind one of New York’s most iconic landmarks

When you think of New York City, chances are the Brooklyn Bridge pops into your mind right away: its iconic stone towers, the stunning skyline views of Manhattan, and the world-famous pedestrian walkway.

But did you know that deep inside the bridge there used to be secret wine cellars storing some of the finest French and Italian wines?

How did a bridge become a wine cellar?

When the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, it was considered an engineering marvel – the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, linking Manhattan with Brooklyn.

Inside its massive stone foundations, however, were huge underground chambers. By the early 1900s, clever wine merchants realized these dark, cool, and stable spaces were the perfect place to store wine.

French wine in Manhattan, Italian wine in Brooklyn.

According to local lore, the chambers on the Manhattan side were filled with French wines, while the Brooklyn side housed Italian vintages.

Painted coats of arms, flags, and wine motifs decorated the walls, turning the spaces into an underground cathedral for wine lovers.

The New York Times even reported that one inscription read:

“The Wine Cellars of the Brooklyn Bridge.”

The end of the secret cellars

The cellars thrived until the 1930s, when the city began canceling leases. During Prohibition (1920–1933), alcohol sales were banned entirely – sealing the fate of the bridge’s hidden wine vaults.

Later, the chambers were repurposed as city storage spaces and, during the Cold War, even served as fallout shelters.

Can you visit them today?

Sadly, no. The wine cellars are closed to the public, their entrances hidden and off-limits. But the legend remains one of New York’s most fascinating forgotten stories: the world’s most famous bridge once doubled as a wine cellar.

Fun facts

- The chambers kept a constant temperature of around 59°F (15°C) – ideal for wine storage.

- At their peak, thousands of bottles were stored inside.

- Today, access is only granted with special permission.

So next time you’re walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, remember: beneath your feet once rested bottles of champagne, Chianti, and Burgundy – a true hidden gem in New York history.