The 9 Coolest Cologne Stores in N.Y.C.
In a world where it is all too easy to follow every trend, it is far cooler to do your own thing and be authentic, for while trends are important to observe, they shouldn’t solely dictate our choices. This also applies to personal fragrances; one should aim to smell as unique, genuine (and good!) as we present ourselves. Our current zeitgeist reflects this, with many brands sharing this artisanal ethos and, thus, a retail shift in how we acquire and select our signature scents. These specialized perfumeries and shops do one thing and do it well.
In the past, shopping for a new cologne meant wading through department store kiosks with salespeople trying to sell you the latest “sport” iteration of an established classic. The groundwork for something different began bubbling 15 to 20 years ago with a surge in the prominence of niche fragrance houses, a stark departure from the mass-produced fumes that once dominated the market. These brands, much like the tradition of Swiss watchmaking, are dedicated to creating timeless, well-crafted, and luxurious aromas for the discerning nose, challenging the norms of alcohol-heavy banality. Moreover, these houses often incorporate high-end and sometimes raw ingredients. In essence, they are as unique as they intend the wearer to be, and they set the stage for a return to traditional brick-and-mortar stores to reflect this concept.
More from Robb Report
This New Fragrance Line Smells Like King Charles's Private Estate in the British Countryside
How This Old-School French Perfumer Crafts Modern Fragrances Like Fine Wine
How Lava Rock Diffusers Became the Coolest Way to Make Your Space Smell Amazing
The movement has flourished in New York City, with a crop of boutiques showcasing their own collections or offering a range of (often imported) fragrances and a more personalized, niche, luxury retail experience. Nothing beats experiencing a new scent first-hand before committing, as they have opening notes and dry downs that you can only truly appreciate by trying them on your skin. In these shops, the staff know their brands’ history and creations and are often as passionate as the perfumers themselves; they aim to help you find a scent that resonates with you. The ambiance varies from quaint and apothecary-esque to avant-garde and modern, with each shop being a visual reflection of the unique aromas they carry. Above all, from the packaging to the scent pyramids, the colognes and perfumes are special. But the message is the same: be distinctive—starting with your personal fragrance. After all, scent is the most potent form of memory. Below are nine shops we recommend visiting in N.Y.C.
Best of Robb Report
Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.
Osswald N.Y.C.
Established in 1921 in Zurich, Switzerland, Osswald has maintained its premier status as a foremost luxury spa and perfumery in Europe. In 2023, it re-opened its sole U.S. store in N.Y.C., showcasing a highly curated collection of artisanal luxury fragrances and skincare products, including rare Parisian, Italian, and European brands, many of which are unavailable elsewhere in the city.
Focusing on quality over quantity, Osswald keeps a pulse on perfume industry trends and only adopts a new house if it genuinely stands behind it. Luxury brands like Xerjoff, Widian, BohoBoco, New Notes, and Fragrance Du Bois make it a haven for olfactory connoisseurs. Osswald also features exclusive collaborations, the most recent with Italian house Profumum Roma, resulting in Meringa, an intoxicating interpretation of the dessert beloved by the Swiss with notes of vanilla, orange blossom, jasmine, and tonka bean. With its elegant ambiance and knowledgeable staff, the shop is exquisitely arranged, an intimate space to admire before selecting your signature scent.
Address: 242 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 625-3111
Learn More: Here
Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella, the revered Florentine house founded in 1221, epitomizes the heritage and art of fragrance-making, focusing on aromatic, pure ingredients. There is serious history here, including the introduction of the now iconic Rose Water in 1381 and Acqua della Regina in 1533, commemorating Caterina de’ Medici’s marriage to King Louis II of France. The design of their bottles looks just as fitting in an Italian cathedral as they do in your medicine cabinet.
In 2023, Santa Maria Novella opened its boutique at the Pierre Hotel, a design inspired by the original shop on Via della Scala in Florence, which opened in 1612. It features dark wood fixtures, marble counters, inlaid marble flooring, and elegant chandeliers and offers a full selection of the house’s fragrances, tonics, and candles. You cannot go wrong with any of their timeless colognes, but Peau d’Espagne (Spanish leather), a scent from the 16th century, and classic Vetiver, a woody oriental fragrance, are exceptional aromas.
Address: 2 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065
Phone: (646) 398-7773
Learn More: Here
Aedes Perfumery
Walking into Aedes still feels like uncovering a well-kept secret. Established in 1995 with its first location in the West Village and now in the Lower East Side, this insider boutique is a trailblazer in niche fragrances, catering to discerning scent enthusiasts and earning a cult following over the years. From perfume brands such as L’Artisan Parfumeur, Atelier des Ors, and L’Objet to incense by the French house Astier de Villatte to candles by Parisian stalwarts Trudon, the shop offers a plethora of curated colognes and scents of all kinds.
What truly sets Aedes apart is its award-winning in-house fragrance line. Start with Signature, featuring notes of rhubarb, incense, red currant, honeysuckle, and vetiver inspired by the store’s jewel tone aesthetic and velvet and silk textures. Or try their latest creation, Café Tabac, named after the well-known East Village bar, which includes tobacco, Peruvian balsam, clove, and bergamot.
Address: 16A Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 206-8674
Learn More: Here
D.S. & Durga
Since 2008, D.S. & Durga has become one of the most prominent indie fragrance houses due to its fantastic scents, evocative descriptions, and trendy packaging. The brand has collaborated with other masters of their craft, like menswear designer Todd Snyder and the historic Carlyle Hotel in N.Y.C., keeping them on the cutting edge of culture and catering to the tastes of discerning and stylish individuals.
Scents like Cowboy Grass pay homage to the wild frontier with sagebrush, thyme, and prairie grass, while Debaser evokes summertime indie rock radio with notes of fig, iris, and dry blond woods. The brand appeals to Brooklyn scenesters and UES shoppers alike, with stores offering limited releases, like Madison Splash, unique to that location. The Williamsburg shop features a cast-in-place concrete island and a custom Entler chandelier, creating an ambiance as unique as this trend-setting house.
Address: 126 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Phone: (917) 909-1514
Learn More: Here
Fueguia 1833
Fueguia 1833 is a fragrance house and ethnobotanical project inspired by Latin America’s rich culture, history, and landscape. The company oversees all stages of perfume production, from research, extraction, and formulation to packaging creation.
Despite notable collaborations with artists like Mos Def and Gabriela Hearst, Fueguia 1833 has remained an insider’s secret. Each perfume is created as a unique narrative, and the rarity and seasonal variations of ingredients make each edition distinctive. In the cozy shop, one can explore a myriad of signature scents grouped by category. The removable glass beakers provided for sampling and wooden box packaging, sealed with wax and marked with the date of each batch, add to the apothecary feel. Nocturna, with notes of Mexican vanilla, patchouli, and ambergris, evokes the city night sky, and Biblioteca de Babel, with cinnamon, oakmoss, tobacco, vetiver, and Palo Santo, is a spicy, leathery, woody scent reminiscent of an old library.
Address: 21 Crosby St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (646) 692-3051
Learn More: Here
Byredo
Byredo has been at the forefront of the luxury niche fragrance scene since its founding in Stockholm in 2006, and its perfumes are renowned among fragrance fans and seekers of artisanal luxury alike. Mojave Ghost, a modern classic, is a woody composition inspired by the beauty of the Mojave Desert, while Gypsy Water celebrates Romani culture with woody notes of pine needle and sandalwood, amber, and citrus.
Byredo’s first flagship store outside of Sweden opened in N.Y.C. in 2015. The boutique showcases custom Italian terrazzo floors and walls, Canadian Douglas fir ceiling beams, and a glass block structure with polished aluminum accents. The space presents Byredo’s universe in its entirety, featuring the brand’s beauty products, leather goods, accessories, eyewear, and a space to explore the fragrances in their natural habitat.
Address: 62 Wooster St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 219-1584
Learn More: Here
Scent Bar NYC
On any given weekend, there’s probably a line of people waiting outside the Scent Bar. Behind the “bar,” the knowledgeable staff is surrounded by a display of fragrance brands separated into families: woods, gourmands, citrus, and florals.
Since its inception four years ago, the N.Y.C. boutique has spawned two additional locations in LA, gaining popularity by combining the department store concept into a single “bar” offering brands that cater to individualism. The space provides a comfortable environment for newcomers and veterans alike to navigate the sea of scents with a relaxed, no-pressure sales approach.
Scent Bar carries a variety of established indie brands including Eccentric Molecules, Comme des Garçons, Imaginary Authors, and Zoologist, as well as exclusive, imported brands like Giardini di Toscana, Essential Parfums, Theodoros Kalotinis, and Kerosene.
Address: 244 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012. Phone: (646) 609-4357
Learn More: Here
Frederic Malle
Frederic Malle fragrances have become an institution; whenever a new cologne drops (like the recent collaboration with Acne Studios), the olfactory world listens (or sniffs). Monsieur has been in my rotation for years and is one of the most sophisticated takes on patchouli I’ve ever experienced. Another favorite, Musc Ravageur, is an unapologetically sexy cologne with amber, vanilla, and sandalwood.
The bottles are instantly recognizable with their cylindrical shape, while the red box packaging and typeface are the house’s signature. The N.Y.C. store is designed to stand as a future classic and, much like its scents, draws on the past while looking to the future. It is built “like a drawer,” with an exterior and interior of the same style and material, appearing slotted into a classic brownstone. A new material, aluminum foam, contrasts with semi-circles of walnut wood, a harmonious dichotomy perfect for showcasing Malle’s modern yet timeless fragrances.
Address: 94 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
Phone: (646) 666-0330
Learn More: Here
The Maker
When The Maker Hotel opened in upstate New York in 2020, it began as an immersive, eclectic, bohemian retreat that has since evolved into a collection of bespoke lifestyle products, including a fragrance line that has quickly become a modern classic.
The Hotel Shop in Chelsea features The Maker’s outstanding fragrances and candles, all of which are inspired by travel. Scents range from Fire, a smoky gourmand with juniper berry, tobacco accord, and Tahitian vanilla; to Libertine, an aromatic citrus with notes of pomelo, hibiscus, and cedarwood inspired by the Terrace Lofts at the hotel. My favorite, Stag, the 2022 Indie Fragrance Foundation of the Year winner, is a woody scent blending palo santo, agarwood, and leather, creating an irresistible aroma best worn during the cooler months.
The shop also offers beautiful vintage-inspired trunks, silk velvet quilts, and unique activations, representing an independent retail space that is part of a community, bringing The Maker’s unique sensibility to N.Y.C.
Address: 246 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011
Phone: (646) 560-0602
