Aedes De Venustas

Mindblowing selection of scents. Some of the staff are wonderful and accommodating, and some come across as a little snobby. Strange for a business that likely is heavily based on service.

Gorgeous store with an excellent range of perfumes (they have all the Serge Lutens bell jars!, among other rareties) and scented candles (Cire Trudon, Astier de Vilatte, Malle, etc.).
But, like some of the other reviewers here, I was less than impressed by the service and sales staff. One of the ladies working there was very preoccupied with another customer, and from the bits and pieces I overheard she was very friendly and helpful. The only other salesperson in the staff working there was a man who was very standoffish and did not offer help or even greet me. When I finally made my purchase of several hundred dollars’ worth of scented goods, the man rung me up at the register, but did not provide or offer any samples (although he did throw a box of matches into the admittedly gorgeous gift bag). In sum, excellent selection, but I’d rather take my business elsewhere.

Great selection. John was really helpful in helping me find a few new spring fragrances.
Will be coming back here in the near future.

Almost certainly the best, most diverse selection of fragrances in New York. Cute store, too.

I love this place, it’s the perfect little jewel of a shop with amazing customer service. The guys have great taste and are generous with their help in finding the perfect fragrance. Last time I ordered samples to try, they even put in some extras based on the notes in common between the ones I’d asked for (thanks Miguel!). If you love good perfume, this is your little slice of New York heaven.

New York City is a great place to be in for fragrance lovers. Being one myself, I love to explore new creations from niche fragrance houses. I am a big supporter of small, independent houses with unique perspective and attention to details and quality. I buy my fragrances both online and in-​store (Twisted Lily is my favorite spot in town for the great selection and the friendly, knowledgable customer service). Aedes, on the other hand, is the worst experience I have had shopping for fragrances anywhere, and here is why:
I’ve been in here a few times over the years, most of the time with a friend who is a fragrance collector, sometimes by myself. My experiences were all mediocre at best here at Aedes. The sales associate Frederico (I might be wrong about the name but he’s medium height and undercut hairstyle both times I saw him) has serious attitude toward me, and it was obvious from the look on his face. My assumption was because I look young and look casual, he didn’t think I have money to buy anything. He didn’t bother offering any help when we walked in, after my friend and I sprayed a few scents on the plotters, he spoke up with disconcerting tone behind the counter without looking at us, «let me know if you need any help,» to make us aware of his annoyance. I am usually a self-​sufficient shopper who likes to do my own browsing instead of letting salespeople recommending things because I know my taste and what I am looking for. I asked him about a scent similar to Black Amber by Agonist, and he pointed to their house brand, as expected; I know they want to promote their own line, which are all nice and well-​done in my opinion, but it was not in line with what I were looking for.
Compared to sale associates at Min New York and Twisted Lily, SAs here at Aedes are not as knowledgable; they are more concerned whether you are ready to buy right away or not. I know they have some celebrity clients due to the location, hence the snobbish attitude. If you look at Osswald in Soho, they offer a lot more expensive lines, but the sale associates never pressure or give customers bad attitude.
Another bad thing is he told me they only offer 1 – 2 samples (which I’ve read from one of the comments here), while he gave the other guy in the store 4 samples. To be honest, the store is too small, and air is too stuffy to truly smell or experience anything without sampling them at home. If you just want people to come in and buy then leave right away, you should have a takeout window with that buzzer so people can write down their order and swipe the card, take it in a paper bag then leave, it would be much more pleasant than having to deal with bad sale associates. In this day and age, people always complaint about young people gluing their eyes to the phone and not interacting with anyone; this is the case where technology does improve your social experience, ordering products and samples from Luckyscent and other online stores are much more enjoyable and non-​aggreviating, and its worth the prices paying for samples. I bought from Osswald and Twisted Lily solely based on my experience in store, anything can be found online these days, it’s not like any of these products can’t be purchased online. Sadly most of the lines offered here at Aedes are probably not even considered niche anymore since they are so widely available.
My friend did make a purchase for a bottle of Idole from Lubin, he confirmed later that Fre wasn’t very friendly even though he bought something.
Save yourself some time and hassles by going to other places that actually want your business. Frederic Malle opened a store nearby, and Diptyque is not far away, soon Barneys will be in the neighborhood which will seriously take away business from this store. If you are looking to find niche fragrances, Osswald or Twisted Lily are the places to go.

This review is so overdue… My husband and me enjoy our niche fragrances and venture to Los Angeles to visit some of our niche fragrance houses. With that said, when we want to escape and have the whole ambiance experience, its time to visit our favorite store Aedes De Venustas in NYC. The owner Karl has greeted us on occassion and we love sampling and traveling through time with every fragrance with him. He is exceptional and knowlegable and we never feel like we have to buy. The staff is so helpful and they leave us to wander and experience which is very important to us. Just keep in mind when you leave this beautiful boutique you will feel slightly light headed, like you had a fine glass of wine. Kuddos to the owner (s) and staff for making this a place of enchantement always. Till my next visit which will be very soon.

The most beautiful luxury fragrance store I have ever visited. Lovely curated selection of European and rare perfumes and candles-​no generic designer brands.
The employees here are patient and knowledgeable in assisting you with finding a fragrance that is compatible with your pheromones and personal preference. I am a huge fan of the Escentric Molecules and Dyptique brands, both of which can be found here. I buy all of my fragrances here, and always find the shopping experience to be inspiring and aesthetically pleasing.

if there is any serious drawback to shopping here it is simply the multitude of choices. i found the staff to be very friendly and happy to connect with me from my starting point (Serge Lutens) and develop options from there. while they carry an outrageously varied selection, their own offerings should not be overlooked. currently contemplating their COPAL AZUR:)
one customer mentioned their unease with the «ring bell to enter «. this is simply the reality of small square footage in Manhattan. it allows the shop owner to keep loads of inventory in all the usable space, not have to watch the front 10 feet like an eagle on the Hudson river:) get over it. it actually benefits the customer:)
its a great enterprise, well thought out and beautifully presented. dont be shy, bring your nose over here:)

I know the brand Aedes is an instition amongst perfumeries. But I’m just not a huge fan of the store.
The need to be buzzed in immediately set an unwelcomed tone. To some, it feels like exclusivitity– but not in my opinion.
Inside, despite the handful of times I’ve been inside, I didn’t feel welcomed. If I was greeted, it must be extremely forgetful and half hearted as I don’t remember it.
As far as discussing the various fragrances, I never felt that comfort level as I had with the associates in Osswald and Twisted Lily.
It has been a walk in, walk out type of store and I’ll still go when I need to get certain perfumeries, but this location will not be my go-​to.

It is obvious that this is the best perfume store in NYC … The choice and quality is the best and the manager never failed me on choosing a new fragrance. I shop regularly there. Very and highly recommended

I credit Aedes with sparking my interest in niche perfumery over three years ago! I started off with their samples, and worked up to full bottles of Frederic Malle’s Iris Poudre, Lys Mediterrannee, L’Eau D’Hiver, and the scent I wore on my wedding day — by Kilian’s Rose Oud.
It’s no surprise that I made a point to stop by the shop on this trip to New York. Even though I already own a pretty extensive scent wardrobe now, Simon and the rest of the staff here were able to surprise me with their recommendations and had a wealth of knowledge to share. The boutique is gorgeous, and they carry such an impeccably curated range of brands and scents. My husband, who is just starting to take an interest in scents, and I were both able to discover something new to love — he picked up a bottle of the new Orto Parisi’s Boccanera (crazy stuff — his first spray lasted TWO days!) and I got a full bottle of Byredo’s Bal d’Afrique.

Shopped here for a very specific (and very expensive) gift for my brother. He told me exactly what to ask for because this is not a typical shopping destination for me, as shopping is not a typical practice for me either. My brother told me it could be pretentious here and the staff could be difficult with people at times. Apparently I caught them on a perfect day. From the moment I was buzzed in, to the moment I left the staff here were incredible. I was greeted by a young woman who refereed to me as «precious lovely», which is much nicer than the usual words my wife describes me with! Seriously, she was very nice. She introduced me to their little shi-​tzu dogs, who were also extremely nice. The owner, I presumed anyways, is a very nice Venezuelan ex-​pat who is also extremely nice. I don’t know much about special scents and stuff, but my brother tells me this is the place. They even have this special incense from France that is like no other (the name escapes me at the moment) The only downside is the pricetag, but it is very special stuff so you are getting what you pay for. I will for sure return, but mainly for special occasions. Don’t be intimidated by the appearance of the place, it does look like Maria Attoinettes boudoir, but as I’ve emphatically said the staff here make you feel comfortable, even if you come dressed like a slob like me. It’s a great place!

I’m a fragrance junkie, so I was looking forward to my visit of this fragrance mecca. I have one of their fragrances, which I love. True to form, their fragrance selection is, outstanding, with a few things you won’t find anywhere else. The store is dark, moody and Victorian in feel. There is unfortunately no place to sit while you try different fragrances. This is a big negative as it takes awhile for scent to dry down and work with your body chemistry. A bigger negative is the obnoxious service. There was very little interest in providing me with any service. I have over 30 fragrances, with many from the most esoteric perfumers. I will never visit again. If you want to spend a lovely afternoon finding just the right fragrance, go to MiN New York. They too have many exclusives and the service is unparalleled.
The best department store for fragrance is Barneys. A very good selection with good service.
It boggles the mind when service for an unnecessary luxury item is so poor. Money is hard to come by, time is precious and life is short to be treated badly. Spend your time and money elsewhere.

I have found the Mecca of all scents and products that are nothing less than divine. The store itself is very beautifully decorated. They have all types of high end brands of perfumes and cologne, better than the mass produced stuff you find at Sephora.
The salesgirl, Natalie, was very sweet and really knows her stuff in scentology. She helped me find the perfect perfume (L’Artisan) and dusting powder (Santa Maria Novella). She also introduced me to these candles that were used by the French Monarchy (Cire Trudon).
Treat yourself!

One of the best selections of fragrances in New York City and arguably among the best in the world.
It’s a shame the experience of being in the store is decidedly lousy.
Customers have to buzz in before they can enter — it feels clubby and unwelcoming to outsiders even before you enter. The haughty service is complemented by leaden décor of taxidermy and ornate furnishings. Inventory that appeared available on the website wasn’t offered to sample. Worst: the inside smells so overwhelmingly awful to the point that it’s difficult to evaluate scents in the store.
I’ve been spoiled by the relaxed atmosphere and thorough competence provided by Scent Bar in LA. Others may love Aedes De Venustas because this is their preferred experience of artisanal perfumery, or because they’ve been made to feel welcome by the staff there. Neither of these are true for me.

I don’t know perfumes, but I kind of know candles, and this is a great shop to check out high-​end candles — Frederic Malle, Cire Trudon, Diptyque, etc…
I was especially impressed by the Aedes De Venustas candles, and especially their Mel Mellis candle — «like droplets of beeswax found in ancient ruins, from Egypt to Rome… golden honeycomb, bitter rosemary, smoky sweetness». Pretty incredible candle.
Ambiance is great — wish I had a room like this at home.

This is the place to go for fragrance and gifts! This shop is luxurious, the guys are friendly and the items are so well curated! It is simply a step above the rest!!! Really gorgeous ambiance, flowers and attention to detail plus it smells like heaven. I want everything in the store! The best place for gifts in NYC. «Hard» to find fragrances and amazing soaps, candles and gifts! Charming little store that makes you feel like you you have left NYC for another era. Go…

Posh, decadent, impeccable, luxurious … Just a few words that come to mind when I think of this one-​of-​a-​kind shopping experience.
I’ve been here twice, and each time there were several truly breathtaking, ornate displays of the latest and greatest perfume releases.
It’s not a huge store that’s packed with an impressively large (and amazingly well-​curated) selection, but doesn’t feel the tiniest bit cramped.
I’ve never gotten anything but 5-​star service. The guys who run this place might come off as a bit eccentric, but they know their shit and were remarkably patient and extremely helpful with me. I suspect some of the reviewers who found them snotty or dismissive were just intimidated or whatever.
The first time I went, I wanted to get a roomspray that was out of stock. A few weeks later I was pleased to get an email from one of the owners informing me that they had gotten it back in stock in case I was still interested in buying it (i don’t even remember giving him my address.) Lovely personalized touches like this are what makes this store so remarkable.
Even If you’re not a perfume fanatic like me, it’s worth a visit.

I’ll probably make enemies with this negative review, but my criticism is intended to be constructive. With a little fine-​tuning, this establishment could easily be extraordinary.
First and foremost, the two small dogs in the shop need to be washed more often — especially the little white dog, which honestly smelled really bad — I intentionally had to stay on the opposite side of the store from them both in order to smell anything else. And the shop is relatively small, so there isn’t much of an escape. And they dominate the furniture, so you have no choice but to stand at all times. This could be easily remedied. I am not anti-​canine, I sincerely love dogs, I take mine everywhere, even when it rains and snows, and this requires me to bathe him frequently. It’s a responsibility of pet ownership. And if you run a business, it’s just unprofessional and counter-​productive — especially in a fragrance store, it doesn’t make sense.
I almost feel as if this were a wealthy fragrance collector’s living room — this sentiment is exacerbated by the fact that the prevailing attitude of the employees seems as if they are doing you a favor, that they are allowing you to peruse their collection and give them your money. And if you try too many, you will be gently be told to stop. I tried one spray of about fifteen different fragrances, each on its own blotter. Another woman in the store was using four or five sprays of at least as fifteen different sprays, and she even covered her entire body from head to toe with one she really liked. But she was loud and obnoxious, so of course it’s easier to lash out at quiet polite Me.
«Unwelcoming» is the main impression with which I left after my recent hour-​long visit. But despite the shortcomings of overall warmth and friendliness («If you don’t see it in the store, we don’t have it. Buy it on our website.»), it’s their collection that I find most underwhelming. Yes, it’s a large extensive, but it’s only typical «luxury» selections, the same things you’ll see at high-​end department stores in wealthy towns anywhere. Diptyque, Heeley, Frederic Malle, Penhaligons, Odin, By Killian, Atelier Cologne — YAWN! It’s not challenging. It reads like an encyclopedia, but only if you aren’t experimental, only if you want safe bets and don’t want to take any risks. It seems to me that they are resting on their laurels and don’t want to take any chances.
When I mentioned just out of curiosity if they would ever consider carrying niche brands like Nassamato, O’Driù, YOSH, or Slumberhouse, they looked at me like I was crazy, like they had never even heard of these brands, and they were so arrogant about it that they didn’t even bother to write the names down or Google it or even ask any questions, it was a one way conversation with a group of friends (employees) that don’t want their conversations interrupted by outsiders (customers) — they just acted like if it wasn’t in the shop then it didn’t exist and I could just leave if I wasn’t happy with it.
When I talk to a bartender, for example, I want to know their favorite drinks, I want them to at least hint at their deepest secrets. But these folks just hide behind their ipads, talking about their rich relatives, lacking any ingenuity or kindness.

Great