Aedes Perfumery

Super cool place. The vibes were great. The employees were really helpful. You basically tell someone at the desk what kind of notes or perfumes you're interested in and they'll bring you as many samples as you want to help you narrow down which perfume you'd like. I didn't feel rushed at all. The guy who helped me had me smell like 25 different perfumes and kept bringing me more until I had a couple I was completely set on. Even then he brought me a couple more to try. Definitely recommend for anyone even if you aren't a total perfume geek.

I surprised my boyfriend, who loves fragrances, with a visit here for his birthday yesterday. We had an amazing experience! Matthew patiently took us on a journey of scents based on my boyfriend’s descriptions ranging from metallic to leather to woodsy. It was so great to see his eyes light up when we finally reached the more woodsy scents that he was gravitating towards. It was the best feeling to be able to get him a surprise gift he really loves that he didn’t even know he wanted or needed.

Been here several times. Not self service. Enjoyed having counter service with someone who could talk you thru which scents you liked in one perfume so they could suggest others. Enjoyed exposure to Brooklyn and nyc based brands. Always leave with a new scent!

Amazing products with unique scents that you can’t find anywhere else on the market! Knowledgable staff and exceptional customer service! Definitely a hidden gem within LES.

“Smelling perfumes is a way of taking a magical journey” Aedes is a beautiful and elegant perfumery that offers exquisite, exceptional and luxury fragrances and candles. Perfume is art or maybe a memory captured in time connecting you to places, experiences, the beauty of nature or a sensory journey that provoke or awake emotions. A journey to woody scent lands to bergamot, saffron, musk, sultry cardamom, lemongrass, cashmere to black tea leaves or delicate flowers like Turkish rose, green jasmine, lilies, roses and the most magical of all and yet soft silky white night-opening flower. I had the pleasure to meet Karl Bradl, one of the owners and he was wonderful. His knowledge is impeccable, he was welcoming and charming. He was able to describe the essence of the entire collection of perfumes and their distinctive fragrances, he also recommended some perfumes. The overall experience and customer service was top notch. I’m very pleased and excited about my unique perfumes. I will definitely recommend everyone visiting to NYC to visit this perfumery. You will find a fragrance that will change your life and soul forever.

Went all the way here to find a niche perfume. Small and beautifully decorated shop. The owner opened the door for me but Matthew is the one attending me. I explained what my scent preferences are, Matthew gave quite few options and thorough explanation about brand and note of each perfume. Definitely a five star desk service and i came out buying two perfumes instead of one. If you are after a niche brand perfume that are well curated from all over the world, this is one of the place you can explore. Thank you, Matthew for your help today.

Being a very small store and I was the only person there, I expected a warmer welcome. They did introduce me to a perfume that I loved and purchased, but I wouldn’t rush back based on the customer service.

One of my favorite places. I’ve been going since Christopher st original location. This one is bigger. They have counter service only when you walk in, which is actually helpful - since they have so many products (including an awesome in house line of fragrance and candles) it becomes a bespoke appointment with recommendations. So important to continue supporting legacy companies with niche focuses like this. Highly recommended.

Super cool place. The vibes were great. The employees were really helpful. You basically tell someone at the desk what kind of notes or perfumes you're interested in and they'll bring you as many samples as you want to help you narrow down which perfume you'd like. I didn't feel rushed at all. The guy who helped me had me smell like 25 different perfumes and kept bringing me more until I had a couple I was completely set on. Even then he brought me a couple more to try. Definitely recommend for anyone even if you aren't a total perfume geek.

I surprised my boyfriend, who loves fragrances, with a visit here for his birthday yesterday. We had an amazing experience! Matthew patiently took us on a journey of scents based on my boyfriend’s descriptions ranging from metallic to leather to woodsy. It was so great to see his eyes light up when we finally reached the more woodsy scents that he was gravitating towards. It was the best feeling to be able to get him a surprise gift he really loves that he didn’t even know he wanted or needed.

Been here several times. Not self service. Enjoyed having counter service with someone who could talk you thru which scents you liked in one perfume so they could suggest others. Enjoyed exposure to Brooklyn and nyc based brands. Always leave with a new scent!

Amazing products with unique scents that you can’t find anywhere else on the market! Knowledgable staff and exceptional customer service! Definitely a hidden gem within LES.

“Smelling perfumes is a way of taking a magical journey” Aedes is a beautiful and elegant perfumery that offers exquisite, exceptional and luxury fragrances and candles. Perfume is art or maybe a memory captured in time connecting you to places, experiences, the beauty of nature or a sensory journey that provoke or awake emotions. A journey to woody scent lands to bergamot, saffron, musk, sultry cardamom, lemongrass, cashmere to black tea leaves or delicate flowers like Turkish rose, green jasmine, lilies, roses and the most magical of all and yet soft silky white night-opening flower. I had the pleasure to meet Karl Bradl, one of the owners and he was wonderful. His knowledge is impeccable, he was welcoming and charming. He was able to describe the essence of the entire collection of perfumes and their distinctive fragrances, he also recommended some perfumes. The overall experience and customer service was top notch. I’m very pleased and excited about my unique perfumes. I will definitely recommend everyone visiting to NYC to visit this perfumery. You will find a fragrance that will change your life and soul forever.

Went all the way here to find a niche perfume. Small and beautifully decorated shop. The owner opened the door for me but Matthew is the one attending me. I explained what my scent preferences are, Matthew gave quite few options and thorough explanation about brand and note of each perfume. Definitely a five star desk service and i came out buying two perfumes instead of one. If you are after a niche brand perfume that are well curated from all over the world, this is one of the place you can explore. Thank you, Matthew for your help today.

Being a very small store and I was the only person there, I expected a warmer welcome. They did introduce me to a perfume that I loved and purchased, but I wouldn’t rush back based on the customer service.

One of my favorite places. I’ve been going since Christopher st original location. This one is bigger. They have counter service only when you walk in, which is actually helpful - since they have so many products (including an awesome in house line of fragrance and candles) it becomes a bespoke appointment with recommendations. So important to continue supporting legacy companies with niche focuses like this. Highly recommended.

The shop smells great. Very classy and helpful staff. The salesperson Matthew knows his stuff and selected a few fragrances for me to try. They are pretty pricey. FyI: there's a doorbell so you need to be buzzed in. The shop looks a little dark from outside so it's difficult to tell if they're open.

Ended up with a fragrance that was a 10/10 match for me. I had mixed feelings about being forced to be so hand-off during the process and having to stay at the front of the store. It limits the experience to what the staff member curates, which is great in some cases, but I am really into fragrances and usually enjoy having more autonomy. That said, Brian was really lovely, and he absolutely nailed it for me and my friend. I am so happy with what I walked away with, and I wish I had time to return and possibly purchase some other interesting options. I will be visiting the next time I am in the city... which I really hope will be soon.

"Smelling perfumes is a way of taking a magical journey" Aedes is a beautiful and elegant perfumery that offers exquisite, exceptional and luxury fragrances and candles. Perfume is art or maybe a memory captured in time connecting you to places, experiences, the beauty of nature or a sensory journey that provoke or awake emotions. A journey to woody scent lands to bergamot, saffron, musk, sultry cardamom, lemongrass, cashmere to black tea leaves or delicate flowers like Turkish rose, green jasmine, lilies, roses and the most magical of all and yet soft silky white night-opening flower. I had the pleasure to meet Karl Bradl, one of the owners and he was wonderful. His knowledge is impeccable, he was welcoming and charming. He was able to describe the essence of the entire collection of perfumes and their distinctive fragrances, he also recommended some perfumes. The overall experience and customer service was top notch. I'm very pleased and excited about my unique perfumes. I will definitely recommend everyone visiting to NYC to visit this perfumery. You will find a fragrance that will change your life and soul forever.

I love ADV SO MUCH! The lovely owners, sales associates are the best! I feel like I'm walking into another place and time, lush fabrics, antiques and rich smells fill the boutique. I never want to leave. True destination boutique if you are in NYC. Great online shopping as well and oh the gift wrap with fresh flowers is simply stunning!!!!! Customer service is friendly and knowledgeable.

We stumbled upon this shop after brunch while we were killing time to visit a museum. I'm obsessed with perfumes, but the experience here far surpassed anything I had gotten in a department store or based on online reviews. I have a brief description of what I was looking for and what I like and was presented with half a dozen options. I came away with orto parisi megamare. That very night I revived multiple compliments and gave received a lot since from total strangers. As someone who owns dozens of bottles, finding one that is unique and you get compliments every time you wear is a real treat. They helped me find this scent and I can't wait to return and find another with their assistance. Visit. You won't be disappointed.

After a visit to nearby Hashimoto Contemporary to take in Natalia Juncadella's solo show "Entre La Sombra" I pulled up my Yelp bookmarks to see if there were any stops we should make before heading back uptown for dinner. Aedes Perfumery appeared, just a few short blocks away, and though I couldn't remember why I'd put it on my list I was intrigued. Matthew came to the door after we rang the bell and ushered us into this dark and mysterious Lower East Side den. At first blush you might be unclear as to what's happening here. Once your eyes adjust to the lack of light, you realize you have entered a tiny, aromatic curiosity shop filled with artfully arranged feathers and flowers amidst the many, many bottles of fragrance. Unsure if browsing autonomously was the way to go I asked Matthew: How does this work? He explained that Aedes provides desk service to help you discover the scent you're looking for. In this consultation I volunteered my desire for woodsy, clean, somewhat masculine scents and offered clues like oakmoss, leather, amber, ginger, and cedarwood. I also told him I tend to veer away from floral scents. And with that, he was off. As we zeroed in on the scent I ultimately left with, I became especially intrigued with Aedes' "Signature" scent. Something in its almost fruitiness really captivated me and then Matthew mentioned tomato leaf and it became clear. I absolutely adore the vegetal crispness of tomato leaf and in another chapter of my life routinely bought tomato leaf hand soap in Paris. What a lovely bit of olfactory reminiscence that produced... In the end, I went with Corfu Kumquat whose notes include kumquat, Calabrian bergamot, tangerine, mandarin, Alaskan cedar, ginger, ambrox, olibanum resin, lavender, Granny Smith apple, neroli, Haitian vetiver, rhubarb, captive musks, and tonka. It is the perfect scent for summer! I highly recommend a visit to Aedes Perfumery if you're a fragrance aficionado. Let the remarkably well-informed staff take you on a journey to discover your next scent - it's such a fun and enlightening experience (I learned so much!).

A rather underwhelming and disappointing experience. While the store is quaint, the actual experience of trying the scents was not that great. Hard to smell with all the scents in there and no samples to purchase except online. Not much point in going unless you already know what you want.

What expertise! I wanted to buy a gift for a friend. I described my friend, and the helpful people brought out 6 different ones, and I narrowed it down to two, then chose one. I bought the house Aedes brand signature scent. Because you can't buy it in a shopping mall in New Jersey. Also, it's a beautiful round ribbed bottle, like an elegant pumpkin. They wrapped it in a most extravagant and heavy black box and bag. Very luxurious! I just love this place. I'm not a perfume person myself but I love going in here and buying gifts for friends. It's the opposite of duty free or the department store cosmetics floor. It's totally bespoke and special and unique.

I popped in here with some friends and the gentleman at the register was very helpful in informing us of the qualities and price ranges of the various candles. Undoubtedly, the candles are quite sophisticated and unlike any I usually encounter. The scents are very layered and complex, particularly the green glass collection on the right upon entrance. The house brand fragrances I also think are superb. The other brands, I thought, were not as compelling relative to ordinary candles around $30-40. The candles here were, for me, about 20% above my reserve price, but I think they are extremely premium and the pricing is not unfair. Overall, I appreciate how organized the store is for a cozy space, and that the staff and owner were not overly pretentious when interfacing with young clientele.

THESE GUYS KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING Wow wow wow, Amouage, Dyptique, Frederic Malle, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Commes des Garcon, Odin, Killian (the few I've heard before) and like 30 others I never knew existed!! THEY HAVE ESCENTRIC MOLECULES, YOU CANT EVEN FIND THAT.. ANYWHERE Immediately you are seduced by 50 shades of violet intimacy; chinese violet walls, byzantium counters, aubergine velvet backdrops and dark lavender carpets pull you in while ornate gold accents and a dazzling chandelier impart an air of opulence.. "Excuse me I'm gonna leave my wet umbrella here in the corner.. " Guy looks at me.. "Um, sure that's fine.." LOL People inside were quite detached but helpful when I approached; any questions I had were greeted with openness and a high level of knowledge for their products; an employee also filled me a sample before I left THEY HAVE CANDLES WHAT WHAT More than smelling colognes I've always wanted to (LODL by Dyptique & Chergui by Serge Lutens), I loved EXPLORING the store; each nook and cranny of this place are filled with renowned stalwarts in the fragrance world as well as more exotic, lesser-known ones (aka 'niche' in the fragrance realm). You can spray the test cards as much as you want and try anything your heart desires Their house brand AEDES perfumes are some of the most peculiar and evocative fragrances I've ever smelled- and rightfully pricier as a result. You HAVE to come to this quaint Greenwich St perfumery at least once - don't miss an amazing experience! Plus you'll smell better when you come out :)

I almost chose another store based on some of these negative reviews but ultimately went and so glad I did. My daughter and I had a wonderful experience and thought Frederico, who helped her pick a new perfume for herself, was an absolute DARLING and extremely knowledgeable. A gem of a store, highly recommended.

Kid in a candy store, indeed! (Don't laugh, hon. I'm pretty sure I want to die in this place.) Frédéric Malle, Serge Lutens, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Diptyque, L'Artisan Parfumeur . . . WOW. This shop is truly a scenthound's wet dream in brick & mortar form. Extremely friendly, helpful staff here -- don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I have to decide upon my budget prior to going in, though. (Yeah. I have champagne taste when it comes to frags.) I never regret a purchase, though. Life is short, bitches. It always pays to smell good. :)

I was very excited to find that Aedes stocked an incense burner that had been gifted to me but had been lost in my recent house move. I ordered it at the start of December as a Christmas present to myself. Christmas came then went. New year's came and went but still no burner! I reached out to get a refund via PayPal and a refund was granted very quickly. Then a day later my refund has been canceled. What a shady business!

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

Beautiful! The place is simply gorgeous and the flower arrangements are rad! More than that the place is super cozy and has a lot of history! I was like a kid in a candy store! The staff was helpful and pleasant to chat with. They also didn't act like security guards about me spraying whatever I'd like. And lastly the music they play is fierce!

Karl is a gracious and kind business owner. Thanks for the speedy delivery!

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.

First time in the store today and I had an incredible experience! I could not be more thankful for the staff there. Some reviews suggest an indifferent or unhelpful staff and my experience could not have been more to the contrary. Perhaps they entered the store with an expectation that it was going to be snooty and that became a self-fulfilling prophecy. I walked in to get a gift, and was helped immediately. I took advantage of their sample set of 7 for $28, put in a gift card and a bottle of lotion. They put it in a gorgeous bag and did a wrapping job complete with flowers from the store! When all was said and done they probably spent 20 minutes helping me out. I walked out looking like a gift-buying ninja with impeccable taste. The store itself is beautiful. The walls are a lovely shade of lavender, there's intriguing decorations all over, and it smells lovely.

Not the most welcoming vibe. With that said , they have an amazing selection. You have to search their website before entering . Then they work with you on scents you make like at the front counter. Like I said, not that welcoming but grateful there's a spot in my neighborhood with great candles . Just know what u want before you go, pick it up, leave . No shopping around the shop or small talk .

I'm not sure what happened to this place but the service here has gotten so nasty. It's a shame b/c they have a really great selection of niche perfumes but the guys who work here are bitchy. They're cold, judgmental and down-right rude. Once, I asked if there was a specific note in a scent I smelled and he pretty much shamed me and rudely said no like I was a moron. Turns out, when I read about the notes, I was right. Maybe their whole brand is about being snobby but it doesn't work for me. If you're looking for good scents with better service, try scent bar in noho. Aedes makes the luxury of buying fragrances uncomfortable. And frankly, I'm not handing over $300 for a bottle of anything there. Overall, while the store smells divine. The service stinks!

Best store for fragrances!!! I love the new location, it's gorgeous. If you walk by at night, they have the most gorgeous scent wafting in front. It's almost magical ;) The gentlemen inside have curated the best fragrances. I'm a F.Malle fan but have been loving Kurdjian lately. I also love Byredo. I think I kinda love a lot of things that this store seems to have. Of course they have Diptyque, Cire and Astier as well as lines I've never heard of but have come to enjoy. It's scary good in here... If you go, you'll spend a pretty penny but whatever. life will be prettier and smell better.

This is not your typical fragrance store that you see in Barneys or Bergdorf Goodman. The owners are very helpful and very knowledgable about their fragrances. If you know what you like or what purpose you want to use it for, they are able to give you suggestions to which scents are best suited for the occasion. Whether is a night out or a casual work scent, This place got you covered. Was not disappointed about the products or the customer service I received.

I am a big fan of the new location and new atmosphere... It looks like the owners are much more present than before; the relentlessly pretentious staff from their old location aren't scaring customers away, so hopefully the new Aedes will able to stick around for a long time... It's an excellent location, I actually suggested a few years ago that my former favorite online retailer (luckyscent) open up a shop right here, but Aedes not only beat them to it they also very much modernized their concept, and when my former favorite online retailer finally did open up a shop in Manhattan (scentbar), of course they chose a spot much closer to Houston, and of course they brought all the pretense and affection of 1990s downtown L.A.; but this isn't about what other people continue to do wrong, instead, it's about how Aedes has grown warmer & more welcoming & more generous & more beautiful, and how very much I wish others would also follow suit...

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.

Wonderful, calming little shop that features beautiful displays and gorgeous fragrances. They have the usual selection of Dyptique candles and a plethora of fragrances - many unusual and hard to find. The owner and his boyfriend work here and they're very friendly and helpful. Places like this can be intimidating to those not "in the know" but they go way out of their way to make customers feel safe and comfortable. Don't think because the door is locked they're not open - you have to ring the doorbell and be buzzed in.

Horrible customer service, bought expensive perfume via internet. Opened it sniffed it, something was bad about the scent like it had gone bad. Tried to resolve with client and would not even consider a store credit. Said once it's opened he would not take back. Granted I received in the mail last night. Buyer beware......

I decided to go back to Aedes and try it again after a negative experience a while back. Karl, the owner, helped me this time. I'm so happy I gave Aedes a second chance. Their selection rivals most perfumeries in the city and niche fragrance is a huge hobby of mine. Thank you Karl for all your help. You totally get me and what I'm looking for. I'll be back soon as my collection of perfume continues to grow!

This place is the place I dreamed of all my life. Wh n you were little and thought growing up to become a lady with flowing locks and fancy dewy skin and iridescent viral fingernails. When your life would be flooded with love and pink rise petals. This is that place, that ethereal spot on the physical earth. It's like a little glass and brass box where Enya videos are stored. It's like a technicolor realization. Like walking into The Dreaming.

I visited their original location before they moved to the LES and was in awe of their shop & selection. Sadly, the person who was working there at that time, who had helped me, no longer does and works at another perfumerie in the city. I went out of my way to visit their new location, which is not easy to spot, btw. There's no sign, just a slight window with feathers and a few bottles on display. You have to ring a doorbell to be let in. It's almost like they don't want anyone in their shop. I realize I wasn't wearing designer clothes when I came to visit, but it was a humid day in NYC, and I just wanted to be comfortable and smell new fragrances that were on my list. As soon as I was allowed to be let in the door, I was met with icy cold customer service. He asked if there was anything he could help me with, but two words into my reply, he had already dismissed me and started tapping on his iPad. I was the only customer in the shop. I asked a couple of questions which he answered short & brusquely. It was clear he was not into helping anyone that day or maybe just me for whatever reason. My favorite was when I dared to ask him for a sample or two. I had even said I would pay for them, and he looked me in the eyes and told me that they don't give samples in store--that I would have to go online if I wanted samples. Even with the frigid service, I bought a bottle of perfume which he then asked which samples I wanted ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Needless to say, it was pretty heartbreaking to have gone out of my way to visit a perfume shop that I think is beautiful and stocked with amazing fragrance houses including their own lovely fragrance line, but after being made to feel like I wasn't a worthy human being, I can't, in good conscience, recommend this shop to anyone nor will I go back especially when I can go to other places like Osswald, Tigerlily--many fragrance houses have their own shops now as well--that have much better service. Maybe the guy was busy or having a bad day. Maybe you'll have better luck if it's a destination you really want to go to. I'm no Pollyanna, and I don't think anyone has to be effusively nice to me, but they definitely don't need to treat me like a second-class citizen. In this day and age where it just feels like there's enough bad things happening in the world constantly, do we really need to treat each other badly especially when they're coming to support *your* business?

Came in here a few weeks back, poor product knowledge and very aloof staff member. Wanted to ask the manager a question he would not come out from behind his curtain to answer. A shame as seemed like there was a good selection, just spent our money elsewhere

My snobbery has previously been established... but let me just elaborate if i may: Luxury makes me happy. I am materialistic. Brand names do matter. My eyes always land on the most expensive in the collection. But this is snob that serves a purpose, yes?? I appreciate quality. So I am actually embarrassed to say, that before being guided here by my new scent god, Michael F....I didn't know of the existence of this place. MMMMM, luscious to behold and luscious to inhale.

When I was in second grade I met my arch nemesis. He came in the form of a true jerk who sat next to me in every class and delighted in telling me how dumb I was. The true problem, however, was that he smelled. Not just a scent, but a true odor in the grandest sense. My only escape from the mockery and the tears from my overwhelmed olfactory sense was squirting Love's Baby Soft in my hands and keeping my nose covered. And thus my obsession with perfume was born. Okay, I don't wear it in my hands any more, but all the hard to find fragrance houses in this tiny gem of a shop make it hard to resist wanting to full on bathe in the stuff. (Okay, the price tags would actually make that prohibitive.) Acqua di Biella, Annick Goutal, Pierre Frapin, L'Artisan P., Creed, Luytens, Nelly Rodi... I could go on in a fairly blissful blur of words. If only Aedes had been in my hometown when I was a kid. How many malodorous moments could it have saved me?

(Apply German accent here) "Nowww ist ze time ven vee ahh schmellingk." *spray* *spray* *spray* "Ziss eess an-eess viss a bit of garayp-froot." I have been going to this store since the mid to late 90's, back when the store was downstairs, right near where it is now. It is always a favorite stop when I'm in the neighborhood, and well worth a special trip. It is hands down the best fragrance store I have ever been in, and probably the best in the city. You can go to Saks, Bendel and Bergdorf, and possibly find most of the fragrances that you'll find here, but you'll need to go to all three, and chances are you won't find them all. You also will not get the attention and expertise that you get from the proprietors in this store. These guys have been in business for 13 years and they know their stuff. They will spend lots of time with you and go through fragrance after fragrance, telling you exactly how it is constructed, what the major notes are, how it smells when it dries down, and how long it would typically be expected to last. They know the history of all the perfumers that they represent, and they only sell high-end fragrances. This is not Sephora. Don't expect to get a bottle of cologne for $60. If you like wearing the commercial fragrances that most people wear in the city (mostly synthetic), this place could open your mind to a whole new world of smelling good. My personal faves: Creed - Neroli Sauvage (been wearing this for years, was introduced to it by them) Creed - Green Irish Tweed (Carey Grant used to wear this) Creed - Tabarome Creed - Silver Mountain Water Creed - Citrus Bigarrade L'Artisan - L'eau de L'Artisan I'm a bit of a Creed whore :-) It's great stuff, but they have a myriad of lines and there's something in there for everyone. What's most amazing about these guys is they absolutely do not hard-sell at all. After they take you through the fragrances they think would be right for you, as others pointed out, they'll give you samples to take home with you and encourage you to wear them for a day and try them out BEFORE buying. You'll be back. A good fragrance is like crack, and they know it.

I took one whiff of a cologne. The scent was so strong, I dropped the bottle of cologne, on a fern no less, and the owner's Pekingese dog seemed to be talking to me in a language only he and I understood. Yes, I caught "the vapors". Having said that, now I know where to go when I need to get a special gift for that "lady friend". Hell, even for "guy friends" a gift from here would be worth it. The owners were so friendly, and having the dog just walk around the store added a cute and personal touch to it all.

This place is not fucking around. They have a fantastic selection of hard-to-find fragrances (their website has a pretty good representation of the selection) and they know their stuff. I came in looking for a gift for the man... I described what I liked (Penhaligons LP no. 9.. but not so clove-y... less business suit, more REI) and he was off. I wish I had been more attentive and caught the name of the guy who helped me, but since I didn't, I'm just going to go with Tom. Tom must have sprayed thirty different colognes for me to smell. It was amazing. Over the course of about an hour, he described each one, pros and cons, similarities and differences compared to what I had described, spritzed a little card to give to me, and then managed to recall (accurately, as far as I can tell) each scent as I returned to the ones I liked. I could easily spend an entire day in this place. Anyway, I ended up buying a bottle and benefitted from the generous sample policy that others have noted. (Though I didn't get the impression that samples were of the "with purchase only" sort. When I arrived Tom was decanting a sample for a woman who otherwise went out empty handed.) Tom gave me samples of two of the other colognes I had loved but eliminated, a couple perfumes I liked for myself, and probably twenty additional random samples that he had on hand. I can't say that any of the ones he selected are going to be winners for me, but it's probably safe to say that I'm a certifiable perfume addict, so I'm happy to have the variety. If you're into fragrance or looking for a gift for someone who's into fragrance, look no further. In fact, if you're looking for a gift for someone who's into fragrance and they've never been here, just taking them for a visit would probably be gift enough.

One step into the door and my nose was nestled in the fragrant bosom of the best smelling store on Christopher street. All my favorite brands that I normally have to remember to hit Barney's for were there without the pushy salesiness of counter ninjas itching for a sale. I had a request. I said I mostly stuck to Frederic Malle scents and I wanted to expand. I mentioned that I loved Noir Epices and Dans tes Bras but adored Un bois vanille from Serge Lutens. I was taken through a whirlwind scent-tour of the spicy, strong and sweet things they had to offer. I settled on black jade from Lubin, which has a nice backstory and apparently a controversially outspoken owner from reading blog posts. I got another bottle of un bois vanille because I had run out. I also tried Chergui loved it at first scent, hated it about 2 minutes later and buried my nose in my wrist later that night moving me decidedly into the adore category. I will definitely be back for this one. There's another that I've forgotten the name of again, but it was on my left wrist and that too kept me captivated. Love supporting a store like this instead of a big name department store. Then again, even though I love the new whole foods in my neighborhood, I still like going to the local butcher and fish shop. I received plenty of samples of the fragrances I wasn't quite sure on, mini decants of my new fragrance to place in my purse and great service. The burnt orange diffuser fills the room it's in with a lovely scent & spicy undertones. And to the people who complain that you're not getting assistance: All you have to do is ask. I -hate- being ghosted in a store and would rather explore as I please on my own time.

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.

I love Aedes. I love the guys here. I love their dog. For perfume lovers, come here to mingle with the best. The boutique is the perfect size to carry beauties by a choice selection of fragrance houses, of which include highly coveted Serge Lutens, always wearable L'Artisan Parfumeur, classic Creed, uber feminine Annick Goutal, elusive Parfums DelRae, enchanting Montale, adventurous Lubin, rose focused Les Parfums de Rosine, luxurious Jalaine, and extravagant Amouage. They also have the notorious People of the Labyrinths Luctor et Emergo, crowd-pleasing Ambra di Venezia, exquisite Shalini, and rare VIP Room. In addition, they have scented body creams, candles, home fragrances, and quality skin care items, all of which would make lovely gifts. Oh, the service! The service is utterly delightful. When you are at the store, they are just so much fun to hang out with you will not want to leave. In fact, I just plop my bag onto what I now call my designated chair and make myself at home for a good couple of hours. When I am, alas, not in the vicinity, I just call 'em up. I can vouch for their amazing competence, speed, and immaculate and safe packaging when ordering perfume over the phone or via their website. In all my years of patronage, I have never had a single problem, and I know if for some reason I did, they would address it in a flash. Aedes and the classy men behind it are a paragon of a store, one that in a perfect world would be replicated to the "t."

Nothing, repeat nothing, smells better than the Figue (Fig) candle. The staff is terrific - mail order here is a snap and they're very generous with throw-in samples for your package. The web site is also terrific. A fun luxury stop when you find yourself in the Sheridan Square area.

Gorgeous perfumes, crap customer service. The staff make you feel like you're NOT COOL ENOUGH to be in their store. The one good thing about this place is their perfume sample set: $25 for 7 samples. Fortunately, you don't have to go to the store for this, just order it online.

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 definitely felt that I was in a store that was made just for me. Personally, I collect candles. I have about 15 or so, and I'm still collecting. I tend to lean toward designer candles and try to have full sets. The incredible thing about Aedes De Venustas is their huge amount of candles... They even have candles that I haven't been able to find at all. This includes Creed candles and L'Artisan Perfumeur candles. ADV also has a shitload of the Creed fragrances, which made me incredibly happy because that was the first time that I actually smelled the Creed fragrances. My first impression was just "wow." People weren't lying when describing how incredible the fragrances are, and it definitely explains why they run for almost $200 per bottle. The atmosphere of the store is totally cozy. Very cluttered, but very organized. You definitely won't feel lost, and everything is placed neatly in categorized groups. The amount of candles this store has is definitely astronomical and pretty much deems it as one of my favorite stores in Manhattan now.

I have to say I got a bit intimidated when I walked into this store. It has a Victorian, posh quality to it that is not really how I roll. But I had come with a mission at hand and I honed right in for the kill. Apparently, there's no other store in nyc (that I could find at least) that carried the dreamy scent I'd been obsessing over for weeks (and gagging over the price tag). But I finally decided to bite the bullet and I was so excited to find it there, along with a multitude of other gently layed out scents/candles/smell-creating items. The gentleman who rang me up was super friendly and fairly coherent for someone who'd been breathing in a crazy cornucopia of sandalwood/citrus/lilac notes for hours. With my long coveted Item clutched in hand, I made a quick exit towards fresh air. I have to say though, I felt so very civilized (possibly Victorian?) doing a bit of splurge shopping at a small lovely shop like this one than say, maneuvering the crowded displays at Sephora. Definitely a store to check out.

This store is super tiny...I've been an online customer for a few years and always imagined this boutique with dark teal walls, flowers and peacock feathers everywhere..well there was a peacock in the window. Seriously though, kinda small. Someone below mentioned the little dogs-they were cute. I think they're old dogs that didn't seem to have a ton of energy. I petted both of them and didn't notice a smell coming off of either of them. Selection is pretty good although I didn't see the Aedes brand sugar scrub & felt like a few things from the site were missing. The staff, while not hostile, was not exactly warm and welcoming either. Funny because usually I notice that kind of thing and this time DH mentioned that he didn't feel very welcome. Kind of a weird experience. I still give it four stars for the selection and nice dogs.

If given an option, I prefer to support small non-chain store. This store probably has the BEST selection of high-end, hard to find, perfume. Don't come here if you are looking to buy the Acqua Di Gio; they carry a choice selection which includes Serge Lutens, Montale, L' Artisan Parfumer, and so on. The owners are exceptionally knowledgeable...tell the what base and top notes you want, and they will find THE perfect scent for you. Oh, and they are INCREDIBLY GENEROUS with decanting samples.

Breathtakingly gorgeous store with an amazing selection of luxury niche fragrances. Sales staff are a teensy bit overbearing, and some are more helpful/knowledgeable than others. Nick has a great nose, and picked out a number of scents that resembled aspects of the discontinued perfume I brought in. Unfortunately I didn't find the One during my visit, but I will return whenever I'm in the mood to try out fancy scents in an equally opulent shop.

After being buzzed through the door I was a little worried that the place was going to be unfriendly. However, I was quickly helped by a courteous salesmen who picked out perfumes based on scent preferences. The salesmen is seriously impervious; he knows the whole extensive and unique stock simply by smell. The cost is high but I walked with an amazing perfume and numerous hand picked samples. The only reason Aedes de Venustas did not gain five stars is that the store has a pretty strong sent itself and there was nothing neutral to smell in between scents. However, I would definitively go back and make another purchase.

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!

Aedes is a beautiful store in the West Village. It is adorned with jewel toned chairs and drapery. Everything is super elegant, and reminds me of a parlor in a French castle. So Posh! They carry some of the most coveted perfume and beauty brands in the world such as: Serge Lutens Ambra de Venezia Montale Carthusia Lartisan Perfumer Those are just a few of the brands they carry. They also carry a large supply of niche skincare and candles for the home. The men at Aedes are beautiful and wonderful and they will treat you like royalty. If you are ever in the West Village stop into Aedes. I guarantee you will leave there with a smile on your face...and smelling delicious! You can order from them at Aedes.com Tell them MonkeyPosh says hello!