When Annelise Richardson, 23, isn't flying to Europe, taking a pole dancing class or dreaming up her next novel, she's working full-time at a wine bar. But it's not just a wine bar - it's also a bookstore and cafe where customers can munch on charcuterie boards while browsing for their next favorite novel.
'I'm lucky, because I work at a place that draws a great clientele,' Richardson told the Daily Mail. 'Because we're a bookstore and a wine bar, people are generally really excited to engage with the concept and I pretty much always have kind, friendly guests.'
'Plus, it helps that everyone I work with is passionate about what we do. I think that really reflects in our service, and that attitude passes on to the guest experience.'
The wine bar - located in New York City's trendy SoHo - becomes more intimate in the evening hours, often hosting movie nights and other events that last until well past midnight. For Richardson, that means getting home in the small hours of the morning after a grueling commute back to her fourth-floor walkup in Harlem - her two roommates leave the deadbolt unlocked for her. Then, she wakes up and does the whole thing again.
'It's truly a nonstop hustle,' she said.
How much does a wine bar server make in New York City?
Restaurant employees don't earn big paychecks - even in New York City. Richardson estimates she'll earn $40,000 this year working four days a week. The minimum wage for food service workers in the city is $17 per hour. However, New York State law allows employers in the hospitality industry to pay a smaller 'cash wage' that is combined with tips to equal the minimum wage. For example, an employer could satisfy the minimum wage requirement by paying a cash wage of $11.35 plus a tip allowance of no more than $5.65 per hour.
With a modest income, Richardson lives frugally to afford her city life. She shares an apartment with two other roommates, each paying $1,150 a month for their share of the rent, an amount well below the NYC average. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom, walk-up apartment has no dishwasher, no washer or dryer and no pets. Utilities come out to about $30 a piece per month, plus an additional $18 for wifi. The roommates all pitch in for household items.
In an effort to save money, Richardson uses a reduced-fare OMNY card that costs $68 a month. Her parents help out with other expenses like student loan payments, the phone bill and health insurance.
'I know that my family would be able to support me if I had a drastic change in circumstances,' she said. 'Not everyone who moves to at this age can say the same, and so I'm fortunate to have a sense of security in my finances if something were to change for me.'
How to be a globetrotter without breaking the bank
The biggest perk of Richardson's life is flexibility. She loves to travel, and tends to visit a place for two or three months at a time to 'fully experience' a new city or country. It's a necessity, however, for her to travel 'very inexpensively' wherever possible. That means staying in hostels rather than hotels or airbnbs. She even volunteered at two hostels in Rome over the course of two years in exchange for free room and board.
Richardson travels on budget airlines, trains and buses whenever possible, often opting for a light backpack instead of a suitcase. Her most expensive purchase last year was a flight home from Japan.
One of her favorite memories was hiking in a bamboo forest in Kyoto and finding kayaks with a note that said 'row me across to the bar.' 'I looked across the water and saw a tiny bar nestled against the opposite bank,' Richardson said. 'There were three guys near the kayaks, French tourists, who looked as intrigued as I was, so I asked if they wanted to share a kayak and check out the bar together.' 'I got to practice my French and found a truly hidden gem nestled in the middle of a breathtaking forest,' she continued. 'I still have no idea what that bar was called, but I can remember the crisp bite of the Suntory seltzer I shared with my new friends.'
Some of her favorite stops so far have been Rome (her favorite city by far), Paris and Seoul.
When she's not working in the wine bar, Richardson keeps busy with pole dancing classes in the city. 'I was a cheerleader through college, so I'm drawn to anything acrobatic and involving flexibility,' she said. 'I'm planning to try aerial silks and hoop at the same studio next.' 'I'm still searching for an adult cheerleading league,' she added. 'It's not really a common thing to find outside of a school setting, but it was my main sport for years and I really miss it.'
She's also looking to get more involved with writing. She majored in English and creative writing. And after writing her first novel, she's looking to sign up for a creative writing workshop. Her resolution for 2026? Take herself less seriously and have more fun.
'I would rather be full of experiences and have no regrets,' she said. 'So if that means being a bit scrappy right now in order to live in an incredible city and pursue my writing dreams, then I am happy to move a bit slower than I envisioned myself when I was younger.'
