Beer places in Manhattan
There are no beer bar posts since 2008 and that post is very incomplete so I was wondering what are the places as of 2011 to drink a good beer selection. The places I usually visit for a nice beer are:
Blind Tiger
Against the Grain (very small selection but not bad)
DBGB (More expensive but the small selection is excellent)
Drop Off (ok but they always have the same beers, the do not rotate the selection)
East Village Tavern (small selection, but Ok)
I have not been to Pony because the crowd scared me when I was about to enter and I do not like the DBA crowd either.
I DO NOT need a Best of list, only a list of the places where you like the beer selection and if possible some detail as of what do they carry.
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Blind Tiger
281 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
East Village Tavern
158 Ave C, New York, NY 10009
DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
By LRS
on Jan 10, 2011 08:05 AM
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A lot of people will say it is too "touristy" or commercial but I still love Gingerman if I'm just looking to get some beers, their draught list is incredible and the bartenders are pretty knowledgeable.
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I love Gingerman myself for beer selections. Never had a complaint from anyone that i sent there for beers.
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I've never found gingerman to be touristy but I have found it to be unbearably full of suits most nights. Consequently, weekends are my preferred time to visit.
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Maybe touristy was the wrong word to use but I've had people tell me they thought it was too "planned". Personally, as I've said before, I think it's great.
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D.B.A. has a great variety of beers from across the globe with a rotating tap along with an admirable bourbon and Scotch list.
Vol de Nuit specializes in Belgian beers with the requisite stemware to match
Drop Off Service has a decent selection of USA, German, English, Belgian and Irish beers with a few rotating taps
George Keeley is the pub of note on the UWS with a large selection and decent food
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George Keeley
485 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Vol de Nuit
148 W 4th St, New York, NY 10012
Drop Off Service
211 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
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Waterfront Ale House has about 20 beers or so on tap and rotates them frequently. Also usually have a cask ale too.
If you are into Belgian beers, the Petite Abeille mini-chain has a great selection - and half off beers on Mondays
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Waterfront Ale House
540 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016
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Ditto on Alehouse. And they have good food. Get the ribs!
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Rattle and Hum on 35th and 5th has a ton of tap and cask beers.
DBA has the worst atmosphere and horrible service IMO
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Zum Schneider - best bavarian beers in the city
Lorelei - decent all-round german selection with a nice little beer garden at the back
Burp Castle - imo, a contender for best belgian selection in nyc...quirky and elitist but cool
Jimmy's No.43 - right next door to burp on E.7th...good food and small but nicely curated craft beer selection
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Burp Castle
41 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
Zum Schneider
229 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
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I think it's spelled Loreley, actually. But yes, nice little garden area in the back.
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Loreley
7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
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I've had bad experiences at Loreley with servers who don't know anything about their beers and who don't know how to pour properly. The last time I was there they poured me a Schneider Aventinus that was half head with most of the beer ending up on my table. I do find it somewhat precious that they have a menu written in German with waiters who can neither read it nor understand it spoken to them.
Lederhosen has a similarly-sized and sourced beer list, but with far more knowledgable and friendly servers. I would recommend them over Loreley for the better drinking experience.
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Loreley
7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
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"I do find it somewhat precious that they have a menu written in German with waiters who can neither read it nor understand it spoken to them."
I've eaten at Loreley 3 or 4 times and I don't remember a German menu. The one on their website is in English (except for the names of the dishes, but there's a full description in English.)
http://www.loreleynyc.com/food.php
The same is true for the beers.
http://www.loreleynyc.com/beer.php
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Loreley
7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
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The names of all the foods are given in German on the menu with an English sub-description. They might as well just serve "pork platters" if their waiters can't say or understand the Schlachtplatte mit Kassler, Speck usw. on the menu.
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I did note that the menu description was in English. In fact, that was the point of my post. I included that information after you said "... they have a menu written in German ..."
I've been to Loreley and Lederhosen multiple times. I thought that the food at Loreley was just a bit better than at Lederhosen although that could be a function of what I ordered.
At Lederhosen I've always sat at the bar which is really pleasant. That's a good thing because the back room gets a loud frat boy type of crowd which can be annoying. Loreley seems to attract a calmer clientele.
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Loreley
7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
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Jimmy's No. 43
http://www.jimmysno43.com/
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Jimmy's No. 43
43 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
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I was visiting just over a week ago and went to a few beer bars.
- Rattle N Hum for the huge draft list representing many styles. Had a few casks as well. I also like the Rate Beer ratings on the menu (even though I'm on BA), in case I hadn't heard of a beer before.
- Pony Bar was good for local breweries I hadn't tried before (Chelsea RIS on cask was great).
- Burp Castle was fun to hang out in and had some interesting tap selections that were new to me. Probably had more foreign taps than American.
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Burp Castle
41 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
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Markt has an incredible selection of Belgian beers. And good food.
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Markt
676 6th Ave, New York, NY 10010
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Colicchio and Sons has a nice selection in the Tap Room.
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It depends what area of the city I am in but I have my spots.
UES--David Copperfields on York. They get some interesting American craft selections and usually one cask.
UES--Cafe D'alsace--Good thoughtful selection of Belgian, French and American versions of that style.
Midtown--Rattle N Hum--Narrow bar but with a really good selection of American and European craft beers. Lots of local taps from Captain Lawrence, Sixpoint, Brooklyn. Three or four cask offerings.
East Village---DBA at off hours is a great place to enjoy a beer. The outdoors on a summer weekend is great and usually not too crowded. Plus you can bring in food.
LES--Spitzers Corner has a good Euro/American mix with good food. Also good people watching.
Greenwich Village -Blind Tiger- best in the city
Greenwich Village--- 124 Rabbit Club---I like this place a lot. No signage outside which prevents it from getting too busy. The place has a subterranean old NY feel to it and has an excellent selection of rare Belgians in bottles and 3 or 4 beers on tap. Cash Only
Then of course there is Brooklyn which deserves its own post.
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I went to Blind Tiger for the first time a few weeks ago. The selection was good and it's a cozy scene. I'm not sure though, I understand the reverence for this place. I prefer RnH and Gingerman and some of the W'burg places. I think I prefer Spitzer's as well.
Why are you and others so enamored with BT?
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Isn't Blind Tiger crazy busy at many times?
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Blind Tiger
281 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
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There are a few reasons really. First and foremost the selection is the best in Manhattan. Specifically they tend to get more obscure beers that others don't typically have. They also tend to have the best events and it seems the brewers who bring their lineups always manage to find some rarities that I have never heard of no less saw elsewhere. The owners really know their stuff and it is clearly reflected in the selection and care for the beers. They also maintain a selection of kegs that they age and occasionally put some of these on tap. You would probably need to go more than once to experience this aspect.
Beer is obviously the most important part of it but there are also other factors. Their location and atmosphere are also very good. From the open windows onto the always interesting Bleecker Street in the summer to the working fireplace in the winter. It can and does get too crowded sometimes but I like the old time wooden feel of the place.
Their food is also better than your average bar food and it is nice to order some cheeses from Murray's to pair with your beers.
Last but not least I can chalk up some of the reverence to its place in NYC beer history. their old location was one of the first and definitely the best place to get really good beer in the city. Their bar on Hudson was kind of a dump but they were dishing out really good beers for a long time. It definitely contributed to my love of beer. This adds to their mystique but they are clearly not coasting on this reputation.
I like Rattle N Hum a lot and think they are probably the second best bar selection wise in the city. Their selection is just a step below what you would get at the Blind Tiger and it really doesn't offer up ambiance-wise.
Gingerman has a lot of taps however I don't find a lot of things that are interesting or that are hard to find at other non beer specific bars.
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Blind Tiger
281 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
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I like the blind tiger a lot but I would disagree that it has the best selection in the city. Lately I've really liked what Jimmys 43 has on tap in the EV which to me was more interesting than BT. Seems to me BT is always hellishly busy, which gets to be annoying in such a small space. The final issue I have with it is the food - the cheese plate aside, the selection is a bit limited and pretty average imo. I still frequent it though as it is a quality beer bar.
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Jimmy's 43 is a great place too that I forgot to mention. Their selection always has some interesting choices almost every time I go in. They have some good taps from breweries not often seen in the NY area. However the selection just is not on par with the Tiger. Their Oysters are generally good though.
I agree Blind Tiger can get pretty crowded, but I can say that about a lot of places on weekend nights. Being crowded is good for keg turnover though. Their sandwiches are good especially the Bloody Beast and the Banh Mi (once you get past the fact that it isn't a banh mi). Generally good bar food that is unique.
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Blind Tiger
281 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
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I agree keg turnover is key. That's why I'm always a little wary of the gingerman...huge selection but not always fresh.
I need to get back to BT and try the banh mi...i haven't been in ages - sounds good.
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Agreed on Gingerman. Their turnover doesn't seem to be so high, especially since when I go there so many people seem to be drinking Stella.
I have not had much of the other food at Jimmy's 43 except for a few appetizers and oysters. Anything you would recommend?
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I really like Spitzer's Corner on off nights, if you can get a table in the back room, have dinner, and relax. Really nice in the summer if the windows are open. But it's insanely crowded and loud on weekend nights and they have a bouncer scanning IDs.
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Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
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Spitzer's can definitely get too crowded as well. A lot of the good beer bars have this problem. But on a nice summer night when people are away it is really nice. I like the f ood there too, the shrimp patties especially.
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I really struggle paying 10-12 dollars for a beer that is some times even less than a pint.
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the three monkeys on 54th between broadway and 8th. i've never been, but i pass it on my way to work and it looks like it has a pretty extensive beer selection.
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I am one of the biggest fans of Pony Bar, and even I won't go there on a Saturday night. That place definitely is schizophrenic in terms of its crowd composition.
However, after work midweek I really love stopping in there for a pint or two. For one thing, they have really reasonable prices, and because their beer selection is constantly rotating, there is always something new to try. If you haven't been, I suggest trying it on a slow midweek evening or a Sunday afternoon.
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Agreed. They always have 20 American craft beers and 2 Casks, friendly regulars, and knowledgeable bartenders. You just can't go on weekend nights.
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I like a lot of the places mentioned, but also these:
Stag's Head : Good selection of craft beers on tap that are always changing, plus lots of bottles & cans, knowledgeable bartenders who always answer my questions, steer me in the right direction, and let me taste when i'm unsure of what to get.
And surprised no one mentioned Hop Devil Grill. Also a good selection, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and good specials. I especially like this place for a group- plus the $10 sangria pitcher night.
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Hop Devil Grill is very conveniently located for me for I wouldn't say their staff is knowledgeable. I go quite often and they never know what am I referring to when I ask a beer question.
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Hop Devil Grill
129 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
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See I find the opposite with Stag's. It's still my favorite after work place in the neighborhood, but I don't get steered in the right direction as much anymore. But then again I am very particular (probably even peculiar) about my beers. Best burgers and spicy fries though.
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Stag's Head (and its predecessor) has a great rotating selection. They've changed a lot over the years though. When they were CB Six, the bartenders were much more knowledgeable. Recently, I've noticed stickered on taps they have little "cheat sheets" on what each beer is.
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CB Six
252 E 51st St, New York, NY 10022
The Stag's Head
252 E 51st St, New York, NY 10022
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George Keeley on the UWS has about 25 excellent craft beers on tap every single day. Their food is also quite reliable as far as bar food is concerned. The crowd is always awesome and the bartenders are the best.
Pony Bar in Hell's Kitchen always has a good selection of (really reasonably priced)Craft Beers. I've never found the crowd to be too bad there, and I've visited on multiple occasions.
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George Keeley
485 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
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