Good Pubs in Morningside Heights?

[magentakristen]

Hello!

Just started a masters program at Columbia University and I have a couple study groups who want to go out and grab a beer afterwords. Any great pub recommendations that won't run us too much of a bill afterwords? Really looking for a place that serves good beer, nachos and has a friendly vibe.

Any other neat places would be welcomed as well to switch things up!

Thanks!

[citykid426]

1020 or the West End, though West End has a different name now I think. I really liked going to 1020 and back in the day they had beers for like $3-4.

[uwsister]

The West End is now Havana Central, a Cuban restaurant.

[Bkeats]

What?! The West End is gone? Next thing you're going to tell me that V&T and the Marlin Bar aren't there anymore too. I'm probably dating myself.

[uwsister]

Yes, you are, but it's OK ;)

Yeah, the West End closed a few years ago. V&T is still around. I first became familiar with the area in '04 when I started at CU and I have to say I've never heard of the Marlin Bar - probably gone.

[Bkeats]

Marlin was on the east side of B'way between 111th and 112th I think. Great dive bar. They used to put out a bowl of hard boiled eggs on the bar with a sign that said boneless chicken dinners 25 cents. Class of 2008? You're sooo young. I wish I was too. Are Tom's and the College Inn around? It suprising I live in NYC and I rarely get up to the campus area. Heck if it wasn't for work I'd probably never get above 23rd St.

[uwsister]

These days I've been feeling real old lately (yeah, I know it's funny to hear - my middle-aged husband thinks so too) so I'm happy to read your comment. Thank you ;)

Tom's is still around serving mediocre food and photo-ops for tourists. I'm not familiar with the College Inn, so most likely been gone for years.

[DaveCook]

The Marlin was on Broadway near the northeast corner with 110th. It was the staging zone for Columbia-affiliated band members and friends before concerts downtown, and the meeting place after gigs on campus:

http://www.columbiabands.com/

The establishment is long gone, but the physical bar -- the construction of wood on which I and many friends set our drinks -- was preserved. It's now in use at 1020, the drinking hole at 1020 Amsterdam Ave.

[penthouse pup]

Hey old timers--wondering why no one has mentioned The Gold Rail, Cannon's or Fell's...

[small h]

Ugh, Cannon's. Very distinctive smell in that place. I haven't encountered it since, and I'm glad about that.

[penthouse pup]

Must have been all the Spectator staff members...

[small h]

I knew well (too well) the smell of the Spectator staff members, but the Cannon's stench was something else again. Curried urine? Beer mold + tobacco mold + bad breath + despair? I remember only the impact, not the specifics. It was an innocent, Febreze-less time.

[TEACHnEAT]

Amsterdam Tavern on 106th and Amsterdam has 1/2 off beer happy hours and a really good selection of taps. Another would be Lions Head Tavern 108th and Broadway. Both good options.

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Amsterdam Tavern
938 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

Lion's Head Tavern
995 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

[uwsister]

I've heard from numerous CU students that Lion's Head Tavern has good wings, but I've never had a chance to try it.

[mrgreenbeenz]

Ah finally an excuse to put my graduate education to work. For beer and wings Red Lion is a solid choice - neither are great but both are cheap and there is a pool table. The 'go to' CU bar was always the one across the street - 1020 bar - but no food there. Amsterdam Tavern is probably the best dive in walking distance - you won't find a lot of MBA's and law students there.

If you're looking to eat an actual meal you could do Radio Perfecto or Amsterdam Cafe directly across from the campus - neither's food is good but there is table service.

By all means avoid any drinking establishment on B'way between 116th and around 110th. Also while I recently went to Bier International and kinda liked it (it's a straight rip off of the successful Wurstkuche in LA) you should be certain that you aren't setting yourself up for an inebriated late night trot through Morningside Park - the neighborhood is improving but that's still a dicey proposition.

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Amsterdam Tavern
938 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

Amsterdam Restaurant & Tapas Lounge
1207 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027

1020 Bar
1020 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

Bier International
2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

[squid kun]

Radio Perfecto closed in '08. That space is now Haakon's Hall.

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Haakon's Hall
1187 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027

[thegforceny]

The Abbey Pub
237 W 105th St (between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway)

(I guess that's not MSH though, is it?)

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Abbey Pub
237 W 105th St, New York, NY 10025

[jacksojp]

Harlem Tavern and Bier International. Worth the short walk through Morningside Park.

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Bier International
2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

Harlem Tavern
2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

[Upperwestsider]

+1 for these 2!!

[gutsofsteel]

Harlem Tavern has slow and sloppy service, and the food is nothing special. It's a fun neighborhood place to hang out though.

Bier International serves lousy food.

Both of them are fine for the OP's purpose.

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Bier International
2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

Harlem Tavern
2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026