Recent News
Two closures to report
The Brickyard and The Jolly Monk, both in Hell's Kitchen, have closed.
New Guide Entry: BarBacon
A fair craft beer range can be found in this bacon obsessed gastropub. (Don't tell them a vegetarian reviewed and recommended this place!) :)
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: The Rochard
'Tis 'Beerly Legal' to have so many great craft offerings.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Randolph Beer (DUMBO)
No cash at this new brewpub that serves great beer. Serve yourself if you so desire.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Island to Island Brewery and Tasting Room
A great place off most people's 'beer radar'.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
DBGB Kitchen and Bar has closed permanently
DBGB is no more, just like the former CBGB punk rock venue which it was named after.
New Guide Entry: Fifth Hammer Brewing Company
Excellent, innovative beers from brewing legend Chris Cuzme - added to this guide with pleasure!
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
The Habitat is closed permanently
A big loss for Greenpoint.
New Guide Entry: Jack and Nellie's
In Forest Hillls, Queens, an unlikely off-the-beaten-path beer destination is added.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Updated Guide Entry: Other Half Brewing Company
New taproom space! How many IPAs can fit though? :)
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Delaware and Hudson
Delaware and Hudson, in Williamsburg, has been found to have a good craft range and is duly added to the database.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
The Sampler is currently closed
The Sampler (Starr Street, Bushwick) is closed at the time of writing. It is apparently to re-open at some point, but it is unknown if the name and format will be unchanged.
Map of sightseeing bus stops (5. Central Park South area - downtown only)
Here is a map showing where the sightseeing buses from each operator stop in this area (downtown routes only, the uptown routes are not suitable for hop-on hop-off pub visits). They are colour coded: Gray Line=red, Big Bus=purple, Open Loop=blue, Top View=green. Locations of recommended pubs and restaurants are not shown on these maps, see the main map or locality maps.
Map of sightseeing bus stops (4. Chelsea / Midtown)
Here is a map showing where the sightseeing buses from each operator stop in this area. They are colour coded: Gray Line=red, Big Bus=purple, Open Loop=blue, Top View=green. Locations of recommended pubs and restaurants are not shown on these maps, see the main map or locality maps.
Map of sightseeing bus stops (3. The Villages / Gramercy)
Here is a map showing where the sightseeing buses from each operator stop in this area. They are colour coded: Gray Line=red, Big Bus=purple, Open Loop=blue, Top View=green. Locations of recommended pubs and restaurants are not shown on these maps, see the main map or locality maps.
​Map of sightseeing bus stops (2. Lower Manhattan)
Here is a map showing where the sightseeing buses from each operator stop in this area. They are colour coded: Gray Line=red, Big Bus=purple, Open Loop=blue, Top View=green. Locations of recommended pubs and restaurants are not shown on these maps, see the main map or locality maps.
Map of sightseeing bus stops (1. Brooklyn)
Here is a map showing where the sightseeing buses from each operator stop in this area. They are colour coded: Gray Line=red, Big Bus=purple, Open Loop=blue, Top View=green. Locations of recommended pubs and restaurants are not shown on these maps, see the main map or locality maps.
St. Andrews has closed
St. Andrews, near Times Square, closed permanently during the summer.
New Guide Entry: The Gutter (Long Island City)
The new sister bar-bowling alley to the original Gutter in Williamsburg has been added.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Jimmy's No.43 is currently closed, future uncertain
I had known about this for a week (when the gate notice photo was taken), but didn't want to report on it without all the facts. Today, Gothamist revealed all. See http://gothamist.com/2017/08/28/rip_jimmys_no_43.php - this is a very huge loss if a financier can't be found.
Guide Re-entry: Death Ave
Death Ave, a quirky Greek-inspired restaurant which previously boasted at least four casks pouring, has had another reinvention (this time very good, last time bad when they ceased pouring the casks). It is now a brewpub with six beers on tap brewed in-house. This is a reinstatement to this guide. The beer names are appropriate matches for the style, prefixed 'Mr.' The sour 'Mr. Rancid' is anything but though, puckering but not rancid. A brilliant name by a bold brewer!
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Updated entry. The Monk is now Cafe Monk.
There is new ownership for The Monk, located in Ridgewood, Queens. There have been some changes, including the name. The beer range was still good on my last visit, however some brands are being shuffled. Time will tell.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: ICONYC Brewing Company
The tiny bar serving as ICONYC's taproom has been added.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Lineup Brewing Company and Wartega Brewing Company
The shared taproom space of Lineup and Wartega has been added.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Five Boroughs Brewing Co.
The sizeable Five Boroughs Brewing Company (30BBL brewery and taproom) has opened in Sunset Park.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Re Pub LIC, formerly Open Door, is closed
Long Island City's Re Pub LIC is no more. This started up as Open Door.
New Guide Entry: Circa Brewing Co.
Brooklyn has a new brewpub opening today. 12 good quality beers are on tap.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Prime Tavern - LGA Airside
LaGuardia Airport has a multi-tap restaurant airside at terminal D. No less than 37 craft beers flow - who would have thought something like this could be found in an airport?
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
The Pony Bar (Hell's Kitchen) Closed
A sad loss to the NYC beer scene is the closure of the original Pony Bar in Hell's Kitchen, which poured its last beers yesterday (5th February 2017). Thankfully, the Upper East Side location remains open. The photo below shows the bartenders on the last afternoon, suitably attired.
New Guide Entry: Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor (SoHa)
The sister bar of the original Arts and Crafts in the West Village has been added. The location is next to Columbia University.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Beer Shop and Tasting Table
This tiny hybrid bar and store has been added with a 'highly commended' blue tick icon.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Folksbier
The taproom at Folksbier in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, has opened and is duly added here.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Gun Hill Tavern
The South Bronx is coming around with the late 2016 opening of this smart bar-restaurant.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Craft House
Staten Island is coming around! A brewery is being installed here too.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Adobe Blues
Flying the flag for 25 years on Staten Island, but only just reviewed due to location pains from where I live.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
The Brew Inn is reinstated as a craft beer destination
Mmm, Allgash Tripel and other good stuff on tap. Better than before, hence it goes back on here.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Whiskey Burger has been renamed to Barley
Entry updated accordingly.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Holland House is closed
"Holland House will be closed for renovations for an undisclosed period of time" says their website. This Midtown beer hall is therefore deleted from this guide.
New Guide Entry: Rockaway Brewing Company (Rockaway Beach)
Rockaway Brewing Company, based in Long Island City, have opened a quirky, community supporting outlet out in the Rockaways - and this is duly added to the guide. Previously, the area was a total craft beer desert.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Gebhard's Beer Culture
Straight in with a blue star (top recommendation) is Gebhard's Beer Culture on West 72nd Street, the sister place to the original Beer Culture on West 45th Street. 15 craft taps, 283 craft bottles and cans, plus (coming soon) a cask ale.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Interboro Spirits and Ales
This new joint brewing and distilling operation in East Williamsburg has been added.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Kings County Brewers Collective
Bushwick's first bricks-and-mortar brewery (and taproom) in 40 years has been added.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Beer Closet = Beer Closed
Beer Closet in Long Island City is closed and has brown paper lining the windows, so is deleted from this site. It sadly only lasted a few months as a hybrid bar and store.
New Guide Entry: Precious Metal
Precious Metal, a former yoga studio and slaughterhouse (not at the same time!), has been added.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Fifth Hammer Brewing Company update
Fifth Hammer Brewing Company have recently received the keys to their forthcoming brewery and taproom at 10-28 46th Avenue in Long Island City. Congratulations to partners Chris Cuzme and David Scharfstein! They are aiming to open in early 2017, according to reports.
Two closures to report
Biblio in Williamsburg and Pigalle near Times Square have both bitten the dust. I have deleted their entries on here.
Interboro Spirits and Ales now has beer in the market
This new joint brewing and distilling operation is now in production in East Williamsburg. The taproom comes soon.
Kings County Brewers Collective now has beer in the market
Congratulations to Kings County Brewers Collective for launching their first beers in the local market.
New Guide Entry: City Hops
This small hybrid place enters the guide with a blue tick recommendation.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
World of Beer is not currently open
World of Beer has closed after only a few months, however word on the grapevine says it could reopen (unknown if under the same name or format, or something different).
New Guide Entry: Lantern Hall
This excellent bar has been open a few months, it has now gone into the guide with a blue tick recommendation.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: The Brooklyn Barge
Following a long recess as I was back in England for two months, I've started to pick up on where I left off here in NYC. Braving silly temperatures to visit yesterday, the first of a few places to be added is The Brooklyn Barge. @bkbargebar
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Bill Baker's is closed
We've just learned that Bill Baker's in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is now permanently closed. Therefore it has been deleted from these pages, sadly. That came as a shock as it was only open for about 7 months, and always had a great beer list. Williamsburg keeps losing great craft beer bars for some reason. Excessive rents have been the cause elsewhere...
The Bronx Brewery is now open daily
Entry updated accordingly. Also, they sometimes put on live music - the relevant icon is added.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Cardiff Giant
This New York State-only bar in Clinton Hill opened yesterday and is duly added.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: As Is NYC
No frills craft bar, another good beer destination opens in Hell's Kitchen.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Brado
Thin crust pizza meets craft beer in the former Brooklyn Waterfront Ale House space.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Lupulo
Lupulo, Portuguese for hops, is a new entry with a blue tick.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Dirck the Norseman is no longer commemorated in Greenpoint
Greenpoint Beer and Ale Company's brewpub has been renamed from Dirck the Norseman to simply just the name of the brewery housed on site. Dirck was one of the original immigrant settlers in Greenpoint a few centuries ago. The brewpub is unchanged otherwise. Too bad Dirck, you had a few months of fame locally. :)
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Brewery Addition: ICONYC. Also two new forthcomings added.
ICONYC, the so far rather elusive new brewery in Long Island City, is now added to the brewery section. There is no taproom. Wartega and Lineup are two new start-ups which plan to share the same space in Brooklyn.
Northern Spy Food Company has closed
Damn! That place was good.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Brouwerij Lane has a new manager, upgraded to blue star (as in don't miss!).
Kim Mercado, of Tørst fame, is now managing Brouwerij Lane. It didn't take long for the place to be upgraded to blue star, as the tap range is out of this world.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Beer Closet
Initially opened as just a beer store, Beer Closet has just been transformed into a very cool bar-store hybrid. There are over 200 craft beers in bottles and cans to choose from, with keg taps coming soon. I gave this an 'honourable mention' blue tick. A very welcome new place to hang out in Long Island City.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Banter now has a cask engine, upgraded to blue star recommendation.
Banter, previously awarded a blue tick (honourable mention), installed a cask beer engine yesterday. That blue tick is now upgraded to a blue star, the highest recommendation level from me (Alex). And, bonus for me, it physically went onto the bar top as I was there watching Brighton & Hove Albion clobber Brentford 3-0. Very nice! @banterbrooklyn
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Bottle and Bine
The recently opened Bottle and Bine has been added with a 'blue tick' honourable mention from me. The rotating tap list is well chosen, check this place out.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Cask Marque re-accreditations
Keg & Lantern Brewing Company and Jones Wood Foundry have both reapplied for Cask Marque, and have passed. They are accredited for the rest of 2016, and the icon on their respective pages is duly reinstated.
New Guide Entry: Milk and Hops (Chelsea)
Opened today, straight in as a top pick (blue star). Very impressed.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: The Wilky
The Wilky is a new beer bar in far eastern Bedford-Stuyvesant, bringing good craft beers to an area previously lacking in that department. We wish them the best of luck for the future.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Chelsea Craft Brewing Company
The new incarnation of Chelsea Brewery, formerly a brewpub on Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, will open to the public on Saturday 9th January 2016. Located in The Bronx, this is a production brewery rather than a brewpub - but there is a taproom area with plenty of seating. Note the review and accompanying photos were done a few days before opening, but several weeks after brewing commenced.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Cask Marque lapses
I've had to pull the icons from three bars Cask Marque accredited which didn't renew for Jan-Dec 2016.
New Guide Entry: District Social
The new sister bar to District Tap House is now open.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Listing removed: Vintner Wine Market (Beer Market & Bistro)
We no longer recommend this place due to service issues.
New Guide Entry: Coney Island Brewing Co.
The rebuilt Coney Island Brewery opened in August, and is duly added (better late than never).
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Strong Rope Brewery
NYC's latest brewery and taproom opens officially to the public on 17th December 2015.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Milk and Hops
This excellent hybrid bar and store is added with an 'honourable mention' tag.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: The Baroness Bar
The number of worthy places to visit in Long Island City has grown with the addition of The Baroness.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
New Guide Entry: Rattle 'n' Hum West
Rattle 'n' Hum West, sister bar to the original Rattle 'n' Hum near the Empire State Building, opened on 2nd December 2015. It is located just off 8th Avenue, near the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Check out our Guide entry via the red info button by the header of this news update.
Listing removed: dba
Before this site has even been officially launched, with a heavy heart I have had to pull pioneering craft and cask beer bar 'dba' from the listings. Founded by the late Ray Deter and Dennis Zentek in the 1990s, this was an early mecca for lovers of good beer in the early days of the craft beer revolution. Following on from the untimely passing of Ray, then Dennis, the bar was sold in 2014. Despite promising to keep it going unchanged (apart from a welcome tidying up), the knowlegeable beer manager was laid off after a few months and the range took an instant nosedive into the low altitude of a mix of cheap swill and the most basic craft kegs. There are no casks anymore apparently. This is the original 'dba', there was a second in Brooklyn which closed in 2014. Another 'dba' still exists in New Orleans, which should still be good. Ray and Dennis had a motto for the bar: 'Drink Good Stuff'. It's too bad the new owner has sadly eschewed that phrase.
Start-up brewery news: Kings County Brewing Collective
We have some good news to report, the start-up Kings County Brewing Collective (KCBC) have just signed the lease to an industrial building at 381 Troutman Street, Brooklyn NY 11237. This is in the heart of Bushwick, and very close to the top-picked Sampler beer bar and bottle shop. Congratulations to all at KCBC, cheers!