The Toasted Owl Tavern

Bar, Eatery

21 Main Street
Northampton, Massachusetts, 01060
United States

(413) 584-8666 | map
toastedowl.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.65
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
12
pDev:
11.23%
View: Place Reviews
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Photo of DuaneL
Reviewed by DuaneL from Delaware

4.5/5  rDev +23.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
This is a very good tap room, way above average with 27 taps. The bartender named Mike was very knowledgeable about the beers. A good mixture of local beers mixed with other craft beers from all over. Pints are rather pricey at about eight dollars, at least a dollar higher than the most pricey pints in Delaware, so that's a bit of a gulp.
Mar 29, 2023
 
Rated: 4.32 by smb71481 from Vermont

Jan 08, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by Stagga_Lee from Massachusetts

Aug 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by bigcatv8 from Connecticut

Jul 25, 2014
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 2.5
We were headed to the Dirty Truth, but they are too cool or to sophisticated or something to have a playoff Baseball game on the tube..so just a few doors down this place met our needs for a decent TV, decent beer and a bite to eat.

Basically its a sports bar, with about 12 mediocre, but not terrible taps...60 minute IPA, SNPA and a few from the Berkshire Brewing Co. were the "highlights", as I recall...we tried some pizza, which was pretty lausy. But hey, most pizza in Mass. sucks IMHO. Decent enough place to watch a game on several large flat screens, you will find something worth drinking, food is not going past typical bar grub.

One note, its an oval bar with a large open area in the middle, the two female bartenders were done up, all sexy like, approaching a strip bar athmosphere...I dont know maybe I need to get out more often...
Oct 10, 2011
Photo of cbutova
Reviewed by cbutova from Massachusetts

3.44/5  rDev -5.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3
Went here a few times when I lived in Northampton, mostly when my friends wanted to go and I tagged along. It is usually quite busy and has aloud atmosphere, dark lighting and some TVs with sports on. The bar is in the center of the room with ample seating all around it. Dark and loud.

The selection is decent, I mostly remember macros as well as Guiness, Arrogant Bastard, Dogfish 60 Minute and local things like Berkshire. A large selection of spirits and cocktails, full bar. The bartenders are usually quite fast and attentive. Doesn't cater to beer nerds but mostly pint glass pours.

The overall mood of this place seems like one where singles go to mingle in Downtown Northampton. The crowd is usually college aged or a little older and not the BA type. Not a bad place but I would rather go to many other places in the Northampton area.
Sep 07, 2011
Photo of ryan1788a5
Reviewed by ryan1788a5 from Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
This bar is directly connected to Fitzwilly's, but the two bars couldn't be more different. The Toasted Owl is really a sports bar. There are several big HD T.V.s on the wall, as well as booths with their own small flat-screens. The whole bar is wood paneled, and small owl trinkets and a few pictures round out the decor. The large oval shaped bar sits in the middle of everything, leaving only narrow passages on either side of it to get to back of the bar and to the bathrooms (which are pretty grimy). This makes things feel tight and claustrophobic when the bar gets packed. The crowd is young, mostly college age people and a few thirty-somethings, many of whom are regulars.

Service is good. The bartenders are all young busty women clad in tight black tank-tops. They are friendly and attentive. At times you can find yourself waiting a bit for a drink when it gets crowded, but the staff really does the best they can.

The selection is better than your average bar, but nothing impressive. They have Arrogant Bastard, Harpoon IPA, Dogfish Head 60 minute, Long Trail pale ale, and seasonals from Sam Adams, BBC, and other locals on tap most of the time. There is also a small bottles menu with a few other craft options. The beer usually always tastes right, though I did have a bottle that was well past its prime once.

I like this place, and I find that I spend more of my time here than any other Northampton bar. It can get packed and raucous at times, but take it for what it is and you will have a good time. It's a great spot to bring the guys and cause a little mischief (just a little). Having said that, there are times when I do get sick of it and need to stay away for a month or so. I always find my way back though.
Sep 22, 2010
Photo of fitzy84
Reviewed by fitzy84 from Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -13.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
There not too long ago and I have been there a couple of times with friends. Connected with Fitzwilly's restaurant and right off route 9, the Toasted Owl is more social than cozy.

On a sports night or a weekend night, I would not expect many seats available. This place gets packed even though its a medium sized place. Quasi-rectangular long bar in the center with some seatings on the side, I have been lucky sometimes and been able to sit or I have been standing. Some high chair tables near the the window and some booths to the side that even have small TV's to them. They built the place with lumber and wood, giving it a somewhat cozy illusion. But this place is definitely for a fun, social time.

Beers are decent in selection. Many BBC brands and usual suspects like Guinness. The food there is pretty good. Their food is the same level of deliciousness as Fitzwilly appetizers. I have had personal pizzas with the wife a couple of times and they are pretty good.

Waitstaff come around here and there but they need more people I would say. But even with more staff, the crowded nights would still be a hassle.

For Northampton, its not bad in price and its decently social. I would recommend it but I would suggest a few other places if your in the area.
Jun 17, 2008
Photo of currysage1
Reviewed by currysage1 from Maine

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
We used to live within walking distance to this bar, and it was a place we went to to seek out good food, beer, and atmosphere. I watched the Red Sox take the 2007 World Series from this bar. Therefore it holds alot of sentiment for me.

Besides that the beer offerings here are not to bad. Most of it consists of majorly sponsered imports, but good imports still. Also they offer a few of the Berkshire Brewing lineup. My favorite being the Steel Rail Pale Ale.

Their Buffalo wings are some of the best I have had in a long time. My girlfriend and I are kind of wing nuts, afficionado's, connoisseurs, or what have you. Either way their wings are dynamite. They have a taco special that is a great price but not that great on quaulity. Still worth it either way.

Atmosphere is nice, lots of dark wood, the bartenders are semi-knowledgeable. Not too loud, which is nice.

Would definately recommend.
Jan 25, 2008
Photo of Freshie
Reviewed by Freshie from Massachusetts

3.34/5  rDev -8.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 4
This was my first visit to Northhampton and I was pleasantly surprised. A sort of oasis in the sticks.

The Toasted Owl rests comfortably off a main drag, so to say.

Not to small, not too big, with a very comfortable decor. Low Lighting, round bar, some extra seating. Went on a Red Sox v. Yankee night, so seating was scarce. The layout is a little hard to figure out. Old mill, yet trendy, nice wood inlays and moldings.

Three different Berkshire Brewing Co. on Tap, Steel Rail, River Ale, Lost Sailor IPA. Other Offerings included, Red Tale, DFH 60 minute, Magic Hat, Guiness, Harpoon IPA, Spaten, and I think some Paper City.

Also, the Toasted owl is connected to Fitzwilly's which is more of a resturant, but also has a nice bar and similar tap offerings. So you get two good beer bars in the same trip.

I hope to return if I am in Northhampton again.

Cheers!
Aug 19, 2006
Photo of packetknife
Reviewed by packetknife from Idaho

3.15/5  rDev -13.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 2 | selection: 3 | food: 3
Good location, decent menu, pleasant crowd. A bit overcrowded even with respect to the general hip-to-hop packing of NoHo locations. Nice wooden round-tables with good chairs but again a bit packed together making it difficult to move around in. The only real complain was the bar service as the poor waitstaff is at the mercy of tenders who keep pouring the wrong pint. The menu is OK but not fantastic. The pricing is about the same but perhaps a little better than other places in NoHo. Kept clean, easy on the brain, and generally a good place.
Feb 06, 2006
Photo of Airk
Reviewed by Airk from Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Cool circular bar lends a nice roundtable feel, or makes the bartender the monkey in the middle, depending on your point of view. Layout makes conversation easier for those notoriously reticent New Englanders. The huge, high ceiling and a massive mirror make the space seem even larger than it is, which comes as a welcome change from other area bars that feel like they were constructed by burrowing creatures (not always a bad thing!).

Beer: Nice selection, about 16 drafts, with New England beers well-represented: three BBCs (including for winter Cabin Fever), Allagash, Long Trail, Magic Hat (#9, sadly), plus DFH 60. There are only a couple macros wasting tap space. $3.50 - $3.75 for pretty much everything you'd want to drink.

Burgers are a great deal here, running around $3 for a decent burger and a side of fries. The house spicy ketchup rocks. Really, this is something that keeps me coming back.

The mini tvs in two of the booths are a bit much for my tastes, but if you like the idea of sitting inches away from a tv, knock yourself out. Only on airplanes, I say. Still, it's a welcome addition to the Valley's landscape.
Dec 03, 2005
The Toasted Owl Tavern in Northampton, MA
Place rating: 3.65 out of 5 with 12 ratings