Jimmy's No. 43

Jimmy's No. 43Jimmy's No. 43
Jimmy's No. 43Jimmy's No. 43
Bar, Eatery

43 E 7th St
New York, New York, 10003-8011
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.01
Reviews:
23
Ratings:
33
pDev:
11.97%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.04 by smithj4 from New York

Jul 14, 2016
 
Rated: 3.98 by user785335 from Florida

Dec 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4.08 by Gajo74 from New York

Jan 18, 2015
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Reviewed by CRJMellor from Arkansas

4.59/5  rDev +14.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
Stopped in while family was out in NYC. Pretty small subterranean space but adds to the vibe and appeal. Selection was fairly small yet very diverse and well thought out. Service was off the charts good and beet related discussion was fantastic.
Dec 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by jkinny from Texas

Dec 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by maviola from New York

Nov 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by HoppyBeerSista from New Jersey

Sep 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by JoeMans from New York

Aug 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by yancot from Canada (ON)

Mar 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by sirsteve42 from New York

Jan 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by DarthGuitarHero from Minnesota

Dec 07, 2013
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Reviewed by SpeedwayJim from New York

2.5/5  rDev -37.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 1.5 | selection: 2 | food: 3.75
I used to frequent this little dive craft beer bar since St. Marks is one of my favorite areas in NYC. However, I was unfortunate enough to attend the New Year's Event here one time and I can say with confidence, I'll never go back. Possibly the worst beer-related experience of my life.

Atmosphere here is usually pretty good. Its down in a basement and pretty divey but for people who want a nice, quiet, out-of-the-way place to enjoy a decent beer, its more than serviceable.

Quality is decent. Beer is served at the correct temperatures though it seems like the pour size dictates the glassware type, not the beer style so keep that in mind if you're a stickler for such things. Overall though, nothing to complain about.

Service is pretty much who can stuff money in front of bartender first. Reminds me of a saloon in the wild west. If you find yourself at the end of the bar, prepare to be "that guy" or else be SOL.

At the New Year's event, the bartender that was taking care of us had no clue about the beer she was serving though she was nice enough. What was irritating was that the event stated there would be "special" beers served. When we got there, all there was, was flowing beer from the regular taps and about 3, 3 ounce pours from cheap self beers such as Maine Zoe, De Dolle Export Stout, and another off-the-shelf beer I can't remember. That wouldn't have been so bad except for the fact that the owner himself, Jimmy Carbone, was sitting at a table with a bunch of his female friends pulling out bottle after bottle of Drie Fonteinen and Cantillon for the table. What the heck? The whole night I wondered why the real "special" beers were only reserved for people the owner knew. And if all that wasn't enough, the "Champagne Toast" that was supposed to come at mindnight.... well... never came. No one came around to pour the champagne before the ball drop and I left absolutely disgusted that I had chosen to spend New Year's here.

Food is decent but super overpriced and the portions are unimpressive. Pretty par for the course for a NYC bar though.

Jimmy's 43 is, overall a pretty run-of-the-mill craft beer bar that serves just enough taps and has just enough bottles to call itself a dedicated craft bar. The tap selection is never impressive and the bottles are way, way overpriced ($50 for Parabola, $65 for Black Ops). Also, keep in mind that you should never, ever go there for a special event unless you're lucky enough to know the owner or else you're in for a real rip-off.
Jan 25, 2013
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Reviewed by LittleDon from Texas

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
A small rathskeller-esque eatery in NoHo with a fun tap selection and decent food selection.

I don't get much of a chance to visit NYC, so I was excited when a recent business trip had me staying in the City. Since I only had one night, and I wanted someplace that was different. Since this place came highly rated by BA and NYMag.com, it sounded like the perfect place.

The atmosphere is a definite throwback, with a basement bar/rathskeller feel. Very small with limited seating. I would imagine the place could easily fill up, although there were still a few table tops available on the Wednesday night I was there. While the beer selection wasn't big, it was very admirable. Rotating taps every day or so along with a medium-small sized bottle selection (everyday + specialty list). Draft prices were fine, but the bottles seemed a bit on the high side (particularly for the more unusual stuff). Having arrived there close to the time the kitchen opened, there was some confusion over what all was available for beer and food (the menus for the day were ready about 15 minutes after I arrived). The attentive service made up for this minor inconvenience.

Food consisted of small plates and I had a chance to sample about 2/3 of what was made. Everything was well prepared, good but not great.

With so many great places in NYC, it's hard to say that I'd make an effort to return. If, however, I was in the area and I was looking for a decent beer, I'd certainly be back.
May 23, 2012
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Reviewed by dbrauneis from North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Jimmy's is down in the basement and you could easily walk by it without even noticing it. The place is dark and a little run down on the inside but I did not come with high expectations on the decor. I have to say this place had one of the grossest bathrooms I have encountered - kind of reminded me of the one in Trainspotting.

I think the selection of beers here is usually pretty good but was excellent because they had a brewery beer dinner the evening before so a lot of those beers were available as well at brunch time. Beers were well poured and served in appropriate glassware though perhaps a little on the cold side.

The food is quite good at brunch time and we enjoyed what we ordered.

Service was good, waitstaff was attentive and we were well looked after with prompt delivery of our food and beverages by friendly folks.
Mar 19, 2012
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Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3
After visiting McSorley's, I walked down on Seventh Street looking for Jimmy's. I missed it! Looked around and back and saw the sign. Who would have thought? This joint is in a basement! Sort of those "hidden" speakeasies that proliferate in the East Village.

Unlike McSorley's, Jimmy's was totally empty when I visited on a Monday at 3:30 pm. Hipster-ish bartender (beard and beret on tow) was friendly but reserved.

I inspected their 11 taps and was not impressed. Lots of locals and regionals (Bronx Pale Ale, Crossroads, Barrier, Wandering Star) and Sierra Celebration, Pretty Things, Nickel Brook Headstack IPA out of Cali. OK, but boring, and too heavy on the IPA's. No variety, everything under 6.0%. Hopefully this is not always the case?

Small and pricey bottle menu, with a lot of European beer (Harviestoun, Ridgeway, Nogne) and 4 vintage beers. Some good ciders too, like the Basque Isastegi.

It is cash only, which I don't like. Their food menu (didn't try because it is not served untl 5:30 pm) is small but appealing, with a focus on local ingredients. They have beer events and dinners, which is always a cool thing.

The best thing about Jimmy's is the ambience. Cave-like, cozy, warm, with nooks and crannies to explore and great music to boot (Whiskeytown, a band to remember). Reminded me of the bar downstairs at Brewer's Art in Baltimore.

Very relaxed overall, although I'm sure it can get crazy and loud at night. Prices were fair- $6 for most pints, one dollar more for 20-oz imperial servings.

I will be back.
Dec 03, 2011
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Reviewed by Rifugium from North Dakota

3.55/5  rDev -11.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 2
Of the three neighboring beer bars in the Lower East Side--along with Standings and Burp Castle--I think I like this one the best. Located directly underneath Standings, Jimmy's has a nice beer-lover's atmosphere and serves a good selection of beer, with 10 taps, a cask, some bottles. Limited menu--mainly apps and price fixe--but it's still something, as opposed to the other two places which don't serve food regularly. Still, the food I had wasn't really anything special: sausage appetizer was basically a $7 pizza topping. Staff is ok, friendly but a bit unattentive.
Apr 29, 2011
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Reviewed by TheBrewo from New York

4.14/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
We found ourselves to have a bit of extra time before the show we were in the city to see, was to start, so we ventured here for a pre-performance brew.

Located on a quiet street in downtown Manhattan, Jimmy's No. 43 is a small space situated below street level. You descend to the bar on a grated staircase. As you walk down you pass large pane windows, allowing for dim peeks into the space. You enter into the bar area, with the bar itself directly in front of you, and a small seating area off to the right. There is a back area as well, with a second bar that was seemingly used for storage purposes. The bar seating is minimal, with only about seven seats. The countertop is a clean, light colored marble, and the stools, seats, and tables, are of an old fashioned wood design. The lighting is low, with the space lit primarily by low hanging stained glass lantern types, with a few table lamps around the bar. The overall effect is this warm, orange glow that permeates to the dark corners of the room. The walls are hung with stag antlers, photos, and portrait paintings, possessing a pleasing, amateur quality. There are also some smudged (in a non-offensive way) mirrors hanging around, which give off this "creepy" or 'haunted" vibe. The bar's backing was decorated with a variety of ceiling-hung glassware. The very top of the walls, going all the way around the room, is studded with oak barrels, set deep into the wall.

While we didn't sample the food, the menu looked a bit small. The offerings, however, seem upscale, with an emphasis on German and Italian ingredients. There are also boasts of local ingredients, including New York state oysters and cheeses. Many of the "plates" are cooked with some type of beer, naturally. We did get free pretzels with our drinks. Anyone hungry should be able to find something tasty to complement their drink selection.

After looking over the beer menu, and chatting with the bartender, we were each served a glass of Avery's Old Jubilation. This and eleven other beers were on tap. They had roughly twice that number in bottles. The selection was heavily German and other Europeans (including a Finnish beer!). Of the American selections, the favor was to west coast micros, with the likes of Lagunitas, Green Flash, Stone, and Bear Republic. There was also a "Vintage Bottle" selection, but the prices were more than enough for us to avoid it for the evening. For the non-beer drinkers, they also have a standard wine selection.

Overall, this was a nice place to stop in and have a drink. The atmosphere is cozy, feeling more like a friend's old basement than a bar. The staff is nice enough, and the bartender seemed knowledgeable. For the nice selection of beer they have, it wasn't that crowded for a Saturday night, and the crowd there was reasonably quiet, as you could hear the 70's and 80's music station playing over them. One thing we were surprised by was the fact that it is a cash bar only, so be sure to hit the ATM before heading down here. Ultimately, it seems like a perfect place to go with some buddies for a casual evening, or with a beer-appreciating date or significant other before a show.
Nov 28, 2010
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Reviewed by ChazRaps from New York

5/5  rDev +24.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
It's the first place I tell people to go whenever they visit New York City. An amazing selection at prices that everyone can appreciate, this gem in the heart of Greenwich Village is everything a bar should hope for. Intimate, Intellectually stimulating and Unpretentious, it's perfect for experts to be introduced to new favorites and casual drinkers to become enthusiasts.

I've spent the majority of my time there drinking, but what I've had of the food has been stellar. I rate the food as exceptional as well because, as a Midwesterner, the grits at Jimmy's are the only thing even close to the high level of quality I've experienced at home.

On long nights there with friends, the bartenders and waitstaff not only help set the friendly atmosphere, but are knowledgeable enough to always suggest the perfect new beer for us to sample. It's everything you could want from a bar in safe environment. Highly recommended.
May 26, 2010
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Reviewed by spacecowboy from New Jersey

2.45/5  rDev -38.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2 | service: 2 | selection: 3 | food: 3
Incredibly disappointed with my experience here.

Went for the event with Chuck Silva during NYCBW. Sat down to eat first and the service was terrible and the food was ok, but I expected better from reviews I've read about the place. It took a whole hour for me to get my steak entree, to find my potato puree replaced by poorly done potato chips.

As far as beer, the servers didn't seem knowledgeable and the bartender poured the wrong beer for me twice.

The night was saved by the event with Chuck, which was fantastic to have that kind of conversation with a brewmaster.
Nov 01, 2009
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Reviewed by mltobin from Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +5.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
It is a basement bar in New York City right near St. Mark`s Place.
Stepping out from the hot sun into a dimly light bar was quite a change, but the overall atmosphere at Jimmy`s No.43 is fairly pleasant, with a good mix of patrons of all ages and backgrounds.
Service is very good here from a knowledgeable staff. The selection includes a cask in addition to about 9 other taps. It was about 70% american craft beers and 30% smaller european taps. I went for the Green Flash cask IPA, great beer by the way. I met some cool people here and had a fun time, will be back.
May 02, 2009
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Reviewed by jm429 from Georgia

4.8/5  rDev +19.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
First time I went to Jimmy's was right after I turned 21. I got Young's Double Chocolate on draft and ended up on a stout kick for the next two weeks. Jimmy's is also host to the NYC DAT's beer tastings. I made it to their beer, cheese, and chocolate one. It was extremely educational and the pairings were excellent. Back to Jimmy's: the atmosphere is great. The bar isn't too big, but they have larger section with tables and a nice space to rent out in the back. The selection changes, but it's always superb. The staff is pretty great and the prices are good.
Mar 03, 2009
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Reviewed by SeanRedd from New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
On Halloween night I was invited to a bar to let my inhibitions go and partake in NYC Halloween chaos. I found myself in a private party, dodging a burlesque belly dancer's fireball, while getting my pockets stuffed with condoms by adolescent girls dressed as fairy tale characters. This was my introduction to Jimmy's No. 43. I recently stopped by again by chance and was remarkably impressed. The atmosphere was quiet, serene, and cozy. I felt so at home, almost inebriated by the space. The inebriation increased when I dove into a goblet of Sixpoint's Gorilla Stout. The pasta I ordered was incredible, and I couldnt stop stealing the little potatoes from my girlfriend's plate. I thought to myself...this place is badass, and that was before I made friends with the staff and laughed through a conversation accompanied by a pint of Magic Hat Lucky Kat. All I know is...I'm going again, and telling people this place is something to check out. Food:Great, Selection:Good, Staff:Friendly, Decor:Awesome. The place is as memorable to me as that night of debauchery, and doesn't even need Lil Bo Peep or Red Riding Hood to keep a smile on my face.
Jun 15, 2008
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Reviewed by rousee from Massachusetts

4.06/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
I have been by this place a bunch of times and I dont know how I missed it. Anyway, it is a sub-terranean place --you walk down some narrow winding stairs and enter.

Once you enter, the bar is kind of off to the left and it has a real cool atmosphere. The architecture in here is nice also as it has vaulted brick ceilings with lots of little nooks and small rooms around the corners of the place.

The beer and overall drink selection on everything in here is very well thought out and these guys are into offering stuff that is hard to find. I got a Christoffel blond which I had never heard of or seen before. It is a Belgian pilsener which I didnt even realize was a style that the Belgians made. It definitely had some gold malty characteristics that youd associate with a Pilsener but it clearly had that vinous Belgian aspect involved as well. It was quite good and they mention that they are the only bar in NYC that has it available on tap. For a current listing of what they have available I'd recommend referring to their website which looks like it is updated with some regularity.

Service was friendly and attentive and prices were kind of typical NYC. Kind of expensive but not so high that you wouldnt go here. Overall, I loved this place and definitely will be returning.
Jun 12, 2008
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Reviewed by paulie from Connecticut

4.06/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Stopped in after dinner last night. As others have said, the place is cozy but not cramped. Lively crowd and lots of people coming in for the movie in the back. But it was never too loud for conversation nor too crowded to move about easily. We got a seat at the bar immediately.

One thing I loved to see: They poured a lot of high end beer. Lots of beer bars have two dozen micros on tap but 90% of what they serve is macro. The result is slow-moving kegs and old casks. Jimmy's moves a lot of the good stuff. No off-flavors from dirty lines or old kegs.

Beer selection is more than adequate and all very high quality. I do wish it were a tad broader. Lots of Belgians, including more than a few sour styles, and lots of IPAs. Not a whole lot of other styles and no session beers that I could see. I had a brown ale from the cask (fresh, just the right temp) and a tripel (too cold, but served in the right glassware). Those plus dinner had made me feel kinda full, so I went looking for something lighter. It looked like Bitburger Pils was my only option. (I switched to ice water.)

The bartender was attentive and knowledgeable. Everything was served in the more or less the right glassware. She did push a rye pale ale on my friend, but I think that was because the manager was hovering and he wanted her to. As soon as he got busy elsewhere, she stopped pushing it. Otherwise, service was great.

My one gripe is really my own pet peeve: something was badly unbalanced in the taps right in front of us and all the beers were coming out 80% foam. The bartender ended up dumping as much as she poured trying to get full glasses. Not only are we paying for all that wasted beer (although prices were not bad), but it just seems like a lack of respect. Some of that stuff had been lovingly brewed in Belgium and carted all the way here only to be dumped down the drain. That's not right. If I go back, I'm going to suggest they get their system balanced.

Otherwise, a very enjoyable place. If I lived in Manhattan, this would be a regular spot.
Mar 28, 2008
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Reviewed by RichThatchr from Florida

4.36/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
I visited this underground bar for the first time last night and found it to be one of the mostly welcoming and comfortable places I had been to outside of the National Arts. My friends and I relaxed and drank from the menu that was presented while great aromas emanated from the kitchen in the back of the place.
The waitress was interesting as she seemed to vanish and reappear with a smile while we were discussing the highlights of our bar hopping that day. I didn't spend a lot of time evaluating the place as I knew after 5 minutes that it was easily one of the most welcoming I had been to.
Dec 09, 2007
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Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
LOVE JIMMY'S!!! It's literally next to Burp Castle, so you really can't go wrong. I love the comfortable basement/speakeasy feeling that comes with the low vaulted ceiling, the yellowed cream and orange walls, the wooden barrels, and the mounted deer heads. It's just cozy!

The bar can get pretty tight, but it's not like one of those over-crowded three deep bars as you might, just barely might, be able to fit 15 people in front of it! I think there are 5 seats at the bar, and 13 altogether in the bar area with the table by the stairs.

But grab a table because the food is good! ...limited, but good. Try the cheese plate (how can you mess that up?), and the scallops!!!

The beer selection is pretty good, and they also pour some cask at the back bar. It's a pretty good mix of interesting imports and locals (Chelsea, Captain Lawrence, Six Point, Greenpoint... I've oddly never seen Brooklyn...?).

It is slightly pricey though, but I say slightly because it is Manhattan after all.
Jul 04, 2007
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Reviewed by slander from New York

4.05/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
There's absolutely nothing on the internet about this. I know, 'cause I stayed late at work last night and looked and looked. And very little to be found in the library except in the secret back room at the main branch where you have to sign out the one book that tells what's what, but apparently none of the first 13 Jimmy's endeavors (each one named with successive prime numbers), have boded well. I don't know if they were in bad neighborhoods, lousy timing, lack of parking or what. I believe you just need the right prime number in your name is all, and I think 43 is it...

Downstairs, in the underneath where Brewski's used to be before Standings stood in, it's a neat little place. A google search for "Rathskellar" will probably bring you up pictures of Jimmy's if you want to see for yourself, this cavernous, subterranean haven for fierce velociraptors if ever there was one. A small 5 seat straight bar over in the front corner, with really no to-do in the way of a barback or props. Beyond there, 4 low tables and a raised longer table forward a rear service bar and 4 tables in a small half room off of that. A side hallway serving as a gallery with displayed art, and then there's a party room behind the red curtain where the do movies and music. Paneled windows to the front offer staircase views. Archways cut through the walls done white stucco over dark wood paneled lowers beneath curved arched brick ceilings, rows of old casks on racks above the seating areas and the bar, large framed mirrors, a few prints and small pictures, and a pair of antlers here, a tap handle display there. Low lighting throughout with infrequent drop lanterns, but small glass candles on all the tables, bars, and wall mounted shelves lend pleasant ambiance.

A dozen taps, locals (Sixpoint Global Warmer & Bengali Tiger IPA, Chelsea Hoppy Holidays & Imperial Stout), regional (Yuengling) and imports (Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux, Dentergems Wit, De Ranke Guldenberg, Belhaven Ale, Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted, Radeberger Pils, Weihenstephaner Hefe), on a single tower on the bar and a cask (Sixpoint Brownstone) in the corner.

Also, a small tight bottle list made up of a dozen or so good imports (Orval, Achel Blond & Brune, Chimay Blue, De Ranke XX Bitter, Duvel, Bink Bruin, Ayinger Celebrator, Schneider Edel Weisse, Unibroue La Fin Du monde, Hitachino Nest White Ale, Harviestoun Old Engine Oil), a few large bottles (Stone Smoked Porter, Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout & Organic Lager, Ridgeway Lump of Coal) and a handful of vintage beers ('94 Rogue Old Crustacean, '03 George Gale's Christmas Ale, '94 Samichlaus). The beer menu lists the bottles choices in "bins" numbered into the 500's so I suspect they're sitting on some goods here and rotate the bottled offerings frequently.

And dinner trouble again, this time a great cup of gumbo (there was heat), and the free range skirt steak, grilled veges and mashed potatoes. Also, some (cast iron) skillet seared sea scallops, skillet seared sea scallops, skillet seared sea scallops, skillet seared sea scallops (say that 4 times fast, to yourself, quietly, elsewhere).

Service was pleasant but slightly off attentive. All in all in all in all, good stuff, I don't think they'll be having to roll out to the next prime number. Jimmy's is exactly why we should venture down them unfamiliar basement stairs sometimes.
Feb 28, 2007
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Reviewed by MEANxOLDxTOM from New York

3.7/5  rDev -7.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
So overall I can't really say anything bad about this place.

When you walk in there is a dining room that is long an narrow, and bar to the right, and another dinning room that runs parallel to the first, but is not connected. The about the top of the room there are what appear to be old wine barrels, and the place is dimly lit and cozy. Music was kinda alt-country, but I was surprised that I did not recognize any of the tunes.

The bar tenders were friendly and quick....They have a very nice import and local based beer list....one thing that I found a little odd was that every beer that was imported by the Shelton Brothers was pointed out specifically... I figured that if they were going to point this out that it was not out of the question to ask about it, but bar tenders did not know.

Beer wise they have a probably 8 tap and a cask...as well as a nice bottle list. On tap this past weekend they has St. Brenardus abt 12($10 goblet), La Chouffe($9 goblet), Sixpoint Otis Oatmeal Stout on Cask($8 imperial pint), Sixpoint IPA, Cimay Tripel, and several others.

A very relaxed environment and I imagine quite nice if you are lucky enough to get a table.
Feb 19, 2007
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Reviewed by GreatPondBrewer from California

4.14/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
I am surprised this place is not spoken of more often in the NY beer scene. It is very quiet and out of the way despite being in something of an epicenter as far as drinking culture and nightlife in general are concerned.

Jimmy's has a very relaxed environment lending in part to being in a basement and in part to the overall decor of the establishment. The lights are low, the tables wooden, the music quiet. It is a location both slipshod and evoking sentiment of centuries gone by. I can easily imagine this place to be something of a smaller version of the vast cavern-like beer cellars of München or side street public houses of London or York.

The beer itself is quite good and lends the appropriate flavor to an already inviting atmosphere. I had the good fortune of going to Jimmy's several afternoons ago for a special tasting of Sixpoint beers. They had an oatmeal stout (both cask and draught) the Tiger IPA, a huge Belgian strong dark called Encore as well as at least half a dozen other taps randing from German mainstays and small Belgian breweries to some more local craft beers. Clearly the establishment takes beer seriously and it is nice to see since the Village can be a bit of a waste land as far as beer goes (minus Jimmy's neighbor and Hop Devil/Belgian Cellar).

All in all I would love to be able to spend more time at Jimmy's and am glad I finally wandered down the stairs to see what it was about.
Feb 13, 2007
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Reviewed by Tbone from Illinois

4.06/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
They had about a dozen well chosen, quality drafts including Aventinius Doppelweizenbock ($8 for 24oz, a great deal), a Quadruple from somewhere I can't recall, and Wittekerke Belgian Wit, and several others.

It's a very cool space with brick scalloped cielings, archways and wooden casks lining the walls. They looked like the had some high quality food, but we did not eat.

When we got there on a Friday there appeared to only a couple other people. However, there's is a secret room towards the back on the left behind a red velvet curtain. Inside were about 15 people sitting in the dark watching the 1974 film "Taking of Pelham One Two Three". According to the guy I asked, the owner shows a film of his choice most Fridays.

This place is good whether out on a date or hanging with a group of friends.
May 29, 2006
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Reviewed by Hibernator from Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Stopped by Jimmy's on a Saturday night. It's located below street level, down the stairs and into a small room. There is additional seating with rooms in the back. The atmosphere was pretty cozy with dim lighting and candles. A rather small bar area is located on the side with wooden tables for seating throughout. Wooden casks decorate the area above the bar.

I noticed about 8-10 draft lines. Some draft highlights included La Chouffe, Chimay Cinq Cents, Ayinger Brau Weisse, Aventinus, Smuttynose IPA and Strubbe Pilsner. There is a nice focus on quality here. All of the beers I tried were fresh and poured in proper glassware, including a very sweet Aventinus glass.

Overall, a solid little bar with some great imports on tap. They also have a room that hosts shows or live jazz music. Worth checking out, but not worth going out of your way for.
Apr 15, 2006
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Reviewed by bultrey from New York

4.05/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Bethy and I stumbled into this place after catching the awesome Flaming Lips show at Webster Hall, and since it was pretty much a few blocks away, it made sense to finally check it out. Bethy was wary after we found the weird looking Standings/Burp Castle complex with its chain link cage, and became even more suspicious when I started leading her down into a dimly lit basement. "Don't worry, trust me," I said, "People have been saying good things about it, and I trust those people." Well, it turns out those people were right.

Quite the basement feel to this place, all dark wood and dimly lit, with an interesting ceiling made from curved wood planks, which is reminiscent of an oak barrel or such. There are also some actual wood casks lining the top of the wall, to remind you that the M.O. here is definitely beer. There is a little room to your left (about four tables), a littler room to your right (with a couple tables and the six-person bar), and a much larger room in the back of that, in which there was private gathering when we stopped in.

So it was around 10:30 PM on Sat. when we stopped in, and although there was no one greeting customers at the door, I just yelled over to the bartender that we wanted food and ale, and we wanted it now, damn it. She kindly said to take any table we wanted, which we did. We found some food menus and beer menus sitting there, and a friendly waitress came by soon thereafter to take our order.

Nice little beer selection here, about 8 well-chosen drafts, and 20 bottles. A little extra focus on Belgians and Germans here, with a couple of Chimays, Maredsous 8, De Koninck, Aventinus, on draft; St. Bernardus 8, Corsendonk Pale and Brown, Ommegang, Strubbe Pilsner, Einbecker Ur-Bock, Harvistoun Old Engine Oil, Maredsous 8 and 10 in the bottle, Victory HopDevil, Sixpoint Bengali Tiger IPA and Brownstone on draft, etc. There are about four vintage bottles, too, including, I think, an early 1990s Thomas Hardys, Just a nice, well-chosen selection. Bethy and I both had a Bengali Tiger to start, very fresh, and I had a St. Bernardus 8 bottle for dessert.

The food was quite interesting, not too expensive, fairly small plates with the idea to taste a couple of things. We were given bread and oil/balsamic to start, and then we split the german beer sausages, which were chopped up into rounds, deliciously browned, and served with a nice mustard. She got a special, some roasted aspargus dish with cheesy polenta cake or some such deliciousness, and I got the risotto with apples and cato cheese. Both were quite tasty.

Overall, we really enjoyed this place, would make a special trip to come back, and would definitely hit it again if we happened to be in the area. My ratings just about sum it up. This place is good.
Apr 03, 2006
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

4.06/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
In the redone, multiroom basement below Standings (formerly Brewskis) this newcomer has alot of character, its dark and middle ages looking, alot of seperate rooms and a respectable beer selection. About a dozen taps and 15 or so bottles including some "vintage" selections. No macros, plenty of middle of the road Belgians and germans and a smattering of interesting USA selections, including a few from six point when I visited. I checked this place late in the evening so I cant offer any comments about the food. Worthy place to visit on a neighborhood crawl or for a few brews in this interesting, differant and athmospheric new beer spot. The bartender was friendly and knew abit about her offerings.
Feb 15, 2006
Jimmy's No. 43 in New York, NY
Place rating: 4.01 out of 5 with 33 ratings