Fourth Avenue Pub

slander

New York

4.16/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Okay, here's another reason why nobody likes Phil. He goes and checks out bars that I ain't been to (like this one) during the day whilst pimping, and then when I want to see them, he's all "You knooow, been there, done that". Oh, and trying to get him to leave that place he practically lives at on any given night for fact finding missions, for me, for you, for the children, it's just not been going well, he's been difficult as of late and I can see I'll have to do this without him. Now, regarding the Fourth Ave Pub, I think I read in The Onion that cool bars were opening in this neighborhood specifically because Randy (who also hasn't been much help on the fact finding front and just last night pitched me some line of crap about his Tuesday availability for such) moved away. I think there was also something about how the Sow would finally open if he would just move again, although you shouldn't believe everything you read (unless you read it here...).

A small "J" shaped bar to the left seats upwards of a dozen, with a large mirror in a framed unit above the tiered shelved booze and bottled beer selections displayed on the barback counter. Single shelves of specialty liquors midway to both sides of center amidst some strung lighting and 3 raised bar tables sitting adjacent to the bar. TV's above in both corners. Drop lamps & ceiling fans above, and mounted brewery signage & framed coaster displays. To the rear, 4 low shiny candlelit tables with small benches and stools and a not so easy chair and very bad couch to the back back. Deep red painted walls and lots of brick here where one might speculate there used to be a fireplace cut where patchwork's been done. A decent jukebox , a (get your own damn) popcorn machine, and a small backyard for someday something.

24 taps across 2 separated towers of 12. A good mix, nearly half the taps American micros (Anchor Porter, Rogue Brutal Bitter, Smutty Pumpkin, Stone Arrogant Bastard, Victory Hop Devil, Allagash White, Keegans Mother's Milk, DogFishHead 90 Minute IPA, Sixpoint Brownstone, Lagunitas IPA, Bluepoint Toasted Lager, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Yuengling), some decent imports (Saison DuPont, Chimay Triple, Unibroue Trois Pistoles, Weihenstephaner Hefe, Delirium Tremens), and the other standard imports (Leffe Blonde, Old Speckled Hen, Stella, Guinness, Bass, Smithwicks).

Bottle selection is growing nicely, as well. Nearly 3 dozen in all, some good micros (Brooklyn Lager & Brown Ale, Rogue Dead Guy & Mocha Porter, DogFishHead 60 Minute IPA, North Coast Red Seal, Flying Dog Gonzo, Magic Hat #9, Dales Pale Ale) and imports (Duvel, Fullers London Pride, Celebrator Dopplebock, Froach, Hitachino White, Kwak, Unibroue Maudite & La Fin Du Monde, Sam Smith Nut Brown & Oatmeal Stout, Kostritzer Black, Schneider Weisse), slowly growing, coming along nicely.

Beers were fresh and well maintained. Service was pleasant and attentive. It's late, I'm tired and I'm enduring great trouble with this last beer but it's well worth it. Nice vibe.

01-02-2007 17:05:08 | More by slander

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

A change from the previous two! A wide window left with the doorway right, but still with a curtain. 26 taps, one cask. An impressive bottle list in the format of a wine list. The ceramic pink elephant above the Delirium Tremens tap made me shiver.
A wide "U"-shaped wood bar was to the immediate left after entering. The right wall was exposed brick with a couple of chalkboards listing "Drafts" and "Bottled Beers/Big Bottles", followed by a couple of CD jukeboxes. All of the way aft, on the right side were a series of booths. Oft to the left were the lavs.

A small space, but with Johnnie Walker Blue available.

Beers: lots of Belgians.

12-07-2009 23:29:12 | More by woodychandler

Billolick

New York

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Ah , Fourth Ave in Bklyn, on the fringe of Park slope, narrow bar area as you enter, lots of exposed brick and a smallish rear siting area. Nice little outdoor garden area, outdoor space, always a nice addition in the NYC area. 24 quality taps, about 30 mostly quality bottles and a cask, nice....Pleasant environment, plenty worthy options, friendly staff when I visited...this place is pretty much in the middle of the downtown/Atlantic ave spots and all of the Park Slope options, also Cherry tree x the street. Easy to include on a Bklyn crawl or for a casual brew or enjoyable session, nice casual place, worth a visit if in the area

07-05-2007 13:54:06 | More by Billolick

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -8.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

I stopped at the Fourth Avenue Pub for a spot of beer the night before a wedding in the area. The wedding party was having a little shindig at a place called something or other Farms, but that seemed a little too yuppie and polished for me. This was just right. It's smallish, but not tight. Kind of darkish, but warm. Good beer selection - now we're talking!!! 24 taps and a hand pump for cask (unfortunately what I tried on cask was a miserable interperetation of cask ale and barely resembled beer - something barleywine-ish by Cape Ann). They had a decent selection of bottles as well, but I always go for draft. Some fairly interesting characters came and went, and it was a pleasant evening. Apart from that, it also happens to be across the street from The Cherry Tree, a few doors above Pacific Standard, and not that far away from Bierkraft or The Gate. Worth checking out.

10-23-2008 03:11:47 | More by NeroFiddled

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.06/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $

Fourth Avenue Pub is an unassuming storefront bar on, huh, 4th Avenue near the Atlantic Avenue transportation hub. Great view of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower before you enter!

A cramped entrance, with the bar literally "right there" and a narrow hallway with some high-top tables by the wall. But then the joint expands and offers some comfy booths and a patio out back.

Cool, chill ambience with tame 80's punk music playing and just the kind of quiet the wife and I seek on a Friday evening at 5:30 pm. You couldn't walk into a Midtown Manhattan at this time!

I counted 27 taps plus one cask (Greenport/Bierkraft Supeh Freekeh). A bunch of rarities on tap, including Allagash Saison, Bruery Mischief, Cisco Woods Monomoy Kriek, Clown Shoes Claw Fist, Laughing Dog Barrel-Aged Dogfather, Oskar Blues Deviant and Mikkeller/Three Floyds Boogoop. Also a bunch of German lagers if you care for that.

Reasonable prices, $6-$7 for most beers except Delirium and Boogoop which are $8 or higher. One dollar off during Happy Hour, and our four beers came to sixteen dollars! Can't complain at all.

There is no table service you have to order at the bar, but they're pretty chill in there. And while there is no food, they do have a great popcorn machine with fresh stuff and Old Bay to sprinkle on top.

Yeah, I will be back!

04-12-2012 03:55:24 | More by DoubleSimcoe

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped by during a recent trip to Brooklyn.

My buddy Paul told me to check this place out and since I was two doors down at Pacific Standard I figured I would stop in. I was very pleasantly surprised by this place and was very happy I decided to drop in.

I was there in the middle of the afternoon and it was quite dark with only natural sunlight illuminating the room. As soon as you walk in there is a long bar on the left and several chalkboards on the right announcing what was available on draft and in bottles. Past the bar there is a small seating area in the back of the room with several tables set up. The vibe was very laid back and it was quite crowded consideringthetime of day.

They had a very good selection of American craft beers as well as offerings from Germany, Belgium, England, locals and Japan. They had about 30-40 beers on draft including some nice west coast beers, locals and rarities including Aecht Schlenkerla Fastenbier! The bottle list was extensive as well but lacked anything rare except that Pretty Things 188? Mild Ale which I was shocked and very excited to see.

The bartender who served me was very friendly and knowledgeable and he and I talked for a while about all things beer. He was knowledgeable about the local breweries as wellas those that aren't even distributed in NY. He provided samples, answered questions and gave recommendations based on my preferences. One of the best bartenders I've come across yet.

Overall I had a great experience here and would highly recommend it to anyone who lives in the area or is just town visiting.

03-22-2010 05:39:48 | More by corby112

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Damn good locals spot. Prices are one of the high points, besides the selection of course. Whereas you probably won't be finding hardcore rarities here, you'll always find a well rounded and good selection. The atmosphere is fully a local joint. No pretension, no BS. Service is unobtrusive, but there when you need it. I don't live in the area anymore, so I don't get there beyond once on a blue moon nowadays. But if you're looking for a chill spot that's good to relax on, here's one for ya.

08-21-2008 23:22:17 | More by RblWthACoz

plaid75

New York

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $

Located on 4th Avenue (duh) a few blocks south of the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues and the Atlantic Avenue train terminal (LIRR, 4,5,1,2,3, etc.).

The bar has a railroad style layout with a rather long bar in the front of the building and table seating in the rear. There is a tiny back deck type area as well. The place smells of fresh popcorn from the old fashioned popcorn machine.

The tap list is good - with local, west coast and imported craft brews. The happy hour special if I recall was $2 off draft beer.

Another plus is it is across the street from the Cherry Tree (or as I like to call, Bar Obama) and just a few doors down from Pacific Standard.

10-22-2008 13:49:23 | More by plaid75

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

One of my favorites Brooklyn joints.

A: A quiet laid back place. Kind of rough on the outside and inside. You do get some suits in this place, but they are not obnoxious. Chalks boards on the wall announce the brews on tap.

Q: No problems here, turnover happens, but they are quick to replace it and there are no issues with the freshness or quality of the brews.

Ser: Attentive and prompt. Decent knowledge of beers and spot on with the changing tap lists.

Sel: There are about 25 brews on tap and about twice that in bottles. The bottle prices were for the most part reasonable. Had a bottle of Cantilion since it had been awhile, then hit the taps. They had some Hill Farmstead Edward which was quite tasty.

O: One of the top places to go. Reasonable prices and one of the most diverse but still relaxing places. The crowd is usually 25+ but all there having fun...no macho tough guy BS. A must visit.

12-15-2011 00:32:56 | More by IronCitySteve

Nickls

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

(From notes)

This place is definitely worth a stop when in the area, and given that it's so close to several others, why not? Solid selection at the time of my visit, and had a nice surprise (not a regular occurrence of course) for the Oktoberfest time period which was a wooden gravity keg of Schneider Edelweiss. Way better tasting than the bottle IMO, but that's a different story.

It's a bit cramped around the bar area, but a really nice tap list as well as several quality bottles definitely make up for this. Kinda dark, with dark wood, and mercifully not dominated by blarind TVs everywhere. Good atmosphere, and definitely seemed like a local place. Prices were reasonable for the selection, and the service was good. Offered samples even, which was a nice treat that is not often provided in most beer bars when they are busy (which was the case when said samples were offered).

Definitely worth a stop!

12-28-2009 22:11:23 | More by Nickls