Armsby Abbey

Armsby AbbeyArmsby Abbey
Armsby AbbeyArmsby Abbey
Bar, Eatery

144 Main St
Worcester, Massachusetts, 01608-1105
United States

(508) 795-1012 | map
armsbyabbey.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.68
Reviews:
148
Ratings:
273
pDev:
5.98%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of edthehead
Reviewed by edthehead from Maryland

4.5/5  rDev -3.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
European Bistro atmosphere with a killer selection of international beers, and some regional selections, typically with multiple Hill Farmstead selections on draft. The food selection is limited but with an artisan flare and very good. Lots of bar and table seating as well.
Mar 25, 2023
Photo of NCSapiens
Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana

4.15/5  rDev -11.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
Small space with a long bar. Old building downtown with high quality interior design with brick, arches and columns. 18 beers on tap, including 4 hill farmstead and 2 trillium. Kind of slow on a Thursday afternoon, but seems like a good place for brunch and evening.
May 05, 2022
 
Rated: 4.77 by alexsergio from New York

Jun 14, 2021
 
Rated: 4.1 by acurtis from New Jersey

Feb 18, 2020
 
Rated: 4.36 by fitzy84 from Massachusetts

Nov 11, 2019
Photo of Tsar_Riga
Reviewed by Tsar_Riga from Minnesota

4.89/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 5
The vibe is somewhere between bar and decent downtown eatery with foodie tendencies. But the beer list is impressive, with several Hill Farmstead offerings, which I always appreciate, and a nice range of choices, always solid where I am familiar with the selection. The result is an extraordinarily well built drinking experience. On top of this, the service is both friendly and knowledgeable. The food is pretty shockingly good. The beer cheese was a wondrous spread served with toast and local radishes. I am not a fan of radishes, but these were delicious. The burger was exceptional, a lush blend of marrow and cuts that built something far more flavorful than a standard beef patty. If I am ever near Worchester again, I'm coming back.
Jun 16, 2019
 
Rated: 4.48 by Stevedore from Oregon

May 28, 2019
Photo of TheGent
Reviewed by TheGent from New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev -0.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
Armsby Abbey

This restaurant and bar is right in the middle of Downtown Worcester. I conveniently parked in a lot a couple blocks up as I could not easily find street parking. 1PM on a Tuesday and sat right down at the bar with no wait. Several open tables at this time as well.

Cool vibe. Hip vibe. Hip music playing. Exposed brick wall and HVAC. Rustic meets industrial. Dark wood bar with stools. Standing bar running down the middle of the restaurant. High top tables along the wall and in the back room.

About 20 taps with a clear and clean printed list for the day. Also a large chalk board on the wall displaying the selection. Not the largest selection, but an amazing, diverse, well curated selection that is the epitome of quality over quantity. 6 different Hill Farmstead beers across various styles, Horus, Jester King, Jolly Pumpkin, Trillium, Mahr’s, Naparbier, Fox Farm, among many other nice options. I drank the Fox Farm IPA and it was amazing. They focus on proper glassware for styles too.

Ordered the smash style burger made with a blend of ground chuck, heart and marrow. A super flavorful patty. Could’ve used a double patty, but it was an excellent burger. Nicely charred and perfectly seasoned.

Excellent service. Super friendly guy and gal behind the bar, who were laser focused on new customers walking in and existing customers. Really a great spot. I drove from Boston to have lunch there on my way out to Tree House and I would highly recommend stopping there if you are in the area or making the same drive.
May 02, 2019
Photo of gbiello
Reviewed by gbiello from Massachusetts

4.41/5  rDev -5.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
One of the challenges of going to a great place is they're usually crowded. There aren't a lot of places you can get Hill Farmstead out of Vermont. Add to this other world-class beers, and you have a great place to go. A limited menu, but that is fine with me. The food was outstanding, although the service was a touch slow. Can't really complain all-in-all. If you want some great beer and you're in the Worcester area, this is a must-stop place.
Feb 02, 2019
Photo of Gatch
Reviewed by Gatch from Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
A legendary spot in a very unlegendary city. From nearly every tap flows a top quality beer from around the US and Europe. Vibe is reminiscent of Belgium and the food is on the same level. Great place to take a date or just catch up with friends. Top notch.
Nov 20, 2018
 
Rated: 4.34 by artrocity from Massachusetts

Oct 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.73 by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts

Sep 16, 2018
 
Rated: 4.58 by Kraz from Indiana

Aug 07, 2018
 
Rated: 4.4 by Rubezahl from Pennsylvania

Jul 08, 2018
Photo of von_kaiser
Rated by von_kaiser from Connecticut

4.66/5  rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
a 90's hip-hop heads paradise.
Mar 26, 2018
Photo of baldy00
Reviewed by baldy00 from Connecticut

4.93/5  rDev +5.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Trillium and Hill Farmstead dominated the draft list...improbable if not impossible to match that...service was fast and friendly and food was super. The decor and interior arent unusual or spectacular, but nice and clean traditional pub. It also has parking! Treehouse brewing is about 20 miles down the road too.
Feb 10, 2018
 
Rated: 4.95 by BrentLinkin from Massachusetts

Nov 16, 2017
 
Rated: 4.67 by Beerbom from California

Nov 03, 2017
 
Rated: 4.88 by 7irondave from Massachusetts

Jun 04, 2017
 
Rated: 4.76 by Montanabeerz from Montana

Mar 31, 2017
 
Rated: 4.85 by xtonytx from Connecticut

Mar 29, 2017
 
Rated: 4.66 by Coorsy from Massachusetts

Mar 21, 2017
Photo of Lgradyma6
Reviewed by Lgradyma6 from Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +6.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Heavy French influences with a high emphasis of Farm to Table dining. The meal was amazing. They had some gorgeous cheeses to choose from as well as a variety of dishes. Their beer selection was a large assortment of IPA, sours and stouts of some craft local breweries. It will be busy when you go. Reservations are recommended.
Mar 13, 2017
Photo of vfgccp
Rated by vfgccp from New York

4.79/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
One of the best bars I've ever been to, with the most knowledgeable staff I've ever come across.
Jan 26, 2017
Photo of BeTheBall
Reviewed by BeTheBall from Florida

4.69/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 3.75
Went on MLK Day, 2/16 for a late lunch, and later for dinner. Drinks with both. The beer selection is fantastic, quite unique to this area. I consider myself well educated on craft beer, and had to look up every beer on the tap list to be sure I knew what I wanted next. Both our dining area server, and later the bartender were very knowledgeable about their beers. I love the bar setup and decor as well. Ordered a flatbread with winter vegetables, etc., and it was kind of bland tasting, but it wasn't bad or anything, just nothing exciting either. Food selection is quite limited, but the fact that everything is locally sourced is also unique.
Jan 20, 2017
Photo of sholland119
Reviewed by sholland119 from Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev -5.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.75
A delightful spot for dinner when we stopped overnight in Worcester on our way to Portland. Loved the openness and cool vibe. Outstanding taplist including 3 or 4 Hill Farmstead selections (for me, HF is the one endlessly hyped brewery that always makes great beer). Service was very pleasant and capable. Only slight disappointment was some of the food. The cheese and charcuteries plates were really great (wonderful duck rillette) but the other stuff we had was rich but bland, not my favorite combo.

Overall though, well worth the stop. I'd jump off the highway anytime i was in the area.

HV
Nov 15, 2016
Photo of Bannazwei
Reviewed by Bannazwei from Maine

4.98/5  rDev +6.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75
In town on business and found the Abbey. Easy location to find, on street parking right out front and a parking garage right around the corner. If you are familiar with the town of Worcester it isn't what you immediately think of for a higher quality eatery and beer. You walk in and instantly has a feel of a large Old English club. Beautiful bar and woodwork, great atmosphere, a little loud, but it's a big open space and that is to be expected.

Then you look at the beer list... Hill Farmstead on tap, WHAT!?!?! Foundation, Trillium, you name it. The menu is slightly limited, more small dishes than full plates, but the food is fantastic. We got the cheese board, selection was large, recommendations were spot on.

Looking forward to going back
Oct 01, 2016
Photo of kalosjakar
Reviewed by kalosjakar from Rhode Island

4.74/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5 | food: 5
I went here not fully knowing what to expect other than an AMAZING tap list. The first thing they do is serve you a glass of water, which is great.

The tap list is obviously amazing, with 2-3 beers from Hill Farmstead always on tap. Other great breweries like Medusa, Oxbow, Trillium and Kent Falls are also on tap.

Their tap list is updated frequently on line.

The food was incredible, a bit pricey but its farm to table with the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients so its understandable.

Everything was great except I felt the staff could be a bit more engaging with its customers. The fact that 90% of the people at the bar were glued to their cellphones may have played a part though.
Sep 10, 2016
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

4.23/5  rDev -9.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
First rate bar, the best I have been to in Boston. The only bar in Mas. that has Hill farmstead. Also Oxbow, Tired Hands, and of course Trillium. Perfect lines, great carbonation. On the way back to Canada from Boston.
Aug 26, 2016
Photo of DMcGirr
Reviewed by DMcGirr from Massachusetts

4.41/5  rDev -5.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Good beer selection, particularly Belgian beers and stouts. Food is very good. Nice assortment of cheeses. Bonus points for a very enjoyable Bloody Mary bar.
Aug 20, 2016
Photo of hit728
Reviewed by hit728 from Connecticut

4.56/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Have been twice mid afternoon for lunch and drinks while passing through town. Not crowded. Tap list was very diverse from blonde ales to sours. Beer prices were average. Service was solid and knowledgeable. Food was good to very good. Food cost was above average but the food was quality (not overpaying for shit food). I would definitely recommend it for drinks and or a meal. Cheers!
Aug 10, 2016
Photo of Buchu70
Reviewed by Buchu70 from Germany

4.78/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
Awesome little stopover while at a local museum and waiting for an afternoon Tree House run. Beers on top that few can beat and the food, mmmm. The artisan sandwiches and soup rocked my belly.
Jul 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.31 by grahuba from Connecticut

Jul 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4.61 by mig100 from Texas

Jul 01, 2016
 
Rated: 4.9 by dippy from Massachusetts

May 24, 2016
Photo of Bgevans1
Rated by Bgevans1 from Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Great beer, good food but no parking.
May 19, 2016
 
Rated: 4.48 by dcisco44 from Massachusetts

May 11, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by MilaMila from Massachusetts

May 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.7 by jefferson_39 from Massachusetts

May 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.88 by Buddance from Massachusetts

Apr 03, 2016
Armsby Abbey in Worcester, MA
Place rating: 4.68 out of 5 with 273 ratings