Heading to NYC for a couple days, looking to find out what the best bars are in the City. A big draft list is great but I'm really also looking for something with nostalgia, Big old fashioned NYC bars (maybe a giant mahogany bar), awesome bartenders. We always go to Rattle n Hum and a lot of the other well known beer spots in the city, but what else is out there? Thanks for the help!
Old Rabbit Club - 124 MacDougle St. - no sign, but it's right across from that Comedy Club that's in the Louis CK opening credits. Black door - stenciled rabbit by the door. only 3 beers on tap, but a huge bottle list of european beers including cantillon and tilquin. and more than awesome bartenders. it's more the atmosphere than anything else. favorite bar in nyc. backup bar if you want to be a tourist - Blind Tiger.
I fully approve of this post. The first time I went to Old Rabbit was actually right after leaving the Blind Tiger, which I found really unappealing (despite its undeniably good taplist), and wound up having a much better time there. And, they play The Stooges.
Was really impressed by all the Italian craft beers at Eataly at 23rd and 5th. Not a bar, just a bottle shop, but lots of hard-to-find del Borgos and baladins (especially the barley wines)
If you want something that is purely nostalgia without a great selection I would head to McSorley's. It's been running since 1854. They have a ton of old memorobila. Fun fact they only starting letting women in after 1970. Beer selection is their in house light or dark. That's all you can order drink wise, they have food there as well. Gets pretty packed on weekends. It's definitely a cool place to visit but maybe don't spend your whole night there.
I've enjoyed my recent visits to Taproom 307, always at least a couple couple interesting beers on tap.
Crocodile Lounge... A few decent taps to choose from, and you get a free bar pie with each drink. A great stop for the middle of a pub crawl. Not far from Hop Devil Grill, Jimmy's 43, and of course of you want nostalgia, McSorleys.
If you do go to Blind Tiger, go early or else it's wall-to-wall ****. From there, you can walk to DBA, but it's not a beer geek destination like the NYC standards. If you've wanting to hit up Brooklyn, there's Barcade, Brooklyn Bowl, some other places right off the first stop in the hipster mecca that is Williamsburg.
Nostalgia aspect is def McSorleys as mentioned above...also one that isnt mentioned very often, mostly because its way downtown in the Financial District (about as far as you can go without being in the Hudson) is Fraunces Tavern. The building has been there, although not in its original form due to a few fires, since the Revolutionary War and they have a much more extensive beer list than McSorleys. Cant comment on the bartenders as I have not been there in quite a while.
Fraunces Tavern is actually a great beer place now. Porterhouse has taken it over for its first stateside outpost (Try their Wrasslers and Oyster Stouts) but they always have a few quality guest taps - there's almost always a Lagunitas on tap. Their bottle list is fantastic too. I agree about McSorley's - if you want history, it's a must-visit. And if you're a reader, read Joseph Mitchell's McSorley's Wonderful Saloon before you visit. If you make it to McSorley's, I'd bet you would love Jimmy's No 43 a few doors down. It's downstairs, has a small but great selection, and fantastic atmosphere. Rabbit Club is also lots of fun, but only if you can get a seat. It's an amazing space, but you'll tire of it quickly if you have to stand. But check it out. You won't be able to get a table, but you may be able to elbow your way up to the bar. The bartenders have charisma, and the few beers are okay. But it may give you that old-NY vibe. Pony Bar is my home for beer in NYC (and I live a block from Blind Tiger - great selection, horrific crowds.) Every bar mentioned above is worthy, but Pony's the whole package for me. All American craft, rotating selection, and $5 a pint. Do it up.
Personally I like Pegu Club for old-fashioned libations. Their beer list isn't extensive, but the cocktails are world-class. If you're heading out Brooklyn way, I don't think you can beat Beer Table for beer. It's tiny, though, so be prepared to wait.
