Pour Judgement

Pour JudgementPour Judgement
Pour JudgementPour Judgement
Bar, Eatery

32 Broadway
Newport, Rhode Island, 02840-2938
United States

(401) 619-2115 | map
pourjudgement.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.15
Reviews:
35
Ratings:
50
pDev:
13.49%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by DousedInStout:
Photo of DousedInStout
Reviewed by DousedInStout from Washington

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
The one time a year I go into Newport, I always make a trip to this place. It's dim lighting and long bar give it a bit of a divey atmosphere, which is refreshing to see in Newport. The food has always been excellent, and nicely priced. And with limited taps, the beer selection has always impressed me. They keep a nice variety of styles on at all times, and offer some really unique beers. The last time I was there, my table enjoyed Boulder Mojo, Blue Point Toasted Lager, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, and Cisco Brewer's Captain Swain's Extra Stout. Not too shabby....
Jan 08, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of mickyge
Reviewed by mickyge from Massachusetts

4.54/5  rDev +9.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Place is pretty cool, lucky nice weather to eat out side. Nice tap list, decent menu selection and hostess and waiter were fine. Food came in a respectable amount of time given how busy they were. Food was prepared well, was hot and tasted great. Good value for what we had. Definitely plan on returning.
Nov 13, 2022
Photo of npolachek
Reviewed by npolachek from New York

4.16/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
Live music and solid bar in Newport Rhode Island. Good selection of craft beers on to here and many cans. And bottles as well. I’d recommend it on Sunday especially as Noyes is closed that day.
Jul 22, 2019
 
Rated: 4.67 by rjp217 from Massachusetts

Oct 20, 2018
Photo of jmdrpi
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
Had beers here later in the night . It's a long, narrow place, long bar with high top tables along the side. There was live music, and the place was full. Good selection of quality craft beers, and the server gave some advice. We only order some wings as a late night snack, but they were good.
Dec 16, 2017
Photo of heymikew
Reviewed by heymikew from California

4.32/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
This is the place to go for a quality beer in Newport. Great selection and staff! Small place but friendly. Forget Noreys up the street which doesn't even come close.
Oct 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4.21 by BeerBucks from New York

Sep 08, 2016
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Rated by BPBickman from Rhode Island

4.48/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
Best of Broadway, NPT
May 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4.05 by Newport_beerguy from Rhode Island

Apr 17, 2016
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Rated by Richardbrownrags59 from Rhode Island

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Nice beer menu, some off-beat food choices, a super-wide jukebox selection and a rockabilly band made for a great time--will go again
Feb 21, 2016
Photo of Dopen993
Reviewed by Dopen993 from Rhode Island

4.48/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
This has been my go to in Newport since I moved to RI ten years ago. Always a rotating line up of craft only beer on draft. Bottle selection could be better but that's just me. Food is great too, sandwiches and burgers are always a solid choice but they have amazing apps and lighter food too. Obviously the reason to come is the beer.
Jan 17, 2016
Photo of doug87d
Rated by doug87d from Rhode Island

4.85/5  rDev +16.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
This is the towns industry bar just about every bartender and waitress heads there after work and the staff is impeccable !
Oct 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.56 by mpmcguire11 from Rhode Island

Sep 07, 2015
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Reviewed by MakeMineADoubleJack from North Carolina

4.78/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25
Went to Pour Judgement for the first time this afternoon. Enjoyed a grilled chicken wrap with bacon and chipotle mayo. The wrap was quite good, and the french fries were exactly how I like them: well done, with a good portion of crispy fries. Can't complain about the beer selection. I went specifically to indulge in Goose Island BCBS Proprietor's, which the bar is pouring in accordance with Goose Island's Migration Week. Thanks to Pour Judgement, I got to enjoy a beer I thought I never would (or wouldn't for a good long while). The two women behind the bar were great, and service was exceptional. Overall, a very enjoyable experience. I would go back the next time I go to Newport.
Jun 25, 2015
 
Rated: 4.34 by brother_rebus from Maine

Jun 14, 2015
Photo of WillieThreebiers
Reviewed by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
Store front bar/restuarant on the main drag with a long straight bar perpendicular to the entrance on the left that seats about 20. Two dozen beers on tap, nice mix of regional and national offering. Food was tasty and reasonably priced.
May 21, 2015
Photo of krad2315
Reviewed by krad2315 from Rhode Island

2/5  rDev -51.8%
To me, a bar is like a barber shop. I should be able to talk about whatever I want with the person in the chair next to me. If the person cutting my hair wants to chime in, great; so long as they don't inhibit the conversation.

I know the second I mention Fox News most people will write me off, but today I asked to have Fox News playing at Pour Judgement and one bartender accommodated my request (two TVs were playing the same channel so it was no big deal when I asked for one to play FN). When another bar tender saw FN on TV he turned the channel off. I requested FN be placed on the television again and he said, "no politics in the bar." I said I was not looking for politics, merely news on the TV. He refused to put FN on the set. Rather than get into an argument over it, I let my dollar speak for itself, settled my tab, and went straight home and posted this comment. Pour Judgement has some great beers on tap. However, I can't give my time or my money to an establishment that refuses to allow its customers to view the programming it desires. I thought the point of enjoying a pint was to engage in conversation that provokes intellectual banter whether watching FN or not? When did the views of those who serve the beverages become the moderator of what gets debated
at the bar stool, whether those views be from the left side of the aisle or the right. This bartender chose to impose his political views on those paying for drinks and as such cost PJ some decent income. Thank goodness we have a venue like the web to publicize such a virile display of nearsightedness like that displayed by Pour Judgement. God bless the First Amendment and free speech in America! I guess some folks would rather freedom from speech rather than free speech in America. Very sad!
Dec 10, 2014
 
Rated: 4.28 by dheacck11 from Connecticut

Oct 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Rhody1 from Rhode Island

Sep 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by DNICE555 from Connecticut

Aug 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.96 by Jemes21 from New Jersey

Aug 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bigred89 from Maryland

Apr 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Mono from Rhode Island

Mar 18, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by jflynn37 from Massachusetts

Feb 27, 2014
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Reviewed by DrinkNewport from Rhode Island

4.16/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 3.75
I've been a regular at PJs for about 5 years. It was the first bar I'd been in where the only commodity beer on tap was Guinness. I have to credit it for starting me on my craft beer journey.

The place is pretty small, so it's hard to find a place to sit from 5-9. That's okay if you're just going to drink, but makes things a little difficult if you want to take advantage of their great Beer & A Burger special. Fortunately, the kitchen is open until midnight Sun-Thurs so you can just wait for the crowd to thin out.

The craft beer selection is decent. though it has been surpassed by a couple other places in town. There are usually 2-3 beers I'm interested in on draft (at least one Lagunitas and/or Founders) and their bottle selection isn't bad, though I find their large format bottles a little pricey.

The staff is fun and attractive, though they get run a little ragged when it's busy, making it hard to get their attention.

Overall, it's a hip, fun neighborhood bar just off of Broadway. This is the kind of place where the waitstaff of other restaurants go when they get off.
Oct 16, 2013
Photo of palma
Reviewed by palma from New York

2.89/5  rDev -30.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 3.25
Way overrated. But this is the best beer bar in the area - I guess that's why. Service is almost horrible. They had a few decent bottles. Couple of local selections on tap that were good. That's about it. If I'm in Newport yeah I'll go here but I would never seek this place out otherwise. If a real beer bar showed up here, this place would go out of business in 6 months.
May 26, 2013
Photo of dewars
Reviewed by dewars from Rhode Island

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Pour Judgment is a local hangout in a tourist town. If you want to drink where the locals do, this is the place. The reason is Pour Judgment has a great menu and there burger and beer deal can't be be in a over priced tourist town. The craft beer selection at PJ is excellent. I enjoyed some Goose Island with my burger and it was great. The staff always is nice and friendly, but you can wait a bit. This place is always busy. Come down to Newport on a called February day and you can have your choice of tables in any place, not at PJ. There is a reason why its packed off season, as well as, on season.
Feb 14, 2012
Photo of DoubleSimcoe
Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -25.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 2.5
It was the Wife's birthday and we went up to Maine/New Hampshire/Massachusetts. On the way back, we stop in Newport, Rhode Island. We've been here a number of times, and it's never been the best of experiences. Like, too touristy and disappointing, you know.

But this time it was better- we parked right on Broadway at the Washington Square Historic District and walked around. I chose Pour Judgement because it was the best-rated beer joint here on BA.

It is cool that Pour is away and far enough from all the touristy spots in Newport, but we were disappointed by the dismal ambience and the horrible service. This bar felt like the place where locals go to die, you know. It is lunch time on a fucking Monday and Pour is filled with die-hard locals having one too many beers. Blah all around, depressing. A local watering hole with no personality.

I am repeatedly ignored by the nasty bar lady and I get the feeling this might not have been the best choice, despite the reviews... the bartender was so horrible, and had an attitude to boot. She didn't give a fuck, I had to chase her to get beer and it was frustrating.

Selection is great, though- 19 drafts including Wachusett IPA, Sam Adams Latitude 48, Harpoon Leviathan Barleywine, Weihenstephan, Bear Black Stout, Pretty Things Jack D'or, Thirsty Dog Leghumper, Newport Storm, Brooklyn Concoction, Allagash White.

My Black Stout was a little flat and the food was blah, no imagination, just basic bar food. A pastrami sandwich I could have had better at any deli in New York.

Next time I will try Yesterday's down the street instead, or go to Norey's a little further up from Pour. It is open only for dinner but it's got the beer selection in Newport.
Nov 10, 2011
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Reviewed by Naugros from New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
My buddy and I were wandering around the dockside bars in Newport and asked one of the service staff at Christie's where she goes to drink after having to deal with all the annoying rich folk she had to wait on hand and foot. She pointed us here and we're in her debt.

The crowd mix is locals and people getting away from the throngs of tourists and snobs that frequent the wharves... and the occasional beer tourist looking for craft beer. There were groups of people and also individuals who just cme in for a bite or a pint. It was pretty full, but we were served quickly and my glass was barely empty before a bartender came over to see what was next. That means that the staff to customer ratio is good and the service is pretty aware of everything going on around them.

I order the "stuffies" which is a local dish that I had come to Newport and had given up on finding. Didn't think I'd find a stuffed quahog in a beer bar. It took a while to come out, but that's okay as it was worth the wait. We spoke to some of the locals and they say the rest of the food here is just as good as that "stuffie". One person described herself as a food snob and had only dropped in to grab a veggie burger. She said they were awesome despite not being a vegetarian.

A pretty impressive array of taps for not being in a large city. Stone, Nebraska, Heavy Seas, Allagash, Peak Organic, Stoudt's, Cisco and a few locals graced the taps and they had a nice bottle selection as well that ran from Uniborue to more Stone and Allagash to, once again, some of the local brews, like Narragansett.

It's not a big place, but the turnover is pretty quick, and this was a Friday evening in August on a gorgeous day so I can't imagine it would get more crowded than when we were there.
Aug 14, 2011
Photo of cnote1
Reviewed by cnote1 from Rhode Island

4.58/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
I love this place. I have been a million times, but just joined BA so this is my first opertunity to review it. Becky, Amy and M.E are the best and Hank (the owner) is usually there and is knowledable about every beer.

They have about 20 taps which are rotating beers all the time. The food is cheap and tasty.

The atmosphere changes too. During lunch hours you'll find professionals taking a break and by night you'll see locals and college students. My favorite beer is the Heavy Seas "loose cannon" IPA and you have to try the beer and burger special (available every day). It is also a great place to catch a Red Sox game.
Jul 27, 2011
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Reviewed by FightingEntropy from Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
We hit Pour Judgement because it was the best beer place on our Rhode Island route heading out to the Castle Hill lighthouse. What started out as a stop for necessity turned in a pleasant trip through some nice beers. Nothing terribly crazy but it was all well served, including Coastal Extreme's Summer Ale and RI Blueberry and Heavy Seas Loose Cannon, an IPA from Clipper City. All complimented the black bean burger with fries very well. 18 taps to choose from give a nice choice. Not a mind blowing bar, but a great local stop in a very touristy area.
Jul 07, 2011
Photo of msnow34
Reviewed by msnow34 from South Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +9.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I've been here twice now, and they always impress. It's fairly small from what I'm used to but not small to the point where everyone turns and looks at who is coming in the door.
There is a long bar that runs almost the entire length and then a few tables across from the bar. I counted 18 taps, I believe they rotate as I don't think any were the same from our previous visit.
We both had huge sandwiches, which were good. They had an special for$ 7.75 you got a burger and a beer. I wish I had seen that or the bartender had told me before I ordered. But it was still inexpensiver. I had a Pretty Things Belgium on draft, and the GF had a bomber of cider plus two sandwiches for$24 which I though was a steal considering the newport location. I would highly recommend this place and hope to return again the next time I'm in Newport.
Feb 13, 2011
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Reviewed by morebeergood from Massachusetts

3.64/5  rDev -12.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Second stop of the night on my brother's birthday pub crawl in Newport. Long bar to the left when you walk in, with seating along the right wall. We managed to grab a few seats at the bar for the ladies while the guys stood. We were served quickly, so that was fine. Very noisy atmosphere on a Sat night. Loud, and not a conversation kind of place. That was made up for by the great tap selection. Nice assortment of local and national craft beers. We all had some nice pints, which were all priced reasonably well. There is a cooler towards the back of the bar that also has craft bottles and bombers to choose from. We just stayed for a pint and then moved on, but I liked it here. This would be the place that I recommend to a fellow BA to visit if you are visiting downtown Newport and are looking for good beer.
Nov 07, 2010
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Reviewed by nickdago from Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +7.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
The Pour Judgment is a relatively small bar with characteristics commonly referred to as divvy, however I would add that it is very clean and cozy. We make it a point to visit every time we head down to Newport.

The food is very good! Sandwiches and daily specials are outstanding in quality and large in quantity. I was expecting greasy pub food but was surprised with fresh quality eats.

Beer selection is pretty decent. I counted about 20 taps, which includes several local beers. Beer prices are pretty cheap. $4 to $5 per pint.
Jun 05, 2010
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Reviewed by indiapaleale from Maine

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Pour Judgement is a sweet little beer bar.

12 micros on tap, mostly from New England as well as Dogfish and Guinness. I had the Newport Storm porter which was pretty good.

Service was great since we were pretty much the only ones there on a Wednesday for lunch. The waitress/bartender was very nice.

Burger was excellent, not frozen and pre-formed, its the real deal.

Nice little place, part dive bar/part great beer bar. This is definitely the place to go in town if you're looking for a good micro selection.
Mar 27, 2009
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Reviewed by ThirstyBird from California

3.8/5  rDev -8.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Visited on 2/17/09.
I have been wanting to check this place out for some time. I is a nice place with a long bar and twelve taps with a decent selection. I chose a Cisco Whale's Tail. They had a couple Cisco's and a couple BBC's on tap at the time. I wasn't hungry during my visit so couldn't take advantage of their beer and a burger deal which seems reasonable. I'd like to try that next time around.

The service was just alright - there wasn't a lot of enthusiasm but I guess I got what I needed.

I will try again for a longer visit the next time I'm in Newport.
Feb 22, 2009
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Reviewed by OatmattStout from Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Tap list:
2 BBC Steel rail and ?
Ten penny
Weheinstephan hefe
Stone IPA
Guinness
Brooklyn chocolate
Newport Storm Blueberry
Cisco Whale tail and Sankaty light

Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. The place was clean and set up nicely. Didn't get the Dive'y feel that some other reviewers mentioned. Nice long bar, bar tables and some regular tables. Nice HD TV's for games etc.

Small but very tight tap list IMHO. Very nice Bottle selection but I rarely grab a bottle at a bar with even one good tap.

Had a Burger and beer deal for $7.50. The burger was amazing. Cooked perfectly MR and so good. I am a burger guy and overly critical on many a burger but this one was awesome.

Service was pleasant and knowledgeable. Missy was very sweet and made us feel right at home and knew about their tap selection.

This IS the place i will go back to whenever I travel to Newport which is a dozen or so times a year. This is a must stop for a BA when in Newport.

Bonus "free version" BA Magazine at the end of bar to peruse during lunch.
Feb 07, 2009
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Reviewed by Jwale73 from Rhode Island

4/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Visited on 12/19 and 12/26. Pour Judgement is located on Broadway right in downtown Newport. It's not a large establishment, but has a nice vibe. Wooden bar with 15 or so chairs and about 9 high top tables. Two flat screens located behind the bar with the game on and a pool table and dart board towards the back of the bar. Nice menu ranging from sandwiches and burgers to surf and turf, with lots of daily specials. Twelve taps, with the only macro-esque beer being Guinness. Others included Harpoon Leviathan Baltic Porter, ST Unearthly and Krampus, DFH 60 Minute IPA, Long Trail Triple Bag, Blue Point Toasted Lager, Newport Storm James & Amber, BBC Cabin Fever, Cisco Sankaty Light & Whales Tale Pale Ale. Also had a selection of bombers. (e.g. Chimay and Great Divide Yeti). Service was prompt and courteous and the burger was great. Well worth your time if you are in Newport and since the majority of taps are logs, there is a pretty good rotation.
Dec 27, 2008
Photo of dickieb
Reviewed by dickieb from Rhode Island

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Stopped into Pour Decisions after work the other night previously having no idea this little gem existed in Newport. The taps are defiantly the best I have seen in the city, the highlight being Oscar Blues Gordon the night I was their, also Victory Golden Monkey, Hazed and Infused, and a few other quality selections. The service was nothing special, getting a beer was not hard if you wanted to get up and walk to the bar but if you sat and waited at a table for a refill I could see being disappointed. Im not being overly harsh about the service because it was pretty packed being a thursday in a college town. I got the Burger and Beer for $8 after having a few drinks and I was more then impressed, a killer deal and it was awesome. I have it rated as Inexpensive, but thats relative to the area. In a Town where you can spend $8 on a Miller Lite $4 for a good Pint is a nice find, and the food is very very cheap and tasty. I will be making many more visits.
Nov 01, 2008
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Reviewed by bubbles3 from Rhode Island

2.48/5  rDev -40.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 1 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4
Been there twice, both times NOT greeted by same miserable bartender who couldn't smile if her life depended on it. Terribly slow service. Empty beer glasses awaiting offer for refill. Beer selection ok, guess it is good for Newport, but it certainly is no Mews in Wakefield. Food is very good, however. And price is excellent. They really need to step up their service, and make it memorable in a positive way. Won't bother going there again. I understand service is way better when the owner is there.
Oct 06, 2008
Pour Judgement in Newport, RI
Place rating: 4.15 out of 5 with 50 ratings