Zum Schneider

Zum SchneiderZum Schneider
Zum SchneiderZum Schneider
Bar, Eatery

107 Avenue C
New York, New York, 10009-8500
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.18
Reviews:
29
Ratings:
36
pDev:
6.7%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by raylpendleton:
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Rated by raylpendleton from New York

4.26/5  rDev +1.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25

Jun 29, 2018
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.73 by almostjay from Virginia

Jan 31, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by HoppyBeerSista from New Jersey

Sep 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by JoeMans from New York

Aug 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Ant4711 from South Carolina

Jul 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by sirsteve42 from New York

Jan 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Rosstheboss from Iowa

Jan 26, 2014
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Reviewed by knightlypint from New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
One thing which keeps me from going to ZS more frequently is the crowd, being located in NYC's East Village ZS is usually loaded with college-age kids who tend to be rude...moreso after a few beers. I must admit if you hit ZS on a slower night it can be a pleasant place. During the summer expect long waits and too many people, not pleasant under those circumstances.

The tap beer quality is excellent, no need for me to ever resort to bottles like I have to do at many NYC beer places.

Service at the bar is great, table service not so much. You can usually get kickbacks from the bartenders. My experience with waitresses has been they aren't too bright, too many mistakes with food orders and sometimes a bit "sneaky".

The tap beer selection is always solid, usually better than the Heidelberg. A good range of styles and usually one or two brands hard to find on tap in NYC. Sometimes you'll find something rare, or something you never heard of.

The pork and bratwurst dishes are good, just what you'd expect from this kind of German place. Good kraut and potato salad too.

ZS is a good value, but that's subject to the crowd. Too few seats can be a problem too. Being far over on the LES can make getting there a hassle too. But if you hit it right it's a great place.
Apr 18, 2012
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Reviewed by Citadel82 from New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
I really enjoyed Zum Schneider. Food was both enjoyable and authentic and the HofBrau Zwickel was delicious. I was pleased to be asked by a colleague to pick a place for dinner. It was either Loreley or this place for me. And I was not disappointed. Though I have to say the fact that they are cash only was surprising.

I arrived early and asked the bar keep what was his recommendation. he suggested a few Hefeweizens. Not what was in my mood so I went for the Zwickel. Fresh lemon colored and fruity. Very enjoyable. Followed with a small (.5l) Aventinus on draught. My host arrived. We had Weisswurst and Pretzel to start. I had the Sauerbrauten as my main. Excellent! Another Zwickel and it was a cb ride to the ferry home.

Service was typical for a German Gasthaus somewhat slow but very cordial. Would I return? Absolutely.
Dec 02, 2010
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Reviewed by jgasparine from Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
Started a Saturday afternoon with a friend here. We got two bar stools immediately to the left of the taps. Sven was our bartender, a young knowledgable fellow from germany.

Clearly this was a german establishment with a fine selection of german draughts and bottles... ranging from hefes to rauchbier. Everything was served in the proper glassware, and tasted fresh.

There were definitely some rarer german beers on the list, but nothing too obscure. Most beers were Weinstephaner varieties... respectable and delicious.

The overall feel was that of an authentic local biergarten. Quite nice. The food was exceptional... we had some pork knuckle served with cabbage and a dumpling... one of the best pork dishes I have ever had.

Cozy, great food, and average manhattan prices are a combination that is hard to beat!
Jan 31, 2010
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Reviewed by BavariaYeti from Rhode Island

4.16/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 5
Great place in the city. Small and tough to find a seat, however it's legit. I lived in Bavaria for 3.5 years and Schneider represents with quality bier and wein. We were able to sample some Fraken Bocksbeutel Silvaner wien and draught Wurzburger Hofbrau Pils. Both of these tasty selections are nearly impossible to find in the states and both are delicious representations of what makes Bayern/Franken perfect. Well done. The service could have been better, but it was fine. Only had drinks and had to order from the bar. PROST!!!
Jan 30, 2010
Photo of erz316
Reviewed by erz316 from Indiana

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
I loved this place. The bartenders were friendly, German, and they were roasting a pig outside. What's not to like? The selection was purely German beers, the real standard ones. It was nice to have them on tap for a change . The food seleciton was quite bavarian, and very good. I had the chive bread and the weißwurst. Both were very good. The service at the bar is very good, you are right in front of the taps and the tender is right there to cater to you. the only real complaint is that there was a limited selection, the beers on tap were all excellent, but I think they had under a dozen types, though they did have a bottled selection. A real fun joint that I certainly want to visit again.!
Aug 20, 2009
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Reviewed by david18 from New York

3.88/5  rDev -7.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Very good and very authentic german beer hall in the east village of New York City. Good selection of german beers and a good traditional atmosphere that includes large community tables, traditional german food and lots of noisy patrons and loud music. Get the dark beers when you're there and try one of the potato dishes as well as the traditional wurst or schnitzel dinners.

Also a good place to go with lots of friends and, because German pilsners can be very accessible to non beer nerds, you can bring anyone with you.
Jul 20, 2009
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Reviewed by ATPete from New Jersey

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
A- Its a party. Nicely decorated to really give you a German feel. There are these trees (at least i think they were trees) running through the inside of the bar, very interesting. The urinal is straight out of Europe, be prepared to piss with a bunch of dudes at peak hours haha.

Q- Clean, good beer list from what i remember, i had a Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen that tasted incredibly fresh.

Ser- Wow, we walk in and we're thrust into a short bubbly conversation with a cute bar maid, she had our drinks ready very quickly. Lots of staff buzzing around, all smiling.

Sel- Great beers, i wish i had time to really investigate the list.

F- just beer, no food this time.

V- Not bad from what i remember.
May 04, 2009
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Reviewed by madmanjf from New York

3.93/5  rDev -6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
A small place in alphabet city down on the lower east side of Manhattan.

The bar has about 5 or 6 stools, and the taps are in a brick pulpit-like area at the end of the bar. 12 lines dedicated to german styles; all imports the times I've been there.

Tables are large and intended for communal seating. Great if you're in a large group.

Authentic fare from German; entrees seem to be a bit pricey.

Live entertainment available which schedules on their website.

The place has a great feeling to it, and you'll feel like you're in Germany.
May 04, 2009
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Reviewed by Augustiner719 from Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
I went to Zum Schneider this past Sunday and let me tell you, its so refreshing to find a reasonably priced bar with friendly people, staff, and above all, in NYC!!!

I had a Mas of Hofbrau Haus and it was fresh and tasted great. They have such a high turnover of kegs that the lines must be clear as day. They have about 10 to 15 high quality and "rare" german beers on tap, some of which include: Haufbrau haus, hacker pschorr, spaten, weinstephaner, sneider weiss i believe and many more. They also have the rare Augustiner which is munich's most popular beer but is rarely in the US.

After the Mas we had dinner there and the food is very reminiscent of what it is like in Munich. Great pork and chicken dishes, amazing pretzels, great sausages and brats... this place is really like being at a bar in munich!! On top of that, the beer is reasonably priced.. between $10 and $14 a mas, and they have sizes from 8oz, 16 oz and 32 oz plus pithers i believe.

The waitstaff speaks both german and english and the decor is very reminiscent of German beer hauses.. I highly reccomend this place if your in NYC.
Dec 23, 2008
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Reviewed by Nickls from District of Columbia

4.16/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Zum Schneider is definitely a great place to visit for any beer enthusiast, especially during the warmer months. I know that it is renouned for its Oktoberfest celebrations, but when the weather warms up, there is a good amount of outside seating on the sidewalk...always a plus in New York.

As it's a German place, there are quite a few German beers that can't normally be found at other beer bars in New York. They know how to pour, and clearly rotate kegs well, and it's always a good experience.
Mar 25, 2008
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Reviewed by atigerlife from Hawaii

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
My first stop on my NYC trip. The weather was great so we sat outside and enjoyed the nice weather and interesting crowd walking by.

Beer: on tap they had: Schnieder Weiss, Weihestephaner Weissbier, Abentinus, Reissdorf Kolsch, Hofbrauhaus Munchen, Hacker Pschorr, Jever, Wurzburger Pilsner, Spaten Optimator, Weltenburger, etc. About 9 other brews on bottles.

They served the beer in labeled glassware. Nice.

Prices for beer on tap were 8oz $3-4, Pint $5-7.

The pretzel [$2] was OK but the sausage platter [$14 for 3 types of sausage] was very good.

Service was good but not great. Had to flag down the waitress to get some more beer.

Overall, if you are in the neighborhood, a good place to go.
FYI: cash only
Oct 16, 2007
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Reviewed by dough from New York

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I went to Zum Schneider this past weekend for their Oktoberfest celebration. My friend had been here before for Oktoberfest and he was pretty clear that we had to get here early and man am I glad he did. They opened at 1PM and we were right there able to get a table for the day. The decor inside is quite nice as they have made a good effort to make it look like a typical Bavarian Beer Hall. The Concrete trees are something to behold. Overall the beer selection was good. I would have prefered a Paulaner Amber as it is my favorite Oktoberfest beer but the choices were there. The food was surprisingly good as well. The place was packed to the gills and there was a line to get in that was at least 50 people deep all day. When the band started the place was rocking and people were really into the traditional Oktoberfest music.

Overall this was a really fun day. Zum Schneider has really captured the feel of Munich's Oktoberfest and brought it to the Lower East Side. I look forward to next year and wouldn't mind checking them out on any given day. Price was typical Manhattan.
Oct 15, 2007
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Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
The line for the bathroom seems to be the only drawback at Zum Schneider. And yeah, the tourists can be bothersome at times, but in the biergarten spirit you kind of have to accept that and put up with it; and that can make it kind of fun even when it's packed!

A lot of people go for the outdoor seating, but the inside is nice as well, and in fact, I prefer it! It's a nice looking, comfortable place (although the concrete "trees" are a little odd), and the seating never infringes on your personal space too much as there are no really long tables. It's just the right amount of space on each side of the entranceway. Now, there's not a lot of room along the bar if that's what you like, but you should do OK at a table as the service is fairly good.

The beer selection is pretty good, and the taps are very well chosen. The menu follows the same, and there's a little bit of something for everyone - even vegetarians! The beers are, of course, of the highest quality, and the food is very good as well.
Jul 04, 2007
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Reviewed by sleazo from New York

4.2/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Zum Schneider is made up to look like a traditional Bavarian Beer Hall. The Blue and White Bavarian flag colours abound inside. There are a bunch of bench tables and two bars. The second bar actually looks inot the kitchen so you can see the goings on in there. Outside there are a bunch of smaller tables to take advantage of the nice weather and people watch, which in Alphabet city is always fun.

They have a great selection of German beers from all over the country. There are a number of Weiss biers, Kolsches, Lagers, Weissbocks representing some quality breweries. Weihenstephaner, Aventinus, Gaffel, Spaten and many more. They wouldnt serve me the Kolsch in a Masse so i went with a Spaten. There is just something very fun about drinking from a 1L beer stein. All of the beers i had were very, very fresh considering they had to travel across the pond.

Foodwise things are pretty good. A selection of German treats from schnitzel to wurst and with great sides like spaetzel and various cabbages. The only dissapointement was the bretzls, just ho hum. The mustard they were served with was pretty good however. Pricewise, typical Manhattan prices.

This is a great place to have a meal or a few beers with friends, especially in nice weather.
Jun 21, 2007
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Reviewed by jim102864 from Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I heard about this place from a friend who lived in the neighborhood and have been trying to check it out since last year's Big East Tournament. I visited just a day after the "Schnuppet Show - Karneval Animal" which I guess is a combination of a puppet show and a mardi-gra-esque event where customers dress up as either frogs or goats. You figure it out, 'cause I can't. They still had the place decorated from that event, so I didn't see what other reviewers did. Still, it had a distant feel of a German beer hall, given the long tables and benches. Place was packed at about 6:30 this past Thursday night. I went there for dinner, but of course, couldn't wait to get my hands around a 1 liter stein of whatever was good and of course, there was plenty that was good. Sadly, since I had just spent a fair amount of time at Burp Castle, I was only able to do one Spaten Optimator. I actually ordered another but couldn't do more than about 1/3rd of the glass...not a bad showing if I do say so myself. I ordered the pork chop special with sauerkraut and spatzle which was mighty tasty. Lots of other excellent brews on tap including Hacker Pschorr Dunkel and Schneider Weisse to name a few. Excellent service; attentative but not annoying. A great place that I will surely visit again, only this time it will be the only place I go so as to fully enjoy the beer and atmosphere.
Feb 24, 2007
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Reviewed by Jacobier10 from New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
I had high hopes for Zum Schneider after first hearing about it from a friend. We went for brunch on a Saturday morning and were far from disappointed.

The inside is decorated to look like a traditional German beer garden. Fake vines cover the walls, a huge German flag spans the area of the ceiling, and if you look hard enough you'll find the occasional soccer ball or two. It is not big inside, but there is a side room in addition to the main room and outdoor seating is available.

The quality of the beers was top notch. All beers on-tap are served in three sizes (sm/med/lg), which I really liked, and all are served in their proper glassware, a nice touch as well. I ordered a Schneider Weiss which was as fresh as can be.

No problems with the service at all. The selection is not large by any means, but the emphasis here is on quality not quantity. All German beers here, if you're looking for something else this is not the place to go. There are enough beers to keep you satisfied and several styles are represented with their great German counterparts.

The food was excellent. I ordered the sausage platter which was three different kinds of Bavarian sausage over sauerkraut with potato salad on the side. Everything was made to perfection and I couldn't have been happier.

If I hadn't driven in, I would have sat there all afternoon enjoying some of the best German beer known to man. I think I have found a new favorite place in the city and I cannot wait to go back. Prost!
Aug 20, 2006
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Reviewed by rousee from Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +9.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
The German biergarten feel of this place is about as authentic as you can get here in the US. Very spartan--almost medieval design to the place with lots of brickwork and hard wooden chairs. The place is not luxurious at all but the atmosphere is so cool. Perfect for what it is trying to be. Even where the taps were set up along the bar, it felt like you could have been in some medieval castle.

The beers were as fresh as can be and they had some gems I had never seen before. I had never seen Aventinus on tap before or Schneider weisse for that matter. Another new one for me was called Weltenburger. I tried both the Wintertraum (excellent) and their Anno 1050 (average). Even one of the lighter pilseners was Wurzburger--something I have not really seen much of. The selection in this place is not large but it is quite unique.

The food was excellent. We got these potato dumplings tossed with hot sauerkraut. Unbelievably good. Stay away from the pretzels as they are just average. The service was good. I liked how when I asked for a glass of water, it was ice cold but had no ice in it. This is a refreshing change. I cant wait to go back to this place. Fabulous !!
Jan 16, 2006
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Reviewed by Hibernator from Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
I went to Zum Schneider on this Sunday afternoon with a good friend. He had visited this place once before and was able to navigate us in the right direction, The Hofrbrau sign in front will prepare you for what awaits.

The atmosphere here is that of a German beerhall. Wooden tables, high ceilings, some scattered ivy and German waitstaff make this place feel as authentic as possible. The overall emphasis here is more on the restaurant side than a beer bar. The bar itself is rather small, but can accommodate around 6 people. A lengthier bar set up would only enhance the attraction of this place. There is some nice outdoor seating on the sidewalk. Service was solid; attentive, friendly, and responsive.

The selection is a real treat to someone who appreciates German beer. They have all of the major German options that one would wish to find. The glassware is dead on too. I had a Schneider Weisse and an Aventinus. Both beers were served properly and very fresh. The draught and bottle selection will offer you some quality selections. Beers are served in three sizes...small, regular and large. Check out the website for a detailed draught selection: http://www.zumschneider.com/.

I liked this place. It hit the spot on a lazy Sunday afternoon. There is nothing like a couple of pints in the afternoon and good conversation with a close friend. Check this place out if you find yourself in the East Village or Alphabet City. There is also a Moon Pie Pizza a few blocks away if you are looking for a good slice.
Jul 31, 2005
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Reviewed by ChowHound from New York

3.65/5  rDev -12.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
This seems to be the hottest place on which, until very recently, was a horrible avenue. Very small, with a little bar and those long picnic type German tables. The floor looks like they decided to just leave the concrete slab as is. Some weird looking faux tree throughout. Pretty good range of German beer on tap, and some bottles. Food was tre disappointing as traditional German fare is being done so well at other NYC venues. Realy gets busy here, and that muffs the service up. Prices way high for beers which can be readily had for less nearby. Not my thing.
May 07, 2005
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Reviewed by Billolick from New York

3.68/5  rDev -12%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
My wife and I visited this place for the first time on a VERY crowded and noisy saturday night. If you dont like your beer bar/food experience to include nowhere to sit or stand, loud and obnoxious drunks smashing their large steins together, I sould suggest you stay away from ZS during peak times.

From what I could observe, the beeer selection included all the German quality regulars and a few I hadn't spotted around town before. Food platters I saw on the way to peoples tables looked large and tasty. Despite the out of the way, lower east side location, I didn't see many bargains on the beer or food menus.

I would like to go back, but would try a week night or a lunch time/early evening visit
May 07, 2005
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Reviewed by vladtheimpaler from New Jersey

4/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Great place to go when in a German mood. Place is set up like a German O'fest tent, with picnic table like seating. Often you will find yourself sitting with strangers if you are not there with a large group.

Good quality authenic German food made by Mexicans, and very good German beer.

Love the hot German beer wenches.

This place almost always has unusual German beer selections on tap. Have had everything from Hacker Pschorr Dunkel to Kloster Weltenburg and Allgauer on tap here.

Food has always been good and tasty. Also the prices are reasonable. Fun place to go with friends.
Mar 28, 2005
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Reviewed by Quaffer from Missouri

4.06/5  rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
I really like Zum Schneider and I'm not sure why I had never been there before. Bruiser81 and I arrived early on the day that we visited and had to wait around a few minutes before the place opened. Therefore, due to the early hour of the afternoon, we practically had the place to ourselves. That made our visit very quiet and enjoyable.

The bartender and all the staff were exceptionally nice, beer knowlegeable, and in a terrific mood. Even the resident cat seemed happy. I would have really enjoyed being around these people all night. Not all the staff is German or has a German background, but according to the bartender, everyone that works there is required to speak the language.

The inside of the place is very open and light. There are lots of long tables and benches, reminiscent of a German beirgarten or Oktoberfest. There are even a few tables out on the sidewalk that runs along two sides of the building.

The beer selection was pretty good and completely German. There are other beer bars in Manhattan that have much bigger selections, but considering that ZS is limited to just German fair, I think they do a damn fine job.

I really enjoyed my visit to Zum Schneider and wish that I could have spent more time there. The friendly atmosphere topped off a great German beer bar. I will dedicate a night to ZS the next time that I am in town.
Nov 01, 2004
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Reviewed by TheLongBeachBum from California

3.8/5  rDev -9.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
There I was wondering what to say about the Zum Schneider Restaurant & Biergarten when I came across Rapopoda’s BeerFly for the self same visit, and I have to say that I think he sums it up perfectly.

An L-shaped room that feels like two separate rooms, both of which contain many wooden bench-like tables and chairs. A decent outside drinking area also lends a party atmosphere before you even enter. Lots of bare bricks and some very peculiar bare wooden tree trunks that are obviously fake and seem to be made of Plaster of Paris, these defoiled white trees juxta-pose with some German Memorabilia and Breweriana. The atmosphere is a little ‘forced’ and it seemed to attract trendies, so it feels a little pretentious at times. It seems like the sort of place that would find it hard to laugh at it self, but I was here for the beer and the chance to drink it with a group of good NYC friends that I come to know well over the last year, which is all that matters. Our Party of Davo, Moon0, Feloniousphil, Rapopoda, djgonzalez, RokotGirl left the Chelsea Brewing Company and headed out here, where we met PopeJohnPaul.

Twelve Totally Teutonic Taps that serve a range that can alter but usually comprises the following Schneider Weisse, Weihenstephaner Weissbier, Aventinus Doppelbock, Aventinus Wheatbeer, Reissdorf Kölsch, Hofbräu Original (HB) Löwenbräu "Helles", Hacker Pschorr, Jever Pilsener, Würzburger Hofbräu Pilsener, Veltins, Spaten, Einbecker are all advertised as being on draft. I went for the Spaten Dark and an Aventinus Wheatbeer. In addition the draft beers are supported by a very small range of bottled beers. Food is typical Teutonic fare, simple but it seemed decent quality from what I saw.

Service seemed quick and punctual but lacked any warmth; very German in its utilitarian execution I may say. That said we had enough people round our Bench Table to start our own entertainment, which started when Davo ordered some food and it arrived. A perfectly preserved brace of Boiled Albino Donkey Knobs (a.k.a. Weisswurst) caused much mirth and amusement amongst those of that have a mental age of 14 years and below.

A pretty smallish place, but funky in a serious German way. It has some character all of its own, even if it does not feel German at first, being surrounded by Teutonic brews and fare you will soon find yourself speaking the few German phrases that you learnt in school, things like “Donner und Blitzen” when you see Davo swallow a whole Albino Donkey Knob on his own in one go without blushing, or “Gott in Himmel” when you soon Feloniousphil put away yet another huge Stein of one of the Dunkels without even a wobble.

A great to place to meet up, but I reckon this place could easily become crowded at which point it would loose its charm for me. Super place to meet friends and share a Bier or two though. Zum Wohl!

Last Visit: Saturday 4th September, 2004.
Sep 18, 2004
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Reviewed by PudTinkler from New Jersey

4/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
Specken ze deutsche, fraulien?

Zum's seems to be a hidden gem. Easily crowded due to it's small area, it serves nothing but german beers. Not being well-schooled in german, I just ordered a Jever and soaked in the atmosphere. Nothing here for fans of darker beers (stouts, porters, etc.), but high-quality beers overall. Not a place that you'll want to spend an entire evening at, but surely a stop along the way on a pub crawl

Servers seem extremely well-versed in their selections, and the hard pretzels on the bar add a nice touch.
Apr 19, 2004
Photo of PopeJonPaul
Reviewed by PopeJonPaul from Oregon

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Cool German bar and restaurant, gotta love any place that has beer by the liter. Quality German beer selection, including Schneider Weiss, Aventinus, Weihenstephaner, Kolsch, Jever, Hacker Pschorr. Good food, especially Leberkaese (Bavarian meatloaf) with Apfelstrudel for dessert. Fun and loud, with mismatched hardwood benches, weird fake trees. The waitresses are attentive and do a great job with a large (and sometimes obnoxious) crowd. Spring-summer when the tables are on the sidewalk is the best season. Get there early - this place can get really crowded.

Favorite tale from Zum - while waiting to order at the bar:
Tap man (German accent, pouring liter): "Vat would you like?"
Customer: "Do you have a light beer?"
Tap man (finishes pouring the liter, grabs a 0.3l): "Ah. A small, right?"
Feb 12, 2004
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Reviewed by slander from New York

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Guess what? Another "fact finding mission", this one in the East Village. Zum Schneider's a little place with a bunch of beerhallish tables and a tiny little attached room with more of the same. There are fake trees sprouting right up and (so it looks) right through the ceiling and a good deal of brick. We sat barside and woofed a bowl of big bavarian pretzels and saw it all. They've got a half dozen bottles and 12 taps, all German, from one end of the range to the other. I had the Aventinus while Phil had a Dab (I haven't seen Dab on tap since ever). Kolsch, Octos, in appropriate glassware, a good selection although there were a couple I've never heard of. Note to self: I really ought to be better schooled in German beers.
Uh oh, bathroom hunt. What's this?? Oh hell, Hey!! Am I a "Herr" or a "Frau"? Damn it, what'd they use to call each other on Hogan's Heroes? Come man, tell me, hurry up, hurry, hurry!!
Oct 28, 2003
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Reviewed by saltydog from New York

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Wonderful German bar and restaurant. Very atmospheric, with a tree in the center of the room, and a very outdoor-beerhall vibe even though they are indoors. The food is excellent, even if the variety is not huge. But the main thing is the beer. As long as you understand that you are sticking with strictly German beer for the visit, you will be very impressed with the variety of beers. A good percentage of the best and most unusual German beers, including the Schneider Oktoberfest, Aventinus and Kolsch, as well as both the Marzen and Urbock versions of Schlenkerla Rauchbier (very good combo with the food. The service is very friendly and charming, and the mostly German waitresses usually appreciate it when I bring my Dachshund to dine with me...they are especially freindly when they find out his name is Ludwig, and was named after Mad King Ludwig II, whose picture adorns the wall here. All in all, a great beer experience.
Oct 19, 2003
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Reviewed by Kwak from New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +8.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
I went their for my 30 birthday Saturday night about 7:30 . This place is great cool atmosphere luved the fake trees nice place to have a drink. The service was very good nice German girl very attentive as soon as my glass was empty she was back to offer a refill .the food was typical German Biergarten food nothing special. The beer I had just had a few drafts all were in excellent condition I had a Weihenstephan and it was the best one I ever had those taps must be really clean and the beer was very fresh. A side note one of my friends doesn't like German beers and complained about the selection, I think it was great not the best beer bar but a great German Restaurant. Your not going to find a whole lot of styles of beer but that's not what they are. They are great at what they do. I enjoyed this place and will go back!
Dec 02, 2002
Photo of Thrasher
Reviewed by Thrasher from Oregon

4.53/5  rDev +8.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Schneider uber alles! This is my favorite spot in the East Village, and maybe all of NYC. 12 German brews on tap and more in the bottle, all served with appropriate glassware. Every time I go, I have a big grin on my face, and every time I leave, I know I have overdone it (but I'm still grinning!). A good place for a beer nut, but you don't have to be one to have a great time. Other places might have a wider beer selection, a sexier vibe, a cooler locale, or better cuisine (although theirs is nothing to scoff at) - something about Zum just makes me glad.
Mar 26, 2002
Zum Schneider in New York, NY
Place rating: 4.18 out of 5 with 36 ratings