Stubbies & Steins

Stubbies & SteinsStubbies & Steins
Stubbies & SteinsStubbies & Steins
Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

9 W University Ave
Gainesville, Florida, 32601-5313
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.37
Reviews:
37
Ratings:
38
pDev:
13.27%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by TomB:
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Reviewed by TomB from Florida

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.75
One of my personal favorite bar's. Cool atmosphere, and on most weeknights and early evenings on the weekend the crowd is not overwhelming. I've encountered evenings where they had a person working the door letting one person in as one person left, so the group I was with slowly filtered in through-out that particular evening.

Food is great. Only place I'm aware of in Gainesville for German food. I'm not ethnic German so I won't speak on the authenticity, however I haven't had anything yet that I did not enjoy.

Beer choices are numerous, and usually they have something limited on tap. Prices are about $1-2 higher than some of the other bars in town, but nothing atrocious. They are not quite as Euro-Import heavy on tap as they used to be (much more American Craft Beer these days).

The service is what it is, and what it has been for years. There are some very helpful people on the wait/bartending staff that depending on their mood can either provide a lot of help, or make you feel like a dunce. They don't always hide what kind of mood they're in, but if you act like a civilized human you will be treated like one. Definitely not a place for a rowdy frat-boy type. If you go in here acting the fool, you will be treated as one. I had an acquaintance in my group one evening get to experience the "fool treatment" first hand, but he deserved it. Again, the service is what it is, don't go expecting to get any over the top attention, because it's probably not going to happen. Just go, order a good beer, behave yourself and maybe one of them will smile at you in appreciation.
Sep 12, 2013
More User Ratings:
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Reviewed by WynnO from Florida

2/5  rDev -54.2%
I am sad to post this review presently. The owner of this great establishment, Gar Hoflund, passed away last year.

As horrible as this loss was to the family, it is also a loss for Stubbie’s long-time customers and Gainesville. As it stands right now, IMO, unless there is a 180 degree turn in management, Stubbies will be history soon.

Their tap list has declined to a level that their removal from beer advocate may soon be warranted. As if the decline in quality wasn’t bad enough (my most recent experience) a friend reported that there were exactly THREE beers flowing when he visited.

I don’t know the scoop on its present ownership/management, but I hope they catch a vision and turn this around ASAP. Stubbies was a GREAT place for beer and food, if not THE BEST in Gainesville. It would be an awesome legacy for Mr. Hoflund if this situation could be turned around---the place is certainly worthy of saving.

btw, I will certainly remove and or update this if the situation changes. I just felt it necessary to speak out before it's too late.

Please---everyone, continue to visit Stubbies. They need help.
Sep 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.8 by jmeg8r

Aug 14, 2014
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Reviewed by BMMillsy from Florida

4.19/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
Neat litt spot here in Gainesville. Lots of rotating taps and something like 500 bottles. Huge selection of Belgian brews. Service was okay, and the food was decent. Plan on going back here again soon.

Definitely come here and check out the chicken sausage with cheese in it. Yum! Some nice special brews on tap like Hoppin Frog Cafe Silk Porter, Bell's stuff, more. Definitely worth a stop.
Nov 22, 2013
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Reviewed by GatorBeer from South Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -14.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Like others have said this is a great beer bar. They have about 20 taps and a large bottle selection. The taps tend to have a higher percentage of German inspired beers then other places because after all, half of this bar is a German beer hall (the other half is Australian inspired, Stubbies & Steins, get it?)

Selection tends to be well thought out and most of the time you'll find limited/rarer beers on the list as opposed to stuff you can get anywhere.

My main grudge and the reason I don't come here often are the prices. I know craft is more expensive and especially craft at a bar but when I can't walk in and get a beer for less then $6 and most of the time in the $7-8 range, I'd rather drink at home. Also, their beers aren't all in pints they're served in glass specific to style (which is awesone, but most of the time it's <16 oz).

Order the pomme frites with dill mayo and you'll be there all day. Their food is great.
Jun 13, 2013
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Reviewed by cubanbeerguy from Florida

4.38/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Ok stubbi8es is a bier garden style place. Lots of German food that is great. Ok for their beers. They get good stuff on tap. The day I was there they had cigar city/ greenflash candela barleywine on draft! That was delicious. But their beers are pricey. every beer is like $6-$8. I went on IPA night and they hardly had any ofhte beers they advertised on draft. They said come back later as more kegs blew they would tap them. The event said it started at a certain time and I wasnt thrilled about that. It was a bit rude. the server didnt know jack shit about beer honestly but one of the bartenders came over after he saw my frustration trying to read the draft list off a tiny chalkboard and he was awesome help. Will vivist again if I want german food, maybe with my parents when they come intot town haha since beers are overpriced.
Mar 26, 2013
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Reviewed by Holland from Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -9.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
A couple of points to get by first:

1. The prices are fine. It's a beer joint, and they serve good beer. Good beer can be expensive. I'll take a Imperial Russian Stout for $6 rather than a Bud Light for $4. Not even close.

2. This place is great, but it's not an A+. I'm sure we could all think of things that could improve.

Good:
Great beers on tap. Tons of open seats in the summer and on week nights.

Not as good:
Beers are often limited to widely available beers that I can get anywhere. The atmosphere is very college like on weekends. Do they want TVs up for the sports bar feel, or are they going for the pub feel? I can't tell.
Sep 14, 2011
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Reviewed by Jerone from Florida

4.83/5  rDev +10.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
One of my favorite places to go while in Gainesville, FL. Great beer food such as sausages and other German fare. What's on tap is always changing and they have a good list of bottled beers. Great service too, as soon as your beer is empty someone is there to get you a new one or suggest another good brew. They also have a few Swamphead(a local brewery) brews on tap which are all very good. My only complaint is that the prices, but they could be worse I suppose. Great place to go and sit and talk while enjoying some delicious craft beer and maybe a sausage and some pretzels. What could possible be bad about that?
Aug 03, 2011
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Reviewed by cirtap from Florida

4.13/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Stubbie's is a great place to hang out but it is pricey. I find it very easy to spend $7-8 per beer with tip here, and that adds up fast. The food is great and the beer selection is outstanding, with rotating taps of great stuff all year round. The bottles list changes but not as frequently. Expect to pay 2x retail for bottles and $5-8/glass for the draught beer. The servers are knowledgeable and every beer is served in its appropriate glassware, sometimes down to the brewery. It really is an outstanding place for the craft beer lover, just not on the college budget.
May 31, 2011
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Reviewed by Jdmpolk from Florida

4.65/5  rDev +6.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
If you are looking to grab a beer in Gainesville, Stubbies would be the place to go. With over 400 bottled beers, and about 24 taps their selection is the best in town. The bar itself is split into two halves, the original Stubbies which was the bar done in an Australian theme, while the other half is the newer German themed restaurant side. Both sides are generally relaxed with the noise level appropriate for a social bar. No loud music or many TV's to distract the patron, just beer and conversation.

The staff is knowledgeable as well, and won't hesitate to help a patron pick a new beer that is within their comfort zone. One of the only problems is that a majority of the time the staff is in bar mode, looking for empty glasses, clearing tables, and bringing beer orders. This forces the patron to have a longer wait time for the food, and an empty water glass. However, the food is worth the wait. They offer four different types of sausage, as well as a selection of German dishes, as well as seasonal. Some of the food you wouldn't expect in a pub, such as shaved ham, whipped potatoes and white asparagus .

Overall, if you are looking for a good place to get some food, and have a few beers with some friends in a social atmosphere Stubbies is the place to go.
Oct 11, 2010
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Reviewed by MarcGetty from Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
As Stubbies & Steins had the highest rating of any restaurant in Gainesville as per Beer Advocate, I just had to visit while in town.

Pretty good German themed atmosphere with a restaurant on one side and what appeared to be a take-out place on the other side. A lot of interesting beer and German related pieces.

The service was fair, but confusing. You never had the same waiter/waitress twice and too many "bar backs" were circling who could not take your order.

The beers we had were very good and served very well. Zero complaints about selection (quite a bit) or handling/glassware.

The food was pseudo-German and tasty, but *far* from authentic (you will never see 2.5 cm thick Schnitzel), the waitstaff did not know what spaetzle was, and the kartoffelpuffer were obviously from McCain or Tyson.

Overall enjoyed Stubbies & Steins and I'd surely go back if I were in Gainesville again, but this place does not deserve the "A+ World Class" rating that it currently has on BeerAdvocate.
Oct 05, 2010
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Reviewed by pjbear05 from Florida

4.66/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
In Gainsville during vacation, had to check out Stubbies & Steins based on the reviews here.

As I got to the bar the bartender asked what I wanted. I told him it was my first time in and he said, "Welcome, here's our food and bottle menu, and our drafts are on the blackboard", pointing me to the other room. Whoa, the blackboard was all full of selections, most of which I had only heard of. Started with and Erdinger Hefeweizen and went from there. Every beer, be it Belgian, lager, stout, whatever, was served in the proper glassware for type. Bar staff was very knowledgable about beer, making suggestions to customers, and were very free with sample pours of the drafts.

Also had a Langunitas Little Sumpthin Sumpthin, an Ayinger Celebrator, and finished with a Southern Tier Creme Brule Stout.

The bar staff advised me they rotate a lot of their draft slections, so going in different seasons ought to be intriguing. Enjoyed every aspect. BA's, if you're anywhere near Gainseville, S & S is a Must!
Aug 27, 2010
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Reviewed by phishgator from Florida

4/5  rDev -8.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
I've been coming here since the earlier 2000s and never had a bad time. It can get packed and they do follow capicity laws; so if it's prime time and your not in there and there's a line you'll have to wait or come back later. The atmosphere is grad students and weekend tailgators. They have anything you can get in FL; very few exceptions. The service can be slow at times when they are filled to capicity, but everyone seems knowledgeable and friendly. They do not serve food, but they do have some catchy t-shirts for sale. The prices are what you would expect from a good beer bar. I recommend this place to anyone in G'ville.
Aug 16, 2010
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Reviewed by Jiggamyte from New Jersey

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
A beer bar in a college town, I finally got to get into Stubbies while visiting my girlfriend who attends UF. This place is my kind of place, over 400 bottles of beer, a much smaller selection of taps at both their bars, and all the glassware to match. The atmosphere is a bit more upscale than your college town typical shot and beer bar. More Grad students tend to visit this establishment. The German beer hall and Australian short pub give this place its decor. But make no bones about it, these guys are here to serve beer. I sat down with my girlfriend and we proceeded to have 10 beers between us. The staff was on point with service, knowledgeable about the right glassware, and when asked for favorites were quick to describe and give reason why they like such particular beer. The selection is out of this world with many domestic craft beers and an incredible amount of imported beers from Europe, South America, and even Africa. They do have a list that you can ask for if you want to take the challenge. It's called the offenders list and you have a year to drink all the beers on the list. Once completed you do get your name on a plaque on the wall. And some of the beers they do not carry anymore and are willing to trade you beers. Had such a great time that we had to go back the next day. To get my offenders list started and to get a recount of the drinks of the drinks from the night before. The bartenders remembered every drink and I only forgot one. Great service, we were in a packed bar! If you go to Gainesville, get into Stubbies!
May 19, 2010
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Reviewed by MURF0320 from Florida

4.58/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Life in Gainesville before Stubbies was bleak. Not really anywhere to get even a decent pint of beer. Then came a very small, cramped bar with about 10 draughts, but 200 plus hard to find bottles. All beers were served in the proper glassware and all the employees were well trained and knowledgeable. This was a first of a kind for Gainesville, as far as I know. With the popularity Stubbies expanded and opened the German themed addition Steins. The expansion doubled the number of draughts and the bottle selection has grown to over 400. Although very crowded nowadays, the quality of this place continues to impress.
Food is traditional German. I don't like sausage and there is very little other to choose from. The appetizers are very good though...hot pretzels, potato pancakes, pommes frites, and popcorn.
Apr 25, 2010
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Reviewed by labraben from Florida

5/5  rDev +14.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Stubbies and Steins is one of the best pubs in the US. The inside of the place is very welcoming and cozy; one side is Australian themed with beer themed tshirts lining the walls, and the other side is decorated like a German beer hall, with a large awning over the bar, a long bench through the middle and a number of high top tables throughout the bar. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable - you can ask them almost anything about beer and they will be able to give you an earfull. Even when the bar is packed, which happens every Friday and Saturday night, they will take the time to help you pick the right beer from the huge selection, which is spectacular, with over 400 bottles in stock at all times, and 20 something taps that are forever changing. I have had a number of draft beers at Stubbies that you cant find anywhere else in Florida. The food is also great - you can tell the chef really knows his stuff... they have a number of German sausages, schnitzel, pomme frites, potato pancakes, and Belgian meatballs just to name a few things, and they are all great. Stubbies and Steins is awesome and if you love beer, this is the place to be.
Apr 13, 2010
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Reviewed by DrummerDan from Florida

3.88/5  rDev -11.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
Stubbie's is the ONLY bar featuring beers in Gainesville that I could find so it is without saying that I would return when in the area. A cool aspect of this place is the two distinct feels. A t-shirt pub and a German beer hall all in one.
Shirts were cute and it seemed a bit dark to me (I noticed others said it was bright) to be able to enjoy the funny sayings.
Three out of four of our beers were served in the right glass and the other draft was served in a regular pint glass, which was fine with us. I had a Duchess from tap and it wasn't quite right and our server quickly made it right and was quite kind. I said I know it is supposed to be sour in the Flemish style, but this has a real vinegar flavor that is off. Sausage was excellent!
Most beers seem about $1 - $2 higher than I usually pay out and that surprised me in a college town. There are about 450 beers available here and they are available to go.
The other young server was a bit of a smart-aleck and was more interested in standing around talking to his friends than bothering with me or my mate HOWEVER we were not his table.
Oct 19, 2009
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Reviewed by mikeyv35 from New York

4.14/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Stopped in this establishment on 06/05/09 when I was in Gainesville visiting my brother. Initially, I thought this would be the typical college beer bar in a college town w/ the usual binge drinking fraternity brothers chugging down Stella and Hoegaarden, but I was mistaken. The most impressive aspect of this beer bar was the fact that they had two bars, one in the front for wine and liquor, and a small quaint one in the back for beer. The beer bar in the back had 20+ brews on tap (including The Ducchesse and Chimay Grande Reserve) plus their bottle menu boosted 400+ varieties of micros and imports and offered beer to go. I stood at the bar in the back as I usually do and sipped on The Ducchesse and Aventinus out of the proper labeled glassware as if I were in Europe which was equally impressive. The prices were pretty much on par w/ the rest of the east coast. The atmosphere was relaxing and enjoyable due to the low lighting, cleanliness, and knowledgeable staff - that surprisingly enough actually knew what they were talking about. The knowledgeable staff added alot to the atmosphere, as we talked like beer geeks in length about the majority of the brews I sampled. Glad I stopped into Stubbie's and will be visiting again the next time I am in Gainesville. Without a doubt the best beer bar in the Gainesville area - nice pick bro!
Jun 13, 2009
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Reviewed by PattynSuicide from Florida

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
This is hands down, the best beer bar I've ever been to. The selection of beer is impeccable. There are just so many beers to choose from and if you aren't sure of what to order, the staff is there to help. Beer is served in appropriate glassware (win!).

The food is a bit costly but damn, it is tasty. The potato salad is delicious and all of the sausages are great. I've had some of the desserts as well and they were amazing. If the place is busy, sometimes they'll run out of food (french fries, onion rings, etc.) but I've only seen that happen once.

Overall, it really is a good place to hang out and have a few beers. College kids whose only mindset is to get hammered on cheap beer are weeded out since hard liquor, Bud, Coors, etc. aren't served.
Mar 15, 2009
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Reviewed by mitchellc from Florida

4.58/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
I've been here a few times, and have been consistently impressed not only by the quality of selection, but by the atmosphere and the staff's knowledge. There are a few good places to buy beer at retail prices, but Stubbie's offers a wide selection that simply cannot be replicated anywhere.

It's a great place to go if you're not in a hurry. You may not be served immediately if you sit down on a busy night, and you won't have a waitor/waitress bugging you every five minutes, but if they see that your glass is low, they'll offer another. Prices range from about $3.50 to $15 or so per glass, but the average price is around $6, which is fine considering the quality of what's available. The atmosphere is clean, not too loud, and comfortable. The glassware is great, too: you always get something of the appropriate size and of good quality and weight, and in many cases, a specific beer's own glass.

I hear that the food offerings are a recent amendment to the menu. I have only had the onion rings, but they are good enough to get every time I go. They also have popcorn for $2.50 or so, which is nice if you just want salty to go with your beer, but nothing too heavy.
Nov 23, 2008
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Reviewed by MisterE from Florida

4.58/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
This is my favorite place to go to enjoy my old favorites or meet a new friend. At the bar or at a table, it's also never too loud to have a decent conversation.

With over a dozen beers on tap and hunderds more in bottles, there are more beer choices from around the world than most of us can reasonably get through in a year, and by then they will have added new ones! If you're not sure of exactly what you want, the knowledgeable and friendly staff can help. Most customers will probably also enjoy the T-shirt designs hanging on the wall in the original bar area.

There are several downtown bars where you can find good beer for a reasonable price, but if you want the greatest possible variety, as well as good food and a great atmosphere, there's really only one choice. If you're in Gainesville and appreciate good beer, don't miss this place.
Nov 09, 2008
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Reviewed by drabmuh from Maryland

4.63/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
I love Stubbie's. It is an oasis of a beer bar in an otherwise beerless desert. I especially love the expansion. The Australian themed half was nice, but that small room, with the lack of textiles to absorb sound, got loud and crowded. The new Germany themed expansion is amazing. It looks like a beer hall. I've been to Bavaria and it has an authenic feel to it. The selection also improved with the expansion and more importantly the draught selection improved. My only complaint about Stubbies for a long time was the lack of rotating drafts. Rogue Yellow Snow was on draught for about a year. Up until that feat, I thought Yellow Snow was a seasonal beer. Now there are several German and Belgium as well as classical and craft American beers on draught. I hope the new selection continues to rotate frequently.
I guess if I have to be critical of Stubbie's now I'd have to address the music. Sometimes the music being softly piped into German or Australia is ignorable or provides appropriate ambient noise but other times it seems repetitive or too stuck in the 80's. Not a substantial complaint I guess. But worth mentioning.
Sep 17, 2008
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Reviewed by mullenite from Florida

4.63/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Went to Stubbie's tonight, have been there a few times but this is the first since becoming a member on BA and the first since they opened the "Steins" side of the bar.

It's a little dark inside but there is no smoking so the air is clear, lots of people in there talking or playing one of the board games they have available for the tables.

Everyone there was friendly and helpful in choosing beers when they were out of something. They offer over 400 beers on the menu as well as traditional German food (they stop serving at 10pm Tuesday through Thursday so I didn't get to try it.) They serve in proper glasswear when they have it and branded glasswear when they have that as well.

This is a must visit place in Gainesville, bottles are available to go at regular menu prices but they do offer a few things that you can't get anywhere else in town. If it is something that you can get somewhere else however Gator Beverage up the road, Ward's, Dorn's, or Sai's will have better prices.

UPDATE:
I've had their food and it is good traditional German food. The potato pancakes are very good and the currywurst was pleasurable.
Sep 11, 2008
Photo of joshwlt
Reviewed by joshwlt from Florida

4.38/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
Stubbie's is of course best because of its selection. I'd love to work at a place like this; I applied a few weeks ago and no reply though...bummer. Anyway, its a fun little place with a helpful staff and the largest selection in town amongst all the bars. If you are on a mission to try as many different beers as possible (as I am) and want to save money (because it is a little pricey at Stubbie's) make sure to just frequent Dorn's, Ward's, Gator Bev, the ABC on archer, and the multiple little liqour stores scattered around town (for example the publix on 13th has one next to it that has an acceptable selection), and I've yet to try the Wine & Cheese place downtown. Cheers
May 24, 2008
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Reviewed by Zeckster from North Carolina

4.65/5  rDev +6.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Stubbies is the best place to try craft beers in Gainesville.

Berkeley is usually around to help with selection ideas, and when shes not the staff is quite knowledgeable about their massive selection. Also everyone is really nice about dealing with people who have no idea what to order.

Expanded the bar and installed more beer into the system. They have the appropriate glassware for all your drinking needs. More beers are on the way.

The beer garden area is really very fun. I've been over there for a tasting or two and the food is super delish. I'd recommend the cabbage.

Right now the only thing that doesn't quite work for me are the t-shirts on the wall. But for this kind of selection and staff I will be more than glad to ignore whats on the wall and focus on whats in my glass.
Jan 22, 2008
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Reviewed by scottyshades from Florida

4.44/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
What can I say about this place that hasnt already been said...
Atmosphere: it is a very small bar that has about 15 high tables but it is very narrow and a little tight. Most people who frequent here have a good knowledge of beer for the most part, so that makes for very good conversation and comparisons with others

Service: All of the servers that I have come across have been more than helpful and they all have a good knowledge of what beers they carry and are able to navigate through their beer menu with precision. They are also very patient if you have a tough time deciding on which beer to have (it will happen)

Selection: This is their beer menu from their website...(PDF file)
http://www.stubbieshirtpub.com/pdf/beer-menu.pdf

Food: They have told me that they are adding a German food menu soon but I have not been back in a long time (school work) so when I try the food Ill re-rate this

Value: Most beers are in the $5/6/7+ range, but others such as the Sierra Nevadas, the Warsteiners, and any others on tap are closer to $3.xx

This is the best beer bar in Gainesville, and to be honest one of the best that I have been to in Florida. Overall I highly, highly recommend this place
Nov 13, 2007
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Reviewed by IPAcraig from Tennessee

2.81/5  rDev -35.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 1 | selection: 3.5
The atmosphere for this place was pretty good. A lot of people in the tiny bar, all their seemigly to drink quality beer. A little bright for a bar, but that allowed you to view all of T-Shirts lining the walls. There was no smoke haze, which was excellent.

They serve their beers in the appopriate glassware when they have them. They dont have every glass for every beer, but they do have a lot.

This bar, however, has the most pretentious, arrogant waitstaff that I have ever encountered, ever. I asked if they had any Weizenbocks, to which I received the reply that there is no such thing. Not only was I told that they dont exist, the waiter said that the name of the style doesnt make sense because "bocks have wheat in them, so to say WeizenBock would be redundant".

Their selection was solid (despite not having any Weizenbocks), however they could offer a few more beers on tap (only about 5-6). They have a nice selction of Belgians from which I had an Orval and Boon Gueze. However the were a bit pricey as they set me back almost $20 for the pair.

I had to knock their selcetion because as their name says, they are a "Shirt Pub". So I asked about buying a few T-Shirts that they were selling. I first asked about a Duvel shirt, but htey didnt have any left. The I enquired about 4-5 other shirts, which were all sold out as well.

Overall I would have a nice time at this bar, but the waitstaff was extremely obnoxious. I will not be returning to Stubbies and I dont recommend you frequent the place either.
Jul 16, 2007
Photo of Portertime
Reviewed by Portertime from Florida

4.64/5  rDev +6.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
This is literally a tiny hole in the wall bar in the heart of downtown Gainesville. The atmosphere is very nice. On the walls are all the t-shirts that Stubbie's sells. They offer shirts with official beer logos as well as very humorous cartoons and saying. Their selection of real imported beers is awesome including ones I've never heard of from all over the world with at least 150 different varieties. How they fit it in that little place I do not know. There is a little bar to sit at or a few high top tables. TV's play sports in the corners. The bartenders are really bubbly and friendly which adds to the pleasant atmosphere. If you're ever in the area be sure to stop and enjoy a frosty brew.
Sep 10, 2006
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Reviewed by teletype1 from Florida

5/5  rDev +14.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
for mature beer drinkers, this is gainesville's one and only haven. one needs only to go in and talk to any one of the bartenders to realize that Stubbies' goal is to bring a quality selection chosen by the pub owners to the barren landscape of meat markets that pepper the city of Gainesville.

sure, you can spend a lot less at Gator Beverage, Dorn's, or any other place in G'ville on the same beer -- but, part of going to a pub is to interact with the people who go there. If you want to meet smart, selective, astutue folks, this is the place to go. The owner Berkeley is one of the most brilliant, tasteful, and beautiful people i've ever met. You can't help but fall in love at Stubbie's.
Aug 22, 2006
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Reviewed by geetlord from Florida

4.11/5  rDev -5.9%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
I found stubbies to be a rather odd place. Inside it is decorated with T-shirt designs, and has an Australian theme to its decorating. It is a very small bar, located downtown, so it gets claustrophobicaly full on the weekend. I found it had an excelent selection, with a great selection of Belgain beers which I am partial to. The bartenders were friendly, knowledgable and helpfull in picking beers, but they were also being run ragged by the crowd. I liked most everything about the place except for the extreme crowdedness, if I can go back on a less busy night I probably will.
May 09, 2006
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Reviewed by kingjames1 from South Carolina

4.28/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Overall, this is a great place to get some rare beers (unlike anything else in North Florida, that i know of). The beer selection is quite good and exceedingly broad. The only weakness, imo, is there tap selection. Very limited for a beer pub. The owner and servers are very well-informed and very helpful when looking for that special beer you're craving but can't pinpoint. As noted already, they typically serve the beers in their appropriate glasswear (its a rare experience in Florida to get an obscure Belgium beer served in a glass from that same obscure brewery).

The atmosphere is good - not great. I enjoyed hanging out in the cozy joint (it is a bit too small), but the whole T-shirt theme is just lame (and the shirts themselves even more so), and the Australian/Aboriginal decor is a bit odd, almost trippy. It all seems a bit out of sync, incoherent as a 'theme'.

Another relative weakness is the lack of food. I don't hold this against them, as they are relatively new, and I was told that you are allowed to bring in your own food! As I said, overall, this is a unique place for unique beers, and worth checking out.
Dec 15, 2005
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Reviewed by dmbgator from Florida

5/5  rDev +14.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
By far and away the best place to drink beer in Gainesville. I found out about this place only this past summer, and I now frequent it at least 2-3 times a week. With 200+ beers to choose from, in no way can you go wrong. The owner of Stubbies might possibly be the nicest person ever, and boy does she know her stuff. The rest of the staff is also great. Although the bar is small and it gets cramped on some of the busier nights, in no way should that turn you away. Beyond just the beer, they have a plethora of beer t-shirts that range from clever to borderline insanely hilarious. If you are ever are in the area DO NOT hesitate to stop in and experience Stubbies. Oh and if you do, bring a sharpie and use the restroom.... youll see!!!
Nov 02, 2005
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Reviewed by SetarconeX from Florida

4.55/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Hands down the best place in Gainesville to get quality beer. Stubbies, despite being compressed into one of the tiniest spaces of any bar in town, manages to have the largest selection by many orders of magnitude. If I have an objection, it's the somewhat claustrophobic space, and the logical followup of a smoking ban (more than one or two cigarettes would fill the room with smoke). Also, they seem to have occasional supply problems with the small number of beers on tap, but with over 200 beers, you'll always find a workable second choice.

And as if the beer wasn't enough, the owner of the establishment is one of the sweetest human beings I've ever met, and the rest of her staff isn't far behind. A real treat!
Aug 13, 2005
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Reviewed by ridedammit from New Zealand

4.86/5  rDev +11.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
This is one of the many reasons I hated to move away from Gainesville...no more stubbie's. Stubbies has the firiendliest, most insteresting, and interested proprietor I have met in a long while. Berkley, the proprietor, is a lovely human and will gladly share her knowledge of beer, and will also listen if you know something that she does not. The bartenders are not beer snobs, and the patrons range from homebrew geeks, to those interested in trying something other than the usual college town beer-swill. They are always interested in bringing in new and interesting beers, and enlightening Gainesville about real beer.
Aug 08, 2005
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Reviewed by SierraDrinker from Canada (AB)

5/5  rDev +14.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
I searched for a good bar in Gainesiville for nearly 18 months before finding Stubby's. It wasn't until a brewer friend of mine told me about the place before I realized the kind of quality establishment it truly is. If you are familiar with Gainesville, you are aware that most of the bars downtown are crap. The Library, next door to Stubby's has 12 beers on tap: 8 from Budweiser, 2 from Coors, 2 from Miller. The head bartender/proprieter is one of the nicest beer pourers you will ever meet. She provides an incredible selection of imports, domestic, and even PBR for those who don't like good beers. She knows every beer. If you ask for a recommendation, just describe what you like and she won't steer you wrong. Her staff is knowledgable, prompt (when they aren't swamped), and kind. I describe Stubby's as the bar to go to if you want to get a beer. You don't want to hook up, dance, eat, or anything else. You want to BS with your friends and drink a good beer.

My one knock against the place. The over emphasize Belgian style which I don't particularly enjoy. I'm from California, so I enjoy the northwest breweries.
Aug 03, 2005
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Reviewed by heatmal from Arizona

4.71/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
I was really impressed with this place. Getting the impression most of the bars in Gainesville are plastic cup swill serving establishments. I finally built up the courage to try Stubbie Shirt Pub thanks to a tip from a fellow BA. We arrived there at about 7:00 on a Saturday, the place was very calm with only 2 guys at the bar and 2 couples wondering in during the one and a half hours we were there. I think we were lucky when we went because it wasn’t very crowded. I hear it gets very crowded, and there is very limited seating capacity at the Pub. You can't smoke in the bar which I found nice, coming out I didn't smell like rank bar stink. The selection was great, I ordered a bomber of Great Divide's Yeti Imperial Stout and a St. Bernardus Abt 12, while my boyfriend ordered Nostradamus and an Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock. The beers were served in the proper glassware, and the guys working the bar were knowledgeable about the beers.
I’d have to say this is properly the best place to get beer in Gainesville kind of beer refuge from the typical local bar. So if your in the area or are a trapped student, this could be your only sanctuary from the typical Gainesville bar scene!
Apr 05, 2005
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Reviewed by LuckySevens82 from Florida

4.1/5  rDev -6.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Of all the places to go for a beer in Gainesville, this is really the only place that I bother with.
With some 200 or so beers on tap and in bottles, Stubbies easily has the best selection in town. The best part is they usually serve it in the correct glasswear.
Prices are good considering the selection.
Service is polite and everyone who works there seems to know something about the beer that they serve.
My only complaint about this place is that it is very small. At most about 75 people can fit inside, and only about 50 or so comfortably. When I was there last, there were only 6 hightop tables and maybe 4 or 5 seats at the bar.
Even with it's small size, it's still the best place to drink in Gainesville.
Mar 24, 2005
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Reviewed by gabe from Florida

4.8/5  rDev +9.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
What a most amazing place! Not enough good things I can say about it, but I'll try. First off.. the beer. Close to 200 different selections (mostly bottle/some draft) and counting. Quite a nice bit of belgians. They had the Avery Beast there and many other "big beers". There is a menu to peruse to help with your selection that is divided into countries and then the new selections are on the back.

The service is impeccable. Very attentive and knowledgable staff. They can recommend many great beers and describe them to a tee. Plus they are extremely friendly, especially the owner. Proper glassware is used for all beers.

As for the extras... It can get a little crowded at times (plus only 1 unisex bathroom) but still well worth it. You can purchase all the glassware that they use in the bar. They also sell t-shirts... most of them beer related... that they make in the upstairs portion of the bar. As with other bars of this nature, there is an "Offenders" club where you can try and take down 100 of the beers they offer in a year. If accomplised you get a free t-shirt and your name on the wall. Speaking of the walls... the atmosphere is great. Very cool/neat paintings on the walls and ceiling. Just a great vibe all throughout.

If you are ever in the area I highly recommend a vist to Stubbies!
Oct 20, 2004
Stubbies & Steins in Gainesville, FL
Place rating: 4.37 out of 5 with 38 ratings