David Copperfield's

David Copperfield'sDavid Copperfield's
David Copperfield'sDavid Copperfield's
Bar, Eatery

1394 York Ave.
New York, New York, 10021
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.17
Reviews:
63
Ratings:
63
pDev:
9.59%
View: Place Reviews
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Photo of SpeedwayJim
Reviewed by SpeedwayJim from New York

2.38/5  rDev -42.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 1.5 | selection: 2 | food: 4
I recently moved to about 2 blocks walk from this place. Figured I'd check it out with the girlfriend.

Atmosphere is pretty nice although the place is tiny. Its NYC... what could I expect? Music provides a pretty yuppy atmosphere but its nice and laid back like I like it. Gets pretty crowded at night though. Rather standard for the area.

My girlfriend and I both ordered wheat beers. Mine came in a hefe glass and her's came in a pint... huh? Beer's were a touch too cold too.

Service was terrible. We put in our orders quick enough. But the beers took 10 minutes to get to us and the food took about 35. 35 minutes for a salad?!? That's pretty inexcusable. By the end, I couldn't wait to get outta there.

They had about 3 wheat beers and about 15 "summer beers" which were split pretty evenly between pilsners, light lagers, and pale ales. Really? Do we really need 10 different beers in 1 or 2 styles? A stout and porter round out the selection. Bottle list is ok but nothing to be impressed by.

Food was actually decent. My girlfriend got the Mac and Cheese and I got the Cobb salad. Both were better than average though not memorable.

This is one of the most expensive beer bars that I've been to in NYC... and that's saying something. $7.25 for a Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen? Are you kidding me? I think the cheapest craft beer on the menu was $6.25. I don't mind paying a premium for good beer but this is ridiculous. And before I forget... you can get a flight of 5 beers to sample (you know, since the variety is so great)... for $20... TWENTY FRIGGIN DOLLARS FOR 5 SAMPLES.

I've been to about 5 or 6 well known craft beer bars in the area and this is by far the worst of them. Even though its only 2 blocks away, I'd rather hop on the train and travel about 20 minutes to get to Rattle N Hum. Skip this place.
Aug 07, 2011
Photo of DoubleSimcoe
Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
I came here for a Brooklyn Brewery event a friend of mine suggested and was pleasantly surprised. I don't think I would ever come here otherwise (because of the location, near the East River; I'm by the Hudson).

Copperfield's has some 30 taps, with a whole section devoted to summer beers and some good stuff like Sculpin, Lagunitas Undercover, Southern Tier 2XIPA and the Brooklyn beers for the event I attended, which included vintage Monster, Chocolate Stout and Blast!

Most beers were $6.75, except for Sculpin ($7.75) and Monster ($8.25). Good or bad? Not sure... a little pricey, maybe, but alright for Manhattan.

A good bottle selection too, with some vintages, Ithaca Brute, Ithaca 12 and 13 and even 1 ounce of Utopias for $15. They fill growlers and have some (but not a lot) Happy Hour specials, mostly for well drinks and macro beers.

I loved the ambience, so mellow and laid-back, with low music and just an all-around quiet, grown-up place. Not what I expected in Yorkville (famous for college bars and a scene)!

Didn't try food and did not even looked at the menu, maybe next time. Service was close to exceptional, with the server being top of things refilling water, bringing more beer and asking if we were OK. Nice! We got to meet one of the bar owners at the Brooklyn event and he was the coolest guy. Had a great time chatting with him.

All in all, the best choice for quality beer in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Not that I normally venture this far, but if I do, it is nice to know I can stop at Copperfield's. Cheers!
Jul 19, 2011
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Reviewed by Ruds from England

3.78/5  rDev -9.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Visited DC's house of beers for the first time on a visit to NYC in early March 11.

Arrived in the bar for a beery Friday lunch with 3 friends just before 12 noon and the place was empty. By 12.45 / 1pm it was crowded and folks were struggling to get a table, largely a local office crowd, 95%+ male!!!

Beer selection was decent, approx 30 on tap and I enjoyed offerings from 21st ammendment and Stones, finishing off with Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Stout (for dessert) !

Table service was a little slow as it got busier and we did go thirsty for more than a few minutes between our 2nd and 3rd drink.

Food wise, the burgers looked great (although unfortunately I didn't have one). I opted for the Nachos and felt short changed. I can only describe the portion size as 'UK' and it was most definately the smallest/meanest portion I've been served on the left hand side of the pond!

In summary, I would come here again, but only if I was close by. I don't think it was worth the effort to seek this bar out and go out of our way, which we did on this occasion.
Mar 19, 2011
Photo of elinash
Reviewed by elinash from New York

4.22/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
This bar is a great spot for the location. There isn't much around the Upper East Side/ Yorkville that can compare with regard to beer selection. We noticed right away that there are a good number of staple German and Belgian brews and regional breweries on draft. I tried the relatively new Ommegang Pale on draft. Very good. My girlfriend had the draft Rodenbach. We also had a 21st amendment Fireside Chat and a Stoudts Scarlet Lady both on draft. I thought it was unusual that my friend looking for an IPA couldn't find one on draft. I like IPA, but it was almost a welcome break from such an ever-present style. Food was decent greasy bar food and the service was good.
Nov 27, 2010
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Reviewed by 3HovsepiansBrews from California

3.93/5  rDev -5.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3
David Copperfield's is a really great place to go for a good brew and more than decent pub grub and service. The prices are decent, especially for New York, and it also has a really laid back vibe that is conducive to having a really great time with your buddies. They have quite a few good craft brews on tap. There bottle selection is also good. However, their Belgian selection is not that extensive. The waitresses are really nice and know how to pour a proper pint for you so anything you order will come out delicious.
Nov 26, 2010
Photo of Soonami
Reviewed by Soonami from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
It is difficult to review beer bars else where in the country when Philadelphia's best are now your standard to compare other's with. I was visiting the medical complexes on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on a work trip and after dinner down the street at Finestra, I came to David Copperfield's to grab a beer with some friends on recommendation from a friend I made earlier in the day.

The bar was had appropriate signage from the street, which made it easy to find, and it although it looked small from the outside, had enough space for our party of 11. The bar is rightfully dimly lit with all manners of vintage and new beer paraphernalia decorating the walls. The tables, chairs and benches were comfortable darkly stained wood and leather. The beer list, although it features 30 taps was slightly underwhelming. It was Smuttynose night when I was there and they had some nice beers on tap, but nothing that I hadn't seen elsewhere or couldn't buy in a bottle. The rest of the selection, was again, good beers, but nothing fantastic--the best was probably Chocolate Oak aged Yeti, but after that it was pretty pedestrian. The bottle selection was okay, but it was fairly expensive and nothing that isn't available at Whole Foods in the city.

Overall, I would say that David Copperfield's is a nice bar if you happen to be in the UES, but I don't think I would travel there unless I knew something was special was on tap because it's mostly middle of the road American craft beers that is offered.

edit: forgot to mention service
-The wait staff was very friendly even though we rolled in with a group of 11 and were very accommodating movie chairs and tables and getting out drinks quickly. They offered suggestions to people who needed them and were very courteous.
Aug 28, 2010
Photo of dasenebler
Reviewed by dasenebler from Maine

4.18/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3
I've been to Copperfield's a few times now, and I must say it's a very underrated beer bar. Unlike most beer bars in New York, it's on the Upper East Side, which might explain its relative lack of recognition and traffic. But this makes for a more laid-back, quieter atmosphere, which I like.

There's about 30 taps, I think, plus a cask, and also a very good bottle selection. I don't think Copperfield's will "wow" every beer geek with its selection, but it's very, very solid. They will always have a few beers from Southhampton, Ommegang, Brooklyn, Southern Tier, and/or other regional breweries on-tap. Duvel Green, Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen, Brewdog IPA, La Chouffe and Maredsous rounded out the import drafts. They had several bottles from Alesmith (at one time Speedway Stout), too. The bartenders were very friendly and helpful, providing free samples and beer conversation. Granted I've only had wings (very average) here, the food is still not that great, I'm told. I'd really only come for the beer and the good bartenders.

Copperfield's is a beer bar first, restaurant second. The tap-list is consistently solid and impressed me more than that of another well-known NYC bar named after a sightless cat, at least when I was in town.
Jul 29, 2010
Photo of BeerNemesis
Reviewed by BeerNemesis from New York

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
This was my first time at DC's, but I have to say I really enjoyed it. I went with a friend for dinner, and we kicked back and ordered some brews.

The atmosphere is none to interesting. It looks like your average pub and have maybe 8 tables and 4 booths and the bar area. There were a lot of plaques up on the wall from different breweries and brews (Anchor, Chimay wood carved crest, Celebrator Doppelbock etc.). This was a nice touch. On the ceiling there's a huge Haufbrau Haus flag. We sat in a booth which was comfortable enough (but the benches kept sliding around which was weird).

The waitress was friendly and offered to start us off with a drink as soon as we sat down. I took a quick look at the draughts. There are about 20 "featured stout" on-tap including Left Hand's "Fade to Black 2009" and Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary Fritz and Ken stout. I was surprised that Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Stoudt's Double IPA, and other styles were featured under "stouts". Guess they assume their clientele won't know the difference. They always have one cask conditioned ale on tap (this time Flying Dog "Snake Dog IPA". There was a very meagre selection of Belgian, German, and Irish beer (about two or three decent selections from each country).

On the bottle front, there is some more diversity in selections. There are 8 Belgian beers to choose from including Lindeman's Peche, Duvel, and Delerium Tremens (and also Leffe Blonde and Stella for those less discerning). Germany has seven bottles to choose from including three from Schneider (Aventinus, Hefe, and Edel-Weisse) as well as Aecht Schlenkerla's "Rauchbier Marzen". Jamaica, Australia, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sri Lanka each get one or two beers to offer (though nothing exciting).

Disappointingly, the U.K. only features Fuller's ESB, and three Sam Smith's (Nut Brown, Oatmeal Stout, and Organic Raspberry). Thankfully, the U.S. craft beer selection is a bit broader (about 20 to choose from). Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, DFH Palo Santo Marron, and Stone 13th Anniversary Ale looked good. Most beers are priced between $6.00 and $13.00, though there are a couple $20 beers (22 oz. HeBrew Genesis 10:10 for example).

I was most pissed off that DC only deigned it appropriate to name the beer, brewer and price. There are no descriptions, style info, ABV etc. That seemed lazy. Overall, I think the selection is pretty good (especially for the beer oasis that is the UES), but not amazing.

Food was solid, though again, nothing to write home about. I had a good time, but I think I'll try out some other venues before coming back. Then again, if I'm every stuck on the UES desperate for craft beer, DC's might just be the place to quench my thirst.

Brews imbibed:
- Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
- Duvel Draft
- Olde Saratoga Premium Lager

Price = $33 for a turkey club, wings, and 3 beers
May 25, 2010
Photo of Andreji
Reviewed by Andreji from Texas

4.3/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
So this was not to be missed even if this is almost my final day. I've been living in the UES for two months now and held back my visit to the DC's for a while but still, was well aware of it. provided even after st paddy's many of my residents told me they'd been here. and i didn't. lame-o.

Nice place when you walk in. laid back, non-rigid. everyone's minding their own business, clearly, and we found a round high-stooled table near the bar. not the comfy ones at the back but still, a good seat. beer deco, seems almost generic but i kinda fancied the wide bottle display atop the actual bar.

Couple of people took care of us straight up, within a minute or so we parked our bottoms. you could even say they were harrasing, but seriously, gotta give 'em some credit. nice people, i'd say decently knowledgeable about the beer. i don't expect them to recite anything but still they didn't only know about the beers, they followed up on my previous drinks as so to advise me on what to have next. nice.

Selection was grand. they're faithful to their 30+ taps and some nice casks. gotta give 'em credit for that alone and then the bottle selection which is far nicer than most places in manhattan (and definetly tops the UES by far).

Food we tried the fries and the curry brat, well prepared, tasty and generous for their prices. overall, the place is an upper east sider wishing to feel more like a LES sorta place, which is a refreshing twist for the sector. lucky for us NYP folk we can even get away with 10% discount!
Mar 26, 2010
Photo of sleazo
Reviewed by sleazo from New York

4.3/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
This place has been reviewed quite a few times but I thought I would throw my two cents in. The Upper East Side is beer wasteland for the most part, David Copperfield's is the exception. As York ave is far from the subway the location can be seen as out of the way for some but it really is not out of the way.

As you walk in there is a bar to the left and bar tables to your right. the bar is flanked by three TVs generally turned to whatever sporting event is on. In the back are larger booths and tables designed for dining. The decor is nothing to write home about but is typical clean American bar style. They play either Sirius Satellite radio or the Jukebox if someone plays it.

Beerwise is where they truly standout. The taps are constantly rotating with American crafts and some harder to find imports. They do a good deal of seasonals which is nice from the local brewers as well as those a bit further a field. There is also one cask pulled ale at any given time. Check the website for what is currently on as they update it frequently. In the times I have been here there is usually something good to be had on tap. Another good thing is that when a new brewery comes to NYC you can be sure that they will have those brews available. Turnover seems pretty good as selections have always been fresh.

Bottlewise they have a small but well thought out selection. I have had some Alesmith, Cigar City, Stone small releases(coconut, macadamia nut porter) and some rarer Belgians. Definitely worth a look on the beer menu when you get in. another nice thing is that they print out new beer menus for use in the pub on a daily(or so) basis so you do not have to squint at the taps or a board at the other end of the bar.

The food here is a step above pub grub. While most of the menu is typical pub fare they manage to do it rather nicely. the burgers in particular are good here and quite reasonably priced. Definitely not gourmet but worth a shot for dining in.

The servers here are good, attentive and knowledgeable. DC's usually does not get too crowded and is a good place to grab some beers with friends, watch a game or two or grab a bite to eat. If you live on the UES you are lucky to have a place like this within walking distance. For tourists this is a good spot after a day in Central Park or any of the museums on Fifth ave. It is probably about a 15 minute walk or a cheap cab ride from the Met.
Jan 06, 2010
Photo of mltobin
Reviewed by mltobin from Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev -8.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, a neighborhood that does not have another true beer bar that I have come across.

The atmosphere is that of a larger neighborhood bar, there a couple plasma televisions so that you can keep up w/ the sports.
Several booths as well as tables and the bar of course are all there to sit in. They have 16 or so taps, including one cask and then another 24 or so bottle selections. The focus here is on american craft beer. I saw selections on tap from Brooklyn (Manhattan Project when I was there), Bear Republic, Boulder, Smuttynose, Ithaca, Dogfish Head, Cape Ann and a few more. For the bottles, I recall Southern Tier, Rogue and I believe that they threw in some imports such as Delerium too. Food is good, I enjoyed the wings while there. The prices are reasonable and the waitstaff is helpful. If you are going to be checking out the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park or anything else that is near David Copperfield`s, it is certainly worth checking out.
Nov 04, 2009
Photo of jxhill
Reviewed by jxhill from New York

3.9/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3
Stopped in on an early Friday afternoon and had a great time. Despite all the discouraging ads I saw for $1 happy hours and 80s nights and 2 for 1 beers, Copperfield's beer selection was pretty serious.

I tried a nice series of IPAs, including a delicious River Horse Hopapotamus from the cask. They also offered the incredible Keegan Ales Joe Mama Milk Stout, recently voted best ale in New York. The bartenders were happy to offer suggestions and let me sample beers. I had a burger that was alright, but I was really there for the beer.

If you're in the Upper East Side, you should certainly try out Copperfield's, if only because there's not much else around.
Jul 26, 2009
Photo of JoEBoBpr
Reviewed by JoEBoBpr from Missouri

3.9/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3
went there on a Friday afternoon (2:30pm)

My GF had a chicken sandwich. I had a fish fry with a couple oif IPA's (Stones Ruination and Southampton)

A - the lighting was just right and it was a beautiful warm day outside. There are plenty of beer decorations around the wall from Duvel and Chimay beer trays to a Mooshead Lager poster. The bar top is granite which isn't my favorite but the rest of the bar looked very nice and all the taps did as well.

Q - good overall quality.

S - Prompt food service and prompt beer service as well. There was some mix up with the check at the end but nothing mayor. can happen to anyone.

The selection was great on tap. They only had one cask conditioned beer and all the taps were American craft beers which I really enjoy. The bottle selection was pretty good too with many Belgium and some more American stuff.

F - Food was typical bar food. It hit the spot but its not the reason one should go to this establishment.

Overall I liked the place and will return on other occasions. Good beer great feel.
May 22, 2009
Photo of jjboesen
Reviewed by jjboesen from Maryland

4.53/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of this BeerFly reveiw, or whether that station will be held by anyone else, these words must show. And so begins the David Copperfield of Charles Dickens - if he had been a BeerAdvocate.

In the remoteness of the Upper West Side, where few with souls tread, there is one oasis in the sea of beer mediocrity; and that oasis is David Copperfields. It is small in area. There is a long marble topped bar on the left as you enter. Opposite this, a few hightops, arbitrarily scatered along the wall. Towards the rear, enroute to the downstairs loo, is a small dining area.

Rotated frequently, their beer selection excels in that it offers something for every palate, style and taste. During my visit, there was an abudance of Colorado crafts on tap. (See my reveiw for Rattle N Hum.) The service was friendly, efficient and professional - the bartender was equipped with a varitable arsenal of beer knowledge (Not that your hero needed any, of course.)

While the food was basic, it was tasty, filling and reasonably priced. In any case, David Copperfield has many specials throughtout the week. So, if you happen to be in the Yorkville neighborhood and seek a pleasant quaff, stop by for a pint, because, as Wilkins Micawber would say (while scanning the extensive beer menu), something will surely turn up. Why, I bet he'd even toast Uriah Heep and Jane Murdstone!
Apr 26, 2009
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Reviewed by PatrickRNH from New York

5/5  rDev +19.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Went to copperfields for the 1st time last Monday night with the wife.
Walked into a warm and friendly atmosphere, 1st thing I noticed was the cask and taps then the BOTTLES! Great selection of suds.
Had some pub grub which was delicious and service was friendly and quick.
I had the cask Victory hop wallop for the 1st time, tasty brew.
Met the owner/bartender Joe, who presented me with a bottle of Moylans IPA, which was delicious and very kind. I dont often get a beer from a private collection at a bar.
Over all experience was great and looking to return on my weekly rounds.
Dec 06, 2008
Photo of plaid75
Reviewed by plaid75 from New York

4/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Located on York, just a few blocks from the hospital.

The premises was layed out railroad style, with the bar in the front and the dining area in the rear. The decor was fresh and adorned with pieces of European and American breweriana. The bar was rather long and looked to seat 20 or so patrons.

The tap list featured 20 or so selections that reanged from local craft to some hard to find imports. There was a good botte list as well, featuring the Southern Tier big beers as well as Belgians.

The food was about average - I had the pulled pork sandwich - and the prices were reasonable.

Overall a nice little spot on the UES. Not a place I would target because of the difficulty in getting there, but if in the area, certainly a must.
Oct 22, 2008
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Reviewed by bierme from California

4.4/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
The atmosphere was fine. Nice beer nick nacks on the wall. Clean. The Euro Cup was on, so that was a big plus.

I had a wiesse, Rauchbier (very good) and a Pale Ale from a cask. All very good, served and properyly.

Service got off to a slow start, but she did a good job. She knew more about beer than any other bartender I spoke with in NYC.

Selection was above average with a good amont of taps and some good bottles. The had a cask on at lunch which is awesome. Small knock for a lack of big beers that I am used to in San Diego.

Food was good; my son had VERY good fish and chips, my wife had a great burger and I had a pretty good BBQ sandwich.

The prices for NYC was pretty good. Tree of us ate, my wife and I had 4 or five beers and I think are tab was around $50.

I really enjoyed the place, had a few beers that I had been looking for.
Jun 26, 2008
Photo of Lexluthor33
Reviewed by Lexluthor33 from New York

3.78/5  rDev -9.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3
I visited on April 18th,2008 to celebrate an occasion. The staff was very accommodating. I can say that the waiter had good knowledge of his beers and he was an agreeable young man. It was never hard to spot him as he was about 6'5 and blond.
The atmosphere was very homey. The ceiling reminded me of a brewery since it had a brick facade. The lighting was warm and the music was at the perfect decibel level. People seemed to be having a good time and I was glad I arrived early because at around 9-9:30 pm it got packed and some people had to wait at the bar.
The bar was spacious and the seating seemed adequate. The seating for my group and I was satisfactory. I was seated near one of the flat screens as the Yankees game was aired and the young ladies were seated up against the velvet cushioned side of the table. My chair was in need of replacement,it seemed a bit rickety yet I made no issue of it figuring that once I was past my third beer it would hardly be noticeable(I was right).
The selection of beers was good and I mean that in the most sincere way. Some very hard to find Belgium beers and a lot of Ommegang brews for good prices. No complaints on any of the beers I chose or that of my friends.
The food is my final part. The appetizers and the ribs were great and better than expected. My group had burgers and I was the only one who chose a steak. I regret my choice as the steak was just plain bad,not good in any way, I would have sent it back but I just did not want to rock the boat this night and I will be back; just not ordering anything other than basic burger and appetizers.
Apr 20, 2008
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Reviewed by Flyer from Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3
I'm probably getting jaded, but to me Copperfields is only a pretty good beer bar, not in the first rank. The atmosphere is great, clean with classic pub decor, lots of old beer signs and posters. The beer menu is sizable but not huge, but most craft brewers are represented by no more than two beers, except for Smuttynose, Ommegang, and DFH. The fact that they have 120 Minute IPA and Worldwide Stout (in bottles) is a huge plus, but there's not a lot more that's really unusual. The waiter may or may not have been beer-savvy, but he made some good recommendations. Food was solid pub fare. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood, but if you're up for going out of your way, you're much better off heading south to the Blind Tiger or dba.
Mar 28, 2008
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Reviewed by DrJay from Texas

4.22/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I hadn't been to David Copperfield's since sometime around 2001 (it was the first place I had Old Crusty on tap), so I was pleased that my recent visit didn't disappoint. The location is alright - a short walk from the green line subway. There's a good sized bar running down one side with plenty of tables and some booths. Quite a few TVs with various sports were scattered around and fortunately weren't too distracting. It was fairly dead when we arrived late on Saturday afternoon, but by early evening about 3/4 of the tables were full.

The beer selection was quite good with ~30 on tap and a cask going. There were offerings from Bear Republic, Stone, Goose Island, Great Divide, North Coast, Ommegang, Penn Brewing, Rogue, and Southampton, among others. The bottle list was decent, with some interesting brews (a few Baltic porters, trappists, belgians, Unibroue, and big DFH), with a few dozen in total. They also have a fair selection of whiskeys and single malts, if you're into that kind of stuff. Pints were in the $6 range, which seemed reasonable for Manhattan. Service was generally good - quick and attentive without being overbearing, plus they had highchairs for the little one. We shared a few appetizers, which were better than standard pub fare.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place to other NYC visitors. I'll definitely be back.
Sep 21, 2007
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Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

4/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
A nice neighbour and family friendly bar in a relatively safe area, clean and both modern and traditional appointments. Being in NYC, this place is abundantly covered in the reviews, its the three-review bar where we make the most useful impact. Reasonably good service, and goodwill by charging my happy hour prices a few minutes past the hour. The bartender knew the beers and had tried them.The selection is good, however less exotic than their cousin bar down the island, Hop Devil Grill. Seems to depend on the week, and the weekend. Selection appears Fresh, good pours, a cask.
May 02, 2007
Photo of rousee
Reviewed by rousee from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
I finally hit up David Copperfields for the first time on my recent trip to NYC for my birthday. I had driven by it a few times but I usually hang out downtown more than uptown while in Manhattan. It has some cool mural on the outside with some nice beer history pamphlet thing there too so I kind of knew right away that the place was gonna be good.

Unfortunately it doesnt open until like 3 or 3:30 on a Saturday afternoon and we were planning on meeting there at 2 with a friend who lives nearby. Well we just went to some Mexican sports bar a few blocks away and waited the hour for it to open. We were like the second people in the door and right away were greeted by the friendly bartender.

The selection was about as good as anywhere I had seen in Manhattan for drafts as they had almost all the brands I was looking for--Southampton, Thos Hooker, Six Point, Lagunitas, Southern Tier, Ithaca, Bear Republic, Anderson Valley, Stone, DFH, etc.--really almost all of the brands that I think are good that are available in the NY market were represented. Probably a total of about 25 taps and I dont think any of them were featuring boring brands that you see everywhere else. I met the owner who was totally cool and we spoke for a while about beers and such and he said they own HopDevil Grill too and he seemed to believe the selection was better there and I told him I must've hit it on an off weekend then because in my opinion, Copperfield's had a much better selection.

Got some sandwich that was kind of average but the prices were about what youd expect and with the buyback thing and then the owner picking up another round for us--it wasnt expensive at all.

The bartender was as nice as can be and very prompt. A great overall experience. The only problem is I really am not too big on hanging out on the upper east side as there are just way more things to do and places to go downtown.
Apr 05, 2007
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Reviewed by gueuzegeek from New Jersey

4.44/5  rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
From the outside, the place is very unassuming and looks like your local tappie. From what I understand, this is true, HOWEVER, this is not your ordinary local tappie, because MAN did they have some great selections on tap!!!

My first beer was Ithaca Cascazilla-that was outstanding!!! Nice and hoppy without bruning a hole in your throat like some can.

Also had a Sprecker Black which was really impressive. Nice and creamy texture and well worth a second...hmmm, I had a second!!!

I was with two other people so I got to try some of the other wears as well and the selection was really great. I would give it a 5, but they had coors light on tap to satisfy those locals who just can't break into the world of craft beer. I do not fault them for this though, as they are in business to stay in business and in that area that may be helpful to that end.

The service was superb and I met the brothers Bill and Keith who are exceptionally knowledgeable and have excellent taste in what to have on tap.

Overall, the place is rather unassumming, but very clean and nice high ceilings to give it a very open feeling.

Definitely worth the visit while in this end of town!!

As for prices, they are probably on par with other places in NYC, but not killer.

One comment about what someone else said...I believe having scotch in a beer bar is often complimentary and should not be as a detraction, but just that they are trying to satisfy multiple needs. There is a place in denver that brews their own beer and has over 200 single malts and it is a great pairing to me. Everyone has their own opionion, of course.
Feb 13, 2007
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Reviewed by Marty from Maine

4.05/5  rDev -2.9%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Ambiance was mediocre (average pop music paired with unoriginal decor and uncomfortable cushions); beer selection was very good (but they also serve whisky and wine, so how serious can they be about beer?); menu was full, typical bar food with the exception of their BBQ (which I did not have); service was excellent, the server was very knowledgeable and attentive, poured the hefeweizen with serious flair.

Overall, it's a good bar if you're already in the neighborhood, but I wouldn't make it a special trip.
Dec 29, 2006
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Reviewed by brdc from Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
In the Upper East Side, an area plagued with places that close too early and not a lot of real beer options, Copperfield's is like an oasis.
The atmosphere is nice but not special; a bunch of TVs, bar, tables, you get the idea.
Service is variable, but can be excellent. Simon is their best waiter, knows a lot about beers and usually figures out your taste quite fast, and then comes with nice suggestions, always "on the money".
The list is the best in that part of town, and although the on tap list is not always the best, everything is very fresh.
Food is also good, your usual pub grub but it tastes better than the average.
Price is the only drawback, but for NYC is actually reasonable (expensive for pretty much every other town.
When in the neighborhood, do not think twice.
Nov 11, 2006
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Reviewed by Jacobier10 from New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
A nice bar on the Upper East Side, where it seems there aren't enough of these types of places (or maybe I just need to search harder).

Atmosphere is nice but nothing special. Looks like you're typical nice bar with a couple of TV's, large bar area in the front, and seating towards the back. Not a whole lot of character.

The quality and service were right on point. I have had beers there twice and they have both been fresh. First time it was an Ommegang Hennepin, this time an Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter. Waitress was friendly and helpful with the menu as well.

The selection is good, but they could use a couple of more interesting things on tap. I was really in the mood for a stout and all they had on-tap was Guinness, so when I ordered it, they were all out and I settled for a porter instead.

The food was very good. I had a shepherd's pie which was excellent and very filling. My friend had a turkey burger which I tried a bite of and that was very good too.

A bit pricey, but that's the city for you. I'll definitely be going back. Don't go out of your way for it, but if you're in the area it is certainly worth a trip.
Aug 28, 2006
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Reviewed by ColForbin from New Hampshire

4.08/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
David Copperfield's has become my favorite local spot when I am In NYC visiting the in-laws, due to the fact that it is less than 3 blocks away. From the outside, it looks no different from the many "Irish" pubs on the upper east side, but when you get inside and see 30 taps, you know you've found someplace special. The draft list is consistently good, with a fair amount of rotation of seasonals and the like. They also have one cask ale (which was Hop Devil on my visit). Draft beers are $6 for the most part (which is pretty much the going rate for NYC), with strong beers being served in a smaller glass, and all beer served in the apporpriate glassware. Probably about 100 bottled beers, with a great selection of Belgians. Service is good; they get you your beers with a minimum of fuss.

I haven't had the food, but from the menu it looks to be reasonably priced basic pub grub.
Jun 05, 2006
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Reviewed by TastyTaste from Minnesota

3.86/5  rDev -7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5
Went here at about noon one day of my vacation. Smaller bar area, done in polished wood. The beer selection was great, many rare taps and bottle. Lots of Belgians and regional micros. I got a tulip of Thomas Hooker Liberator Doppelbock, a nice find for me. Service was fairly quick, but not informative or overly friendly. Because of the amount of rare beers they have here, I would definitely recommend this place to a New York traveller. Prices were also not that bad for a clean and inviting beer bar in Manahattan, with specials a coulpe times a week, during the week.
Apr 11, 2006
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Reviewed by ikats from New York

4.35/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
I go to David Copperfield's once in a while. Almost always it is to hang out with friends. Outside of a very good beer selection and quality, three reasons why I usually end up there:

1. Excellent service. Always friendly and attentive staff is ready to offer suggestions or answer questions. Occasionally, I and my friends stay for a long time just talking and I never ever feel any pressure to leave or to order.

2. The place is loud enough to give it a nice lively atmosphere, but quiet enough so you don't have to stress yourself to talk to your friends. I am not a big fan of places with loud music, so David Copperfield's provides a nice retreat.

3. The place is one of the closest beer bars to my friend's apartment, so it's convenient for us. I will add here that David Copperfield's is quite a walk from the subway (I don't like taking buses). It's not a big deal, and I especially do not care on the way back (being warmed by excellent beers).

David Copperfield's has about 30 taps. On my most recent visit I had Thomas Hooker Irish Red on cask and SN Bigfoot (Heavyweight Perkuno Hammer also got my attention). Draft selection is very good on American craft beers. Belgians have a nice representation as well. All beer is excellent quality.

Food is good. Not spectacular, but very good. It's your typical pub grub - nachos, burgers, shepherd's pie, wings, etc.

I always enjoy spending time at this place, so what I am about to say is a bit puzzling even for me. Something about this place just rubs me the wrong way. Something is missing to put this place into a "home away from home" category for me. I like spending time here with friends, but going alone does not attract me. I think in my mind it is more a restaurant (and therefore good for groups) than a bar. Putting all this aside, David Copperfield's is definitely worth a visit.

Some other quick notes that may be helpful:
- I believe they have tables outside on the sidewalk in the summer;
- I usually go to David Copperfield’s weekdays after work and it is never too busy (never had to wait for a table);
- The place itself and the bar area specifically is very spacious, so you never feel cramped.
Mar 21, 2006
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Reviewed by Stimack from New York

4.58/5  rDev +9.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Made it over to David Copperfields one evening while in New York. Was surprised that the place was somewhat empty but it was a Tuesday night. The bar area welcomes you as soon as you walk through the door. A very inviting bar area that has a number of stools as well as some bat top tables across the room from the bar. In the back they have a restaurant area with probably 10 – 12 booths along the sides of the room and in the middle they have tables. They have an extensive tap area, 30 brews on tap that included some stuff I have not been able to get on draft upstate. Extensive bottle selection, not as big as I have seen at other places but what the offer is very nice! While there I did eat, had one of the burgers, which was excellent. I had planned to make it back down later in the week but work got a little crazy. While there I had the South Hampton Nut Brown and The Blue Point Oatmeal stout, both where excellent. The service was top notch, very friendly and knowledgeable Bar Keep and staff. I would say that this place was my favorite that I had visited while in NYC. Not sure what it is like later in the week or weekend but loved that the place was not to crazy the day I went so I could soak in the environment. Next time I am in the city I will be making a special trip or two to Copperfields and can’t wait to get the chance!
Mar 04, 2006
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Reviewed by IPA17 from New Jersey

4/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
I've had the pleasure to go to Copperfields several times over an extended period and it is always a good time. It has a nice atmosphere, with a good jukebox and darts. There is no real separate dining area but that doesn't seem to matter. The quality is good and they take care of their beer. The bartender was fairly knowledgable about the beer, as were the waitresses. The selection was very good with about 20 beers on tap and 50 or more in bottles. They don't seem to change all of the beers in rotation but they do change enough to keep it interesting. Haven't eaten there yet, but perhaps one day. Definitely a place to stop when you are in the area looking for good beer.
Feb 25, 2006
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Reviewed by ommegangpbr from New York

4.14/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
I'd been meaning to give this place a proper try for quite some time but never quite got around to it. Went to college near here for years and years but didn't learn about the existence of this place till within this past year. Go figure.
Was greeted promptly and pleasantly at the door. The set up of the joint is just short of being hoity toity overtly classy for a bar; lots of new seeming shiny wood all over the place. Very well kept if anything; clean and in good shape. The lighting was mood type lighting... but with the Olympics on a couple tv screens.
The waiter was prompt, friendly, pretty knowledgeable and definately helpful. Did a very good job of making one feel welcome.
The beer selection was pretty good. Plenty of taps to choose from with a goodly number of bottles on the list; I'd guess 15-25 taps and 40-50 different bottles on the list. Plenty of whiskey to go around as well. The Southampton Nut Brown I had was very tasty to my palate; the Smuttynose Old Brown Dog ale was pretty good, too.
While I didn't dine at the place, the scent of the sizzling fajitas was quite enchanting. Another time, perchance.
Really, the only place for craft brew in the nearby area, and a good place for craft brew in general.
Feb 22, 2006
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Reviewed by Rumrunner from California

4.41/5  rDev +5.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
This review is late, but that is what notes are for.

We ventured in here on a day that the Yankees lost a playoff game. The night started out great as the proprieters and the clientele were exuberant and cheering on their beloved Yankees. The Yankees lost and the bar took on a funk for an hour or so. It eventually livened up and all was well again.

After a hearty dinner we ventured in to DCs for some beery cheer, and we were not disappointed. We liked the feel of the place. Unassuming and not overstated. I like places that give that local feel but do not make an outsider feel unwelcome. Being from California we felt right at home and the locals were very friendly despite the Yankees loss. We chatted up the bartenders and the locals and had a great night.

We sat at the bar and the bartender was top notch that night. When our glasses were low he was there promptly to ask about our next selection. We also talked plenty about sports. No west coast or east coast bias. Just straight sports talk. Very refreshing. We also talked beer. It is interesting how I wish we could get more east coast beer and he wishes he could get more west coast beer. Ah, the ultimate dilemma.

The selection is great. Plenty of east coast beers for a west coaster like me to try. There is also a large european selection of beer as well. Some beers from europe we don't see in California. An excellent treat. Keep rotating those taps. I hope to return someday.

We truly enjoyed ourselves here. The locals were friendly and the beer selection was well worth the trip, which was a small trek from our hotel.

Highly recommended.
Cheers!
Feb 21, 2006
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Reviewed by johnniemarg from New York

4.8/5  rDev +15.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
This is my favorite beer bar in Manhattan. There are 30 taps, roughly 100 bottles and a cask engine. The selection is constantly rotating and always superb. I agree that it's a bit out of the way for most people as it's located at 74th and York - at least a ten minute walk from the subway at 77th and Lex. But because of the selection, it's totally worth it for fans of good beer. You can almost always get a seat at the bar, but they can get pretty busy on Thursdays and Fridays with the after-work crowd. The bartender, Joe, is there most weekday nights and he's knowledgable about beer and is quick to offer you alternatives if something is out and quick to push a sample of a recently tapped beer in front of you to get your opinion. Another bartender, Fran, is great as well and will do the same.

Although I've seen a lot of posts saying that the food is average, I think it's great. Their burgers are in my top 5 for all of NYC. Wings are great. And although I've never ordered them, everyone I know who has tried the quesadillas and the fajitas tells me they're incredible. Standard pub fare maybe, but done extraordinarily well. They have a Southwest Chicken Sandwich that is out of this world. They have a full restaurant and have 20 or so tables/booths, which results in the only downside in my opinion - the occasional crying baby.

From memory these were some of the highlights of the beers on tap this past weekend- Southern Tier Old Man Winter, Avery Old Jubilation, Mendocino Winter, Ithaca Cascazilla, Stoudt's Gold Lager, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Middle Ages Dragonslayer Imperial Stout, Weyerbacher Insanity (a fantastic barley wine), Delerium Noel, Stoudt's Winter, Fisherman's IPA, Victory Hop Wallop, Lagunitas IPA, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Lagunitas Brown Shugga and several others. There are a number of Belgians/Germans on tap as well, but I prefer American Ales so I couldn't name them for you.

In Manhattan, there is no other beer bar, in my opinion, that offers this great of a selection with a good food menu in a relaxed atmosphere. Cheers!
Jan 09, 2006
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Reviewed by deedee from New York

3.4/5  rDev -18.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3
Finally tried David Copperfield's and I must admit that I agree with some of the other posters here. The bar is located on a very desolate block of the Upper East Side. The pub grub was mediocre and the prices for beers were outrageous (even by New York standards)..$6 for pints and the list of beers on offer was not very unique.

We did get very good service from the bartender Cecilia and the jukebox was good. My advice...skip this place...there are much better and (better priced) beer bars in NYC.
Aug 29, 2005
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Reviewed by palma from New York

4.38/5  rDev +5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
I've been here a few times before. Finally decided to write a review.

Entered the joint at around 11:30 PM on a Friday night. The place was surprisingly empty. Maybe a total of eight people in the entire place. And this is a Friday night in NYC, during great weather. This bar should be packed at 11:30 PM. The obvious problem is that David Copperfield's is located on York ave., which is a good 10 min walk from the nearest subway station. The only people I can see making an effort to come here are BA's and any locals. If your interest isn't craft beer, there really is no reason to come here when there are a countless number of common bars lined up on 2nd and 3rd avenues.

This place is a haven for beer lovers. Easily one of the top 5 beer spots in the city. We're talking 30+ taps and it's some real quality shit. You'll often find Stone, Bear Republic, Southampton, and Victory here just to name a few of the top contenders. During my visit the standouts were Southampton Grand Cru and Delirium Tremens on-tap and Victory Mill Street Mild on cask.
They also have a sick bottle selection. Maybe 70+, listed by country, with a particularly good Belgian assortment including many "hard-to-gets" in this neck of the woods: Roquefort 8 and 10, Westmalle Tripel, Unibroue Terrible/10/11.

Food is of good quality but is not cheap. I usually order some typical pub fare (wings/nachos etc...) sitting at the bar. The back of the establishment is restaurant seating in which they offer a full menu. Never had any of their entrées though, as I'm usually filling up on beer here.

Wait staff and bartenders are very friendly and they are quick to fill an empty pint.

Simply put, this place is a must visit for any beer lover.
Apr 24, 2005
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Reviewed by cerevisiaephilus from Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +9.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Really great little bar in a weird neighborhood in the Upper East Side. I say weird because when you're walking east on the numbered streets, the upper east side is really cool. But then you come to the bigger avenues and it starts to look a lot like east harlem. Not very nice. But maybe it's just me?

Anyway, pretty standard bar with a really cool ceiling. Vaulted brick. Really cool. Nice tile floor as well. Bathroom was very nice. Very clean, well lit, the stall was a whole separate room with a very nice fan. I notice these things...

Beer list was great...BUT...the day I went the taps were down! The CO2 leaked or something. This was a bummer as they have a very good draught selection. I gave them a 5 for service because the bartender did manage to pull me a pint of Southhampton's Impy stout which was pretty cool. Also had a Choulette Sans coulette (?). Maybe 25 beers on draft and another 50 in bottles. All very well chosen. They showed Westvleteren on the menu but I didn't ask if they had it. Also had some cantillon I think. I took a paper menu to know for sure, but I lost it.

Didn't get any food. But it looked pretty standard pub fare, but I didn't look very carefully.
Mar 18, 2005
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Reviewed by ChowHound from New York

4.38/5  rDev +5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Upper East side bar and grill with a huge tap selection. Pretty large by New York City standards, the place seats around 75 in the restaurant area and about 30 in the bar area. Darts up front, maybe a little too close to the door. Nicely arched brick ceilings, dimmed lighting and candles on the table all provided for a very warm feel. There are 30 taps and one cask ale, and a very big blackboard of bottled beers. Beers ranged from Delirium Tremens on the Belgian side to some unusual ones on the domestic side like Heavyweight Beir d' Garde and Southampton Dortmunder. Place was very busy, and this is the best time to judge the service. The waitresses and bus people seemed to work very well together, and although we didn't sit at the bar, it did look like the two bartenders were a bit overwhelmed. Food was pretty good by pub standards. Nice barbecue, excellent chicken wings and a great bangers and mash. If this place wasn't on the upper east side, I might make it a regular hangout.
Feb 26, 2005
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Reviewed by SCW from New York

4.34/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
I think it is fair to say this bar has established itself as the official beer bar of the upper east side. On any given night, you can come here during happy hour to find exhausted businesspersons, bankers, attorneys, and just plain old revelers like myself enjoying a good pint. The format of the bar is a classic design. It is set up like a long rectangle, and the bar is one continous stretch along the left side of the wall. On the right side of the wall is a chalkboard where they currently list all of the available taps.

In the times that I've been there, I'd say about half of the taps are continuous, and the other seem to be rotating. I think there is a total of around 24 taps. I've had some pretty rare Belgian Styles there on draft, but I've never bothered to order anything from bottles, which they apparently have a good selection of.

In addition to having a really good selection, the establishment is really friendly towards the brewing community. They often have beer release parties for breweries, and sometimes they have other beer-related events. And best of all, the last time two times I went there, I ran into a local homebrewer.
Nov 16, 2004
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Reviewed by francisweizen from Washington

4.44/5  rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
David Copperfield's is a nice bar on the upper east side of Manhattan. The nearest subway stop is 77th street, and it takes about 10-15 minutes to walk from the train station to Copperfield's. Copperfield's has a nice atmosphere, on the outside it is an unassuming storefront, marked by a few signs letting you know that you have indeed stumbled upon the right place. On the inside there is a large bar and several tables. The building has a very open feel, and almost has a "warehouse vibe" going on as well. The tap selection on my last visit was awesome. Erica got a DFH punkin' ale on tap and I got a smuttynose IPA on draught (cask) the prices were very reasonable. Speaking of cask beers, the main reason I visited Copperfields was because they were having a cask beer festival in the cozy basement area of the pub! As I just said the basement area where the cask festival was held was very cozy with exposed brick and some nice wooden tables. The cask selection was phenomenal, and the servers were very friendly allowing us to get free samples of any of the beers on offer before we made our choices. I got to try Southampton secret ale, southampton ipa, john harvards hop magic, chelsea xxx stout, victory storm king, and more. It was an excellent time. As a birthday gesture one of the managers also bought our first round, and gave me a bottle of alesmith horny devil...talk about service! I should also note that every beer sampled at Copperfield's was in excellent condition and although we did not eat here, the food looked and smelled wonderful.

Final thoughts: Sure it is a bit out of the way, and the atmosphere is not the best in the city, but, if you are looking for a bar with excellent beers on tap, great service, and awesome quality, look no further. Oh, and if you can make it down for one of their special events, even better.
Nov 01, 2004
David Copperfield's in New York, NY
Place rating: 4.17 out of 5 with 63 ratings