Bark's Beer Cave

Bark's Beer CaveBark's Beer Cave
Bark's Beer CaveBark's Beer Cave
Store

1 Archie Bordeau Rd
Plattsburgh, New York, 12901-5887
United States

(518) 562-2025 | map

Located at the Shell station just off NY Interstate 87 southbound exit 36.
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.5
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
13
pDev:
22.57%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by 18CGL:
Photo of 18CGL
Reviewed by 18CGL from New York

3/5  rDev -14.3%
Better selection than most other stores. Richards has a better selection and lists their prices. Bark's is conveniently located just off the exit ramp though whereas to get to richards, you have to tramp through downtown Plattsburgh. So sometimes, this is the better option.
Sep 09, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.86/5  rDev +10.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25
One of three places in the Plattsburgh area to get bottles and cans. Me, I was impressed mostly. With the likes of Paradox, Barrier, Ommegang, Saranac, Boulevard, Avery, Stone, Sierra Nevada, Maine Beer Company, Fiddlehead (just arrived this week of February, 19, 2018), some Long Trail, Otter Creek, Magic Hat, Flying Dog, Victory and Burial, I'd say this was a pretty nice store. Some of the warm beers on the shelf outside of the beer cave itself, looked a little dusty so I didn't bite on those beers and I did see Middle Ages which bummed me out as I would have liked to grab that Middle Ages beer. Not a bad stop in Plattsburgh, but part of me wants to say I'd rather go to Richard's right in Plattsburgh in that neighborhood or Craft Beer Cabin on the north side of town as both of those places were just a bit more friendlier than this place.
Feb 23, 2018
 
Rated: 3.58 by ADKbeerguy from New York

Jan 06, 2018
 
Rated: 3.59 by bumchilly25 from Canada (BC)

Aug 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.55 by mountainzen from New York

Nov 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Whatup14 from Canada (QC)

Sep 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by RichJamz from Vermont

Jul 30, 2014
Photo of ColterKoch22
Reviewed by ColterKoch22 from New York

4.03/5  rDev +15.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5
Besides my Regular spot "Richards" this is my second stop on my Friday home from errands. The selection of craft beers is amazing for the area. However it is a pricey spot. I normally stop to get my Sixpoint RESIN and Southern Tier 2XIPA. The owner will go out of his way to get beers but it not the cheapest.

There is a Dunkin Donuts next door if you want a coffee! LOL!
Aug 15, 2013
Photo of Hendry
Reviewed by Hendry from Vermont

3.93/5  rDev +12.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4
Okay folks, this is the "North Country," and there are not many places willing to stock up on a huge selection of pricey beer: this is one of two in the Plattsburgh area.

Reputed to have a larger selection compared to their only rival, Richard's grocery, my visit did not reveal that to be the case. The selection was certainly good for the area, and I was able to get my hands on the last 6 pack of Troegs Hop back Amber, however the previous reviews are correct, in that many of the bottles/six packs are not marked and their are no shelf tags to show the price either: this is a good way to annoy and potentially lose customers.

As for price, pretty much add $1 to every bottle or six pack that is actually marked compared to Richard's, so they are pricier. Pricier fine: nobody is telling them what to charge, let the consumer decide whether they want to purchase or not, but the idea of not pricing the merchandise is poor retailing if every respect. All told, Richard's is worth the hunt, so go there first, and then check out Bark's for items you didn't see at Richard's.

EDIT: the old reviews of Bark's stating the selection is "much better" than Richard's is out of date since Richard's has beefed up their selection in recent years.
Aug 06, 2013
Photo of stella77artois
Reviewed by stella77artois from New York

3.32/5  rDev -5.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.75
Without a doubt the Plattsburgh area's largest selection of beer. Great selection of 6'ers, bombers and singles, especially. There are dozens of beers here that you won't find anywhere close in NY, and would have to travel across the lake to get. The location is good, it's right off the interstate, so it's perfect for travelers. Also, I've been told that as long as a beer is on the "beer list", the owner will order it at your request, free of charge. I think that's pretty damn cool. I've also heard he'll specially order beers if there's enough interest. Have never inquired, but I probably will eventually. That's pretty cool.

Prices are not good. I'm very willing to spend a little extra to get good beer. But it's over the top here. The same 6'er that you get here is typically $2 cheaper at Richard's, my favorite place in the Plattsburgh area to purhcase beer. Doesn't seem like much, but I like to save money when I can. It get's worse. Most products are not labeled with a price. Makes it kind of tough to decide what to purchase when you're trying new beers. Some singles and bombers have price labels, but most do not. Almost no 6'ers or 12'ers have price tags. The clerk will scan the price for you of course, but I'm courteous and don't feel like burdening them with asking them to price check 29 different things. According to another review here, the owner used to have price guides, but removed them as they were getting destroyed. Uh, ok, so print out a new one. That really irks me. In the end, if a beer isn't labeled, I highly suggest you check with the clerk for the price.

You also need to check expiration dates, if available. I was burned by that during one of my first visits. There are many beers that have been in the cave a long while. Popular beers are likely fresh, as they sell well. Truly rare beers are a crapshoot on a freshness if there's no expiration date.

Overall, it's a good place. Best selection in Plattsburgh brought down a bit by steep prices and some old beer. Still worth a visit IMO. I prefer Richard's, though.
Jun 08, 2013
Photo of beerCrafter2011
Reviewed by beerCrafter2011 from New York

2.65/5  rDev -24.3%
vibe: 1.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4.5
This place is located in a gas station, but has a great selection. The thing that bothers me the most is nothing in the beer cave has any prices listed. He had a print out of all of the prices in the cave which is unacceptable. He then moved the price list to the checkout counter because customers were wrecking it or losing it. Today, no list was present anywhere. How am I supposed to make selections if I don't have any prices? There are hundreds of beers. I spend $40+ on craft beer per month, but $0 here. I go to Richard's for weekly purchases an Winooski bev for rare beers. They are overpriced on certain popular craft beers and I've heard they price gouged dogfish head.
Oct 16, 2011
Photo of papat444
Reviewed by papat444 from Canada (QC)

4/5  rDev +14.3%
The outside of this store seems the same as other convenience stores but it really isn't. In the back, there's the ''beer cave'', basically a walk-in refrigerated area. Lots of shelves set up with many sixers, gift packs and bombers. Some hightlights: Troegs gift set with Mad Elf and matching glass, Lindemans lambic gift pack with glass, many bombers of DFH and Unibroue, Arcadia, Atwater Block, Bear Republic, Fort Collins, Left Hand and Victory.

Prices seemed reasonable and freshness ranged from some old beers (Left Hand Wheat & Butternuts IPA were 8 months old) to relatively fresh (Oskar Blues were canned in the fall). The 2 girls didn't seem knowledgeable at all though they did call someone to find out the price of the 750ml. Stella bottle. Clearly someone is taking care if the craft beer so maybe there is a beer guy there sometimes.

Overall, this place is worth the stop as it is glued to the highway and the selection is much better than Richard's Grocery which is trickier to get to.
Dec 16, 2010
Photo of adirondack88
Reviewed by adirondack88 from New York

1.28/5  rDev -63.4%
vibe: 1 | quality: 1 | service: 1 | selection: 2
Do not go to this place unless you are desperate and want to buy overpriced stale / old beer. On a recent trip to this place I picked up a 6 pack of DFH 60 minute IPA $12.99 before tax and deposit. $12.99, really? I have never felt so ripped off. I also picked up a 6 pack of Southern Tier 2XIPA that had different beer than 2XIPA in the carton. I am tired of being disappointed by Barks Beer Cave and will never go back to this place. I learned my lesson and will go to Richards or Winooski from now on.
Dec 05, 2010
Bark's Beer Cave in Plattsburgh, NY
Place rating: 3.5 out of 5 with 13 ratings