Da Westy

Bar

516 W State St
Ithaca, New York, 14850-5222
United States

(607) 218-2851 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.56
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
6
pDev:
20.22%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
 
Rated: 4.3 by SonictheBeerhog from New York

Feb 27, 2016
Photo of logicalparadox
Reviewed by logicalparadox from New York

4.31/5  rDev +21.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
Nice bar with a fiercely loyal fan base. Good beer selection, though not the most extensive, and they also have a few good mixed drink offerings, which is nice. They offer wine, but... I wouldn't go there if I were you. No food and I'm not sure if they do flights. Lots of locals.
Nov 20, 2014
Photo of jpowers315
Reviewed by jpowers315 from New York

3.71/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3
This bar is definitely my go to Ithaca bar during the summer months into early fall when it is nice enough to sit outside at their picnic tables. The outdoor portion of the bar is what makes the place, there are about a half a dozen picnic tables a "corn hole" game set up and on certain nights a food truck parks out back and makes some killer tacos. The beer selection is pretty average, nothing too exciting. They definitely showcase a lot of local brews at affordable prices which I like as there happens to be a lot of good beer brewed in upstate NY.
Oct 26, 2013
Photo of Hojaminbag
Reviewed by Hojaminbag from Colorado

3.74/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
I added The Westy to the database here on BA a while ago, but I forgot to review it when it got confirmed. The Westy is the replacement for the sorely missed Korova, as that bar and this one have the same owner.

I've been to the Westy a bunch times, and I'll be the first to say there are things I like about the place and things I hate. The most important thing to note is that this is a CASH ONLY bar, which sucks ass. Furthermore, I will say that there is no reason to go here when it is cold outside. Wait until it is warm so you can have a beer outside on the picnic tables and throw some bean bags. This is where the Westy Shines, and it's a completely different place when you can have this experience. Also, who wants to walk a few blocks away from the commons in the winter? Not I. The garden portion of this place is probably two to three times the size of the inside.

The bar itself is nice, with absolutely everything inside being made of new wood. You walk in and the bar is at on your right, tables in the middle and sides, and a dart board in the back. By the bar is a staircase that will lead you to the bathroom. There are boardgames to play also. Chex Mix is available for snacking. In the summer there is grilling outside, but not all of the time, and I can't figure out what the schedule is to be honest.

Definitely a hipster vibe in this place, and it will take you all of about a minute to figure that out.

Service is solid, with the tenders being friendly and prompt, although the area in front of the bar can get pretty damn crowded.

Now to the beer. I have seen 18 taps going and I have seen less. There is always one or two big beers that interest me, but they are 9-10 bucks for a little glass. Way too pricey. In fact, all of the beer here is served in fairly small glass, and almost all of it is over priced. The three dollar special is the cheapest way to drink, but often it is something from Magic Hat or Saranac, which you can find full pints of for the same prices all over Ithaca.

I still go to the Westy for the bier garden experience, but I think Korova was a better spot.
Feb 24, 2011
Photo of jameswaldo
Reviewed by jameswaldo from New York

3.01/5  rDev -15.4%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5
Just discovered this fairly new bar when a friend invited me to meet there to hear The Black Walnut Band playing on a lively Friday evening last night. Band was pretty good, but the stamped tin ceiling and mostly bare brick walls made for an acoustic space so deafening that only the loudest shouting made conversation almost possible. A small space allowed dancing for maybe a dozen people near the door next to an extremely tacky ATM machine. Art on walls was Fantasy Comix and Tattoo stuff, and when I ordered the Ithaca Beer Co's Brute sour ale, I was warned it was "premium" and would cost me $10 for a little snifter that looked like it was about six ounces deep. Yes, a fine artisanal brew, but not one I'll go to The Westy to buy again. Also had some fairly decent Roosterfish Hops Warrior IPA there, not so overpriced.
Played some darts when the band's gig was over, and the sound system continued at a high volume nearly as loud as the live band had been. The board and lighting is good, but until The Westy does something about its acoustics I won't want to go indoors there again. Some picnic tables in an alley just west of its entrance look like a fine spot for al fresco drinking if this bar's still here when winter's over. I'd hope this place is usually quieter, and realize a busy Friday night may be a bad time to rate it, but I've still got a ringing in my ears from just a couple hours' visit.
Feb 05, 2011
Photo of brendanbeer
Reviewed by brendanbeer from New York

2.29/5  rDev -35.7%
vibe: 1 | quality: 2 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2
alright, well, i don't like hating when its not necessary, but this bar kind of deserves it. but i'll spell it out nicely. the atmosphere of the place, first of all, is terrible. the music is pretty awful, consistently, flaw one. the seating is incredibly uncomfortable, its all wooden benches and wooden tables, its like a boot camp cafeteria. the "artsy" vibe is so cheesy and pseudo-hip its sad, brick walls and just silly art everywhere. the place has no comfort to it. alright enough of that. the service is fine, they're nice, they serve you well. selection, here's the real disappointment. even with the uncomfortable "atmosphere", the beer selection is sub-par, especially for a place that calls itself a "beer garden", this is definitely not. (i'm not sure where the "18 taps" note came in the description up top, but when i was there, there were less than 10). eh, well, it seems people do dig the place, maybe they like the oversaturated hipness, but to my taste, its lacking in all the essential elements of a good bar.
Jan 07, 2011
Da Westy in Ithaca, NY
Place rating: 3.56 out of 5 with 6 ratings