Pre and post Islanders game - Threes, Rope, or Other Half?

How much time do you have prior to the game? Other half doesnt open until 12 and travel via car to Barclays takes roughly 20-25 mins; not ideal. Three’s is a 5 min walk and I believe is open at 12.

If you want to do something quick before the game and focus on breweries afterwards, hit up St Gambrinus (2 min walk; small bar but great taplist) or 4th ave pub (2 min walk; larger bar with an average/above average taplist).

Enjoy!

 

Threes would be less stressful to get to and from. St. Gambrinus is walking distance as is Bierwax (great spot). Hours of operation are the question.

 

Great minds think alike.

 

Yea I was at St Gambrinus before the game last Thursday and they had Hudson Valley, Grimm, Magnify, Other Half, Suarez and Sand City. Tap list was ridiculous. If I wasn’t such a die hard Isles fan I probably wouldn’t have left my spot at the bar.

 

St. Gambrinus is basically perfect. It’s right there, as @BoardwalkBock already referred to, their tap list is usually tits, they have food, and, as I did, I ran back there after the game, because it’s so close, and got cans for the train ride home. A little pricy, what isn’t, but great selection, all-around.

 

Just gonna say, as nice as St. Gambrinus is, Bierwax is a waaaay better vibe. Beer list not quite as good but still has plenty of OH, Equilibrium, etc. DJ sets and excellent music are the advantage it offers for those that care about such things.

 

I feel your pain. It’s even worse during the week with most places closed until 5PM if they open at all.

I’d recommend finding a place for brunch in the vicinity of Barclays. Some places have good local taps or beer lists.

I’ve never been but Ugly Duckling may do the trick?

@rozzom may have some advice.

 

Go to Mekelburg's for a bite and a beer after you get in. They're open that early.

 

Never even heard of bierwax but I’ll need to go next time.

Gotta ask - are you originally from the Island and grew up an Islanders fan? Seems odd to me someone from VT would fly down to go to an Islanders game just for the day, and that’s coming from a die hard, season ticket holder Isles fan!

 

I thought about suggesting this, but I am not sure if the bar will be open before noon.

 

They serve mimosas/bloody Mary's with brunch, and that menu starts at 10 AM, so I would imagine the beer flows then as well, but a fair thing to wonder.

 

Even though the blue laws were revoked in NY years ago, it is surprisingly still hard to find a bar that opens prior to 12. Seek out places that have a line of mid-20s white girls taking selfies for brunch and you should find a place selling alcohol prior to 12.

 

This is my question as well - now one of my earliest memories is my dad and uncle coming back from an Islanders game at the coliseum (obviously not sober but i didnt know better then) when I was about 5-7 years old with an Islanders hat signed by Mike Bossy. Of course my uncle signed it himself but again I didn't know better and I remember it to this day.

I do have to ask are you flying back and forth same day, dealing with jfk and the van wyck just to see the Islanders?!

 

I went to my first Barclays game last year, I guess it was ok. It felt very sterile and forced. I do kind of want to see the new Coliseum renovation.

 

Was this on StubHub?

 

Now that is what I call devoted!

As someone who has been to Barclays for a game over 30 times, I can admit it is one of the worst stadiums for hockey. I have to sit low or I wont go. The upper seats are on a 80 degree angle and it feels like you will fall at any moment. Also, too large for hockey - acoustics suck. If I wasnt such a fan, I would never go to Barclays.

I’ve been to the renovated Coliseum (for boxing) - it’s basically the same exact thing. And that is fine by me! Cant wait for the first game back at the old barn.