Unique Beer Bars

It's permanently closed now, but 't Velootje in Ghent comes to mind.

 

There is the H. R. Giger Museum Bar in Switzerland. I've never been to it but it's on the list of places I'd like to visit. I saw a video of people sitting down inside with food and drinks so it seems like it's fully functional.

 

The only place I can think of around here that sort of meets the criteria would be Birreria Volo. It’s a really cozy beer bar (best in Toronto) with a small 5hl brewery attached. There is a window through to a great fried chicken spot next door that you can order from. Their to-go bottle shop is in the lobby of the old theatre next door. When movies are showing, the bar has a concession stand for the movie-goers. They also run an import business from the location and are the importers for Cantillon and Tilquin for Ontario, among other breweries and wineries. If you are ever in Toronto, it should definitely make you list of places to go if you like beer.

https://birreriavolo.com/

 

Oh, I forgot about PDX in Tokyo. Someone on BA tipped me off on their existence and I stopped by to check it out. A little bar themed towards Portland. Surprising selection of Oregon beer for being in Tokyo. Strange slice of the PNW in the far East.

 

District Brew Yards in Chicago IL... 4 breweries under one roof plus a restaurant/shop. Pour your own/pay by the ounce. When I was there I'm pretty sure each brewery "wall" had 8-10 offerings... so lots of choices.

 

My son and I are planning a trip to Tokyo, so I will add this to my list of places to go visit!
Thanks

 

I've been a beer tourist in Tokyo a few times, if you want to pick my brain a bit, message me.

 

Thanks I certainly will do that!

 

Tons of great beer bars around me but for the unique criteria I’ll say Bierwax.
Tons of great beer, DJ always spinning excellent vinyl. Really great vibe.
Everyone who visits from out of town loves it when I bring them there.

Close competitor would be the Red Hook location of Strong Rope simply because of the amazing view of the Statue of Liberty.

 

Another one is the Helleketel in Poperinge Belgium. Very tiny and unique place. The one and only time I went the weather was insane.

Cold dark day, almost hurricane force winds blowing to the point where you had to use to back door to enter. The perfect ambiance for this place full of witches.

 

Barcade in Fishtown (Philly) is a cool place, I have been there a couple of times in the past. It is still open and now there is a second one in Center City:

https://www.phillyvoice.com/barcade-center-city-opening-retro-arcade-games-craft-beer-bar/

Cheers!

 

Barcade is a chain and has at least 3 locations in NYC that I know of. Kind of like a “hip” version of Dave & Buster’s

 

Oh, outside of the PNW, people might not know about Flat Stick Pub, it's a local chain of craft beer + mini golf places, looks like six locations across the state at this point.

 

Yup, Barcade started in NYC and the below was detailed in the linked article:

“Since opening in Brooklyn in 2004, Barcade has become known for serving craft beer alongside a wide selection of vintage arcade games and pinball machines primarily from the 1980s and '90s.”.

The Fishtown (Philly) location was the first Barcade out of New York:

“The chain's first location outside of New York came to Frankford Avenue in 2011.”

I wonder how they are able to locate and maintain all of these old video arcade games? I would think that obtaining replacement parts could be challenging, as per the movie Wreck-it Ralph 2.

Cheers!

 

Yes, you’d think parts would be difficult but every bar near me seems to have at least one old pinball machine operational.
Also, with Coney Island in the area I’m sure there are lots of people who know how to keep them running around here.
I think there used to be one in Portland Maine but appears to be closed down.