Unique Beer Bars

Well, since this a thread about beer bars, I didn't mention the bike shop where yoy can get a beer while your bike is being worked, the book store with about a half-dozen taps, or the plant shop that sells beer and wine while you browse.

Or the several hair-cutting establishments that will serve you a beer or wine whislt getting trimmed.

 

The Silver Stamp in Las Vegas. It's off the strip and is kind of a plain looking building from the outside, but then you go inside and it's like someone's dad's den anywhere from 1978 - 1983 mixed with an American Legion. But they also happen to have insane beers on tap (a sherry barrel JW Lees and then Rolling Rock [on tap!]) among other fantastic selections when I was there. Probably my favorite beer bar in the country.

 

Ah, Hamsterdam.

 

If I didn't cut my own hair, I'd consider going up to Bellingham for haircuts

 

The place I go doesn't offer a beer, but, Tuesdays all haircuts are $12. Fair trade in my view.

 

Interesting, what is so unique about it in your mind? The location? It is a cool space, but I feel like the theme of repurposing Interesting historical buildings into bars/breweries is pretty well represented across the country.

And Sergios uniqueness isn't just the wide selection, it's the depth of quality represented from around the world combined with a staff that is generally much more knowledgeable than average and an owner that is one of the most unique and interesting characters I've ever encountered.

 

For your consideration, I submit Sassy's in Portland. Look one way, a row of handles that rivals or beats most cities best beer bar, look the other way, live naked ladies.

 

What's the one that's owned by a guy with a cattle ranch and has (had? inflation) $10 steak dinners?

 

The Acropolis. It used to be amazing. I wonder if it still is. The beer selection there was good, but nowhere close to Sassys.

The best thing about strip clubs in Portland is (used to be - it's been nearly 15 years since I lived there) that they're just like a good neighborhood bar with naked people.

 

Also since it hasn't been mentioned... The Kulminator in Antwerp. One of the most amazing experiences I've ever had.

 

Sounds like Heaven on Earth.

 

La Fleur en Papier Doré (The golden paper flower) in Brussels. A historic bar that the artist René Magritte used to hang out in.


Café Vlissinghe in Bruges. Dates back to 1515, it’s the oldest bar in Bruges, and possibly the oldest in Belgium.

 

It is a beautiful space. I may suffer from nostalgia bias against it because one of my early beer delights was drinking at Vivant in Grand Rapids, which is also a converted church but a bit nicer to my tastes. So Holy Grale always suffers by comparison. Had some great beers there though

 

I have visited a number of beer bars and seen some with unique quirks. If I had to pick only one as the most unique, it would have to be the Bierkeller in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

It feels like a speakeasy located in a residential zone; you have to speak with somebody at the door to let you through. It's not open to the public. The interior bleeds nostalgia, intimate feel with small rooms. And when I first visited there in 2009, it was an oasis for craft beer in Brazil. I haven't been there since 2015, and I would love to go back.

I wrote a review of the place here https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/19246/?view=ratings&ba=DoubleJ#lists

The following link provides some photographs inside; get your translator out if you would like to read the article :-)
http://viajantecervejeiro.com.br/bierkeller-o-bar-escondido-de-porto-alegre/

 

So how did you get invited? This place looks really cool.

 

A couple of my favorites:
Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh- brewpub in a turn of the century Catholic church. Brewery is in the altar, benches are the old pews. Check out all the original detail work on the ceiling if you ever go. I used to work there 20 years ago.

Mekong in Richmond- nothing too out there really, just don't see many Vietnamese restaurants that are also places to get world class beer. The pho is good, but they have a much more extensive menu than most Vietnamese places. Get the clay pot catfish or the softshell crabs with tamarind sauce if they are in season.

 

The Backroom in Solvang, CA

Where? About 45-60 minutes from Santa Barbara there's this quaint little town known as the Danish Capital of America. For context, this is a three hour drive from LAX and a four to five hour drive from San Francisco. It's got cool architecture, a nearby mission, wine, etc. I was there one morning walking around taking in the sights when I did a double take at a Russian River Magnum in the window. I walk in, there's a cool little bottleshop with some pretty great stuff, as well as a home-brew store. I start chatting with Sandy (the owner) and she clearly knows everyone in the industry. She asks if me and my friend want to grab a beer, and of course we do. She takes us to the back where there's a little speakeasy style setup with a handful of great taps. Turns out it's a "private club" of sorts where you pay a one day fee or are a member, and so not all the normal rules apply or some such thing. We hung out and chatted for a bit and had several great beers. I had no idea it was there, we were just there to check out Solvang and it found us. I deliberately didn't research beer options because I knew it'd sideline us, and I made the assumption the options would be sparse anyway. Highly, highly recommended if you find yourself in such a random place.

 

B & L Bar in New Ulm, MN A Schell's bar. Probably 12 August Schell beers on tap. Just go there.