I'm coming intown from KY to NYC for the Marathon next weekend. Staying at the Hilton Manhattan East. Can any locals recommend any good beer places or local bottle shops? Within walking distance? Some of my running friends are setting up a meetup at Stout, but their beer list was alright. Thanks in advance!
I'm assuming that's the Hilton on 42nd and 2nd. There are no great bottle shops within walking distance. The best place you could walk to is the bodega on the SE corner of 38th and 2nd. The have a very solid selection for a deli, but nothing too crazy. Best bottle shops you can get to easily (I would have no problems walking to them but it is far): Good Beer: 9th st btw 1st and Avenue A Whole Foods Bowery Beer Room: Houston and Chrystie New Beer: Chrystie near Delancey Top Hops: Orchard btw Delancey and Stanton (those four close so you could easily hit up all 3 in a short period of time) City Swiggers: 86th btw 1st and 2nd And yes, Stout doesn't have a great selection. There are much better places, even just a few blocks away (Rattle n Hum, Ginger Man)
I'm sure you'll get some great responses. My only concern is - are you drinking before or after the race?
Awesome, thanks WiscoNYC! yea the hotel on 42 and 2nd is where I will be. I'm happy to take a cab as well and have the next two days off to explore the city. I'll be drinking before and after the race. Calms the nerves.
Before the race...I like it! Well if you have time to explore, then some other bars you might wanna visit (in addition to those I already mentioned): The Pony: One location in Hell's Kitchen (45th st and 10th ave) and another on the Upper East Side (closer to you...on 75th and 1st). All beers are $5...mostly 140z pours, 8oz for the high ABV and the limited beers. Blind Tiger: Bleeker St (near 7th ave)...always a great selection, but it gets very busy...it's fantastic for daytime drinking when the crowds aren't as bad That's all keeping things in Manhattan. If you want to venture into Brooklyn I can keep going.
Other than the bottle shops, bars in that area are Stag's Head, Manchester Pub, Cafe D'alsace, Pony Bar, etc. Bottle shops in Manhattan are usually pricey, but Whole Foods, New Beer, and Flair are well priced. Not many shops in Midtown. Brooklyn and some of Queens have better selection/better priced bottles IMO
I agree on The Stag's Head, nice little bar that we found wandered around a couple years ago while staying right near you at the Helmsley, straight up 2nd Ave. at 51st street, good selection worth the 5 minute walk, also don't miss Rattle n' Hum and The Ginger Man, they are also only a 10 minute walk and worth the trip....
