Heading up to NYC with some friends this weekend and wondering what would be some good, less known places to hit. I've been to Blind Tiger and Rattle N Hum multiple times, and Gramercy Tavern once, but looking to branch out. Anywhere south of Central Park would be preferable but whatever. And Heady Topper leads would be most appreciated (not sure if there's any around...) Cheers guys!
Unless you are interested in going to Williamsburg Brooklyn (where there are several very good options) you are best served at Blind Tiger or Gingerman (IMO).
Pony Bar is generally underrated on here. Two locations now ... one on the west side in the 40's and a new one UES at 75th and 1st. I agree that Blind Tiger is always worth a revisit though and Brooklyn has some good ones.
Went to Pony Bar night before St Patty's Day and closed it down. Pretty solid tap lineup, what was better was the crowd, never knew so many pretty young ladies appreciated good beer. Not the Hell's Kitchen I remember from the 80's!
Both Pony Bars are spectacular. Their pricing is ridiculously uncynical, and because of their geographical inaccessibility it's never too stressful when they get something cool (à la Blind Tiger).
I second both Ginger Man and Pony Bar. I've also passed a couple enjoyable evenings down at Taproom 307.
I'll add Valhalla in Midtown West. DBA in the East Village is not bad, too, though generally not much rare stuff there.
I was just in NYC this past weekend. I was able to score a Heady Topper on Friday at Ginger Man as well as a Hill Farmstead Everett at Alewife in Queens (5 minute subway ride from 7 train @ 42nd street super easy to get to). Alewife is having a crazy heavy hitter Belgian funk night http://getrealfunk.eventbrite.com/ on Thursday so they'll probably have some fantastic leftovers. Also, there is Beer Authority on 40th I believe that just opened and has 80 taps. They're owned by the same owners as Rattle n Hum. Have fun!
The 2 best beer bars in NYC are Hospoda on 73rd St between 1st and 2nd Aves and Fraunces Tavern way down on Pearl St. I've been to all the bars previously mentioned multiple times, some are dicey and others always blow...the Blind Tiger being a possible exception. Hospoda serves only Pilsner Urquell, but it's tapped with 4 carbonation variations to control the bitterness. The bars at Fraunces Tavern are now run by the Porterhouse Brewery from Dublin, the tap beers are fantastic. They also have some US micros on tap and a huge bottle selection, stick with the Porterhouse beers on tap though. (Fraunces Tavern is where George Washington resigned from the Continental Army and the Founders met there frequently, needless to say the historical value is quite high.) The Heidelberg on 2nd Ave between 85th and 86th is also good but it has a standard line of German beers.
