Paul Kushner
Welcome to the thriving craft beer scene of the city that never sleeps – New York City. In a metropolis known for its diversity, the craft beer bars stand out as vibrant hubs of flavor and community. This article is your passport to the best craft beer bars in NYC, where innovative brews and unique tap lists collide with the city’s dynamic energy. From hidden gems in Brooklyn to iconic establishments in Manhattan, we’ll navigate the hops and malts that define each venue’s character. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or a casual sipper, join us on a journey through the Big Apple’s finest establishments, where every pint tells a story. Cheers to exploring the tapestry of craft beer in the heart of New York.
BierWax
556 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
(347) 533-8449
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Located a quick walk from Prospect Park in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, Bierwax is a hip beer bar and music venue. Its walls are lined with hundreds of records and there’s always a DJ playing diverse genres to set an utterly cool mood to accompany an obscure, microbrew. There are 12 beers on tap, plus a selection of cider, Meade, seltzers, and kombucha.
Bronx Alehouse
216 W 238th St, The Bronx, NY 10463
(718) 601-0204
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The Bronx Alehouse is located in the Kingsbridge neighborhood. The facility is in an industrial chic warehouse space with outdoor seating. Bronx Alehouse is a gastropub, taproom, and sports bar with amazing selection of wine, craft beers, cocktails, and delicious New American food. They have 16 rotating beers on tap from independent breweries in the Northeast, plus countless domestic and international cans and bottles of different sizes.
Proletariat
21 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
(833) 328-4588 ext. 703
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Proletariat is an East Village beer bar in a cozy, almost divey space, its walls cluttered with framed tattoo art and stickers. They offer 20 beers on tap from obscure yet noteworthy breweries plus a full menu of authentic British pub fare. They also offer hard-to-find bottles and cans that will impress even the most pretentious beer connoisseur.
TØRST
615 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 389-6034
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Overlooking Greenpoint Brooklyn’s beautiful McCarren Park, Torst is a gorgeous neighborhood bar and elevated gastropub. The space features a modern yet warm design with wooden accents that almost feels like an old-world farmhouse. They offer 21 rotating beers on tap with a diverse variety of brews including IPAs, Porters, Farmhouse Ales, Stouts, and more. I loved the English Barleywine, aged for 3 years. It tasted more like a spirit than beer.
Covenhoven
730 Classon Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 483-9950
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Covenhoven is an adorable beer garden with a grassy, flowery backyard in the heart of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. It’s a family-friendly beer garden owned by a former music teacher and gardener couple who make Covenhoven feel like home to locals and tourists alike. They offer 16 rotating beers on tap along with over 250 bottles and cans.
Harlem Hops
2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030
(646) 998-3444
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Located in the neighborhood of Harlem a block from St. Nicholas Park, Harlem Hops is a beer bar and eatery focusing on supporting the local community of beer brewers. They partner with family-owned, black-owned, local breweries and artisans to bring you a unique type of beer and gourmet bar fare. Plus, there’s always great music from local artists serenading your happy hour in the city.
Blind Tiger
281 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
(212) 462-4682
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Blind Tiger is a casual and lively craft beer bar and New American gastropub in the West Village, next door to NYU’s law school. It’s a counter-service bar and gastropub with its rotating tap list and menu scrawled over numerous chalkboards lining the walls. They offer 28 draught beers and 12 cans and bottles from independent craft breweries, not to mention a wonderful menu of sandwiches, tacos, quesadillas, small plates, and shareable appetizers.
Hops Hill
886 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11238
(347) 987-4334
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Hops Hill is a cozy Clinton Hill neighborhood beer bar with an intimate setup and rustic interior and a nice backyard patio for al fresco beer drinking during the warmer months. Hops Hill has garnered acclaim from Zagat and Eater as one of the best beer bars in NYC and the U.S. They offer 15 beers on tap and over 50 bottles, cans, and ciders. Plus, they have a small cocktail and wine list.
As Is NYC
734 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019
(646) 858-1153
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As Is NYC is a charming and fashionable cocktail and beer bar and a New American kitchen in Hell’s Kitchen. The interior has mosaic tile floors and wood floors with an accented tiled ceiling and mural along with interesting lighting illuminating the bar area. They offer a rotating tap of 20 obscure beers. I went during the winter and tried the Christmas Bomb, an imperial stout with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
Beer Run
Multiple Locations
(212) 749-7500
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Beer Run is both a beer bar and a bottle shop with locations in Chelsea and Harlem. Its upper narrow interior has just enough space for the bar and standing fridges. They specialize in local independent breweries, offering an extensive selection of draught beer for dining in and cans and bottles to take home with you.
Brouwerij Lane
78 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
(347) 529-6133
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Brouwerji Lane is a liquor store and taproom with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The knowledgeable staff will let you try as many beers as you like to find your desired pint. They also have a dog-friendly patio with park benches and painted walls. Their impressive beer and cider collection will satisfy every taste.
Grimm Artisanal Ales
990 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 564-9767
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Grimm Artisanal Ales is a brewery, taproom, and rooftop pizzeria in a huge, airy warehouse space with ample streetside seating in East Williamsburg. It’s been twice awarded New York State Brewery of the Year, offering a diverse list of award-winning IPAs, stouts, lagers, ales, hefeweizens, and sours. They offer 27 proprietary beers on tap that change with the seasons.
Kings County Brewers Collective
381 Troutman St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
(929) 409-5040
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Kings County Brewers Collective, or KCBC, is a hip brewery and beer bar in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Bushwick used to be the nation’s most densely populated brewery neighborhood during the early 1900s. KCBC has carried on the neighborhood’s legacy. Their rotating tap list of 13 beers and 11 cans from the KCBC brewery. They also have a wine and whiskey list.
Alewife Brewing
41-11 39th St, Queens, NY 11104
(646) 266-4244
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Alewife Brewing is a brewery and taproom in a giant warehouse in Sunnyside Queens. The fun taproom is family-friendly with colorful decorations and long benches and tables. The taproom has 18 Alewife brews on tap, along with 11 cans and 5 bottles. I went for the Dream in Mango and Pineapple fruited sour IPA.
Craft Culture
59-04 Myrtle Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
(929) 276-3049
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Another Queensborough favorite, Craft Culture is an artisanal kitchen and beer bar in the Ridgewood neighborhood. It’s on every NYC guide as a top option for beer and delicious pub food and has won for best beer selection the borough award in their location of bar in Queens. They have a rotating tagoodbeerhunting.comp of 15 beers and ciders, plus countless cans and bottles. I recommend going hungry so you can try one of their amazing burgers with thick-cut steak fries.
Why should you trust us?
We use our own local experience and contacts in the city to know which places to include in our lists. We also researched the web and read 6 reputable blogs and websites, including ny.eater.com, timeout.com, theinfatuation.com, punchdrink.com, pubinno.com and goodbeerhunting.com. So that you can be sure you’re receiving the best of the best. We compiled all the results in one spot and ranked them according to how frequently they were referenced.
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