December 15, 2009
I have been coming here for about 5 years and it is hands down the best overall bar in Manhattan. The beer selection is always very good and constantly rotating. Also features an excellent bottle selection at very reasonable prices (nobody knows it either) that are only $1 or 2 above retail in many cases. The main event however is the food - easily the best bar food in manhattan. Sure, they have burgers and fries, but try the specials, it’s not that easy to find a soft-shelled crab po boy or curried mussels in a regular bar. Very high quality ingredients with an emphasis on new/unusual recipes. Lots of game on the menu, like venison (the venison nachos and the venison black bean chile are outstanding), ostrich, wild boar, elk, etc.

April 18, 2009
Nice looking bar with some old time decor and free popcorn! The service isn’t that bad. It’s just tough on a Thursday night when it’s busy, you’re trying to enjoy a couple of pints, and every table in the joint is catered to the people ordering food; giving it more of a restaurant feel rather than a bar. (Note to proprietor: Reserve just the back area for food mandatory food ordering, not the tables next the the bar). Decent selection of mainly local micro brews, along with the typical midtown "macro" of Stella and Hoegaarden. I found a Sly Fox Pale Ale project offering I never had before, and they also had up the Fastenbier from, you know who, which was a great plus.

February 6, 2008
I went here a few time for their special happy hour to get some discounts on some Belgains that are usually pricey. Bartender was very nice and gave samples if I needed and we had a bunch to drink and was a good time. Nice and open and the doors open wide which is great for the summer.

September 6, 2007
Came by here by accident, sort of. Was just walking down the street and stopped in for the heck of it. I wasn’t overly impressed by the ambiance. Seemed a bit too run down for me. And I live in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) where run down is a theme. Just lacked the right funk. Service was standard. Selection was fine. I had seen everything there before in many other places. Didn’t try the food and most likely won’t. With so many choices in the city, I can’t see myself ever going back.

April 16, 2007
I can only vouch for the Brooklyn location (haven’t been to the 2nd Ave one). In terms overall dining-drinking experience, this is my favorite place in the world. Great BBQ and burgers plus other pretty good quality menu items, plus a well selected and oft rotating selection of several American micros and a few Belgians. Once in a while they seem to get in something very special. One hand pulled cask selection which unfortunately goes "on vacation" for the summer due to storage conditions. A few bottle selections have included Skullsplitter, Achel brun and Gulden Draak in the past. Happy hour specials can get you a pretty decent pint from $3.50-$4.00.

November 26, 2006
Good rotating tap selection in a large dark bar. Loads of brewerania throughout the place. The owner is a beer geek and likes to talk shop. Food is good (I particularly enjoyed the chili). I usually kill time here while I’m waiting for my movie to start at the adjacent theatre.

November 5, 2005
I prefer the one in Brooklyn to the Manhattan location (it’s bigger, and in a ’hood with a lot more going on) - the food at both locations is pretty good, but again, the Brooklyn folks win out - selection at both loactions is decent, but nothing to go out of your way for.

March 9, 2005
Decent bar, but I’ve seen much better. About 20 solid beers on tap ranging from Brooklyn to Blue Point and some other good ones. Well stocked bar. Plenty of other good bars to hit in the city before this one.

March 30, 2004 [ Updated August 16, 2004 ]
Cool place for both food and beer. Stone, Brooklyn and DFH as well as full bar. The food is supposed to be good but I haven’t tried it. There is a second location in Brooklyn which I haven’t been to yet.

March 7, 2004 [ Updated October 30, 2007 ]
10/07 Rerate: Run-down and the selection is only adequate. Not worth a look unless you’re nearby. It used to be quite good in 2005. brbrOld review: Good selection of Dogfish, Brooklyn, Victory and other quality ales on tap. Pleasant, but not dazzling atmosphere. Decent location next to movie theatre around 30th St. makes for good after-movie quaffing. When in the neighborhood, it’s worth dropping in, but given a choice, I’d hit Blind Tiger, Copperfield’s, dba or others first.