October 24, 2009
The only other time I was here (about 10 years ago) it wasn’t nearly as good. Now, the quality of the beer and service is vastly improved. It’s a little more noisy now, but that’s not really even a problem. Still love the beer arrival mural surrounding the room. Excellent choice of beers available on draft and in bottles. Bartender, in his uniform of cassock, was very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Plus, it’s in a great area and near to McSorley’s just down the street. I’m glad I returned and will do so again in the future.

October 3, 2009
Good selection of belgian beer and micro brews, a good tap selection as well, I finished my evening with a Lagunitas Barley wine on tap, it was so good, we sat at the bar and the bartender was great, he new his product and was lots of fun to talk to, they dont have a kitchen but in the evening they order in a tonne of tasty fries with lots of different sauces to try at no charge. I would definatly visit this place again when in New York.

February 2, 2009 [ Updated September 9, 2009 ]
This place demands to be taken more seriously; what used to be an oddity, on account of its quirkiness, is really beginning to dawn on me as a treasure. A nice quiet small place, where the decibels level is low and the begian beer is taken seriously? Fantastic! The selection of Belgian (and Belgian-style) beers on tap is impressive and it rotates (take that, Vol de Nuit!) so it’s worth poking your head in and checking out what’s new every time you walk past. No food, and the bartender might actually shush you if you get too loud. Decor is cool, read JoeMcPhee below for a description.

September 10, 2008
Read reviews before going. The beer is fine, but it can be perfect or annoying depending on your mood and compatriots. Green lamp shades and dewey decimal system vibe to me.

July 8, 2008
I’ve always like this place as they serve nice beers and keep it quiet so you can have a conversation. A complete 180 turnaround from McSorleys. While we were there, we had Delirium and Avery Hog Heaven on draft and food is just pretzels, but always worth a stop in.

May 25, 2008
Nice selection of Belgian and Belgian style brews. Worth popping your head in to see if there’s anything interesting on tap. Silence is golden here but they’re not as anal about it as they used to be. While in the area, check out Standings next door or Jimmys 43 downstairs.

May 16, 2008
I stopped in here with some friends on our way to dinner. A decent selection of bottles & a few nice taps. The problem is that there are so many more exciting places to head in NYC. A good place to stop into, not somewhere I’d want to spend all night.

February 23, 2008
This is a very strange and very cool-looking place. High-ceilinged smallish bar with lots of tiny, small tables throughout the room. The dominant feature is the large murals on the walls. The eastern wall shows an 18-19th century country alehouse with lots of scenes of pubbish debauchery. The western wall shows a group of monks saving shipwrecked beer casks from the sharks. The north wall shows a mildly offensive image of resurrected Jesus with a sheaf of wheat... nice. A decent (if decidedly pricey) selection of fairly common Belgians. Seemed very chill when I was in. It’s worth checking out, but I get the sense that it’s not the place for drunken debauchery (mural notwithstanding).

February 17, 2008
Quixotic, but very friendly, place with an unparalleled decor. Solid taps nothing to write home about and a healthy assortment of bottles. I agree that being shushed in a bar is just about the most irritating thing that’s even happened to me, but really why worry about something like that when there’s berr to be had?

February 5, 2008 [ Updated February 19, 2008 ]
The bartenders are always friendly and it is kind of funny when all of a sudden you hear shhh. You never realize how loud it is until it quiets down. The monks are very peacful people. NO need to shout. I used to attend NYCHBG meeting when I lived in NYC and plan on it again when I move back soon. Pint prices are a bit high but you tend to get a buyback or some samples so it evens out. Selection is always good and it is a comfortable place.