The 8 Best Craft Beer Bars in NYC Right Now
New York City has more great beer bars per square mile than almost anywhere in the world. Here's where to go — no tourist traps, no chains, just great beer.
New York City's craft beer scene has matured into something genuinely world-class. The days of overpriced Bud Light in midtown dives being your only option are ancient history. The city now has hundreds of excellent craft beer bars, taprooms, and bottle shops with tap handles. These eight are where we actually spend our money.
1. Torst, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
If you've ever wondered what a beer bar could be when it's designed by someone who cares about every variable — temperature, glassware, pour angle, serving condition — Torst is the answer. The tap list is impeccably curated, with a heavy emphasis on European imports and local rarities. The custom tap system is a piece of engineering art. Expensive, but worth it for a special occasion.
What to Order: Whatever's on from Denmark or Norway. The Nordic brewing scene is exceptional right now.
2. Tørst's Spiritual Sibling: The Owl Farm, Windsor Terrace
Less intense than Torst, equally excellent. The Owl Farm is the neighborhood bar that every neighborhood wishes it had — a rotating tap list of thoughtfully chosen beers, knowledgeable staff who don't make you feel bad for not knowing everything, and a room that's actually comfortable to sit in for three hours.
3. Beer Street, Crown Heights
A bottle shop with taps, which is the best possible combination. The fridge selection rotates with genuinely hard-to-find releases. The tap list is shorter but excellent. The neighborhood vibe is right. Come here when you want something specific you can't find elsewhere.
4. Circa Brewing Co., Downtown Brooklyn
Their house-brewed beers are among the best coming out of Brooklyn right now. The food program is also better than it has any right to be for a brewery. The pretzel with beer cheese will make you understand that beer cheese is underrated as a concept. Skip the weekend crowds — Tuesday and Wednesday are ideal.
Don't Miss: Their flagship hazy IPA and whatever seasonal they're running. Check their Instagram before you go.
5. Bronx Brewery Taproom, Mott Haven
The Bronx doesn't get enough credit for its beer scene, and Bronx Brewery is the flagship of a neighborhood that's quietly developed real craft credibility. The taproom is large, lively, and regularly hosts excellent events. Their Citrus Session IPA is one of the better session beers in the city.
6. Interboro Spirits & Ales, Bushwick
This one's a hybrid brewery-distillery, which either sounds like a gimmick or a stroke of genius depending on your perspective. It's the latter. The beer is excellent (their Kolsch is essential in summer), and the cocktail program using their house spirits is legitimately creative. The space — converted industrial, enormous, art on the walls — is one of the best rooms in the city.
7. SingleCut Beersmiths, Astoria, Queens
A Queens institution with a fiercely loyal local following. SingleCut brews heavily in the lager and pilsner tradition alongside their ales — which makes them unusual and excellent. Their Halfwingback Session Lager is one of the most drinkable beers made in this city. Astoria locals, you already know this. Manhattan people — the N/W train is worth it.
8. Evil Twin Brewing NYC, Corona, Queens
Evil Twin has always been a nomadic, concept-driven brand, and their NYC taproom is their first permanent home. The result is exactly what you'd want — a beautiful space in Flushing Meadows Park area with a tap list that rotates aggressively and rewards frequent visits. The Sunburned Imperial Stout is a benchmark for the style.
Tips for Navigating NYC Beer Bars
Avoid the Weekend Rush Where Possible The best NYC beer bars get packed Friday night through Sunday. Thursday evening is the sweet spot — full selection, shorter waits, more talkative bartenders.
Check Untappd Before You Go Tap lists change constantly. Untappd's venue feature shows current menus for most bars. Don't make a cross-borough trip for a beer that blew out three days ago.
Bring Cash to Smaller Spots Several great bottle shops and smaller taprooms still prefer or require cash. An ATM fee is worth planning around.
Eat Before the High-ABV Stuff This is advice that sounds obvious until you're the person who had three 9% imperial stouts on an empty stomach at 7pm on a Tuesday. Food helps. Always.
Find more bar guides and regional recommendations in our Bars section.