NYC bar connoisseur needed

[M_Six]

Ok, I'm no corner sewer of the bar scene. Not by a long shot. But we have an upcoming trip to NYC and a friend of ours wants to meet at Bemelmans for a drink before dinner. Looks like an interesting enough place. The bar menu raised my eyebrows a bit, I must admit. I'm not a cheapskate, but $10 for a Sam Adams is highway robbery. I'd be more likely to opt for a good single malt scotch at $18. At least I can make that last a while.

Is this normal for nice bars in NYC? Anyone ever been to this place?

[KingOfJericho]

Welcome to NYC. It's not too far out of the norm for a high end bar but keep in mind there are also plenty of other places where you can pay more normal prices ($5-7).

[2011CrazE89]

Reminds me when I went to Webster Hall in NYC. I bought one beer and handed the bartender a $20.00. She said thank you and walked away. I stood there with this "I think I just got robbed" look on my face.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Welcome to NYC. It's not too far out of the norm for a high end bar but keep in mind there are also plenty of other places where you can pay more normal prices ($5-7).

I don't mind paying a premium for atmosphere, but at least they should offer only high end stuff. Seeing $9 Buds on the beer list just rubs me wrong. I mean it's not like it's Fenway Park or something.

Originally Posted by 2011CrazE89

Reminds me when I went to Webster Hall in NYC. I bought one beer and handed the bartender a $20.00. She said thank you and walked away. I stood there with this "I think I just got robbed" look on my face.

She was probably pissed that you didn't add a tip.

[2011CrazE89]

Originally Posted by M_Six

She was probably pissed that you didn't add a tip.

Apparently she helped herself. I held onto that beer for about four hours.

[Never Convicted]

Ask the guy on the subway grate outside. They know all the good spots.

[BEM-S4]

Check this place out one of my favorites in the City:

http://www.voldenuitbar.com

Not cheap but the roof at the Peninsula is always awesome.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Never Convicted

Ask the guy on the subway grate outside. They know all the good spots.

Yeah, probably should have posted this in the First World Problems thread, eh?

[bkM3]

if your into beer and scotch check out the gingerman in midtown. its my go-to spot for an after work drink.

http://www.gingerman-ny.com/

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by bkM3

if your into beer and scotch check out the gingerman in midtown. its my go-to spot for an after work drink.

http://www.gingerman-ny.com/

The tap wall at Gingerman is unreal. There's a Gingerman in my town as well and it is nirvana for beer lovers.

[2011CrazE89]

All this talk about NYC is making me want to plan a trip back up there. Spent 30 years of my life there and IMO it's by far one of the greatest cities.
Especially around the holidays.

[Bobble]

Interestingly enough I read this article this AM maybe there's somewhere on here that would be fun if you paying high brow prices:
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2014/05/05/...e/?hpt=hp_bn11

[NYCGP]

A bit above normal. Gingerman is a great recommendation. It really depends on the atmosphere you are looking for. You want some bullshit mixology crap, there are specific bars for that. You want craft beers and meat, Cannibal (113 E 29th St). It really all depends on what you are interested in.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by NYCGP

A bit above normal. Gingerman is a great recommendation. It really depends on the atmosphere you are looking for. You want some bullshit mixology crap, there are specific bars for that. You want craft beers and meat, Cannibal (113 E 29th St). It really all depends on what you are interested in.

Finally a useful post from nycgp.

$10 for a sam adams is obnoxious.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

Finally a useful post from nycgp.

$10 for a sam adams is obnoxious.

This is what I'm sayin'. Makes me feel like I'm being robbed. At least $18 for a 12 y.o. Glenlivet gets you something you can't buy at a gas station.

[dreamingat30fps]

And I was pissed when I was charged $12 for a Chimay.

[z4drvr]

My gf and I frequent the city a few times a year. We like dressing up and going out to eat, see shows etc. Lots of great rooftop lounges. The blue bar at The ALgonquin hotel is pretty cool for pre show/dinner drink.

[P1]

My friend owns a bar, and they don't like patrons drinking beer all night long. So they make the beers expensive, so that it makes more sense to get a cocktail instead.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by P1et

My friend owns a bar, and they don't like patrons drinking beer all night long. So they make the beers expensive, so that it makes more sense to get a cocktail instead.

Bingo. Much higher margins on a cocktail than beer so they adjust the price to compensate.

[bkM3]

glad to see im not the only one who enjoys a good beer. if you decide to visit gingerman i would recommend avoiding it from 530-730 on a weekday. its always packed and almost impossible to get a seat, especially on those comfy couches in the back.

[gtron]

when in rome...

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by P1et

My friend owns a bar, and they don't like patrons drinking beer all night long. So they make the beers expensive, so that it makes more sense to get a cocktail instead.

That attitude would never fly out here, but then again our beer scene is different than on the east coast (there are some craft breweries popping up out there though). Many of the bars around CO specialize in the selection and number of beers they have on tap. These days I usually prefer having varoius beers when I go out as opposed to my younger drinking years when coctails were typically my norm.