NYCGuide
The Best Breweries In NYC
Even if you’re not the kind of beer nerd who thinks Oktoberfest is for amateurs and refers to certain beers as “juicy,” breweries are fun places to hang out and drink something tasty. From a spot in the Bronx that's perfect for an outdoor party to a few fun options in LIC, here are our favorite local breweries. They're great for birthdays, day drinking, game nights, and more.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Dane Isaac
Serious beer snobs will love hanging out at Other Half’s taproom, where you can try beers from their extensive draft list or grab cans and bottles to go. The space is pleasantly sparse, keeping the focus on the quality of the brew rather than the creation of a vibe. Incidentally, this creates a vibe. Expect long lines on weekends and a more relaxed atmosphere on weekdays.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Try Grimm for your next daytime hang. This East Williamsburg brewery makes all kinds of double IPAs, imperial stouts, and sour beers (among many other things). They have a big, bright indoor space that feels like a minimalist loft apartment, and there's a huge heated outdoor patio as well. If you get hungry, pair your hoppy pilsner or key lime beer with some crackers and salami.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
When Threes Brewing opened up, residents of Park Slope rejoiced. Finally, a place that would actually convince their Williamsburg friends to come visit. Threes lived up to that promise—although the babies of Park Slope admittedly do take over on weekend afternoons. This brewery has a big backyard that’s one of the better places in Brooklyn for a big group hang. There’s also food from The Meat Hook, and if beer isn’t your thing, you can get wine and liquor as well.
If you’re into beer, you already know about Evil Twin’s first-ever taproom in Ridgewood, a block from the Halsey L stop. It’s a great spot for a daytime birthday party when you don’t know how many people will actually show up. There’s no food in here, but you can bring your own snacks (a whole pizza, for example) or stop by the taco truck parked out front. When it’s warm, you can step outside of the greenhouse-like space and take advantage of outdoor picnic tables.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
KCBC beer is a brewery and taproom on Troutman near the Jefferson stop. You’ve probably seen their beer in bars around the city, but the taproom has some interesting ones you won’t find elsewhere. On weekend nights, it gets pretty packed here, but the quieter weekday atmosphere is ideal for dogs, children, and fully grown adults alike. Be warned: the Scrabble board is missing several pieces.
photo credit: Dane Isaac
The Bronx Brewery has a big backyard where you can hang out with friends, listen to live music, and eat some empanadas from Empanology. There's also a taproom for anyone who'd rather drink inside, and you can book a space on the brewery floor if you'd like to hang out and mingle around giant metal vats of beer. Beverage options change often, but expect to find everything from imperial stouts and various IPAs to hard seltzer and pumpkin beer. There's always an interesting lineup, and the cans look pretty cool too, in case you want to take four-pack home.
photo credit: Dane Isaac
If it’s warm outside and you want to drink beer, head over to Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. This brewery sits at the far northern tip of Greenpoint, and the space has some big communal tables and garage doors that open up when the weather’s nice. They serve a bunch of beers that are brewed in house (from triple IPAs to fruited sour ales), and there are some bar snacks like fried pickles, mozzarella sticks, and a hot chicken sandwich. But the real selling point is the roof. Walk up a set of stairs, and you’ll find a big open-air patio with picnic tables.
SingleCut isn't just a great brewery. It’s also an excellent music venue. They frequently host live music, and there's a large collection of vinyl behind the bar that you can request to hear. Nothing is ever too loud in the loft-like space, but there’s enough of a scene to have a fun Friday night out. Come when there’s no live music, and you can watch a movie while you play some games. They have a ton of IPAs and a chocolate milk stout on draft, and you're welcome to bring your own food. (There's a pizza place and a Chinese restaurant on the same lot.)
In case the drip paint murals along the outside walls didn’t clue you in, Interboro isn’t really going for a beer bro-ery vibe. This East Williamsburg spot is both a brewery and a distillery, and they have a cozy white-brick taproom that features art from local artists. Come by for a beer or a cocktail when your favorite band is playing in the garage. If you want to lean into the fall thing, try the holiday cider or smoky-sweet maple pecan old fashioned.
With its disco ball and hot pink neon sign behind the counter, LIC Beer Project feels sleeker than your usual rustic taproom. It tends to be full of 30-somethings gathered together for trivia or live music, and there's a great collection of IPAs to carry everyone through the night. You can also come by during the day if you just want to sit at a picnic table and take it easy while you drink your farmhouse-style ale. Either way, be sure to hit the meat vending machine when your group gets a hankering for an entire roll of dry salami.
The big, wood-paneled tap room at Wild East gets plenty of light, but it still feels like the cozy basement where that one kid with the “cool parents” would pass around a six-pack of Coors. The huge U-shaped bar at the center serves stouts, lagers, and IPAs that beer nerds approve of, along with some of those over-the-top sours that have become staples of most breweries in recent years. Claim a booth with some close friends, grab a board game, and share a pizza from around the corner. (You’re allowed to bring in outside food.)
photo credit: Dane Issac
ICONYC is a brewery tucked away in a small plaza of sorts in Long Island City, and it has plenty of outdoor seating. If you come here in the evening, you can sit at a picnic table, drink some beer, and enjoy a meal from one of the neighboring restaurants under a glowing ceiling of string lights. This brewery is known for its spicy, savory Oktoberfest, but we prefer the roasted flavors of their thick, brown lagers with names like “Dark Days To Come” and “Lucifer’s Playground.” ICONYC is an extremely dog-friendly space, and in the winter, they’re well-equipped with heat lamps and covers for their outdoor area.
