- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Against The Grain
- Nearest Transit:
-
1 Av (L)
2 Av (F)
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Sun 6 pm - 1 am
Wed-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Wed, Sun
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
47 reviews for Against The Grain
Review Highlights
-
"The white bean dip and filo dough mushrooms were fantastic." In 4 reviews -
"The beer selection was great." In 8 reviews -
"...people that work here and next door know their stuff and..." In 7 reviews
Loading...
47 reviews in English
-
Review from Betty B.
Philadelphia, PA
2/7/2012
I absolutely love this place. Quaint tiny hole in the wall with good beers, good food and just a cozy spot. Be sure to come early because it can get full very quickly ruining the ambience of it. The staff are nice, the space is warm and beautiful, I love to come here when I'm looking for a more mellow low key kind of night.
-
Review from Stephanie R.
Manhattan, NY
1/8/2012
While I absolutely adore the ambience and wide beer selection of this place, the service and food did not match those standards. I love that the ambience was very sophisticated yet unpretentious, particularly because most beer speciality bars are fratty and loud.
The waitstaff seemed irritated when my party ordered more food/drinks and was not very considerate with bill splitting. The food was enjoyable, but nothing I would come back for or write home about.
I think the best way to enjoy this place is to come for a few beers with some friends and eat beforehand. -
Review from Julianne B.
Santa Monica, CA
12/18/2011
Had my 30th birthday dinner here on Sat night and it was totally perfect. Both food and wine are reasonably priced and lots of options. The staff was super accommodating and everyone that came enjoyed themselves and the location a lot.
Highly recommended for a dinner party. And also for a drink at any time.
I didn't eat much because I was very distracted but my favorite of the night was the white bean dip which was slightly spicy and very delicious. -
Review from Kevin W.
12/13/2011
I wouldn't come here for a culinary wow. The food was good but nothing too special. All decent for sharing tho - pizzas with foccacia bread like crusts, white bean dips, etc. The best was the ribs over polenta. That got mopped up and was excellent. Rest of food nothing imaginative.
Great place though to have a "dinner party". Can reserve a whole table that seats 10 to 15 people. With seats around the wall for stragglers or add-ons or just more people.
Fantastic selection of beers and wines. That's what I'd come here for.
Great service. -
Review from Anna L.
2/10/2012
Such a cute place. Kind of stumbled in here late on a thursday. There were only 2 other girls in there besides us! The staff was really cute and made conversation, helped us pick drinks, food, etc. The music was hilarious and project runway was playing on the TV to which we both said "is project runway playing on the tv?" Anyway, also had the white bean dip with the pita chips and it was soooo good. Would have liked to see a few more people here, but oh well. Also want to check out next door!
-
Review from Stacy M.
New York, NY
11/25/2011
Two bars next to each other. Four instead of five because of the confusion occurring when you find out one takes only cash and amex, the other, visa and something else.
Anyhoo, dimly lit, friendly staff, excellent selection of drinks and even food. Go there, dammit. -
Review from Veronika S.
Jersey City, NJ
3/26/2012
very cute place, hard to spot but the atmosphere make more than up for it. they serve food from the next door affiliated restaurant but mostly this is meant to enjoy a drink or two. great selection of beer but the wine selection is good as well. i will come back!!
-
Review from Jiho S.
12/11/2011
Fantastic/large beer selection makes it a great place to hang out with a small group of friends and sip beers and have small plates/appetizers. Very intimate and cozy interior. We reserved the main table in the middle (and the ONLY table in the bar) for a bday and it seated 12 comfortably. Food comes from next door, which is jointly run (servers are seen shuttling back and forth). I think they only take cash and AMEX so come prepared.
-
Review from Ki G.
2/18/2011 ROTD 6/21/2011
Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout. I down three pints of this delicious boozy ambrosia at this deliciously cute spot aways aways from the hustle and bustle of the LES on a Friday night.
My boozers-in-arms, Andrew D. and Deanna W., and later, Carly D. shared the atmosphere with me along with ridiculously good soft pretzels served with whole grain mustard and pickles. And of course, really good conversation.
This is what a great Friday night should always be like. Tispy and full of fun. -
Review from Jennifer G.
New York, NY
4/13/2011
This place is a magical hideaway clubhouse and absolutely my favorite spot -I've held my birthday party here and it's my backpocket date go-to. Fantastical & epic beer selections, never too loud (unless it's my bday party and in that case we got asked if it was a bachelorette...)
Point is this place is perfection embodied and I will continue to frequent it and never be disappointed. -
Review from Brion R.
4/21/2011
I went here once for a birthday for Mog C. And Mog C. is really cool if you have ever read her reviews. Oh and she is also cool in person. I like this place, it is kind of comfortable and warm, like an old friend.
We had the large, rectangular center table, which was perfect for our group in the brick walled room. Wonderful beer and wine selection. But you should really have the beer as the selection is unusual and on tap. The food was of course small plates like you would expect at a place like this, however the dishes were all done well and you didn't have the feeling you were being robbed at dinner.
If you aren't a beer drinker, well, hello!, don't come here. All others should come and imbibe. -
Review from Brian L.
1/19/2011
I really liked this place. The ambiance is awesome - dark, quiet, and chill. Priced well too - a 6 beer flight is $22, while the beers on tap run between $7-$10 - the $10 one is 10% alcohol though!
Lots of bottled beer, running from the normal to the crazy expensive. Service was attentive - one guy just hanging out enjoying his time too.
So come, enjoy it. I gave it an extra star because it holds some sentimentality for me. -
Review from Sage P.
10/31/2011
Fantastic beer selection and nice bartender. It's small and cozy, and a little bit hidden, which I like. The staff is very chill and make you feel right at home. I wouldn't go with more than a few people though- seating and space are limited, and it's better for a low key catch up than a huge party.
-
Review from Marnie B.
New York, NY
8/3/2011
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this bar yet--it's one of my reliable standbys in the East Village. The beer and wine list is reliable, the service is great, and even though the small space sometimes gets crowded, it is still usually possible to have a conversation. I guess the beer-and-wine-only thing keeps the real drunks away.
-
Review from Sara N.
New York, NY
9/10/2010
Since the start of September, my day job has been nonstop. Since the start of September, my nonprofit work has been nonstop. Typical days for times like these include extensive meetings, long hours, tired eyes, and deadlines after deadlines after deadlines. I don't mind it. I like it, in fact. I may not always show it, but I do.
On a very recent Wednesday night, I managed to squeeze in a date night after a nonprofit meeting that ended at around 9 pm. Fashion Week deadline + nonprofit overload + at most 5 hours sleep, I probably should have gone straight home. Instead, I was looking to unwind. The weather was cool, my mind was racing with a million To-Do's, when I finally step into the bar and felt immediately at ease. Sitting at the long communal table in the middle of this narrow but cozy-as-heck space, I couldn't help but relax. With a nice list of wines to choose from as well as a great beer list, we settled in with a glass of Gruner and a pint of Pilsner from PA.
We talked, laughed, took our time and our server couldn't have been more hospitable -- coming by to ask if we needed drink re-fills or water without hovering or being pushy. Total yay-ness. -
Review from Amber D.
Manhattan, NY
3/3/2011
This place makes me proud to live the in east village...
Have been here multiple times and it's never gets old. Amazing beers and wine. The small pates are incredible. The arturo flatbread is hard to resist. So quaint, cozy, and unpretentious. Perfect date place or to catch up with friends -
Review from Chie T.
Fountain Valley, CA
7/26/2010
NOTE: My 4-star rating is for what the space really is which is the bar adjoining Grape and Grain.
- Great beer selection
- Small cozy, intimate environment
- Non-pretentious (which let's be serious, there are some places out there even in the EV)
- And they offer food - yay.
That being said, I wasn't thrilled with what I ordered from next door (which unfortunately I can't recall what it was... sorry). If I were to factor in the food, I might drop a star but that's really not the point. I'd be willing to try out the actual restaurant next door another time but for now, I'll leave my thoughts at that.Listed in: Manhattan Food Faves
-
Review from Jason G.
10/26/2010
Classy, tiny bar.
Was here with a party that just took over the whole place.
Make sure you try the beer. -
Review from Jane K.
5/5/2009 1 photo
The sidecar to the main Grape and Grain, Against the Grain is the most ideal place you could imagine to throw a dinner party for 10-15 people. Yes, you heard me right all you people who are constantly starting talk threads or asking me where to have a medium sized dinner...here it is. Do realize that this place is tiny so you really must take over the entire room if you've got a dozen folks in your group.
With a well selected beer and wine list, I moseyed up to the bar at the back where Bridget, the magical bartender, waited with a smile. Since I wasn't sure what I felt like with the dreary weather outside she poured a taste of the "Nugget Nectar" beer that definitely blew me away. Peach-scented but still nice and hoppy, it was a great recommendation. More people arrived and as we filled the table with twelve rambunctious folks Bridget happily told us she'd separate out all of our checks...what?! What incredible, unheard of kindness was this?!
The food's all tapas style so it's perfect for a large group. Just order what you want whenever you want...no real courses or appetizer, entree separation. I went with the chorizo panchos...gussied up versions of pigs in a blanket that my friend Bridget recommended (yes, we're now bff) along with the goat cheese pizza and the salami pizza -- all of which I shared with my friend thankyouverymuch I'm not that big of a pig! Everything was amazing - don't skip the chorizo in a blanket. The goat cheese pizza wasn't as good as the salami. The pizzas are square and thick crust as well so don't expect a Napoli style.
We hung out for hours enjoying each other's company...while we ate we were the only folks in the place but as we drank more and more the "privacy" of our party dissipated and we were running around the place like giddy preschoolers. Bridget was a godsend...delightful and helpful and more than accommodating...
Really couldn't have picked a better place to catch up with old friends and meet new ones!Listed in: Do A Dinner Party in NYC, Group Dinner Date
-
Review from Erica L.
10/13/2010
I prefer the neighboring Grape & Grain, but Against the Grain is also a great place to go on a weekday night with some friends. When we were there, a group was having a going away party and ordered everything on the menu X3. And they were only a group of five people. So they shared with us. And we loved them. The pizzas are all really delicious, they go really well with heavy beers.
I don't really like the TV in the corner. It kills the ambiance of the place. I'm actually pretty anti TVs anywhere except someone's living room or a sports bar. -
Review from Eric K.
3/18/2010
Finding a bar to throw a small, casual party in New York is a question I've struggled with throughout the years. My ideal reqs are: 1. avoiding reservation/rental fees while maintaining some control over a particular area of the place; 2. avoiding places that require guest lists or bottle svc; 3. chill music; 4. reasonably priced drinks and if possible snack food.
Years of unsuccessful experimentation with various places made me think that no such place matching all four criteria actually existed in new york. No surprise then that a place fittingly named Against the Grain proved me wrong. When I called, they made the reservation process as easy as possible, and promised to reserve an area for our party of around 15. The only req was that our party spend a minimum of $250 aka a little more than $15 pp.
The night of the party arrived and just as they had promised, we had a long table with seating for 12. The place itself is small so it felt like we had the place to ourselves, particularly since it wasn't that crowded for a saturday night. Music was hipster-y alt rock in the background but not loud enough so that we could actually keep conversations going without yelling.
Beer offerings were not the usual brands of green, brown and clear bottle colors but were instead a diverse selection of domestic and int'l drafts. Even better were the surprisingly affordable list of wines--where else can you find good reds for less than $30? To top all of the drinks off, Against the Grain delivered with a solid list of light bites that complemented the drinks perfectly: my favorites were the soft pretzels, white bean dip, and the chorizo in a poncho (basically chorizo in a blanket).
What I was most impressed with during the night was the service. Since guests were shuffling in and out at different times, I didn't want a situation where the guy who drank 10 beers would pay the same amount as the guy who drank a ginger ale. Our waitress without hesitation had no problem with doing separate checks, and she made sure that all our glasses were filled and all our questions were answered. I don't think anyone who wanted anything had to wait longer than a couple minutes.
Overall the party turned out better than we could've expected and I honestly don't think any other place could've done better with the requirements we had in mind. -
Review from Michael D.
Forest Hills, NY
4/9/2009
Helpful and Nice Bartender: "Hi Handsome."
Me: "Hi yourself! Um, I'm meeting a friend next door, but I'm a little early, so thought I'd drop in and have a beer! So, umm...which one of those beers on draught do you like?"
Bartender: "Well, I really like Razzle-Frazzle Double-X Extra [this reviewer can't remember actual name of beer right now]...
..."What's that like?"
...Well it's like [various adjectives, including "hoppy"]
...That sounds great!! I'll have that!! [having no idea what "hoppy" means]
Note to myself: Hmmm. I don't know if I like hoppy beer...*
BUT, I do like the look/feel/smell of this fine establishment, with dark wood, low lights, interesting seating (communal table, but private seating, too), way over by Avenue C, far from the mobs on First and Second Avenues.
And serving beers with names like "Used Engine Oil," who wouldn't want to come back?
----------------
*It's bitter. -
Review from Leighton S.
7/31/2011
Came here once for an event featuring Sixpoint and one other brewer I can't remember. It's a cozy little spot, intimate, just a handful of tables. Small but high quality draft line-up. Prices are average or slightly above. Worth visiting but I would be scared to be in here if it was really busy (i.e. more than 15 people).
-
Review from Andy H.
New York, NY
7/19/2010
I would recommend this little beer-bar to you if:
1. You live in or around Alphabet City
2. You like trying new Beer
3. You don't travel in large packs
It's a small place with one large thin table that sits about 14, and then some odd wall-facing bar seats. So if you really want to enjoy it, go at weird hours.
Beer-wise: I would suggest going for the awesome selection of bottles and cans. More specifically, Old Chub.
Food-wise: All I will ever order here is the fresh soft pretzels and jalapeno pickles. They are a good deal at $5, and they complement a cold brewski well. Also they are delicious. -
Review from Lena L.
Brooklyn, NY
10/10/2011
Had a good time here - perfect Friday night to relax and unwind after a stressful week. It's not too crowded unless you come on a Friday night. However, the service is great - you don't really wait for them the entire night. The place is cozy the drinks, especially the beer are pretty good.
-
Review from Cate L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/27/2011
I wish that this place were on my block, because I would be here all of the time. Wait, maybe it is better that it isn't on my block!
The atmosphere is lovely and the waitstaff just attentive enough.
The wines are very nicely chosen, and the bartender is great at picking just what you would want. They are also served by the quartino (which is always a nice touch) so the $10-$12 price tag makes sense.
The beer selection is also very nice. They include some more difficult to find items.
And the food is great. They have pizzas and paninis, and a whole bunch of small plates. The white bean dip and filo dough mushrooms were fantastic. The chorizo wrapped with pastry (AKA pigs in a blanket) was not so much, but I can definitely see why some would like it. And the mustard aioli they serve it with is great.
The place is also available to be rented out on its own for small parties. What a great spot! -
Review from Renee C.
New York, NY
4/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great little spot for beer and wine lovers to catch up with the hustle and bustle of NYC and find this hideaway in the middle of alphabet city where it slows down just a little for you to enjoy a sip of well-crafted beer.
-
Review from Bethany S.
Queens, NY
3/21/2010
I chose this place to hold my birthday party. My requirements were that it was a place where 1. people could eat and drink for a reasonable price(but not have to do either) 2. there's no rental fee for reserving a large area 3. chill, cozy atmostphere where you can actually have conversations with people without having to scream. Against the Grain fullfilled all of my expectations and more!
I made the reservation for 10-12 people, so we basically got the long table in the middle of the bar, which is perfect for sharing food and company. We ordered some food in advance so that it would be ready when we arrived. We got the white bean dip with spiced pita chips, chorizo in a poncho, the pretzel deluxe, and a cheese plate. All so good, particularly the bread that went with the cheese plate and the chorizo. Later on once more of my party arrived, we ordered more - the scallop ceviche (which other ppl loved, but just wasn't my cup of tea), the shitake mushroom tart, and 4 of their pizzas. Many of my friends are either vegan or vegetarian, so I was very pleased that there were so many options for them.
All of the drinks were fab, and Matt our bartender/waiter was extremely knowledgeable about everything. The service was absolutely GREAT. He helped my boyfriend surprise me with cakes, and made sure all of us were helped with anything we needed. I guess originally we were all supposed to be out by 11 (we made the reservation for 8) but since a lot of my friends were pretty late, that would felt super rushed. Matt had forseen this, talked to the manager, and made sure we had the table for the rest of the night. It was the absolute best place to throw a small, intimate party without much hassle. It's a little bit out of the way, but that's a good thing - otherwise everyone would know about it, and be super crowded. Now I just need to go to its next-door neighbor, Grape and Grain. -
Review from Rahul G.
New York, NY
4/24/2009
Why does Against the Grain have only 3 reviews?!
It's on a very quiet street in the village, right next door to grape & grain. They only serve beer and wine, but they get it right! The place has a very chill vibe, and I highly recommend it for a relaxed weeknight or a Sunday afternoon. The guy there knows a lot about beers and has cherry-picked their entire beer selection. My personal favorite is the Old Engine Oil. It's the darkest of darks, smooth, with chocolate brown head that will rock your world. Girls, please get your mind outta the gutter! -
Review from Melissa M.
New York, NY
8/26/2009
Beautiful area and space, but unfortunately when I went to the Battle of New York beer event I found it was badly planned. People all around us were drinking flights and initially the nice bar tender said we could have one, but another more rude bartender came back and said they were no longer doing them because they didn't want them to be part of the event and instead to taste the beers we would have to get $8 pints.
People all around us were having the flights, so it was a little demoralizing to be told we weren't allowed to have them. I'm kind of a light weight, so I don't think I would survive tasting all those pints even if I could have afforded it. It was a good idea for a beer event, but it left me with a really bad impression of this bar. Probably won't be back since there are tons of other bars with these exact same craft beers for much much cheaper.
Oh, and because if I'm going to get a beer for $8 I might as well be treated nicely. -
Review from Pumpkin T.
New York, NY
8/26/2010
The chocolate torte served with mint ice cream and slivered almonds is divine. It's somehow salty. It's a next level dessert.
Also the waiters help you pick the wine and are not condescending about it. Nice music playing and comfortable seating. A choice spot for a few friends to meet. -
Review from Jason H.
New York, NY
4/12/2009
Great place to hang out / wrap up an evening
Exotic beer menu
Knowledgeable and polite staff
Went a while back and had a berry beer that was not so hot and a bitter that rocked -
Review from Aaron H.
New York, NY
6/12/2010
Tucked quietly off the beaten trek, Against the Grain has a quaint, neighborhood-y charm. The bar boasts a stellar beer selection, albeit a bit pricey, and the bar keeps prove resourceful in helping you make the right selection. Also, you can order a really good margarhita pizza from the shared kitchen - Grape and Grain.
Head there on week night for a relaxed evening with a few friends. -
Review from Lily F.
New York, NY
5/27/2011
One of my favorite bars in my neighborhood. Amazing beer and wine and the perfect little exposed-brick living-room-type hang out spot. Good for very quiet, intimate dates. The espresso stout is otherworldly. Also the $5 pretzel dish is amazing for those of you who crave warm delicious breaddy things while drunk... like me.
-
Review from Brett V.
Brooklyn, NY
4/7/2010
Against the Grain strikes the perfect balance between delicious, gourmet dishes and a lovingly crafted beer and wine list. I had the pleasure of patronizing this gem for a friend's birthday a few weeks ago (who happens to be the most recent reviewer, Bethany S.) The space is extremely small, but inviting. Our bartender/server, Matt, was pleasant, patient, and up to snuff in his knowledge of the menus.
We started out with a host of appetizers including a cheese plate that was anything but ordinary, home made pretzels and pickles, chorizo sausage with chipotle mayo, and white bean dip served with pita chips. Every plate was cleaned with purpose. We continued exploring the menu by ordering the scallop ceviche and shitake mushroom tart, again, both devoured. When the entire party had arrived, we ordered 4 different pizzas. The pizzas were good enough, but on the small side. One person could easily handle one of these rectangular pies, and still have room for more.
Not to be outdone by the food, the beer and wine lists were impressive as well. What's most impressive is the Houdini-esque feat of cramming over 50 different bottles behind a bar that only seats 2 comfortably. Being the beer nerd I am, I stuck to the grain, rather than the grape, and was able to try a few beers I had yet to come across including a Scotch dark ale called "Old Motor Oil" which, despite its name, was delightful.
This place has the trifecta: good food, good beer, and good service. The cost is about what you'd expect in Alphabet City (read: high,) but at least in the case of Against the Grain, the quality of food and service lives up to the pricetag. -
Review from Min Yong S.
Nashville, TN
7/2/2010
I loved this place! Last night, I asked my friend where we should go. He suggest this place between Ave. B & C. I asked him why, and he told me because he thought it looked nice while he was out jogging one day. Haha. But anyways, I took his word and off we went.
Turned out to be a really chill and fun place. Tiny, yes, but I've been in more tiny establishments. The beer selection was great. I didn't know any of the beers on hand. But I just picked a good beer country(Belgium) and went from there. I have no clue what the name was but I know it was long. Also, it was freaking delicious! One of the best I ever had. The prices were actually on the expensive side. Thought once I got to the deeper parts of the EV, it would be drastically less expensive. But anyways, it was absolutely worth the money.
I need to try Grape and Grain sometime. The food looked absolutely delish! -
Review from Ian G.
Manhattan, NY
6/9/2011
I've been here twice now. The first time was with a group of friends just after midnight on a Thursday, and we were the only people there. The second occasion was at 11 on a Saturday with a date, and there were maybe another 7 people inside. Let's just say this isn't the type of place I would go to in hopes of meeting people. That is precisely what I like about this bar. The exposed brick, dark wood, candles, and small size create an intimacy that, at times, can be lacking in the East Village scene. Go with people who you actually like talking to, and you'll be just fine. They have a great selection of beer and wine, and the bartender is happy to guide you through it.
-
Review from John R.
Port Washington, NY
2/20/2011
Very small place, one long table in middle of it, some stools along the side. Dark and feels cozy.
They have an excellent selection of craft beers on tap and in bottles.
We would have liked to have tried some of the food, but at 6:30pm on a Saturday night, the one and only long table was empty but completely reserved for some people who had yet to appear.
Will give it 4 stars for the atmosphere, minus one star for the lack of availability of a seat at the table , but plus one star because they have my favorite beer, Green Flash West Coast IPA. -
Review from Brian S.
New York, NY
11/7/2010
went here for a private event and was really pleased that I did. It's tiny, dim, and intimate - a great date spot. a big table in the middle makes it hard to ignore other peoples conversations, which makes it impossible not to meet new people. great selection of beers (both on draft and in bottles) poured by a sweet bartender that will let you sample the beers if you ask. a new favorite of mine, this place is a tiny hideaway that i hope everyone forgets about so i can keep it to myself. you never read this.
-
Review from Sarah E.
Oakland, CA
4/21/2009
Not a gigantic selection of beers on tap, but very well-chosen. It's small and dark and relatively reasonably priced, and you'll definitely get to try a new beer you haven't heard of, local or from somewhere awesome out west. Worth a try if you're in the neighborhood.
