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Burp Castle
- Nearest Transit:
-
Astor Pl (4, 6, 6X)
8 St - Nyu (N, R)
3 Av (L)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 12 am
Fri 5 pm - 2 am
Sat 4 pm - 2 am
Sun 4 pm - 12 am
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Wed, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
303 reviews for Burp Castle
Review Highlights
"Despite the above, the beer selection is fantastic."
(in 51 reviews)
"and the free pomme frites were AMAZING."
(in 7 reviews)
"...the bar, make sure you strike up a conversation with her."
(in 6 reviews)
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303 reviews in English
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Review from Daniel B.
Manhattan, NY
2/2/2012
Awesome bar with great beer.
the Southern tier Chocolate stout was absolutely amazing.
If you are looking for a nice quiet bar where you can sit back and relax and enjoy a nice cold beer....this is the place.
Friendly atmosphere! -
Review from Mina D.
Menlo Park, CA
1/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
An awesome Bar! One of those places you wont' think you'd find in the NYC.
You have to talk with low voice in this place, so the place doesn't get loud and you get to enjoy a nice conversation. The staff is very friendly too, we sat at the bar and had a nice conversation with the bartender.
Along with the large beer selection they have, they also have local hard cider from up state New York. -
Review from Matthew K.
Washington, DC
12/27/2011
Shhhhhhhh!
Keep your voices low and enjoy some delicious ales! -
Review from Betty B.
Philadelphia, PA
2/7/2012
Decided to try this place out after watching Three Sheets. Got to say I was somewhat disappointed. They have good beer, I will definitely give them that although some of the prices for said beer didn't make any sense. Also the whole shhhh thing. I was actually looking forward to the idea of a place enforcing a quiet setting but get a few drunk idiots in the place and it becomes annoying quickly. I liked the place itself and it's selection, but the mood was a bit stale and I think they took the seriousness of enjoying beer a bit extreme. I'd go back for a novelty sake, but not for much else.
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Review from Daniel M.
Manhattan, NY
1/31/2012
Came here looking for good beer and a relaxing time. The idea of a quiet bar sounded nice to me. However, between a rude bartender and constant shushing, I felt awkward and uncomfortable.
The bartender messed up a drink order, and reacted like it was are fault when she had to give us the right drink.
The shushing became intolerable, even talking at a comfortable level got a shush from the bartender. Then everyone else shushes and It felt like I was in after-school detention, being monitored by 16 very irritable catholic school nuns. I half expected someone to come by and slap my hands with a ruler.
Anyway, I understand the concept of a quiet bar, but i think either they need a bigger space, higher noise threshold or a more polite way to keep voices down. -
Review from Clemens W.
New York, NY
12/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Who wouldn't go to a place called "Burp Castle", especially if it were featured on Three Sheets. I'll go where Zane Lamprey goes. He's the man.
The beers on tap are Belgian, which never has a bad choice. The walls are covered with paneling and murals of monks drinking beer and demoralizing females. The small square tables are cute, and the dark castle-like atmosphere makes me feel badass.
I was told that there are usually guys in robes that walk around to shush crowds that are speaking too loudly. I haven't seen this yet, but if this is true, it's a game changer. A place to just relax, enjoy beer, converse about ye old gossip in a soft tone, and burp loudly. It sounds like my place to be. Don't you miss the 1700s?
I think they should have deep monk murmurs in the background to mess with people. -
Review from Raymond P.
New York, NY
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Shhhh, no loud noise or loud conversation allowed. This small place has a good selection of Beer in a cozy quiet setting and just the place to meet a friend for a quiet beer.
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Review from merry l.
Ringwood, NJ
1/22/2012
This was my second time here and had no idea it was a "quiet" bar the first time. It was a reunion with 2 very funny friends, so I kind of felt like I was in grade school wanting to laugh out loud, but would get in trouble if I did, which made everything even funnier of course! (just like it did when i was in third grade) The beer selection is great. I tried their banana bread beer which was unique and yummy. Also tried a beer called Delerium Tremors which was as good as it's name. The bartender was really nice and friendly and even offered my friends some lotion for their dry skin! They let you taste a beer too, before commiting to it. Also like that it is around the corner from Pommes Frites, which is great after a few beers!
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Review from Rekha S.
Brooklyn, NY
12/18/2011
I don't drink that much beer and I'd still recommend this place. Lots of options to choose from, you can actually hear the people you're there with, and it's generally just a cool space (especially if you like Gregorian chants).
But it's kind of expensive to get anything on tap ($8-$9). -
Review from Asuka N.
11/27/2011
I came here with a group of friends after wandering around the neighborhood in search of a proper dessert (we ended up at Lula's). It's a pretty tiny place, lots of small tables and chairs, dim lighting, complete with church-esque murals and music. Although one might get the impression that the bartenders are uptight, what with all the 'shushing' they lay on the place every few minutes (and more frequently once everyone starts getting properly tanked), but the one my friends and I chatted up while ordering were pretty friendly. The beer selection is very solid, although the Duvel Green was a bit boring, and having half of the beers on tap served in smaller glasses wasn't terribly awesome. After standing around for a while, we occupied the small covered porch they have, where we got 'shushed' by more than a few passerbys...good to know that this place has earned a reputation, I guess.
I do like it, though - it's nice not to be in a bar where you have to yell as loud as you can to have a conversation over everyone else. Very chill, and definitely will come back in the future. -
Review from Travis C.
KNICKERBOCKER, NY
12/9/2011
I wanted to like this place. It seems like every bar in Manhattan subscribes to the "crank the music up to eardrum damaging levels" philosophy. It's tough to find a mellow joint to sit and catch up with friends.
I appreciated the lack of music and television distractions. Unfortunately, the shushing becomes louder than conversation itself, and every time they quiet you down it interrupts the conversation you were having. Even if you are following the quiet-time rules, you can never really develop a good (quiet) conversation flow since you are constantly pausing to let the bartender quiet everyone down.
I ended up feeling like I was back in elementary school, getting in trouble for whispering at the back of the classroom. Except for now I'm an adult and I'm paying them money to make me feel uncomfortable. No thanks. -
Review from Bonnie P.
Manhattan, NY
12/9/2011
I walked into this place and felt a bit awkward because the place was super quiet. It was as if I walked into a party uninvited. Other than the shushing by the bartender and awkward entrance, I really liked this place. They had a great beer selection and I actually liked that the place was quiet enough to have a conversation.
If you're not a huge fan of beer, you should try the timmerman strawberry. It's delicious! -
Review from Jaclyn L.
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of my favorite places in NYC.
There needs to be more bars that 'SHUUSH' you if you're talking too loud. To those who have never gone before, the bartender (who is sometimes in Monk robes) will shush the customers if the noise level gets too high. I love it. Finally a bar that you know for sure you can have a conversation in! Isn't that why people go to bars? To talk to people? CRAZY I KNOW!
It's a small quaint looking place with extraordinary murals all along the walls. It's worth going to visit JUST to see the murals.
Beers can be a bit pricey (just a bit) around $8. Also, you can grab a 2 Bros Pizza slice from around the corner for $1 and bring it back.
Good...Nay, GREAT TIMES.Listed in: MY FAVORITE NYC PLACES
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Review from Bobby S.
Manhattan, NY
1/9/2012
Must-go for any beer lover. They change their beer every day. Some are weird, but most are delicious. Also, be prepared to be shhhh'd
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Review from marie r.
Astoria, NY
10/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Shhhhhhhh...
I'm renaming this the Church Bar. You have to be quiet. And if you're not, the bartender will let out a loud, long "ssshhhhhhhhhhh." It took me a while to catch on, she seemed to do it every time she poured a drink so I thought she was making weird sound effects to amuse herself.
If you're quiet enough, you'll hear the chanty churchy music playing softly in the background. If you're not quiet enough, you'll get sprayed with Holy Water and flogged. Just kidding, but I was scared enough not to get too rowdy.
Nice beer selection on tap. The bathroom graffiti was definitely not godly.
I'm definitely bringing my pals there for a Catholic School reunion. Plaid skirts and knee high socks optional. -
Review from Chris H.
11/5/2011
Awesome place. One of the more distinctive places I have been to.
Great beer selection (like DBA or Blind Tiger).
And yes the bartenders shush the crowd which is awesome because people cooperate. I wouldn't call the place quiet like a library, but it is easier to hear and talk.
Wood paneling and murals everywhere. Really cool to look at.
Despite the name, it seems like a good date place. -
Review from Patricia S.
New York, NY
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet!
Walls - murals of heaven, beer wenches, monks, etc. Awesome.
Beers - rotating taps of awesomeness, plus the bartender will always let you try a sample of whatever you want before you decide.
Atmosphere - monks! I've heard it nicknamed "The Monk Bar" because the bartender will SHUSH everyone at random intervals when it gets "too loud." They'll stop shushing and gradually the volume will rise (esp on a Friday or Saturday night) and then the shushing will commence, and so on throughout the night.
People - always really chill people here. Beer enthusiasts, chill East Villagers, and bartenders are usually ready to strike up a conversation if you find yourself alone there.
Happy hour is $1 off all beers, and is generally pretty empty around 5 pm.
Great standby when you need a reliable place with great beer selection. AND it's right next door to Jimmy's 43, another place with a fantastic craft selection. -
Review from Ed D.
10/5/2011
Fantastic selection of beer...they have something for every type of beer drinker :)
However, Im generally loud after a few beers and the shushing really doesnt HELP :) Go here to start your beers for the evening unless you dont mind whispering to have some good beer :) -
Review from Kevin W.
10/1/2011
Beer selection on tap is not as extensive as your Spitzers or Astoria Beer Garden, but it has about a dozen, and they're really good and different.
They also have wine.
I personally thought the shushing was funny. When it quieted down, one guy shouted 'Strip Club' - which I thought was hilarious - but then the bouncer came to reprimand him. Haha. I'm gonna say Gonorrhea real loud next time and see what happens.
The place is small. There's a semi-outdoor area too along the sidewalk where you can hang out - covered, so rain free.
Bathrooms are disgusting, per usual in East Village.
Shushing is fun. It's like a slow clap. See if you can start it. -
Review from Phil H.
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Small, dark, dank, smelly, crowded, hot inside. Shhhhhh!
Drinking Youngs Chocolate Stout makes it all a heavenly experience!
Have not been here in years, and honestly, not much has changed. Still has the terrific and fun murals of Monks in all kinds of scenes and religious scenerios. Dark woods and barely enough room to move when crowded. A few small tables on the inside, and a strange gated outside porch area to hang out in. There was music playing when I was here but not too loud. Always a bit warm in here as there really is no AC and just a few ceiling fans.
Can't help it but the Shushing stuff that goes on here still makes me giggle. Each time the crowd got too loud the bartenders gave out an demanding SHHHHHH! A few patrons would also follow suit and do it. Then the whole crowd would get quiet until the volume slowly rose to a crescendo and the SHHHHHH would start again. Yeah, it's kind of hokey but that is part of the charm and history of Burp Castle.
No hard liquor is served here, but what they do have is an exemplary selection of hard to find beers on tap that rotates weekly and seasonally, and a good selection of Framboise and Lambics. Usually has around 8-12 beers on tap in the $6 - $10 range. Bartenders are knowledgeable and will offer good insight about each beer. What I also like is that there are no tv's here. Definitely a place to converse and enjoy the beer rather then watching sports. Had a few pints of the Chocolate Stout and one shushing. I was content and happy.
Still, I giggled as I walked out. Still funny after all these years. Even if the bartenders no longer wear the monks robes.
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Also, please be aware that this place is filled with guys. Sausage Fest. Definitely not meant to be a place to meet girls. Even though there was a mixed crowd on Friday night it was more like 4-1 guys to gals, and those girls came here with boyfriends. -
Review from Amy S.
Brooklyn, NY
10/1/2011 22 Check-ins Here
Here here Robert S!
The murals, shushing, pommes frites and small, select, and solid beer selection make me return over and over again to pay homage and tithe. -
Review from Jean H.
8/14/2011
I'll add on the 5th star if Burp Castle improves their oftentimes messy and gross bathroom situation
other than that, i love it here. its my go-to spot as its quiet "shhhhhhh" and has awesomely great beers. what else can i possibly add to ontop of the massive number of reviews?
it clears out, even on weekends, after 10:30 ish and you have tons of space to sit with your friends and talk over beers.
not a dance-floor sort of joint. look elsewhere, please. you won't find jersey shore folk here -
Review from Dave H.
Burp Castle? More like Burp Church: the first time I visited, I was taken aback by the eerie quiet.
This venue focuses on maintaining a quiet drinking experience. When the noise level starts to go up, a bartender will give an authoritative SHHHHHHhhhhh. Almost immediately, everyone hushes. Either you'll love this or hate this. Luckily it grew on me.
There's no hard liquor here, so have yourself a glass of white or a framboise instead. Enjoy it, and relax to old-timey music.Listed in: NYC Favorites, NYC Drinkeries
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Review from Alexandra C.
New York, NY
9/9/2011
Took bf here after birthday dinner since he was talking about it for a year (yeah, I'm real nice). He loved the beer selection.
Too bad we weren't there on the free pomme frites night.
I was picturing some loud, annoying, huge bar with a bunch of frat boys spilling beer over the place. Total opposite. Dark, small, sort of church-like feeling inside with church chanting music playing that was putting me to sleep.
The best was when we would hear a loud "Shhhhhh" from the bartender every 10 minutes. It took 2 for me to realize she really was sushing everyone. They all get quiet but that lasts for about 90 seconds.
Try it. It's great. -
Review from Victoria F.
New York, NY
8/20/2011
I love that is's a quiet bar. You don't find too many of these in NYC. Sure, being shhhed every few minutes can be a bit frustrating, but this is the type of bar you can go on a date: you can actually hear the other person!
The taps are on rotation and if you go onto their blog (http://burpcastlenyc.w...) you can see what the selection is before going!
And free pomme frittes on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday... 5:30/6ish -
Review from Caitlyn H.
Ardmore, PA
10/30/2011
Minus one star because the bartender kept shhh-ing me. Plus 6 stars because she kept shhhh-ing everyone, which meant they had to stfu. Minus 2 stars because they were out of the beer that I wanted. Plus one for ambiance
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Review from Florence Y.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 6/5/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Beers change according to the season...even though the bartender says "nothing's seasonal" here!
Now they have this strawberry fruli beer...AMAZING! I think I down-ed two in the 15 mins we were there! Sweet, girly but still AMAZING! A couple guy friends ordered it too!
Tip-bits:
Probably not the best place for a big group of people, I got looks when I came in with my posse of 8. We got SHHHHHHHHHHH-ED at!
Do not sit in the path to the bathroom, you can stand there.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/7/2010
This may become my secret drinking spot...after I discovered they have Peach Lambic beer, a sweet… Read more »
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Review from Julia B.
5/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ssssshhhhhhh....
That's right, the bartender will hush you when it gets too loud. I find it rather amusing.
Great selection of beer, including Framboise ($9).
Tiny place with a small outdoor space in the front. Fresco-lined wall depicting naked ladies and drunk robed monks. Church music in the background makes it a little eerie when you notice it. -
Review from Steve D.
Conshohocken, PA
10/9/2011
My friends and Icall it "the quiet bar" or "the shhhhh bar," because every time the noise level gets too high, either the bartender or some patrons will let out a big "SHHHH" and everyone will quiet down a bit. The benefit of this practice is that you get to talk quietly with your friends and never strain your voice, which I find particularly pleasing because I hate having to yell just to communicate with the people right next to me in bar/club settings. Burp Castle also features a delicious collection of fancy beers and very interesting and artistic renderings of monks painted on all of the walls. And it has outdoor seating. I love the place, and would recommend it to anyone.
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Review from Steve B.
6/27/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I love this place for the randomness of it all. Great great beers on draft, at any time you can find something amazing. Small place which feels like a bit of an oasis near St. Marks; with Jimmy 43's right below it two great beer venues are right there.
The Shhhh stuff - it's fun and kind of dorky, but as long as you're not loud you're usually fine. There is a strange little porch with no smoking, which can be nice for pseudo outdoor drinking. -
Review from Jaime H.
3/31/2011
Free. Pomme. Frites!
"Burp Castle offers free Pomme Frites to patrons every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. The Frites show up typically between 5-6:30, and are available until they are gone."
I went around 7 and there were still plenty of fries and all the dipping sauces. They serve them in a huge aluminum troph so you can help yourself. It was a fantastic perk!
The beers on tap that I tried were great and ranged from $7 to $11 with $1 off for happy hour 5-8pm.
The 'shhhhh' thing comes across more comical than mean spirited, but hey, I wasn't the one being shushed. It really is quiet in Burp Castle. They don't even play music! hah, it was definitely unique. -
Review from Molly T.
Manhattan, NY
6/15/2011
I guess I'll have to go back for the full 'shh' experience. We met friends further west and decided to come here as the Ukrainian street fair happened outside. That happy collision of events turned out to be awesome because it meant perogies with our Belgian beer.
I tried a new barleywine I had never seen before and was really happy with the bar's selection. The tables are a little awkward for a bigger group - I'd definitely like to come back just with 1 person. I loved the murals so much! I wasn't let down by my experience when finally coming here, but it wasn't what i expected it to be. -
Review from Seth M.
6/26/2011
Shhhhhhhh!!!!
That's the rule at this bar, to speak quietly in a whisper.
This place is low key and has about 10 taps which I assume rotate and some wine. The list was good but I didn't find it uber exciting or this place to be as special as everyone says.
I understand wanting things to be civil and not a loud, rowdy bar but the bartender shushing everyone every couple minutes just got old and seemed dumb and rude to me. Also, on this night I got there at 10:30 and the Porch had a sign it was reserved at 9:30 and the people still hadn't shown and they wouldn't let anyone out which also set a bad vibe to me. -
Review from Baer T.
Amherst, MA
6/8/2011
Neighborhood temple /
Prayer requires mindfulness /
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. -
Review from Brendan S.
Salt Lake City, UT
6/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
A temple of beer.
I really like this little place. The service was great and they a nice selection of beers that tended toward European rather than American craft.
I found the shhh'ing endearing and made for a nice bar to sit and talk (quietly) -
Review from Madhuri S.
New York, NY
3/21/2011
This is the place you come if you enjoy good beer and hate loud bars.
Yes they shh you, but only when you deserved to be shh-ed. As mentioned, not recommended for large groups. And don't forget to check out the murals of debaucherous monks in detail for a good laugh, or in this case a quiet chuckle.Listed in: 7th Heaven
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Review from Greydon C.
Norwalk, CT
3/14/2011
Dude, the best was like in elementary school, you'd be at an assembly..... The students would all be horsing around and the teacher's aides would say, "Shhhhhhhhhhh!"
And then that one split second of silence, the class clown would tack on, "it!" Timing is everything.
PS-Where Yelp asks for additional tips, I'm saying this place has Karaoke. That's for everybody shushing me when I was talking to my friend about last week's Jersey Shore. -
Review from Lauren L.
5/23/2011
Where do I begin? My friend and I came here Saturday .. we were lucky enough to run into the bartender as he was going over to the open the bar and he suggested we come over for a drink. It may have been the best thing we ever did. This is a Belgin bar so theres only a few select beers and some wines. Theres no hard booze and theres no ice! But that's fine. I'm not a big beer drinker but really enjoyed everything I had.
The bartender Christian, is amazing .. for a number of reasons. He was more than willing to let us sample some beers before pouring us a glass. He's very knowledgeable about the beers too. He knew exactly what I would like after simply asking me what I typically drink. They have this amazing peach beer along with a delicious strawberry beer. Can't go wrong here.
Theres no food served at this place. Bummer, right? Nope, cause you're able to go out to the surrounding area and pick whatever type of food you'd like, bring it back to the bar and eat it there. Amazing.
This bar is also a quiet bar, they do play music but every now and again you'll get shushed by the bartender and its amazing how quickly everyone just quiets down.
All in all, great bar ... best bartender and an all around good time! -
Review from Robert S.
New York, NY
2/12/2011
This little bar is quite simply one of the best in New York.
When I lived in The East Village, I walked past this gem dozens of times without going in, merely thinking, well, that name's rather crass. Then, in 2009 my girlfriend and I passed through Belgium traveling from Amsterdam to Paris by train. We soon decided that the beer halls of Belgium were a favorite part of our trip. Let's just say, those Trappists know their beer. Anyhow, upon returning to New York, we decided to Google something like "best Belgian bars in New York." And much to my surprise, Burp Castle came up. We went and it's been a favorite ever since.
Known as a "quiet bar," Burp Castle used to feature bartenders in monk's robes, who would, when the chattering grew too loud, quite literally "shush" the room. Though they seldom don the robes any more, the staff (and savvy regulars), who are gregarious without exception, they still often shush the room to maintain a relatively civil level of noise compared to the neighborhood's multitudinous frat bars.
But, yeah, the beer. The list isn't long, but everything's on draught, there are no bottles. There's no more than 12 beers (plus wine), but they're expertly chosen, generally Belgian-style beers, as well as a solid stout or porter or two. Tonight, I'm drinking an Allagash, which features a bourbon barrel aftertaste. My girlfriend, a rich espresso stout, which I had to steal sips from. And, no, I didn't have to drag her here.
For those who don't like the shushing: get thee to another bar. Please. There are plenty in Manhattan.
And, yes, let's not forget the fantastic mural, which envelopes the room and features monks in various scenes, sometimes frolicking with semi-naked busty lasses. And always drinking, no matter the conditions.
The bathrooms, like many East Village haunts, are dense with graffiti, but you will find this to be some of the most erudite, literary graffiti to adorn a diminutive bathroom stall in New York. Another plus, there's no TV blaring sports programming. And when there's music, it's never loud. Also? Free pomme frites from the popular joint around the corner, if you show up on the right nights.
So ignore the seemingly base name, the boorish reviews, and make a b-line to Burp Castle. Or as we prefer to call it, "Church." -
Review from Joseph S.
Chicago, IL
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
huge fan of this place!
the only bar i've ever been shushed, and actually did a few shushing myself.
great selection of spirits, music, people.
