The Merry Monk

No Longer In Business

A cosy and quite stylish open plan bar, but more or less empty when we were there. The beer list was almost exclusively Belgian as far as I could see so not of too much interest to those of us for whom Belgium is close to home. (Visited 8 November 2012).

Stopped in for quick beer after city beer hall which I prefer over here. This is nice spot all belgian themed. Very standard Belgian list of beers but a few local options to mix up. Staff was nice. No complaints just not all that exciting.

It’s amazing that an all-Belgian themed beer bar and restaurant can survive in downtown Albany. All they have is Belgian and Belgian-style beer and food. I almost always order a pound or two of mussels, they have a variety of sauces and seasonings.

Beer selection is good. You’ll see a lot of Ommegang, Allagash and plenty of Trappist and Abbey beers here. Prices are a bit high, but it’s understandable considering most beers are at least 7% ABV. They do offer a flight of four or five short pours for $12 (I think).. It’s a good deal and I almost always do that instead of getting a full pour (unless I’m not driving).

Service has always been very friendly and remarkably fast.

My only major complaint is that you have to walk past the extremely hot kitchen and down to the basement to get to the bathrooms. There’s a unisex bathroom next to the kitchen, but it’s almost always occupied.

Great place for a date and a great place to drink beer and watch a game because it’s so overlooked. Definitely the best bar on Pearl Street.

Service is usually fast, but don’t expect the waitresses to know much about what you order. I ordered a Mon Ton Deu.....Yeah, a mountain dew and she took the order. Selection is all belgian, and a very nice selection. Food is very meat and cheese plate, mussels....not a place if you are looking for dinner. Prices are very fair. Overall, love coming here for drinks and fun.

Nice little Belgian bar in downtown Albany. Decent tap selection which was for the most part reasonably priced. Fairly large bottle selection but I didn't really look deeply at it. Food was very good. We were all very happy with our meal. Great little bar for Albany. Will for sure be back.

Visited 3 times.2 times Sept.2012 and once June 2013.All 3 times great service, super great choice of beers either tap or bottles.As for the food good choice fresh,geat crabe cakes plus a lot more.We had a lot of fun at The Merry Monk and will go again.

Sat down for some happy hour tap and mussels. Very good mussels. Nice Tap selection and good variety. Some American craft too. Also, some rare Belgian Lambics. I would definitely check it out if you’re in downtown Albany.

Visited for the first time September 17, 2012. I wanted to visit the next day, but because Ommegang was closed on 17 (I did not know before arriving), so there has been a change in plans. This restaurant bar must not be old, I’d say about a year or two, it was a brewpub there for at least 4 years ago and changed its name to the Skyline Lounge. So between 2007 and 2012, it became The Merry Monk. A nice restaurant with Belgian inspiration, not big but comfortable. There are three large TV, but it’s not always the sport. The beer selection, all Belgian style is very good and the price is reasonable, it is the same for the food. The service was top notch! In short, this is a good place for lovers of Belgian beers!

Stopped here since the City Beer Hall is closed on Mondays... Great find! The tap list is 100% Belgian or Belgian-style beers, plus a large bottle list. Got there in time for happy hour = $2 off on all Ommegang drafts. Got a Witte to start. Food was fantastic. Got the wild boar ribs app. with a cherry reduction sauce. Yummy!. Then ordered an Ommegang Abbey ale on draft. I have had it many times from the bottle, but on draft is super! All beers served in proper glassware. Nice detail. Got the Flemish cod for the entree. Very good also, served with tasty fresh cut fries and a chipotle dipping sauce instead of catsup. Bar staff very friendly and helpful. Great place worth checking out if you are in the area.

If you are into Belgian beer and food- this is a must stop. Their mussels are incredible, and so are their frites. Yum! As far as beer selection, they offer a reasonable sampler, and a happy hour on select beers for as cheap as $3!