November 22, 2011
For what it is, a beer bar in South Beach, it’s in the top 5 for the area. If you have an aversion to cigarette/cigar smoke, you might want to skip it. Kitchen is a microwave and a chip rack, so you might want to eat before going. But alas, in South Beach it’s in the top 5. You go for the beer and you will have a good time.

June 7, 2011
Great little find off the beaten track. Beer list is almost as small as the bar, but quality. The owner also brews some of the beers, so it’s worth trying. Place gets packed, and seating can often be difficult/impossible. Food is basically bar munchies (e.g.: White Castle microwavable sliders) -- edible when you’ve got the drunken munchies, but otherwise unimpressive. A solid beer bar.

March 7, 2011
Visited on the weekend that the Food Network took over South Beach... traffic was a bear and a half. Parking situation is deplorable- not their fault, but part of the experience. Parked about 10 blocks away, and did not expect to stay long. Once I got in, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of taps, the quality of beer, and the good service (David took great care of us). The bar was dim and small, and was great for conversation. The bear in the room was the cigarettes- smoking is allowed inside, and it got bad, even at opening time. After we got to talking to the owner, Ray, and the bartender, things got better and we ended up staying much longer than we thought. Would go back at opening to hang out. Tried the Imp Stout and the IPA, both were pretty good (brewed @ FL Beer Co), and apparently had just missed the quad. I will be back to try it someday. Overall worth the trip, if you’re in the area. Park and walk, and wear walking shoes.

December 19, 2010
Tiny, dark, intimate, perfect! In South Florida, this is the the spot!

August 17, 2010
Good pub with a dive feel

March 20, 2010
over-rated if you ask me. Small dive bar stuck on the wrong side of south beach. its full of college kids and smokey. the beer selection was just above average at best and their ipa was terrible! i say go to the DRB instead of this place.

January 1, 2010
I loved this place. Its a little hole in the wall location in a strip mall in Miami Beach. It’s a gem in the beer wasteland that is Miami but it also stands up to some of the best places I’ve been anywhere. I love the personality...it’s obviously non corporate and run by people that love beer. They have only 12 taps(no macros) but all are high quality. The printed and lamenated menu give the impression that they don’t change their taps all that often but if you ask the bartender what they have you will get a list of special offerings that are not on the menu. The beer is fresh and you can tell they maintain their lines, it’s a short draw system which I really think helps improve the quality of the beer they serve. They have 4 house made beers all of which are very good. The cask of Goudens Carolus was outstanding. I was there during the day and really got to know the 65 yr old bartender that has been working there since the place opened in 1995. Its refreshing to see an owner that values knowledge and experience over youth and a short skirt! As an aside David, the bartender drives 45 minutes to get to work every day...how much must he love his job!

November 18, 2009
Established hole in the wall bar in South Beach. Other places provide better ambiance for my mood...unless I want to wallow in my sorrows. Or play darts. Food bites here are pretty good. Be sure to check out the Abbey brews.

August 30, 2009 [ Updated September 27, 2011 ]
The Abbey is expanding! It’s closed for renovations now but should be opening up within a month or so with double the space. I hear they are going to have 6-8 of their own beers on tap constantly which is nice. I hope it keeps its same look and feel. It had a great vibe as a dive bar. I will update if I hear more.

June 29, 2009
Visited on June 26, 2009. Hole in the wall type of place located within walking distance of the South Beach resorts, but not in the nicest of areas. If you walk here from the beach, go down Lincoln Rd. and then cross over, as the walk we took down 16th street was a little sketchy. The interior is sparse, seating maybe 20 people, tops. Dark and dingy I can deal with, but smoking I cannot....and this place can get really smoky. Due to that fact, I quickly slugged down 3 of the 4 house beers that were on tap (IPA, Imperial Stout, Dubbel....passed on the Doppelbock). The beers, which are contract brewed by Florida Beer Co. in Melbourne, were all decent but nothing special. It all comes back to the smoking issue with me, as I felt like I needed to jump in the ocean with all my clothes on after leaving this joint. Decent place if you don’t mind that, but I doubt I’ll be back. Too many other things to see and do in SoBe.