January 23, 2012
This is an intimate venue in the Murray Hill neighborhood that attracts many regulars. It is dark and homey and can be difficult to leave once settled in. There are about two dozen taps on the chalkboard that compliment their hearty menu. Waterfront Ale House has a sister (or brother) in Brooklyn.

October 26, 2010
Fairly laid back atmosphere. Solid selection but a little bit pricey. Happy hour is $1 of all beers. They have a solid food selection and good barbecue (pulled pork was delicious). They also have a lunch special that’s $10.95 for an entree, soup of the day, and a beverage (which can include a beer, although they might limit your selection given some of the beers on tap cost as much as the whole meal).

October 20, 2010
This is my new local, only a few blocks away. Nice decor with other locals but not overcrowded. I gotta try the food still. Prices are on the high side, so I want to come back during happy hour and maybe get some specials. Decent though not exhaustive tap list. Still got stuff here i haven’t seen elsewhere in the city. Bartender was slow but knows his product. Had a really nice pils on that was some homebrew contest winner. Will definitely be returning here.

September 22, 2010
In a city as big as New York it’s always nice to find a place that feels like it’s a neighborhood bar where everyone knows everyone else’s name. This is that place. Old time pub feel to it, and while there I witnessed a good number of people being greeted by name by others eating or working there when they entered. That’s the kind of place I like to find, especially when they have good beer selections and good food. Sat at the bar next to two gentlemen working their way through a huge wurst platter and the smoked garlic mashed potatoes on their plates looked good enough that though I wasn’t super hungry, I had to order a side of just the potatoes. They were excellent. There are a couple of house beers here brewed I believe by High Point in NJ, and they have a really good selection of other stuff. It may not be a beer bar at the caliber of some other NYC places (Blind Tiger, Rattle, Ginger Man) where the emphasis is beer first, but if you’re in the neighborhood this is certainly worth a stop.

May 17, 2010
Been here (Manhattan location...) once and had a great experience. Waterfront has a strong craft beer selection and great food. They also have popcorn, and I had a lot of it during my visit. As for the beer, I had some Ommegang and Blue Point. Value is very good. The bar is pleasant enough with a certain neighborhood vibe. Would like to visit again.

December 15, 2009
I have been coming here for about 5 years and it is hands down the best overall bar in Manhattan. The beer selection is always very good and constantly rotating. Also features an excellent bottle selection at very reasonable prices (nobody knows it either) that are only $1 or 2 above retail in many cases. The main event however is the food - easily the best bar food in manhattan. Sure, they have burgers and fries, but try the specials, it’s not that easy to find a soft-shelled crab po boy or curried mussels in a regular bar. Very high quality ingredients with an emphasis on new/unusual recipes. Lots of game on the menu, like venison (the venison nachos and the venison black bean chile are outstanding), ostrich, wild boar, elk, etc.

April 18, 2009
Nice looking bar with some old time decor and free popcorn! The service isn’t that bad. It’s just tough on a Thursday night when it’s busy, you’re trying to enjoy a couple of pints, and every table in the joint is catered to the people ordering food; giving it more of a restaurant feel rather than a bar. (Note to proprietor: Reserve just the back area for food mandatory food ordering, not the tables next the the bar). Decent selection of mainly local micro brews, along with the typical midtown "macro" of Stella and Hoegaarden. I found a Sly Fox Pale Ale project offering I never had before, and they also had up the Fastenbier from, you know who, which was a great plus.

February 6, 2008
I went here a few time for their special happy hour to get some discounts on some Belgains that are usually pricey. Bartender was very nice and gave samples if I needed and we had a bunch to drink and was a good time. Nice and open and the doors open wide which is great for the summer.

September 6, 2007
Came by here by accident, sort of. Was just walking down the street and stopped in for the heck of it. I wasn’t overly impressed by the ambiance. Seemed a bit too run down for me. And I live in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) where run down is a theme. Just lacked the right funk. Service was standard. Selection was fine. I had seen everything there before in many other places. Didn’t try the food and most likely won’t. With so many choices in the city, I can’t see myself ever going back.

April 16, 2007
I can only vouch for the Brooklyn location (haven’t been to the 2nd Ave one). In terms overall dining-drinking experience, this is my favorite place in the world. Great BBQ and burgers plus other pretty good quality menu items, plus a well selected and oft rotating selection of several American micros and a few Belgians. Once in a while they seem to get in something very special. One hand pulled cask selection which unfortunately goes "on vacation" for the summer due to storage conditions. A few bottle selections have included Skullsplitter, Achel brun and Gulden Draak in the past. Happy hour specials can get you a pretty decent pint from $3.50-$4.00.