Vol de Nuit

September 16, 2008
Sat outside, awesome atmosphere until it started to drizzle...not their fault though. The inside bar looked pretty chill too. Decent beer selection. We got pwn3d one night off Leffe Brunes then headed to Down the Hatch!

April 21, 2008
Belgian beer bar, Exposed brick, wooden tables, can get very crowded and loud. I like the extend of the Belgian beers, nothing you cannot get in a good store but its always there (including fresh Orval). They got the glasses and the taps, while not rare have better selection than most Belgian beer bars in NY. Prices are on par with most Belgian taps in the city. Lindemans framboise seems to always be on tap.

February 29, 2008
Very dark begian style place. Didn’t spend too much time here. Not my style of place, not very welcoming. The staff was not very helpful, did not offer seats or a drink menu and took forever to get service. I would like to go again and will re-rate again. Seemed like the type of place I would enjoy because of the selection which was good and belgain. DM mentions creepy, I would sort of agree. If you can get yours eyes to adjust you may enjoy it.

January 24, 2008
Man, this is a cool place... I just wish the vibe was matched by the beer selection, but it isn’t. There are about 12 taps now, but four of those are the ubiquitous InBev stuff. A few from Chouffe, Troubadour, and De Koninck. A small bottle list as well. The atmosphere is very cool. You walk through a medieval-looking courtyard with tables and benches out there. Inside you walk by a small lowered area with tables and chairs. Walking up from this is another bar/lounge area, with sofas and tables everywhere. The bar is along one end of the back. Proper glassware, bare red bulbs give it a very intimate feel and the votive candles in Duvel chalices is kind of a cool touch as well. Good service and the bartenders are smoking hot (if you’re into that). It’s a good place to hang out with some people who aren’t really beer geeks, but like to try stuff that is a bit unusual. I didn’t eat when I was in last, but I will.

April 3, 2007
Stopped here for a beer to kill time before the Blind Tiger’s re-opening party. Had been here once before in 2002. Very small bar, with a nice electic atmosphere. All of the wood looked like it came out of a barn circa 1800. Has a lounge feel to it, with several couches, as well as an outdoor courtyard, biergarten. Staff seemed to be pretentious but I think that goes with the territory. Good service though, and beers are all poured into appropriate glassware. Selection was pretty decent but nothing rare. Worth a stop if you are in the area.

October 30, 2006
This was started by a friend of friend. Good frites out front, although skimpy on the mayo. Lots of taps and beers, almost all from Belgium. Barstaff even speak Flemish. It’s got a loungy interior and tries hard - but also delivers - so not bad. But nothing like any other "beer bar" I’ve been to in the Benelux.

July 31, 2006
Pretty sweet place, very dark and creepy... somewhat medieval theme. The music was LOUD and more suited to a "club" than a belgian-themed bar. There were a few couches inside, some nice antique wooden coffee tables... and outside was a courtyard-type area with many tables. It was pretty packed when I visited, and it took some time to actually get the bartender’s attention. The selection is pretty much everything you’d expect in terms of Belgians... we ordered three Rochefort 8’s (ten bucks each, not a bad price for a bar...) and got the proper glasses. The bartender didn’t pour our beers for us, just handed us the bottles, which I prefer to having some random person/bartender just carelessly dump the beer in my glass. An awesome place, highly recommended if you are at all interested in Belgian brews.

May 3, 2006 [ Updated August 3, 2007 ]
I quite like this place. The bartender poured my Lindemans from the tap, then skimmed the top of the beer chalice with a wooden stick to even off the head. I’ve never seen that in NYC before. Votive candles and a charming atmosphere make for a lovely experience. The bar’s entrance is set back off of 4th Street and you’ve got to pass through a courtyard to reach the bar. In short, hard to find.