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.

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.

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.

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.

Never seems to be overcrowded when I go which makes it more enjoyable. Definitely a neighborhood place, and I used to live right around the corner so have been there often. Pretty decent beer selection and the food’s not bad either. A solid offering.

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.

Nice high ceiling and a long bar, sports on TV, fair food menu, knowledgable barmaids, local (NY) craft beers, not-so-loud music, 20 or so tables and 20 beers on tap. Nice watering hole.

Cool place for both food and beer. Stone, Brooklyn and DFH as well as full bar. The food is supposed to be good but I haven’t tried it. There is a second location in Brooklyn which I haven’t been to yet.

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).

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.