What it is: Beer Culture is an unpretentious beer bar in Hell’s Kitchen with homey vibes, low ceilings, and soft lighting—and amid all the attractions competing for your attention in New York, settling in here feels like taking refuge in a friend’s basement. It attracts neighbors as well as travelers—it can be standing-room-only in the evenings—while the 14 taps and 90-ish cans and bottles feature a special focus on the New York area but also include a mix of styles from around the world. Note that its sister location, Gebhard’s Beer Culture on the Upper West Side, also features 16 taps.
Why it’s great: The staff are welcoming and knowledgeable; if you know what you enjoy, ask for recommendations. There are different rooms in which to ensconce yourself, plus enough space for live music, shuffleboard, and pinball. The kitchen turns out satisfying pub grub, from smashburgers and bratwurst to crusty pretzels with jalapeño cheese, bar pies, and chili. The draft beers are full pours only, encouraging careful choices and full enjoyment of the glass in hand, while the fridges are full of cans and bottles that can be enjoyed on-site or taken back to your base of operations.
Hours: 3 p.m.–midnight, Sunday–Wednesday; 3 p.m.–2 a.m., Thursday; 1 p.m.–2 a.m., Friday & Saturday
Address: 328 West 45th St. (Hell’s Kitchen) and 228 West 72nd St. (Upper West Side), New York City
Web: beerculture.nyc
IG: @beerculturenyc
