Against the Grain

looking for a beer bar with a cool vibe? look no further than Against the Grain – located right next to its big brother wine bar, Grape and Grain. located on a fairly sleepy residential street in ABC City.
a small dark space candlelit and illuminated with soft above-​head lighting. communal table down the center which seats about 10 – 12 bar stools is the biggest seating area. there’s some seating around the parts of the perimeter of the bar and the front of it – and there are a couple of seats by the bar (back of space) which is tiny. there is a tiny tv perched in the corner of the bar that is often showing classic/​cult movies like Point Break (the original). so there’s a lil bit of visual distraction when you’re here, but this bar is mainly for groups and couple looking for cozy play to tip back brews and chats. occasionally i solo a beer here early in the evening when it won’t be crowded or late night to close the an evening of drinking. but yeah, this is most a couple or groups bar… so bring or hire some friends YO!
beer selection is typically a range of several beers on tap and about 10 – 12 different canned or bottled brews. the beers on the drafted, canned and bottled side rotate fairly quickly, so here today drunk and gone tomorrow. i’ve typically leaned mostly on the bottled and canned beers bc the selection can be very eclectic which i like. my goto’s recently have been the Kelso and Pilsner and Keegan’s Ale Mother’s Milk Stout. The have more mainstream-​ish stuff like a Woodchuck Cider or Not Your Father’s Root Beer. Anyway beer selection has a wide range here. though the space is small… they cram a lot of beers for one to select from.
there is food here but no kitchen… so the food and wine orders are sourced from its big brother wine bar next door. so if you order either the bartender will make a quick run next door to grab a glass or bottle of vino and/​or your food order. my go-​to at either bar is the pizza selection… can’t go wrong with… my fave being the chorizo avocado jalapeño. the smaller plates are great too like the white bean dip which is pretty snacky but not heavy at all if you just need gnoshing eats) white bean dip with pita chips).
the service is chill and friendly. it’s a one man show, so sometimes there will be a little bit of speedy wobbling if the place is packed and the bartender has to run over next door for food orders. i’ve never had an off experience with the staff/​er here.
the last time i came here with 5 other folks… we had the entire bar to ourselves around 7 – 8 on a Friday night. we had an awesome time got buybacks. the only strange thing was there was one other customer in the place tucked in a corner by the bar and randomly she started talking to us and then told us to lower our voice (we were pretty loud admittedly). however she was a east village hipster in those awful large glasses who smelled like she direly needed to be bathed in Teen Spirit as she sang «Summertime» completely off key like a butthole. she was annoying but couldn’t kill our vibe… so yeah this bar can manage down even the most annoying east village hipsters.
and you can rent/​reserve Against the Grain for parties etc.
drops mic because two-​fisting Keegan’s Ales is glorious!
i out.
zzz

I used to really like this place. I hadn’t been back in maybe a year– their menu and wine/​beer list has dramatically changed. But here’s the low down:
In a nutshell:
The bartender was high on something past the capacity to do his job, knew nothing about wine, and was also a complete jerk.
We were almost willing to look past his attempts to rush us when he had an empty bar at 10pm, his really really rude responses to our questions, and his «knowledge» of wine
(When asked to describe a wine it sounded something like this: «Uhh. medium body.» «Uhh… I’d say… light to medium body». and «Didn’t I already tell you about that one?»)
BUT on top of it… the sample he brought us was really bad. Like the wine you’d bring to a shitty bbq. He was mocking and hostile and all we did was ask him to describe a wine or two. And even then he tried to up-​sell us to a bottle.

It’s a super cute and intimate place, dark and candle lit with a big table in the middle and some seating along the sides. It was pretty empty on a Saturday night at 7:30pm while it was totally packed next door at Grape and Grain. The bartender /​waiter was very nice and attentive.
It was happy hour, so I got a $ 3 pilsner which was pretty good. We ordered the pretzel, sausage, and meatballs to eat and all three were disappointing. I thought the pretzel was very small and underbaked. The sausage portion was also very small (despite costing $ 12) and was sliced up in a bowl of water (?). The meatballs were too firm although I did like the spicy tomato sauce that came with it.

This place is tiiiiny, so it wasn’t a surprise that it was already pretty full inside. We were given menus and we perused for a bit, thinking we were going to drink a brew and nom on some snacks. However, I guess nothing really caught our attention, so we decided to move on.
Interesting tidbit though — Against the Grain (beer) is connected to Grape and Grain (wine) so you can pick to go to either, or both, depending on your drinking mood.
Looks like a cool spot in Alphabet City to hang out. I wouldn’t be against a future visit!

Seriously, if you are cash only have a big effin sign that customers can see when they walk in. And yes Amex only = cash only.

Came here on several occasions. This is one of the better craft beer places. They have lots to choose from and there’s snacks you can order, since it’s the same owner as Grape and Grain. This place is good for groups during happy hour. Place does get packed at night though. But if you’re looking to try new beers, this is the place to go.

Pretty solid craft beer bar in Alphabet City, next to a larger (and connected) wine bar. Went around 7pm on a Saturday evening for Happy Hour. It was dead, so we grabbed a prime spot up near the front window for people watching. The specials were fair, but nothing to write home about. Seemed like they were discounting the least desirable beers. The draft list was ok. I didn’t find it overly balanced and definitely favored white beers, which I’m not a fan of. Similarly, the bottle list was just okay and favored light and white beers as well. I was hoping for a nice selection of IPAs, but it was mostly the standards like Sierra and such. The atmosphere is nice and chill, though, making it an ideal spot to relax over a brew.
If I’m in the neighborhood again, I’d have no problem stopping back in. Its unlikely, however, that I’d make it a destination. Its just not that type of place.

Love this gorgeous tiny spot next door to Grape and Grain; if your tastes run to beer and you want to have it and only it chalkboarded on the walls, enter here. It’s about a third of the size of its sister spot so isn’t great for groups, but is perfect for small conversations that are more comfy over a pint glass than a wine glass.
Against the Grain offers about six drafts and twice as many bottles of different sizes from 12-​ounce to bombers, so it’s a smallish but good enough list. (This is coming from someone spoiled on extensive tap lists everywhere you go in the PNW, so I’m a bit more accustomed to a deeper selection.) I won’t complain about any Southern Tier on tap, especially when it’s Choklat! The selection is import/​East Coast heavy, but a couple of Midwest/​West Coast bigger craft brewers like Avery are represented too.
Don’t be in a hurry because they might be out of what you want or else have to run next door to find it (did I mention it’s a small space?), but really, no one cares. It’s a lovely space with everything you want and nothing you don’t, if what you want is beer without a fuss and just enough room to catch up with a friend.

I love this place. It’s located on a quiet street in Alphabet City.
The last time I was here the group I was with ordered the;
Charcuterie plate, which is for two, but was shared by all at the table
Artichoke and shaved Romano pizza (shared)
Portobello pizza (shared)
Mixed olives and
Beer sausages
Most of the food was very good. My main complaint was the portobello pizza was bland. I didn’t try the sausages.
It’s a very small place with one communal table in the center surrounded by 2-​tops. The beer and wine lists have something for everyone and change from time to time.

We had friends throw a private birthday party here… perfect space for it! Large table in the middle with a small bar in the back. The place fit 20 or so people comfortably with some standing and others sitting… easy to mingle. The pastry-​wrapped chorizo was yum.

Good place to stop in for some craft beers.
Stumbling in here late one weeknight, we found the bar pretty much to be empty. The bartender was helpful and directed me towards some delicious beers, of which I’m unable to remember their names. However the last one from Deviant was rough, tasting like pine needles.
The bar is tiny and I can see it being super packed and uncomfortable when there are more than 20 people there at a time. But it’s a cool hole in the wall spot, good for a quick couple of drinks.

I came here with four girlfriends, three of which had recent birthdays. Lori N. and I had called in advance to tell ATG that we were bringing a cake, and they were great sports and quite helpful.
Besides helping us facilitate a wonderful birthday surprise, ATG had a great wine menu for really reasonable prices. I loved the cozy feel, as well. The space is definitely small, but for an intimate gathering, it’s great. We truly had a wonderful time!

Had my 30^th birthday dinner here on Sat night and it was totally perfect. Both food and wine are reasonably priced and lots of options. The staff was super accommodating and everyone that came enjoyed themselves and the location a lot.
Highly recommended for a dinner party. And also for a drink at any time.
I didn’t eat much because I was very distracted but my favorite of the night was the white bean dip which was slightly spicy and very delicious.

I wouldn’t come here for a culinary wow. The food was good but nothing too special. All decent for sharing tho — pizzas with foccacia bread like crusts, white bean dips, etc. The best was the ribs over polenta. That got mopped up and was excellent. Rest of food nothing imaginative.
Great place though to have a «dinner party». Can reserve a whole table that seats 10 to 15 people. With seats around the wall for stragglers or add-​ons or just more people.
Fantastic selection of beers and wines. That’s what I’d come here for.
Great service.

Came here once for an event featuring Sixpoint and one other brewer I can’t remember. It’s a cozy little spot, intimate, just a handful of tables. Small but high quality draft line-​up. Prices are average or slightly above. Worth visiting but I would be scared to be in here if it was really busy (i.e. more than 15 people).

I went here once for a birthday for Mog C. And Mog C. is really cool if you have ever read her reviews. Oh and she is also cool in person. I like this place, it is kind of comfortable and warm, like an old friend.
We had the large, rectangular center table, which was perfect for our group in the brick walled room. Wonderful beer and wine selection. But you should really have the beer as the selection is unusual and on tap. The food was of course small plates like you would expect at a place like this, however the dishes were all done well and you didn’t have the feeling you were being robbed at dinner.
If you aren’t a beer drinker, well, hello!, don’t come here. All others should come and imbibe.

This place is a magical hideaway clubhouse and absolutely my favorite spot –I’ve held my birthday party here and it’s my backpocket date go-​to. Fantastical & epic beer selections, never too loud (unless it’s my bday party and in that case we got asked if it was a bachelorette…)
Point is this place is perfection embodied and I will continue to frequent it and never be disappointed.

Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout. I down three pints of this delicious boozy ambrosia at this deliciously cute spot aways aways from the hustle and bustle of the LES on a Friday night.
My boozers-​in-​arms, Andrew D. and Deanna W., and later, Carly D. shared the atmosphere with me along with ridiculously good soft pretzels served with whole grain mustard and pickles. And of course, really good conversation.
This is what a great Friday night should always be like. Tispy and full of fun.

Classy, tiny bar.
Was here with a party that just took over the whole place.
Make sure you try the beer.

The sidecar to the main Grape and Grain, Against the Grain is the most ideal place you could imagine to throw a dinner party for 10 – 15 people. Yes, you heard me right all you people who are constantly starting talk threads or asking me where to have a medium sized dinner… here it is. Do realize that this place is tiny so you really must take over the entire room if you’ve got a dozen folks in your group.
With a well selected beer and wine list, I moseyed up to the bar at the back where Bridget, the magical bartender, waited with a smile. Since I wasn’t sure what I felt like with the dreary weather outside she poured a taste of the «Nugget Nectar» beer that definitely blew me away. Peach-​scented but still nice and hoppy, it was a great recommendation. More people arrived and as we filled the table with twelve rambunctious folks Bridget happily told us she’d separate out all of our checks… what?! What incredible, unheard of kindness was this?!
The food’s all tapas style so it’s perfect for a large group. Just order what you want whenever you want… no real courses or appetizer, entrée separation. I went with the chorizo panchos… gussied up versions of pigs in a blanket that my friend Bridget recommended (yes, we’re now bff) along with the goat cheese pizza and the salami pizza — all of which I shared with my friend thankyouverymuch I’m not that big of a pig! Everything was amazing — don’t skip the chorizo in a blanket. The goat cheese pizza wasn’t as good as the salami. The pizzas are square and thick crust as well so don’t expect a Napoli style.
We hung out for hours enjoying each other’s company… while we ate we were the only folks in the place but as we drank more and more the «privacy» of our party dissipated and we were running around the place like giddy preschoolers. Bridget was a godsend… delightful and helpful and more than accommodating…
Really couldn’t have picked a better place to catch up with old friends and meet new ones!