(212) 532-3740

11 E 36th St (Btwn. Fifth and Madison Aves, Midtown East & Murray Hill)
New York, NY 10016 40.7496 -73.9828

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Neighborhoods: Midtown South Central, Midtown

GINGERMAN-NY.COM

Hours:

Mon-Thu, 11:30am-2am

Fri-Sat, 11:30am-4am

Sun, 12:30pm-2am

Last updated 8.07.11

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Brew Pubs, Bars & Clubs, Whiskey Bars, Taverns

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Notable Beer List, Bar Menu

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Work

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Ginger Man

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – The dark wood interior, amber light, towering ceiling and iron-work chandeliers create an old-world atmosphere. The spacious booths, long polished bar, smoked-glass exterior and leather-upholstered back lounge would comfort any captain of industry. While lunchtime is more civilized, good luck even getting near the bar after work or on weekend evenings. – – The Draw – Those 66 draft and two bar-pump handles aren't just for show. Tour the Western World with drawn pints or the Ginger Man's 130 bottled beers. "Specialty Brews" is code for…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
The barstaff are generous and eager to let you sample exotic brews before you buy--except when the bar is overwhelmed. For more personalized service, try off-peak hours.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The atmosphere sets up the mood for just good times of drinking great beers which offer such a variety that almost anyone can find something they like.”
  2. “Great Beer-Bar with nice atmosphere”
  3. “The vibe is totally comfortable during the week and on weekends; no dirty looks, just good times.”
  4. “Tons of beer selections and the atmosphere is fun.”
  5. “By far one of the best taps around, and the Ginger Man also offers a convenient location, good music, friendly service and a spectacular view of the Empire State building if you get a window seat.”
drinks
92.41999626159668% positive
  1. “While this place can be the most ideal bar to be at for great beer, it's environment can be easy to settle in and socialize with your drinks and food.”
  2. “They will even have "competitive brews" (ie: Pyramid Apricot and Magic Hat #9 when both were rare) and a good bar staff.”
  3. “enjoy European beers after grwing up drinking buds and coor's lights and this place satifies.”
  4. “The food's not that great but it's good enough filler to let you keep your head while sampling many of their 80 beers.”
  5. “The beer is fabulous and the selection very good, but The Blind Tiger is a far superior pub---the food is 100% better, the staff are more friendly and efficient, and the Management knows how to treat regular customers.”
  6. “Do not expect a flashy touristy spot, but rather, expect to walk into a local, home-town bar with rich wood paneling, smoked glass mirrors, and more Guinness signs than you can count.”
  7. “What was also impressive was the beer specials chalked out in different, yet creative colors.”
  8. “They even have Abita Purple Haze; the best beer ever.”
  9. “know it's difficult to accommodate a large group of people (who eventually drink too much) but the staff was wonderful at Ginger Man.”
  10. “Place was so crowded, we never got our drinks, the staff is nasty, one guy tossed his guts up right inside the bar, it was grose.”
  11. “Amazing beer and wine selection & comfy”
  12. “I'd say if you want a place to chill n kick it with your group and great beer, this is the place to be.”
  13. “Although the beer list is totally overwhelming, you can't go wrong; the wait staff is very friendly and always willing to help.”
  14. “great bar for their top quality beer selection that's changed often enough.”
  15. “All in all, it's a real good place to go and spend some time with a few friends while trying good beer from all over the world.”
  16. “The atmosphere sets up the mood for just good times of drinking great beers which offer such a variety that almost anyone can find something they like.”
  17. “The beer selection is excellent and the space is really nice.”
  18. “The Ginger Man is a great place to get an excellent selection of beer and men as well - The ratio must be two to one.”
  19. “The Ginger Man has built a reputation on serving good cold beers.”
  20. “My experience reflected this entirely, in that the service ignored my group and I for the better part of the night and the only thing that rescued what could've been a really bad time was the interesting variety of beer.”
  21. “We had no problem getting a table, and we even ended up having a conversation with some people at the table next to us -- this bar draws a pretty friendly, laid-back crowd.”
  22. “Tons of beer selections and the atmosphere is fun.”
  23. “If your looking for a GREAT place in mid-town to try some new draft beers with an awesome selection then the Gingerman is your place.”
  24. “This is literally a place where all people who enjoy beer may be able to find different kinds of beer one wouldn't find in your average bar and its one of the few places where I've seen tables, booths, and an actual lounge with comfy furtniture all in one”
  25. “My friends and I (Brotherhood) had MANY a great night there, and it was also (before the ban) a great cigar bar.”
  26. “Enough though I can't stand 99% of the bars in MH, this place always seem to have a new interesting beer on tap.”
  27. “The beer selection is out of this world and we always find a neat, rare, or superpowered beer that makes me snobby when when I go to other bars and they have nothing interesting to offer.”
  28. “Great beer but waaaay overpriced.”
  29. “If you like beer I can suggest better places in NYC.”
  30. “It can get a little crowded and the crowd can be a little to class conscience but If you love beer then GO.”
  31. “great beer selection; always seems to be crowded when I've gone - a great happy hour spot, just really loud.”
  32. “Relax with some good beer”
  33. “My favorite beer bar in the city, by far.”
food quality
93.75% positive
  1. “The food's not that great but it's good enough filler to let you keep your head while sampling many of their 80 beers.”
  2. “had a decent sandwich.”
  3. “The food, while standard fare for a pub, is actually pretty good.”
  4. “While this place can be the most ideal bar to be at for great beer, it's environment can be easy to settle in and socialize with your drinks and food.”
  5. “The food wan't half bad, however, the menu is limited.”
  6. “Regardless, nice couches in the back to relax and the I encourage you to try the pretzel with honey or the choices of soup.”
  7. “The best food values are the sandwiches at around $8.”
  8. “The beer is fabulous and the selection very good, but The Blind Tiger is a far superior pub---the food is 100% better, the staff are more friendly and efficient, and the Management knows how to treat regular customers.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “great beer selection; always seems to be crowded when I've gone - a great happy hour spot, just really loud.”
  2. “large selection of Belgium brews, with great taste.”
  3. “The beer selection is out of this world and we always find a neat, rare, or superpowered beer that makes me snobby when when I go to other bars and they have nothing interesting to offer.”
  4. “The beer is fabulous and the selection very good, but The Blind Tiger is a far superior pub---the food is 100% better, the staff are more friendly and efficient, and the Management knows how to treat regular customers.”
  5. “My experience reflected this entirely, in that the service ignored my group and I for the better part of the night and the only thing that rescued what could've been a really bad time was the interesting variety of beer.”
  6. “Regardless, nice couches in the back to relax and the I encourage you to try the pretzel with honey or the choices of soup.”
  7. “Tons of beer selections and the atmosphere is fun.”
  8. “The atmosphere sets up the mood for just good times of drinking great beers which offer such a variety that almost anyone can find something they like.”
  9. “great bar for their top quality beer selection that's changed often enough.”
  10. “The Ginger Man is a great place to get an excellent selection of beer and men as well - The ratio must be two to one.”
  11. “Amazing beer and wine selection & comfy”
  12. “If your looking for a GREAT place in mid-town to try some new draft beers with an awesome selection then the Gingerman is your place.”
  13. “The beer selection is excellent and the space is really nice.”
  14. “The food wan't half bad, however, the menu is limited.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The Ginger Man is a great place to get an excellent selection of beer and men as well - The ratio must be two to one.”
  2. “The Ginger Man is a good place to meet friends on a Sunday for a late lunch.”
  3. “All in all, it's a real good place to go and spend some time with a few friends while trying good beer from all over the world.”
  4. “I'd say if you want a place to chill n kick it with your group and great beer, this is the place to be.”
  5. “The place looked nice, but i just felt wild out of place, there is no diversity in there and the place felt really stiff.”
service
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “Although the beer list is totally overwhelming, you can't go wrong; the wait staff is very friendly and always willing to help.”
  2. “have to say the service was great.”
  3. “My experience reflected this entirely, in that the service ignored my group and I for the better part of the night and the only thing that rescued what could've been a really bad time was the interesting variety of beer.”
  4. “know it's difficult to accommodate a large group of people (who eventually drink too much) but the staff was wonderful at Ginger Man.”
  5. “There were times I wanted to leave just because of the bad service.”
  6. “The crowd and staff are friendly.”
  7. “The Gingerman used to be an institution of sorts: it was unique, raw, exciting and a place to send people to and to write about.”
  8. “The beer is fabulous and the selection very good, but The Blind Tiger is a far superior pub---the food is 100% better, the staff are more friendly and efficient, and the Management knows how to treat regular customers.”
  9. “this is a huge plus to me because I just can't stand when after-work bars are packed with people.”
  10. “The staff is happy to suggest just what we are looking for if you give them a little nudge in the right direction.”
  11. “but a rude, snotty and inattentive waitress nearly ruined our evening.”
  12. “We had no problem getting a table, and we even ended up having a conversation with some people at the table next to us -- this bar draws a pretty friendly, laid-back crowd.”
  13. “This is literally a place where all people who enjoy beer may be able to find different kinds of beer one wouldn't find in your average bar and its one of the few places where I've seen tables, booths, and an actual lounge with comfy furtniture all in one”
  14. “By far one of the best taps around, and the Ginger Man also offers a convenient location, good music, friendly service and a spectacular view of the Empire State building if you get a window seat.”
  15. “They will even have "competitive brews" (ie: Pyramid Apricot and Magic Hat #9 when both were rare) and a good bar staff.”
  16. “WONDERFUL BAR FOR LARGE GROUPS (with Great service)”
  17. “Place was so crowded, we never got our drinks, the staff is nasty, one guy tossed his guts up right inside the bar, it was grose.”
  18. “The waitress was happy to provide advice when we asked her questions, and she was quite knowledgable and helpful.”
value
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “Great beer but waaaay overpriced.”
  2. “The best food values are the sandwiches at around $8.”
  3. “this is a huge plus to me because I just can't stand when after-work bars are packed with people.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/13/12

All The Draft Beer You Can Handle

by edbish at Citysearch

This is a great place for drinks, specially if you're into draft beers. They have beers from around the world. They group them by type of beer on the menu so its easy to figure out what you would might like. The selection is constantly changing.

1 Star Rating: Poor

11/07/10

Unfriendly Management and Staff

by Lisa Franks at Citysearch

I had an extremely disappointing experience at the GingerMan on 10/6/2010. One of our selections had a pungent taste as if the meat was spoiled. The manager arrived at our table as if frustrated, left to consult the kitchen staff, and returned to inform that we could eat the food or get something else, but there were no refunds. It was very disconcerting to know that he would prefer that we risk food poisoning to consume a meal which it seemed clear was unfit to eat rather than replace it or remove it from the bill. While ordering, our server chided that "we went through this already" when questioned about a menu item. This restaurant was a huge disappointment to me and my friends and the manager's handling of the possible spoiled meat report along with the server's unfriendly attitude represents one of the poorest customer service experiences I have ever encountered.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/06/10

Great Selection of Beer

by Athena Chang , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

The Ginger Man is like an oasis in the dead zone of night life. There isn't much around here but Ktown 5 blocks away.

It serves the purpose of providing a chill, spacious, beer-flowing bar in the area nonetheless.

I really like the chill atmosphere and their sliders are amazing! the meat is juicy, tender and flavorful. Definitely have to order those!

  • Pros: Good Selection of Beer
  • Cons: Lack of liquor
1 Star Rating: Poor

12/05/09

Beer Great Manager Awful

by 1mugs at Citysearch

The beer is fabulous and the selection very good, but The Blind Tiger is a far superior pub---the food is 100% better, the staff are more friendly and efficient, and the Management knows how to treat regular customers. Melody at The Ginbgerman is a dweeb- a self involved pretentious brainless dweeb who fails to see the connection between her wages and her customer service. I will never visit the pub again as a result. She's an idiot.

  • Pros: Beer
  • Cons: Melody the Manager from Melrose Place
3 Star Rating: Average

04/10/09

Great beer but waaaay overpriced.

by maybemike at Citysearch

Geez, I really love the Gingerman. The beer selection is out of this world and we always find a neat, rare, or superpowered beer that makes me snobby when when I go to other bars and they have nothing interesting to offer. You wont find the typical watered down stuff here: this bar is for the real beer drinker. The staff is happy to suggest just what we are looking for if you give them a little nudge in the right direction. We want to frequent this place more often but unfortunately it is not for the average consumer any longer. $72 for 3 rounds for 3 people? This place has gotten way too pricey. So special occasions only it is. The Gingerman used to be an institution of sorts: it was unique, raw, exciting and a place to send people to and to write about. Now it comes with a consumer beware sticker: tiny glasses for $10. So you will get a sip or two of just what you are relishing and looking for, and then you will have to go search for a grocery store or that carries it.

  • Pros: Best beer selection in the city,
  • Cons: Cost, lost its charm

The Details on Ginger Man

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • more friendly wait staff
  • great service
  • great music
  • rude waitress
  • really nice space
  • pretty good food
  • great cigar bar
  • great happy hour crowd
  • just bs-ing backroom
  • convenient location
  • great spot
  • enjoy european beers
  • good scene
  • amazing comfy
  • not half bad food wa
  • nasty staff
  • good enough filler
  • interesting nothing
  • waaaay overpriced great beer
  • romantic rating
  • really love gingerman
  • great beer
  • just bs-ing darts
  • great taste