08/26/09

Too much work to get a table

by shert

I was lured by the thought of belgium beer, long beer tables, and maybe some outdoor seating, but was sadly disappointed when once there. Seating is hard to come by, people come early and stay all night. And to have a seat you have to buy food. There is nowhere to really stand, so if you're not seated you're kind of in the way of the waiters and other patrons who like you did not get there early enough.

• Pros: Beer
• Cons: Crowded, no seating

07/27/09

Where the beer and boys are...

by MeganInManhattan

The equation to what makes Zum Schneider a great bar for the single girl in Manhattan is quite simple. Boys like beer. Zum has a wide menu of German beers that come in huge glasses. Thus boys go here in droves, so you should too to meet said boys. Zum also creates the perfect social atmosphere to meet new people with their traditional beer-garden style community tables. It's almost like they knew exactly what they were doing all along! I'm not the biggest fan of international beers but I can recognize a good beer list when I see it, especially by the looks of joy on the male clientele's faces as they clink their liter sized glasses together in cheer. So I shall grab my own (half) liter glass and join in the festive fun, indulging in as many Wieners as I can handle. I may come for the boys, but you should probably come for the Bavarian tradition and the beer, which are far more noble reasons.

meganinmanhattan . com

• Pros: boys, atmosphere

03/13/09

Great Spot

by TThomas

The best German food I have had since I was in Munich. The white sausage and the Hofbrau beer were excellent. Have been here several times, going during the day is key as it is typically not as crowded which can be an issue since the place is not that large. But overall the waitstaff was very pleasant and the food was excellent.

• Pros: Beer, Food
• Cons: Size

10/15/08

GO EARLY

by farmerpeggy

I've read some great things about this place but unfortunately didn't pick up on the fact that you need to get there early (at least on days when they have live music / during Oktoberfest). We arrived around 3pm and were told by some very big bouncers to wait in line -ok, no biggie. The place looked packed and people seemed to be having a great time - huge beer steins, german food, dancing on tables + tuba players!

We waited for over 40 minutes and a waitress came over to us with what looked to be a list. As I started to say, "can I put my name on the list" she quickly turned away and nearly jumped on, then screamed at some people behind us in line who were heckling her ( I probably would have too). The problem was that she then came back to my group and continued to scream, (but at us!) saying that we should be glad the line wasn't longer, we were all ungrateful etc. etc. etc. As we had been more than polite and at that point really just wanted a big glass of beer, we left, went around the corner and split a couple of pitchers.

I'll definitely be back some other time and I'll remember to get there earlier rather than later. I'll also look to avoid the waitress with the purple headband and the whistle!

• Pros: Great crowd. Fun, authentic atmosphere, live music.
• Cons: Long wait on busy days, crazy waitress with a whistle and an attitude

09/21/08

Not very STEUBEN-dous...

by blondbluey

Had long heard favorable word of this place from a hotel colleague of mine (please note that I work in hospitality in Guest Services recommending places to eat, drink and be merry). I went looking forward to post Steuben-Day parade fun with an East Village bent since last year I had gone to the more classic Heidelberg (which was great fun).

The mass of 20 somethings obscured what looked like a very basic indoor beer garden. After a 20 minute wait for drinks at the bar I asked the male bartender (is he a debt collector in his other day job?) in a friendly way "How are you" and was greeted by a very American retort of "I AM B U S Y !!!" said in the most hostile of tone and with the nastiest of looks. It was surprising that one person was filling stand-up drink orders- especially on the St. Patrick Day of Days for any NYC German-American Bar. Add to this that there was no special signage or even any staff in festive dress to give a little Steuben Day flavor. Oh well, just another beer-soaked evening in a thinly veiled just-out-of-college bar that is more First Avenue than Avenue C.

• Pros: Not much outside in this indoor beer garden
• Cons: Cranky service

09/12/08

Great place

by brazilian_nyc

Beer selection is awesome, food is really delicious (Schweinshaxe is the best in the city). People are friendly and music is great. I'll keep on coming and bringing more people with me.

• Pros: Ambience, beer selection
• Cons: parking could be difficult

06/10/08

Great atmosphere during Euro 2008 soccer cup

by eventme

They are showing all games live on big screens, and have a nice international crowd. The German beer and food is fitting since the Euro soccer cup takes place in Austria/Switzerland. Definitely one of the best bars/restaurants to watch the games! A detailed schedule can be found on their website www.zumschneider. com

• Pros: only German beers on tap, hearty food, soccer enthusiasts running the show
• Cons: crowded on Friday and Saturday nights

05/04/08

Guten tag!

by lailaleh

I can't speak for the food, but I can speak for the beer! I went to Oktoberfest in Munich (Munchen!) a few years back, and this place brought back some lovely drunken memories.

The beer is pretty fantastic, although I have to warn that some of it is stronger than your average beer. It can sneak up on you. It sure sneaked up on me, anyway, as both times I've been to this place I've ended up staying until everybody was kicked out. Other things that brought back Oktoberfest memories: Zum Schneider's the kind of bar that lends itself to making friends with random people sitting nearby, and there's a good chance you'll leave with bruises or sore spots on your hands from the giant beer steins.

01/11/08

Best beer garden in NYC by a mile...

by nanewlin

I live in the east village and was at Zum Schneider the night it opened. Haven't stopped going or taking my friends since. The food and beer selection keep getting better and it's as close to Bavaria as you'll get in NYC. Get there early and be prepared for a fun night of drinking.

12/25/07

not what it used to be

by loosetig

this facility has in the last year ceased to provide adequate grounds for successful parchment-creation. one can only hope that sylvester and benjamin will remedy the flounder.