04/10/09

Great beer but waaaay overpriced.

by maybemike

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

01/27/09

WONDERFUL BAR FOR LARGE GROUPS (with Great service)

by JeffJugular

I haven't been to Ginger Man in many years. But, by fluke, have been invited to group gatherings there twice in the past month. I have to say the service was great. You know when you're part of a large group and the waitress or bartender gets all cranky with everyone? NOT HERE. I was thoroughly impressed with both Nikki the bartender (total sweetheart) and Teresa (bubbly and fun). Not only were they sincerely nice and helpful but went out of their way to make sure I had a full glass most of the night. I know it's difficult to accommodate a large group of people (who eventually drink too much) but the staff was wonderful at Ginger Man. The next time I have a large get-together, I'm going to consider having it there. (by the way: food looked good...but I didn't eat anything there)

• Pros: Great service
• Cons: none that I've experienced yet

12/07/08

It Won't Pill Your Sweater

by savet496

Rarely do I review anything.

I just happened to fall into this place last night while trying to find something decent in the 30's. (yeah, I know)

Somehow tonight in a gross coincidence, Ginger Man popped up on a related search or "best of" something while on this site.

How serendipitous.

The clientele was old boring professionals, and the occasional recent-grad yucking it up with his identical Steve Madden / Banana Republic clad friends.

There's something to be said about a crowd whose members become visibly upset when you've nudged them on your way to the bar -- or through to the 1.5 square feet of space not occupied by these squares.

Friends, you are in a bar -- (or in this case, some kind of weird idea of what a bar should be, constructed to satisfy the needs of these lonesome old midtowners) -- if you want to pretend to be in a bar, pretend that an occasional bumping-into is OK.

I guess if you're cool with the business-professional scene and made-to-seem-luxurious leather seating, go for it. And if you hate being brushed by other patrons, don't worry - I'm not going back - your cashmere/synthetic blend won't pill on my account.

• Pros: See above
• Cons: See above

08/05/08

Comfort environment with a large selection of belgium brews

by YiF

My wife and I had been to ginger man with guys and gals for quite a few times. The reason it kept us there are,

1. Not so noisy - one of the few bars in the City that we could talk without shouting.

2. Comfortable sofa and chairs inside.

3. A large selection of Belgium brews, with great taste.

4. Best cheese I ever had.

Recommend - Kwak, Chimay, cheese plate.

• Pros: Large selection
• Cons: Sometimes it is a bit chilly

05/03/08

Great Beer-Bar with nice atmosphere

by dstones1

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. My friends and I (Brotherhood) had MANY a great night there, and it was also (before the ban) a great cigar bar. Regardless, nice couches in the back to relax and the I encourage you to try the pretzel with honey or the choices of soup. Also, close to GCS being that it is on 36th street. I enjoy European beers after grwing up drinking buds and coor's lights and this place satifies. Try it out, and always had a GREAT happy hour crowd.

• Pros: Great beer selection, atmosphere
• Cons: Bit pricey

03/28/08

Nice beer selection, friendly, expensive & over-crowded

by drink_club1

Maybe it's the floor staff from Macy's. Maybe local bankers working late. Whatever it is, this place is packed from 8-Midnight, then it suddenly thins out like a 30 year old's hair. Yeah, there are lots of suits, but also business casual, and some jeans and t-shirts. It looks like the LATE after-work crowd, getting in that last pint before hitting the trains for Long Island or New Jersey. The beer selection is good, especially the taps. Prices are not cheap. A glass of domestic craft beer can be $7.50. The best food values are the sandwiches at around $8. Everything else is high for what you get (half a dozen ship for $12???) The crowd and staff are friendly. The music is a bit loud, but not a complete conversation stopper.

--Drink Club NYC is a roving group of NYC drinkers

• Pros: friendly staff, patrons, good beer selection
• Cons: loud, over-crowded, expensive

03/05/08

Amazing Beer Selection Draws Crowds

by miskafied

I'm part of a weekly Wednesday drinking group of 30 or so regulars who love to drink, geek out, talk and eat after work. We check out a different bar each week. We've been kicking around the city for 12 years. In that time we've visited several hundred bars (with repeats of faves). Ginger Man has an absolutely amazing beer selection. The food wan't half bad, however, the menu is limited. I had a decent sandwich. I would return in a heartbeat with a friend or two. For large groups, it's too crowded. It's a very popular after-work spot, perhaps great if you're looking to meet someone and hook up for a one-night stand. The back lounge room is cozy , especially when you sink into the couch and are instantly sitting thigh-to-thigh with the object of your attention.

• Pros: Beer Selection
• Cons: Too Many Suits

02/14/08

Excellent Beer Selection in a Pleasant Large Space

by cobraman332

I was glad I got to try Ginger Man last night for a drink with an old friend. It was exactly what we were looking for... it wasn't crowded at 8:30 on a Wednesday, and there was a really great selection of beers, both domestic and international. I went with a domestic IPA, which I enjoyed. The waitress was happy to provide advice when we asked her questions, and she was quite knowledgable and helpful. Ginger Man is really large also... this is a huge plus to me because I just can't stand when after-work bars are packed with people. 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. I will likely return to Ginger Man, and next time I will have to try some of their food to see what that is like.

• Pros: Great Beer Selection, Large Space, Not Crowded, Lots of Tables, Good Waitresses, Relaxed Atmosphere
• Cons: Skimpy Food Menu

02/02/08

Boring.....

by Coldsun3000

This just isn't my idea of a Bar.. You may enjoy it though, but i stopped in for a drink and was like WHOA?!? do i belong here? Everyone looked the same, and they were all either dressed up and looking like they just got off of work and they left there suit jackets in the car (some brought them in) And everyone was old, I seen alot of bald heads, pale bald heads.. The beer selection was cool.. The place looked nice, but i just felt wild out of place, there is no diversity in there and the place felt really stiff.. Ehh maybe it was the night i went though...

• Pros: Beer selection
• Cons: Real stiff and boring...

12/05/07

Watch your bar tab in this place!

by porphyria88

If you go here beware! We gave the bartender a credit card to run a tab, and we noticed that each time she added drinks to our check the last name on the credit card came up on the computer screen in letters easily big enough for patrons at the bar to read; the name stayed up on screen for about a minute after she had walked away. We noticed this early in the night and my friend joked about how easy it would be to simply pick a name off the computer screen and charge drinks to it. Well later in the evening it almost happened to us! A guy down the bar from us ordered 7 beers. When the bartender asked him which tab he was on he looked right at the computer screen and gave my buddy's last name!! Fortunately we overheard him and spoke up. Worse yet, the brainless bar staff didnt even catch on to this, they just let him name a different name and walked off to charge that person's tab. I will NEVER go back there in spite of the great beer selection.

• Pros: Great beer selection
• Cons: Bar Tab Fraud!