TLDR: Nice relaxed placed for a beer and a light bites. I would return when in the neighborhood. Overall rating: A This place has only been open for about a year (June 2018). Been looking forward to supporting this black owned business! I've tried to come here several times but failed. Finally, my friend and I successfully went here for after dinner drinks around 9:15pm on Wednesday. It was about half full. Very dark but not super loud. There is a small outside seating area in the back. There are also 2 single occupancy unisex bathrooms I think. Here's what we tried: -Torch & Crown Xpert Ambassador 6.0 , 16oz CAN, $10 (Wu-Tang name generated: X-pert Ambassador. It's fruity, sour, and a little sweet, and packed with Mango and Pineapple.): Even after I poured this into a glass, I still couldn't pick up the pineapple taste. The mango was there slightly. The sourness of the beer overwhelmed a lot of the flavor notes. I wouldn't get this again. B -Gun Hill IRL 8.0 , 12oz Draft, $8: (Tropical fruit bowl aromas of grapefruit, pineapple, and passion fruit layered among zesty citrus and kaffir lime leaves.): I'm not a big fan of passion fruit but this tasted juicy and delicious! It was nicely balanced. I didn't taste kaffir lime leaves though. I would definitely get this in the future. A There was a slightly awkward moment when a woman stood between me and my beer, chatting to a man. When I said excuse me, instead of moving over so I could get my drink myself, she picked up my beer and handed it to me. A bit weird but nice I guess? They also serve some pub snacks here. Looking forward to trying the Habanero Beef Spicy Guma Pies ($7). We would return when we're in the area. Unfortunately, I'm in not Harlem very often. Pro Tip: This is about a 6 minute walk from Ponty Bistro if you're looking for good food (though service could be better). read more

Harlem Hops - Beers outside out back! - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Great beer! Great staff! So glad it was recommended to me! Try a flight! So good!

Potentially our new favorite beer bar in the city?! I don't spend much time in the 130s, but Harlem Hops provides good reason to fix that. This place has an extensive four-page menu of craft beer bottles/cans and drafts. And I don't mean the sort of pretender spot that says, "Oh, we have Allagash White", but stuff you likely won't find at most neighborhood bars or grocery stores. Harlem Hops has plenty of selections from my favorite breweries in the area (Hudson Valley, Evil Twin, Other Half, to name a few highlights) but also some rarities from around the country. If you're a beer nerd, you'll be thrilled; if you're not, you'll leave having become one. Prices are fair for NYC, like $7-12 each. Drafts are available as half-pours and crowlers to go, too, also well priced. Since food is now a must at bars, there are a number of good options. The cheapest obligate purchase is chips and salsa ($4), but the sausages and spicy meat pies look pretty tempting. Definitely looking forward to returning when it's a little warmer. And in the meantime, I think they do to-go and delivery purchases, both of which would be a sound decision. Enjoy! read more

BOMB or, as Kevin would say, fire craft beer!!! Not just in Harlem but all of NY! You'll see beers from Other Half, EQ, D96, and even TREE HOUSE. I love this spot and I would be here way too often if I lived or still worked nearby. They have a dope backyard, perfect for the times. Grab beers to go or enjoy in the backyard on this fine winter day. For beer lovers, this place is a must. On top of that you can support an awesome, Black-owned business. read more

Harlem Hops - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Harlem Hops is disrupting the beer scene by not only serving up a unique rotating craft beer selection but also by being the first Black-owned beer bar in Harlem. With so many choices and a very knowledgeable staff, this is the perfect place for beginning beer drinkers and those who consider themselves a brew connoisseur. While their focus is on beer their bites menu includes things that compliment your beverage such as Bavarian pretzel, sausages served on pretzel buns, and Guma pies. With so many options for beer, I had no idea where to start. I am typically a wheat beer kind of lady and Jack's Abby's Blood Orange Wheat was recommended by the staff. It was a light and refreshing beer that is perfect for the current summer temps and you can think of it as Blue Moon's sophisticated cousin. On my second round, I decided to try one of their canned beer options and ordered Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer which was another great choice. If you love a good cider then I would recommend Orchard Hill's Cider because isn't too sweet and a tad bit on the dry side. Another option they have on tap that is rather unique is Wartega's Catawampus cream ale that has green tea and a hint of nutmeg. Harlem Hops set the mood with a perfect selection of music, copper accents, a spacious bar, and a back patio. This bar has been receiving a lot of press as the three owners are all alumni of HBCUs and as I mentioned earlier the first Black-owned beer establishment in Harlem. #BlackExcellence. Be sure to drop into Harlem Hops and support this new business. read more

See all

Think of summer backyard vibes and beautiful people with an array of fruit infused beers. One of my favorite brewery spots. The small bites are also amazing. The overall atmosphere and feel of the place is definitely right with great energy. It just pulls those people in. Overall great service. Wanted a particular type of beer which had ran out, the bartender offered tastes of similar ones until I found the one I wanted. Great customer service and I can't emphasize how beautiful the people who work there and stop in there are. Also, cute little backyard/ outdoor seating area with beautiful graffiti on the wall. Will definitely visit again. read more

See all

Love the decor of this place. It has cool marquee letters that spell Harlem on the ceiling over the bar. There's also another light display that says "I fell in love with Harlem before I even got here". It's a darker place with a modern rustic feel. It's cold out but there's a small backyard. Beer selection was good. I got a flight with 4 different beers and enjoyed all four. My boyfriend got a pumpkin beer and had like 3 cups. There's also a few wines on tap as well as other drinks. The food was alright. I ordered the salmon sliders on a pretzel bun and potato chips. But...this was $14. For what I got (which were 2 sliders), I thought this was pricey. My boyfriend got the vegan bratwurst that also comes on a pretzel bun with potato chips and a pickle. He thought it was ok. Our bill was about $120 with tax and we were honestly really surprised lol But we overall enjoyed the vibe. Football was on and the bar was full. If we came back, it'd probably be during Happy Hour. Looks like they have a good one. read more

Harlem Hops - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

See all

This bar gave me Williamsburg vibes but more refined. From the dark decor to the chalk graffiti in the bathroom, for a split second you'd think you're in Brooklyn but with majority black patrons (bonus points!). At around 8pm on a Friday night, a DJ came in and it turned more into a mini party. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and more people started to come to the bar. Pros: they had a decent selection of draft beers. Very laid back vibes even with the DJ there. Cons: they didn't have any happy hours established yet since they're new. Also, the bartenders were really nice but you could tell a little inexperience by how slow they moved. Overall, I would definitely come back here. This back gave off a neighborhood bar vibes which I really appreciated. read more

I read an article on The Undefeated on my morning commute & by 4:00 pm I was walking through the doors of Harlem Hops. As a beer-loving HBCU grad myself, to learn that HH was Harlem's first 100% black owned beer bar was compelling to me. I was lowkey upset that I missed the grand opening on Saturday, but I was glad that I was able to stop in while there wasn't a crowd. HH has is moderately spaced with a few tables in front followed by the bar that takes up most of the space, a few tables in the rear, and even a patio area in the back just in time for summer. Behind the bar, you'll find the list of beer they carry on tap and they have a menu with small bites & bottled beer. Along the walls and pillars, you'll see some facts about the origins of beer and it's ties to Africa. A lot of the beer they serve are from local breweries as well. They put a lot of thought into their branding and decor. You'll find the Harlem Hops logo almost everywhere; even down to the glasses. Even above the bar, you'll see the light fixtures nestled into letters that spell HARLEM. They've got a couple TVs as well which would be great for a game night. I was there too early for the DJ to be playing, but the playlist they had on was excellent. They had a mix of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Prince, Earth, Wind & Fire... all things to make you feel good and start moving. Margaux (may have spelled that wrong) was my bartender and I was seriously impressed. I'm no beer aficionado, but rather than just being a pretty face behind the bar, she was very knowledgeable about making recommendations & about what she was pouring. You even have an option to try different ones before committing to a choice; and the tastings come in tiny beer mugs, which I thought was neat. They don't have a happy hour yet, but it's in the works. They've haven't been open a week yet so I'm sure as business settles & they get a better idea of what they're working with, more specials and promotions will be put out there, so be on the lookout! I killed some time & tried 4 different beers -- two IPAs, a sour, & a wheat beer. The IPAs were right up my alley, but I personally wasn't a fan of the sour. I tried their vegan bratwurst with kettle chips and that was enough to get something in my stomach and not overdo it. Beware: the sauce is spicy! The restrooms encouraged street art and personal thoughts of the like. The walls had many scrawls ranging from little notes to Instagram handles to masterpieces. There were pieces of chalk if you felt compelled to add to HH's story; after washing your hands of course. I was able to catch two of the owners on the way out, Stacey & Kevin, just to chat briefly & to remind them what a great thing they have going on here. Harlem Hops is easily an integral cornerstone of the community and I'm excited to see it grow and prosper. read more

See all

I love this space! I'm more of a whiskey & bourbon kinda guy, but this place is no ordinary beer garden. It's the perfect blend of neoclassic decor with exposed brick ... a backyard with classic graffiti ... big windows for people watching, while inviting those who pass by in. Must have: THE PRETZEL! ... and the $12 braut cut from brisket, it's killer too. Room for improvement: get some live music in there! What's a spot in Harlem without a jazz trio every now and again ... ? read more

Harlem Hops - Reflections of Mecca - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Five stars is for the location, because this stretch of Harlem does NOT have any bars this great. The design is perfect. The beer selection is fantastic. There's a cute outdoor space in the back with three beer barrels and stools. The food is limited by the space. There's a small kitchen station that can only basically heat things up. So, there is a very tiny menu of pub food like bratwurst on a pretzel roll and giant pretzels. So the point is not the food, but the food is tasty, if you order it. This neighborhood desperately needed a place like this, and here's hoping it's here to stay for a long time! read more

See all

The owners of Harlem Hops are black owned ~ Kim, Margo, Brian, Kevin they are brewing specialty beer. New spot in Harlem - it's stylish and clean. We stopped in late in the evening on a Saturday evening. The beer is delicious and sophisticated. We look forward to returning to Harlem Hops and exploring their tapas which they mentioned to us they would be incorporating. read more

See all

My wife, cousin, and I visited Harlem Hops this past Saturday. 90 degrees, high humidity; we needed RELIEF, and found it inside this Harlem gem. HH has been high on our "must visit" list. The national media attention has created a frenzy around this neighborhood spot and rightfully so! We sat down and within a minute were immediately greeted by our bartenders. I personally requested the bartender's recommendation for "refreshing and hoppy" and was poured an amazing IPA..that required a second pour after I enjoyed the first pour in under a few minutes! My wife and cousins loved their drinks, also. In addition, we ordered the pretzel...my GOD! The pretzel! It is the size of my head! Auntie Annie's, we love you, but this takes it! The pretzel is soft with just the right amount of chew and served with three amazing sauces. The empanadas and plantain chips were delicious, too! The space is carefully curated. Clean, modern yet contemporary with an ode to Harlem (look at the ceiling!). The bartenders are attentive, fast, and I highly encourage you to lean into their recommendations. They KNOW their libations! Their success is well deserved! read more

Harlem Hops - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

See all

My husband and I were doing a self guided audio walking tour around Harlem to beat boredom during the coronavirus shutdown, and luckily the tour took us right by Harlem Hops! It looked awesome, so we went in and stocked up on several different types of craft beer to drink up at home. Their social distancing policies/space taping during the shutdown are also really great. We can't wait to spend more time here once the world reopens again! The beer is really good! read more

Harlem Hops - Getting craft beer bottled to go! - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

Cool beer bar located in Harlem. Definitely has a healthy range of brews to choose from and should satisfy any beer drinker. The staff was helpful in assisting in my friends and I choose a beer. Also provided plenty of samples for us to taste to make sure that we weren't disappointed. The establishment also has a small backyard area that provides an additional element to the beer drinking experience they have there. Overall: Two thumbs up... read more

See all

Best beer selection in the city ranging from tap to cans. Rather than trekking down to Brooklyn to get the newest Other Half or KCBC releases, this will be my new go to spot. I have not tried the food so I can't speak to that, but in terms of beer and booze, I have no complaints. The backyard area is small, but surprisingly fits a good amount of people comfortably. On days it's not unbearably hot I can see enjoying just hanging out in the back while trying Hudson Valley's newest sour IPA. read more

See all

Great place for drinks and nibbles! I enjoyed the different types of beer I tried as well as the beef pies (chicken pies were also ok). Service was great. Only wish they served French fries!! Would definitely return! read more

The beer list is great. I would not go back as the environment and business was not welcoming at all. Food is overrated.

Visited this place over the weekend and it was hands down my best experience as a tourist to NYC. The set up is great, the bartender is more of a mixologist, and the overall vibe is really cool. Decor is also very eye catching. As for the beer, everything they had on tap was amazing things on tap. The mixologist knew a lot of history about which beers were Black owned or came from a Black owned brewery which made experience the beer better for me. For me, the grapefruit was the best. Make sure you ask for that "purple stuff"! If you're doing tourist things in NY, make this one of your stops. If you're visiting and wondering "what is Harlem like in 2018?",and you don't know what to expect, I'd say the owners of this place really got it right on cultural experience here. read more

Great beer and cider selection! Chill atmosphere. Nice bartenders. I liked that they have a rotating menu of seasonal beers and ciders. Some tips: A flight of 4 5oz beers/ciders is $20. Can be a bit busy on Friday nights but there is a decent amount of seating. read more

This was my second time at Harlem Hops. It's a Black owned tavern in Harlem. The three owners are HBCU grads (two from Clark Atlanta, one from Hampton). I love the energy of the wait staff. They're very knowledgeable about the seemingly endless list of beers they have on tap and in cans. Last time, i got the Purple Haze to go (this was right around the time bars and restaurants were given the green light to serve takeaway alcoholic beverages). This time, I got a more fruity beer (Cherry Lime Jazz) and a stout (Black Is Beautiful). Both were delicious. They also have beautiful Harlem Hops branded glasses for sale with a Fresh Prince of Bel Air inspired graffiti graphic. But they're ridiculously expensive ($30 for a 474 ML stemless teku glass), so I decided to pass. Overall, my friend and I had a great experience. Definitely coming back. read more

Harlem Hops - Black Is Beautiful (more of a chocolatey stout). - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Tap list and cans list is top tier. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and can't say enough about the atmosphere here. Food is way above what I expected. The spicy jerk chicken sausage is worth coming back for alone. Pretzel bites were perfect. I highly recommend Harlem Hops! read more

Nice family ran business. Truly recommend for beer lovers or even non beer lovers who just don't know what they might like. I was allowed to sample to see what I would like. Everything was delicious but you can tell the staff is extremely courteous and genuine. read more

Great beers and wonderful service. Aziz and Nigel were awesome. Great music all night. Would definitely come back!

Love this spot! While I have not tried their food yet (it seems they have small bites so I haven't been there with the intentions to eat), their beers are great. I've tried a few selections of what's on the menu alongside recommendations of the bartenders and was not disappointed. The music is great and overall atmosphere is good place to catch up with friends over a craft beer or drink. I stopped in a few weeks back and masks were enforced, people were socially distant and I was able to take my beers to go. I even sampled a few which was nice. I definitely want to make another stop here to see what seasonal beers they have for fall! read more

I really enjoyed the ambiance and the staff is super knowlagable on the beer selections. It's a bit on the pricey side but if you have the money to spend it go for it! read more

Super awesome beer bar that's so close to us, so happy to find this place! We tried the spicy crab pie (two hand pies), came with a side of plantain chips and chipotle sauce for $9, tasted great. I think based on the marketing I was expecting to find some house brewed options, but was certainly not disappointed with the offerings available. Four pages of drafts, cans, and bottles gives so many options! We went with a few small draft pours and I gotta say, there was a mead from Austin, TX that was one of the best meads I've ever had. Not to mention an ale made with baobab fruit that definitely left us both wanting more. read more

Great place! Went w/ large group of friends and family, 1st time visitors during fun weekend - nephew's 21st b-day (Columbia U student). Everyone & staff were great, beers were even better. Wish I bought a t-shirt, and tried afterwards but website wasn't cooperating. Can't wait to go back :-) read more

First time here on Saturday around 10 it's pretty busy. No one greets you, just sit yourself and order from the bar. Think it might be better to try on a weekday or when it's not too busy. I'm not a beer drinker & didn't know where to begin and the bartender wasn't too helpful. Might try again it's a nice spot in a great location. read more

Harlem Hops - Some lager - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

This place has it all. Good food, good beer selection, good music, cool bartenders and plenty of seating. Not sure what else you would want in an establishment. Go ahead and get the soft pretzel. It's delicious and life is short. This is New York City. read more

Harlem Hops - Great beer selection and awesome glasses. - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Love love LOVE this spot. I went for some late-afternoon Sunday drinks for a friend's birthday, immediately smitten with the intimate space, good brews, good food food, good music, good people, good vibes...should I stop there? It's just all good. Ha! Harlem's first black-owned beer bar has definitely set the bar high! Though any of my regular followers know that I can't drink beer - damn my life! HA! - I was quite impressed with their hard cider and cocktail offerings. It's nice to go to a place that offers more local and artisan hard ciders; a person can only handle so much Original Sin or Angry Orchard in their life. I happened upon a new great cider at Harlem Hops upon my visit, Verde by Orchard Hill Cider Mill from New Hampton, NY. (Not too far from the city!) It's a great semi-dry with a lovely Granny Smith tang to it. Glad to have discovered it here! I also threw back a Paid In Full cocktail, bourbon-based with cider, cinnamon, and other lovely spices. It's definitely one of those "Christmas in a cup" kind of cocktails. Overall, I just appreciate any bar that sources local and regional beers and alcohols. It provides a much more unique experience, in my opinion. The staff is also wonderful to talk to, kind, and you can tell they know their beers they are slinging. Though I didn't get to try any of the food - next time! - my friends chowed down on $9 Craft Beer Bratwurst and Cheesy Lobster Spicy Pies to their delight. I've got my eye on that Bavarian Pretzel for my next visit. The folks at Harlem Hops have made something special, and you can feel the love in every sip and bite, that's for sure! It's an incredibly welcoming environment. I can't wait to hang out in the back patio area once the warmer weather swings through again! And with climate change, that could very well be next month, ha! read more

Checked out this spot in the afternoon while in the area. Tons of parking and super convenient to get to. The bartender was super cool. Happy hour lite beer was great. I had the vegetarian spicy pie which was delicious. Served fresh. The ambiance was nice looking and the bathroom was super cool! Check it out I'm not going to ruin the surprise! I will surly revisit. The owner also stopped by and said hello :) read more

Harlem Hops - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Amazing place. Bar team are great guides to drinks and food. Really like their appreciation of things from Detroit. I had a bratwurst and it was prepared perfectly. Beer choices also were delicious and amazing. And then it is across the street from Shrine - amazing music. read more

My favorite neighborhood bar! Great selection of beers and has such a great vibe. I wish there were more spots like this in the neighborhood! read more

Beautiful neighborhood spot. Black owned brewery is perfect place to try delicious local beers.

I came here on a whim after a run in Central Park. I let the bartender pick a selection of beers for a flight and I was totally blown away by the selection. I particularly liked the Mango IPA and the sour apple beer. The service was great - the bartender let me try a few samples outside of my flight. Everyone was friendly, and even though I came alone I felt like I was drinking with friends. read more

Harlem Hops - Beer flight - bartender's choice! - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

A welcome addition to Harlem. Make sure you ask for suggestions the people here know their beer. Hope to see you out! read more

Harlem Hops - Excellent Cans! Excellent Taps! and they know their beer :) - Beer Bar Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Fabulous new craft beer bar in a stretch of Harlem that could really use one. I heard about them on Instagram and stopped by on a Sunday afternoon the week after their launch. They open at 4pm and we rocked in about 4:10. There were already a few people inside but plenty of seats at the bar. By around 5:30pm all bar seats, tables and the patio had filled up. When we sat down at the end of the bar the bartender came to greet us and said 'welcome to the family.' It was good vibes from there onward. Really lovely patrons and staff that we chatted too, as well as great ambiance and music. My friend and I tried beer flights and another friend got an IPA. I loaded up my flight with all of their IPAs and was pleased that I had not tried any of them before. We kicked on for a while and were filled up on beer so tried a rosé on draft as well. They had a gin punch on draft that we sampled - very boozy. But all in all a very beer forward offering. For bites they offer a selection of pretzels, bratwurst and pies. I did not try but was pleased to note a friendly price point and vegan/vegetarian options. Love the decor of this place as well. They have 'Harlem' written in lights above the bar, a neon sign or two and a great graffiti feature on their back patio. Their bathrooms are marked with as being all inclusive. Generally a very welcoming place. My friends and I enjoyed and thus will definitely be back. read more

Loved this place! Great vibe, great beers, awesome service! Safe. Fun. Worth whatever Uber you need to get! Support a public school teacher and go to this place! read more

Great beers, service, and vibes! was a little expensive but was well worth the splurge!