It's just my favorite place for a beer. The atmosphere that's so stamped out elsewhere is still alive. Not driven out by the music. Not phonyied up decor. Old school. read more

calm, relaxing atmosphere. felt like a dive without being gross. bartender was knowledgeable and friendly. regular patrons were welcoming. i tried a trappist ale per the bartender's recommendation and it was delicious read more

It's a dark and moody kind of pub atmosphere, which we really liked. They have a very impressive beer list with a large number of beers on tap. Unfortunately, the first two beers I tried to order were unavailable, so I had to choose something else. Fortunately, the third one was great. They don't have food, but there is a barrel of peanuts and you can just help yourself if you'd like a snack. read more

The Moan & Dove - Bar area - Bars Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

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My wfe and I were visiting our daughter at UMASS Amherst. We Were trying to figure out where to meet her. We know there a lot of options near the school. problem is we were traveling with our 4 year old Golden Retriever. The only bar we could find in the area that was pet friendly was the Moan & Dove. Problem solved!! But more than that, it is a solid pub with a fantastic beer menu and a vibe to match. Music was great, patrons were wonderful and my dog had some new friends as well. If you want access to world class beer and a knowledgable and warm staff, don't miss this gem. read more

bartender had her friend approach us after we had ordered a couple small bottles of wine, claiming "you guys should have tipped more". bartender did not make us drinks, she simply opened bottles for us. we were there for an hour and a half before the bartender Sofia threatened to call cops for us "not tipping her well". We planned on leaving a generous cash tip at the end of the night, but Sofia felt the need to create a hostile environment and make us all uncomfortable. Even speaking to her calmly and apologetically did not seem to calm her. My friends and I are shaken up and disappointed at the hostility which we tried to mitigate through respectful conversation. read more

Had a great time at the Moan & Dove this weekend! This spot is pet friendly (there was an adorable cat and 2 dogs inside) which made it a great spot to grab a beer post-hike with our pup. This place is a typical pub (kind of dark and dingy) but that gives it its charm. They have board games, tons of local beers on tap, and an extensive can list. Will definitely be back! read more

The Moan & Dove - a dog sleeping next to a pint of guinness - Bars Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

Place chirps you if you get a cocktail because it's the "best beer bar in the country". Ordered 4 different beers in a row and they were out. No updated menus or apologies. Great manhattans, that's where they got the second star. read more

The Moan & Dove - the menu for the restaurant - Bars Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

We live in walking distance of the moan and Dove and it's awesome that they have and then you that changes frequently, and we can always depend on them having great beer selection. I appreciate that they have a variety and not just a ton of IPAs like some places do. They do peanuts and it's nice that you can bring takeout or get delivery if you want to eat while you're there too. Sometimes the bartenders' playlists are on point, and other times they are angsty rock music! (distractingly bad) My dream is that they would do some live music once in a while, that would be the best! COVID stuff: They just started requiring masks and vaccination cards for everyone who enters, as a heads up! read more

This is my living room away from home. Also great if you love board games, bartenders with heart, and interesting, random chats with interesting, intelligent people drawn to this comfortable and welcoming place. read more

We went to the bar early on a Saturday night. There were plenty of seats available and we sat at the bar. The bartender was attentive and happily answered our questions and gave us a couple of tastes to help us make a decision. The beer list is extensive and is geared toward an aficionado. I usually stick with a Miller High Life, but I like to dabble in the craft market, so it was fun to be adventurous. The candlelight and dark wood made it a great atmosphere to kick off our date night. read more

This bar is simply sensational. From the beer to the perfect glassware to the comfy booths to the expert service. Truly top notch. Reminds me of the original Spuyten Duyvil in Bkln, which is about the highest compliment I could give it. I went twice in 3 days, only place where I did that during my trip. read more

If I could declare a second hometown it would be the Moan & Dove. It's a feel good, comfort haven. Not for everyone --- thank God. I like this place because they're no "I'm going out to the bar(s) tonight, I have to get ready." There aren't people getting wasted (at least visibly), there's no dance floor or keno, the floors don't get sticky as the night wears on, there aren't "YA DUDES", popped collars and sparkly outfits. But it's a place where you can bring your well behaved dog and it'll lounge on the floor while "dove go-ers" shower him with affection. You wear your regular clothes, drink beer that may be out of your comfort zone and probably like it, eat free peanuts by the barrel full and when the peanuts aren't enough order food and from across the street and delivered to your table. You don't go bar hopping when you're a regular here either; there's no other place better to bar hop to. I'm proud to say I'm a Mug Club Alumni (inducted in November 2006) and since I've moved the two hour drive from Boston is always worth. read more

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I've been habituating these corner establishments for closing on thirty years now, and I've always wondered what has made the Moan and Dove stick here when the many businesses that preceded it in the same location have failed. Here's the thing about the M&D. You can have absolutely anything you want to drink, as long as it's an expensive high-end beer. You can have anything you want to eat, as long as it's peanuts. You can come anytime you want, as long as it's after 4 PM. It's walking distance to everything in the busy metropole of west South Amherst, which is to say, a couple of apartment complexes (which is more than when I first hit town; back then it was still surrounded, a bit, by farms). It's not like finding a place like this in a college town is a surprise, it's finding this place on the outskirts of a college town that's so strange. Usually when I hit the place to grab a couple of beers I overhear a few graduate student conversations, and the demographic seems to be in that 25-35 crowd that mysteriously materializes. I just hope there's a lot of designated drivers because while the PVTA stops right outside, I don't see a lot of folks walking there, as I do. (I call it "staggering distance".) In any event, there's no TV (huge plus), they leave you alone except when you want more beer (big plus) it's dimly lit and the acceptable rock-n-roll on the stereo is at the level of loudness that you can make out the lyrics if you want but you can still hear the conversation of the people across from you at a booth or table, but you can use it to ignore the people next to you at the bar. They let you linger playing games (don't bother trying to read, I gave up, too dim), letting your dog steal peanuts, or even bring in your take out from the below-par pizza and chinese takeout joints catty cornered at the intersection. Yes, the prices are steep, because of the incredibly good selection they stock, including dozens of draft beers. (Excuse me, "draught" beers.) It's surprisingly unpretentious for a beer-only bar. There's very little, in short, not to like if you're just looking for decent beer and a little room to shoot the, um, breeze. read more

Quiet, dark and chock full of top shelf brews. Pack your favorite pub game, grab a pizza from Sibies across the street and plop down at a booth for hours of drinking Nirvana. read more

Hell no. Never again. Too bad because lots of yelp people love it - but I was treated extremely rudely, as if, as another yelper said, I wasn't worthy of being their customer. First, my friend and I sat at the bar and weren't greeted or even acknowledged for a good 10 minutes. It wasn't busy. Sunday afternoon, just a few patrons. Then, when the rude bartender came over rolling her eyes, I ordered a beer and got carded. Cool, I'm 37.5 yrs old, I like that. But shit, I messed up, didn't have my ID. Had left it in my car after a hike with my friend and we went in his car to the bar for one drink. OK, well, I understand. I'm clearly way, WAY over 21, but it's the law. It wasn't this, though. It was the delivery. Condescending, rude, and ridiculous. She refused to let us sit at the bar and was just a total jerk about the whole thing. Seems we're not the only ones who've experienced this type of "service" at Moan & Dove. Too bad because it's enough to make me never want to go again. read more

I did my homework here every Monday. I have since spent quite some time debating what it says about my college experience that I studied at the nearest bar. I can only conclude that the Moan and Dove is quieter, more peaceful, and full of more intellectually stimulating people than most five college libraries. Oh yeah, there is beer too. Good beer. In all honesty, their beer selection is amongst the best I have seen anywhere. There is a giant chalkboard that lists the beer on tap and the bartenders are more than happy to answer questions. These guys really know and love their craft. My favorites are the Left Hand Milk Stout and the Centennial IPA. You can serve yourself peanuts from a jar and bring in takeout if the delicious peanuts don't suit you. They are always playing interesting, if somewhat pretentious, music and people are always having interesting, if somewhat pretentious, conversations. Oh yeah and there are dogs. All the time. Just chilling on the floor. I like that. Moanin' Monday, I miss you. read more

I generally enjoy my visits here. I Love their large selection of beers and the atmosphere. That said, on multiple occasions the door man has come up to someone in my party and cut them off after going over the 1 beer/hour ratio. I understand that they are located next to a gas station and generally most people would have to drive home and it is good policy to make sure patrons are not too far gone. BUT still I have a friend who weighs 230 pounds and was cut off after 5 beers in 4 hours... I have never seen any other bar/institution take such an aggressive stance with their patrons. read more

The Moan and Dove is perhaps the Pioneer Valley's most important cultural institution. It brings together people of all forms and walks of life - college students, construction workers, lesbian couples with cute dogs, people that work at the Hess gas station next door... That's because the bar is dark without being dingy and plays cool music without being "hipster-y". And the staff have a never-ending knowledge of beer. They are super friendly and seem to genuinely enjoy and respect their jobs, which means they'll never make someone feel uncomfortable just because they know nothing about beer. All of this makes the bar worth returning to over and over again. So if you do... The beers on tap, which are constantly changing and range from $4- about $14 dollars, are a good place to start. You could spend at least a month trying everything they have to offer. However, while it's always nice to have a tap beer, don't pass up the menu of over !!!200!!! bottles that are very reasonably priced. If you're feeling adventurously classy, make sure to try their whiskeys which are often overlooked even by bar regulars. But regardless of whether you drink the whiskey, you're sure to leave this place feeling warm and fuzzy. There are TWO negatives about "The Moan" - or "The Dove" according to some (weird) people: It can get pretty crowded around 8 or 9 as the weekend approaches. That being said, I think this is the kind of bar that is perfect for a late-afternoon beer, not a night of raunchy partying. The second problem is that I always leave feeling salty as I can never stop eating the peanuts they serve. read more

This place was incredibly dope, plain and simple. I came here on a Wednesday night with a group of six Cantabrigians looking for a watering hole to soak our tired brains. Moan & Dove didn't disappoint! A scoop of salted peanuts at the door and (moments later) drinks in hand, our souls were rejuvenated. The beers represented all parts of the globe, and single pours of Maker's Mark for $6? Heck yeah! The atmosphere was groovy too - I love hip-hop, and they were cranking the RZA all night. M&D, you have set the bar high for other pubs. Kudos. read more

The Moan and Dove is one of my favorite places to go for a beer in the Pioneer Valley. It is best on a week night or at happy hour. This place is very very low key, so I wouldn't suggest it for a rowdy night out. The lights are kept very low and they have simple non-distracting music in the background- and not so loud that you can't hear yourself talk. I would say the crowd is about mid-20's and up. The beer here is amazing- they always have about 10 different beers on tap and rotate their list every month or so. The bar is removed from the main bar scene in Amherst and everytime I have been there, there are always plenty of places to sit. They have unlimited peanuts, which is an added bonus. Everytime I head out to the Pioneer Valley I try to stop in for a beer. I always look forward to trying something new on tap. I highly suggest the Moan and Dove if you out in western Mass. Overall Rating- 5 out of 5. WOOHOO! read more

Oh, Moan and Dove how I miss, miss, miss you so! Just down the street from my alma mater. Where I could go and drink my senior thesis sorrows away and watch my Res Life bosses get dizzy. This place is all about the beer, baby. BEER! They may not have any food (for that try The Dirty Truth in NoHo), but they are happy to lend you a menu so you can order in. Its nice...like a home away from home only with strangers. P.S Remove the "Dive Bar" label. Just because it serves PBR doesn't make it a dive bar. However, the only reason to drink PBR should be as a palate cleanser between trying selections from one of the best beer collections in the U.S. read more

Ohhh how I miss the Moan and Dove. Definitely holds a special place in my heart and every time I come home to visit Western Mass this is a definite stop on my list. I have to admit I was extremely beer ignorant the first time I visited and my friend and I (newly 21) asked for a nice girly mix drink. The bartender told us if we wanted a drink like that go down the street to another bar!!!! At first I was semi insulted, but I decided to give this place a chance and found that it is very much a community. I am thankful for the Moan and Dove's beer snobbery because it has really allowed me to develop quite a taste for GOOD beer. Wonderful and respectful vibe, no college jerks trying to hit on me. The best music played in a bar ever. I have discovered so many great music artists from drinking at the Moan and Dove. I have not been able to find any bar like this in Boston! (Started drinking cider in London and the Moan and Dove happened to carry the same cider on tap, however I am very disappointed it has been discontinued. My girlfriends still request it!!) read more

There's just really no fathomable reason to give the Moan and Dove anything less than five stars. It really doesn't even warrant a review, either. It is simply in a class all its own. In fact, the simple truth that I'm not there at this very moment imbibing a delicious beverage can only be explained by my living 300 miles away. And for that, I am simultaneously saddened and deliriously happy for having the chance to experience the Moan and Dove for a few short visits. Being from Philly, where there is certainly no shortage of decent beer bars, I hadn't expected to be introduced to such a gem of gems in this area. I never realized how delicious it is to be proven wrong. A plethora of beers, all begging to be tried, and poured lovingly into their proper glassware by knowledgeable bartenders? How is this possible? I'm so thankful that this rare breed of establishment exists...and that I know about it. Don't tell my hometown, but I think this place has stolen my heart. read more

HOT TIP: If you're in possession of an out-of-state ID, you need TWO credit cards or 1 extra photo ID in order to be served here. Even if your forehead/crows feet make it already appear you are in no possible way 20 years old or less. I felt like a kid in a candy store or as someone pointed out to me, "An adult in a beer store." This places had an impressive selection of beer including Belgian and Trappist Ales. Highly recommend if you need to get your Belgian beer on. Don't bother if you're looking for mass market cheap beer, because you will be disappointed. All they serve is peanuts, so you can BYO Snacks. read more

The closest thing to a thinking man's bar in the pioneer valley. I was first recommended this place by a UMass polisci professor, which in itself is awesome, but it did not disappoint. Its dark, indie and really cool inside, and the sheer number of rare high quality beers on tap and in bottles is amazing. Me and a buddy went to try a special on cask and it was epic. I also tried my first hard cider on tap and it too way awesome. The moan and dove is not a place to bar crawl, or get "wasted" at (unless you are really rich) Its a place for people who love beer. Thankfully, I am in that group and I will be returning. read more

Another customer and I waited outside for 15 minutes today for the place to open. Nobody was there that we could see and a phone call went to voicemail. Both of us had gone out of our way to visit, and there was no indication on either the website or at the location that they would be closed. Very disappointed, and unlikely to bother visiting again. read more

Moan and Dove had a high quality beer selection and the overall environment of the bar was very casual. The bar was very dimly lit and wasn't very big. The bar itself only has around 10 stools and the rest of the seating was five booths and two larger tables with bar stools to sit at with them. They seem to only have one person working and he was behind the bar the whole time, which made it somewhat a hassle when you wanted to order something. The prices weren't listed, and I hate when bars do that especially being in college because people like me have budgets and when I order two beers and my bill is $22 it can get frustrating. When it comes to the beer, Moan and Dove had a lot of beers I had never heard of such as "Be Hoppy". There is also an employee's favorite beer sign which informs you of beer that the employees enjoy. I used that sign to pick my beer because like I said I had never heard of any of the beers on tap. Their on tap selection was very small, but they did have a good amount of bottled beers, but don't expect to find anything like Bud Light or Coors Light. The closest thing to that was the nostalgic beer section on the menu which pokes fun at the bad beers your dad used to drink and this includes beers like Narragansett. I did not try any of the food, but I am very tempted to come back and try it. The bar offers you free peanuts right by the bar for a great bar snack. The bar itself was very laid back, there was music playing, but it wasn't very loud. Everyone's conversations were at an inside voice level, so it made it easy to talk with everyone without having to yell or get really close like it is in most bars. However, on of the only downside were the bathrooms. The bathrooms were very small and the toilets were uncomfortably close to the wall, which made for a difficult time in the bathroom. Overall I enjoyed myself and would come back. read more

There is absolutely no bar that compares to the Dove. I know, I've looked, and I've never found one that's even remotely come close. My friends and I have been going here for years, so maybe I'm biased; but I've never found a place that even remotely comes close to the Dove's ambiance, character, bar staff, or crowd of regulars. Even the year that I moved to Boston, I still came back most weekends and hung out with my friends there. The bar staff is amazing. They are awesome people to talk to, about beer or otherwise. Most importantly, though, they know beer like none-other. They are always more than happy to pass on this knowledge - especially if you're getting your mug. Actually, if you're getting your mug, you had best damn well pay attention to what you're drinking, and the subtle nuances between each beer that you're enjoying. Joining the Mug Club is a rite of passage that deserves the respect that being a Mug Clubber carries. Yes, we're snobs about it; but appreciate that any person with a mug should be able to recommend beer to you by the time that he or she has completed the list. (Just don't fall off your stool after giving your speech, especially if you're holding a full mug of Guinness.... But who would do that, anyway?!) While it's true that there are a select few other bars in Massachusetts whose beer selection is comparable to that of the Dove, what makes this bar truly unique is its ambiance. The crowd that goes there is generally not comprised of the sparklewhores who populate Club Sidewalk every Thursday - Saturday, which is great for those of us who got over going to college bars a while ago. The regulars are all wicked awesome; a few of us were sitting around with one of the bartenders recently, talking about how the Dove regulars are almost like a family, where it's nice to know that you can go there by yourself and always find someone to talk to. Or, it's cool to sit at the bar and talk to the bartenders, or do your homework. (Again, who does that?) It's one-of-a-kind; the Dirty Truth pales in comparison, for so many reasons. Simply put, it is the Greatest Bar in the World (necessary usage of capitalization). read more

This bar taught me the difference between an ale and a lager, and gave me a few lectures on poetry and a ton of free peanuts. It was here that I learned to love Greenflash and Allagash White and Victory Pilsner. Long live the amazing selection of this place. Also, they do have two dollar beers, but bartenders here will raise eyebrows if you order Lindemann's Peche, let alone cocktails. This is a beer bar. For wine, visit its popular, shinier younger sibling, the Dirty Truth. You see, in addition to having an awesome beer menu, this bar has a mug club. The deal is that you and your wallet can get down to the Moan and Dove a LOT and try lots of things including some things that are warm and flat, and if you make it through the whole beer obstacle course in less than a year, you read a poem to the bar and then get a mug with your name on it, for life. And then, after that, every time you order a beer, you get even more beer for your money. It really only makes financial sense if you are a long-term resident, but damn is it awesome. read more

Very cool no-frills and old-fashioned bar that specializes in having a gigantic beer menu. I'm not sure they have anything besides beer to be honest, but boy oh boy do they have lots of beers. It's not cheap. And you might need to ask the bartenders for help deciding on which brew to try. I could see it getting complicated when there's a big crowd, but it's pretty sleepy on most weeknights -- good for a date or catching up with friends. read more

Cool beer bar. Local hipster crowd and depressing music playing. That combined with it being super dark....made for a good time....I cried a few times. Good beer selection, no major standouts....I was hoping for some local special brews. They had a worm town on tap, but so did the Mexican place across the street. If I lived close by, I'd go. Back.....but prob not again. I give it 3.5. But yelp hates half numbers read more

Dimly lit, free peanuts, snobby 5 College hipsters. However, a really great selection of beer from US and Europe. Go there if you like pretentious beer. read more

Snotty bar tenders and a dull atmosphere. For the prices they charge you might expect friendly service, but this us nit the case. The only saving grace is the peanuts. Other than that, a dark smelly place. read more

Old school Pioneer Valley vibe. Just right for a long conversation with an old friend. Definitely peanuts. Want to know origin story of bar name. read more

The Moan & Dove is definitely not your average bar, but that is a good thing in my book. Small, dimly lit, cement floor, local artwork on display, usually candles burning and interesting music coming from the speakers. The crowd is a good mix of young and old. The beer selection is insane. As for price, you can buy expensive beer, but they also have reasonably priced beers as well as specials. No, this is not a 2 dollar draft kind of place, but you don't have to spend a fortune. The bartenders have always treated me nicely and are more than willing to offer suggestions or give samples if you don't know what you want. No food service, but you can get local delivery right to your barstool. How cool is that? If you are looking for something a little different than your average sports themed bar or local shithole, definitely worth checking this place out. read more

i like the feel of this bar. A small well-stocked beer bar with a high-end aura in a no-frills setting, the staff is knowledgable and the clientele friendly. No food served here, but that means you can bring your pup in to join you - plus there's a barrel full of peanuts for snacking and you can order pizza to the bar if you need more of a meal, so really, what more do you need than that? I don't spend a lot of time in Amherst, but if I head back, I'd definitely dig another stop at the Moan and Dove. read more

Ambience... very dark with candle lighting. Cool. Being that the Moan and Dove is not in Boston, people are a lot nicer in general. Food... barrel of peanuts near the entrance. Beer... amazing! We had a Hefeweizen, Eisbock and a wheat wine. Bartenders... very very friendly guys! This place is much more laid back than the Publick House in Brookline. These guys make great suggestions and let you sample beer before you commit. Great place. It is worth the 2 hour drive for me - once in a while, anyway. read more

Moan & Dove is one of the best bars in the Pioneer Valley. The beer selection is incredible and generally the atmosphere is laid back and welcoming. When we go we love to sit at the center high top tables with a large group while devouring their stockpile of free peanuts. The other great part about this bar is the fact that if you are incredibly hungry, you are more than welcome to pick up a meal from one of the local restaurants and bring it in to the bar. The only downsides to this bar is that sometimes it is so busy that waiting for a beer takes an eternity, and also that at times the lighting in the bar is so dim that you can barely see you beer mug. read more

I liked the Moan and Dove during the first few months it was open. After that everyone and their grandmother could be found sucking down the pricey imports they offered. My wife and I usually found ourselves there on a Saturday afternoon when we had nothing pressing to do. We'd go there right as they opened around lunch time and order a pizza from Sibies across the street. The bar was empty and we just ate our pizza, drank good beer and read the paper. Before I left Amherst, the Dove was almost always packed even during the week. Then Daniel the owner opened his second venture, 'the dirty truth' in Northampton. I knew a lot of the original bartenders at the Dove and they were really down to earth and helpful. But I can see where "Black J." above was coming from. The bartenders DO have a snobby attitude. This shouldn't come to a surprise since the bar is run by hipsters. The best deal was the "Mug Club". I'm not sure if they're still accepting members but the deal was, finish all the beers on this huge list and get a big mug with your name on it. Use the mug to get like 24 oz or something worth of beer but pay the 12oz draft price. Not shabby. Too bad you need to take out a loan to finish all the beers. read more

Going to M & D regularly makes me love the place even more. This past summer and fall, a group of us from Northampton started biking here on Sat/Sun afternoons. This place is wonderful in the early afternoons when they've just opened. Unlike some evenings when it gets too crowded to find a spot or is too loud to talk to the person sitting next to you, the early afternoons are perfect. You have your pick of seating. Plus, you can bring in a meal or order delivery from places nearby. Once I saw two men who brought in a great spread of veggies, cheese, and bread. I can't wait for the weather to warm up a bit so we can start our bike rides again. BTW, I am someone who pretty much didn't drink beer before moving to the Valley/going to places like the Moan, yet I've completely changed my tune now. read more