I believe this is my favorite bar in all of the city of Ithaca. I feel like the more times I visit the more love I have for this place. This bar is unassuming from the exterior (front side). It fits right in with other brick turn of the century historic buildings within the fabric of the city. If you blink you might miss it. The entrance is a well lit trek down a back alley. Inside the place seems just the right size. It's comfortable. the elements and woodwork are charming. There are plenty of tables and the acoustics are just right so it's not too loud even with a full house. There is a pool table and more than one "real" dart board. Not one of those weak electronic ones. There are stacks of board games that you often see people on a back table playing. The decorations are great including old memorabilia from nostalgic Ithaca bars including the stained glass from Mcawbers and the original carved wooden tables from the old chapter house. Those bars had great history which has now been incorporated into something new which I really appreciate. The outdoor space in back has an overlooking covered porch covered with vines. The back yard is surprisingly large with picnic style tables that can easily fit a group of ten each no problem. When I was there recently there were at least 50 people accommodated in the rear yard space. There are gardens that are fairly well maintained and murals painted on the walls. Extra special is that the surrounding buildings and space look good too. Nowhere you look fo you see a big eyesore. (Like a parking lot or bright street lights) The drinks are good and the variety of people frequenting are fabulous to converse with. I would love to see people dancing and some live music out back on the weekends. These are really good musicians just sitting around reading books for gods sake. I would suggest starting with an open mike night. Live music here would bring it over the top. Super fun !!! I'll for sure be back on my next Ithaca adventure. Hope to meet you all there soon. read more

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Da Westy is a great unpretentious bar with a wide beer selection and selection of drinks, cool historical tables, outdoor seating, awesome graffiti street art murals, MMA trained bouncers who are really cool people, makes me feel safe, outdoor brick oven pizza, they're cool if you order in from anywhere like go get some pho from Saigon next-door and a beer like a Genny cream ale. Ample seating. It's like the scene where you don't want to make a scene and just relax and have a beer with friends, coworker, etc. service was always fast and friendly and times were always good and memorable. Look for the Beer bike rack. read more

The Westy gets it. Pool table? Check. Darts? Check. A lineup of drinks that make you rethink your usual order? Also check. Tried the Hunch Punch and Old Man Ale, and honestly, both were dangerously good. The kind of drinks that make you linger a little longer than planned. No attitude from the staff, just a solid vibe. The only tragedy? The outdoor area looks amazing, but winter exists, so I had to admire it before walking in like a Victorian child longing for summer. Would I come back? Absolutely. Just need to practice looking cool at pool more. read more

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I had an absolutely horrible experience at The Westy and want to warn others about their unprofessional, aggressive, and discriminatory behavior. From the moment I walked in, I was ignored by the bartender, Pearl, while others around me were being served. When I politely asked if I could order a drink, I was finally acknowledged, but when I requested a specific drink, rather than simply saying they didn't have it, the bartender rudely cursed at me, saying, "Why the f** would I make a drink like that? Order something off the menu."* Shocked by such an unprofessional response, I remained calm and respectful, yet the situation escalated further. The bartender threatened to call the police on me for no reason--simply because I requested a drink. Then, without cause, the bouncer Eric aggressively grabbed me, thrashing me around and refusing to let go, even though I repeatedly and calmly told him to release me. Despite being completely non-confrontational and not being violent back, he continued to manhandle me in a way that was completely unnecessary and unacceptable. He was so aggressive that he broke one of my nails and injured my wrist. It was obvious that I was being targeted and mistreated because I am a Hispanic woman--if I had been a man or accompanied by one, I highly doubt I would have been treated this way. After filing a police report, I was informed by law enforcement that this establishment already has a bad reputation for being discriminatory. This speaks volumes about how they operate and how little they care about treating people with basic dignity and respect. This was an obvious case of discrimination and assault, and I will be pursuing legal action. I strongly urge anyone--especially women and minorities--to avoid this place at all costs. No one deserves to be treated this way. read more

Always a great time! Nice outdoor area with picnic tables in the warmer months. Pool table and darts; delicious cocktails. Staff is professional and knowledgeable. read more

"The Westy"--- This place should really be called the "disgusting". Jack Daniels served with a side of racism. Bartender, "Matty" was rude and combative when I attempted to order my first drink as I had taken a phone call. After mocking me in front of the entire bar (and making disparaging comments that he is not an animal) he served me a drink. On my second drink, he asked where I was from and then made offensive comments regarding my place of origin. Full of concern, I quickly paid my tab and left. Steer clear of this dump. read more

I came here on a Friday night, and it was not that crowded, and the atmosphere was chill and not too loud that my friends and I could easily hold a conversation. There was a good variety in draft beer, as well as free popcorn and a pool table. Although I really liked the ambience and the drinks, the general cleanliness could be improved; the table I was at had popcorn and drink spillage on it that was never cleaned before we sat down. read more

The Westy - Beer Gardens Near Me - Ithaca, New York

This has become our go-to spot for a drink before shows when we visit Ithaca. It's quiet, has a great patio, and solid drink selection. Dan and I love it because it's usually not too crowded when we're there, the music is good, the patio has good shade, and it's an all around chill spot. He loves that they have Glutenberg IPA (so he can get his GF beer) and I like their wine selection. Lately beer has not been working for me so despite their great tap selection, I went for a chenin blanc. They also had a few local FLX wines available. All for reasonable prices too! Inside it's comfortable, not too big, and free popcorn. We always head right outside. The patio runs alongside the bar, has picnic tables and round tables for group seating, plus a food truck in back with a decent selection of bar food. There are murals that line the wall and remind me of Nickelodeon's Ahh Real Monsters. It's a bar so no kids allowed. A great adults-only, relaxing spot to have a few drinks before making your way to a show or dinner. read more

Everyone was incredibly rude, don't come here in case you want to be yelled at. They never take your order and are always mad when they do, do not recommend. read more

I wish you could give 0 stars on a yelp review. We have been coming to the Westy for over a year now and never had any problems but tonight when we tried to enter the bouncer was so rude. He would not let me friend with an international ID into the bar even though he has been there multiple times before. He then proceeded to start yelling at us when we tried to explain we had been there before and we are all over 25 because we are in grad school. He would not listen at all and was so rude and racist. He said that "he cares too much about the business" to let us in but little does he realize that racist and discriminatory businesses run out of business. We will never come back to this place which is unfortunate cause it was a favorite for a while. Do better. read more

Best bar in Tompkins county. They'll poor you and beer and a shot and isn't that all that lives about!? Sitting with your buddies trying to forget the atrocities they your ex-girlfriend Stacey did to you! While your friends tell you how awful she was but none of them would say it to you while you were dating her! Anyways there's a guy named Jimbo and a guy named snake that work there which makes you feel both safe and scared the whole time. Bring back corn hole. Ps. They have they're own food truck Ps ps. They have the best pizza right around the corner. Ps ps ps. They have an awesome Vietnamese and place around the corner as well. Pspspspspspspsps. I like it there. Pspspspspspspspspspspspspsppsspsspspspspspspspsppspspss...... drinks are like wicked cheap read more

Great bar in downtown Ithaca, within drunk stumble distance of our Super 8 motel. We came here with our local college buddy and this was a major change from the bar experience I recall in my college days. With Chapter House gone, this looks like the place to be if you enjoy chill bars with a fine selection of erudite beers. The outside area is ample and comfortable, encouraging lingering and conversations. The vibe seemed more hipster than Ithaca hippie, but there were plenty of regular folk, too. read more

Da Westy is kinda like a speakeasy.....which of course I love! It's located behind what used to be Tuff Soul and you have to enter through the gate alongside the building to get to the side door out back which leads you to the actual bar.....got it?! Anyway, I get the impression that the owner is a beer lover because they have a great variety of excellent beers on tap as well as in bottles. They also offer wine and just recently (to my knowledge anyway) began making a handful of signature cocktails.....which I also love! My favorite drink of theirs these days is a lemonade drink made with a double shot of Stoli Blueberry....YUM! Okay, so now that you've got your drinks go out the back door (not the side door you came in) into the beer garden which is the third thing about Da Westy that I love! During the warmer months, this is the absolute best place to be in Ithaca (other than in or near the lake.) The beer garden consists of multiple colorful picnic table set on top of crushed gravel in a large courtyard surrounded by a tall wooden fence with a small stage in the corner. There are corn hole tables to test your drunken skills and live music to keep things festive. On certain days Stan & Dave Backyard BBQ serves up incredible world street food to help soak up the booze in your belly. So yeah, Da Westy rocks and you should definitely seek it out! read more

The Westy is what I would call the ideal 20-something, casual, easy-going almost-hipster bar. It's a great place to hang out at on a Friday or Saturday night, or to stop in for an easy drink at some other time. I've started coming here for a light, On the weekends, its full of life after 9:00 or so. Their aesthetic reminds me of a hipster bar with a major emphasis on older music and movies as well as on local beer from all over the country. They have a sizable variety of craft and local beers on tap and in cans and bottles. I tried a few, but would recommend most highly the Ithaca Beer Company Green Trail IPA they always seem to have, as well as the Carmel Sea Salt porter. Top notch beers at a price that won't kill you- $4-5 dollars a pop, far less expensive than other places you'll go downtown. They do have cocktails, but I wouldn't really call this a cocktail bar-- it's more of an sports bar-type but, you know, minus the sports. I suppose there isn't anything incredibly special here, but they simply do an outstanding job of creating a place where customers receive a straightforward, unhurried and relaxed atmosphere. It's a bit of a walk from the Commons (about 10 minutes or so), but well worth it for the lively but not overpowering atmosphere. This is a place where you go to stand at a table and chat with friends, to play pool or darts, or to meet up with coworkers. They have free popcorn! read more

Everything about Da Westy feels a little secretive--in a good way. It's definitely one of Ithaca's hidden gems. You have to enter through a gate off to the side, then climb up the building's back steps to get into the bar. It almost feels like you're sneaking into someone's apartment to grab a bev. The interior is large and has plenty of seating, the bartenders are very friendly, and there are games (Jenga! darts!) if you want to play with your friends. They offer a good selection of beer, but I usually end up with one of their signature drinks. I don't know what it is about drinking out of a mason jar, but it just tickles me pink. Their mojito is my favorite, but they also offer a great wine deal every night of the week: two bottles for only $25. Note that the bar only accepts cash--slightly annoying--but there is an ATM just in case you need it. The large courtyard in back is perhaps my favorite part of Da Westy (because who doesn't love drinking outside?). It has a ton of picnic tables, which on a warm April night like last night was an awesome place to just chill out for a while under the stars. (But in case you wanted to bring your furry friend along too, dogs are unfortunately not allowed in the courtyard area.) read more

I gotta be be brief here: A bar with an Alley entrance is usually a Gem. Also: Went on a Sunday Night recently, pleased to find $3 drafts and an excellent beer selection. The wooden, rustic interior is great. There were board games readily available and we had a couple great games of jenga. Will definitly be back. read more

Da Westy does so many things right like offering a selection of beers at reasonable prices in a great environment. I go here at least once a week and is becoming my regular go to spot! There are a few tweaks they could do to improve though. Let me start with the beers. Westy usually has about 12 drafts at any one time. Most of the drafts are pretty good, don't expect anything exceptional. It can be a tad on the pricy side normally, but I go on Wednesday and Sundays when drafts are only $3. This is the best drink special in all of Ithaca. Its nice to find out that someone actually gets what a good drink special is, not the normal, borderline insulting, specials at other places like 50c off. WOW, thanks! For a place that describes itself as a beer bar, I wish they would offer a bottle selection of really great beers. Unfortunately, they use their coolers for storing glassware. SELL US BEER! The mason jar doubles are a bit disappointing and weak, though. The bartenders here are great, no matter which who is on for the night. They get that a bartender is supposed to be pleasant, engage in conversation with patrons, and most of all, provide fast and satisfying service. The bartenders here really make Da Westy special and make it feel like a local bar that gets to know its regulars. The space is wide open and relaxing. It's just a great layout. The best thing I love about Da Westy is that the music is never so loud that you can't talk to people at your table, especially when engaged in any of the board games they offer. I'm a Jenga master! I will say this, the dart board here sucks. The darts stick to the dart board about as well as they do to the brick walls around it. Plus, the darts are way too light, almost like kiddie darts. I am excited to check out the outside seating now that the weather is getting warmer. Da Westy is a bar that speaks my language and its a big reason why I'm a regular here. I highly recommend giving this place a shot. It's hard to be disappointed! read more

Pros: I love the atmosphere. The outdoor seating area is awesome during the spring through fall. Corn hole is also an awesome game to play while tipsy (which they have outside). They at one time had a great deal on two bottles of wine and their beers are reasonably priced for Ithaca. They also have menus here for a restaurant a few doors down, Saigon Kitchen, Ithaca's best Vietnamese restaurant, which is fantastic addition to the bar. Cons: the service is incredibly slow because it's cash only, meaning you can't start a tab and on top of this they measure their shots for mixed drinks (instead of eyeballing). Definitely the slowest place in Ithaca for the employee to customer ratio. The mixed drinks are not that good here (although I did enjoy a sidecar once) and their "mason jar doubles" are not doubles. A double is 3oz and I am absolutely confident that they aren't pouring that much alcohol in those drinks. I suspect they are pouring UK sized doubles which is about 1.1 -1.6 times the American single. read more

Da Westy has an awesome relaxed vibe and has really helped the west end become the place to be for happy hour or some live music. They've got a good and ever-changing selection of beers on tap, including local and regional offerings (always some Ithaca Beer) and great seasonals. The wine selection isn't quite as broad, but the price can't be beat: it's always $25 for two bottles. (Bring a few friends.) The setup here is a little odd; the "front door" is in an alley and up a half flight of stairs behind a big iron gate; the front of the building shows no sign there's a bar here. (Mobility-impaired customers will be pleased to see the elevator, which can take them from ground level up to the bar or down to the refurbished basement restrooms.) But the real advantage of the setup, especially in good weather, is the big courtyard with picnic tables and, some nights, a food vendor or two. (The bar doesn't have its own food service.) The options in recent weeks have included locavore tacos from The Good Truck, freshly made cheesesteaks, and Ofeo, the latest incarnation of creative local food from Sebastian Villa of Xeo's Cafe and Mexeo fame. Swing by your ATM of choice to get some greenbacks before you head to Da Westy: they're a cash-only bar. Yes, this is getting odder and odder in a plastic age, but small merchants lose a lot of their profit margin when they let customers charge one or two drinks. If you show up without cash, they have an ATM, but be prepared to pay a fee to the ATM company and your own bank for the privilege. Last but not least, Da Westy is a nice place for a couple of sets of live tunes from one of Ithaca's improbably great range of musical talent. It might be someone you've heard of, or your neighbor from down the street, or a CD release for a popular act, or someone new. Don't forget to toss a few bucks in the tip jar. That's how most musicians get paid. read more

Great place! So many great people working there, super (simple) drinks and tasty beers. Oh and as a bonus if you come in with cash, you aren't subsidizing those people who want to use their Bank of America or AMEX cards everywhere. Use cash--keep it local. Thanks Da Westy, we like not paying higher prices to cover numerous credit card fees. They add up quickly! In the warm weather it's corn hole or enjoying the outdoors. In the summer you can even pick up your Plowbreak Farms CSA/farmshare on Thursday eve! read more

Updating my prior review- they do now accept cards! There have been several great updates in the past several months - a pool table, popcorn, better drink specials and cocktails. Their outdoor seating, the weekly CSA, and BBQ offerings have really upped their standings in my book! read more

Da Westy is a bit of a Janus-faced institution. In warmer months, its vast outdoor seating area makes it the go-to bar in Ithaca - the closest this town gets to having a proper German biergarten. This is where you want to be to drink under the stars (to the extent they're visible) and bring large groups of friends. The bar's small interior, though, isn't really anything special, and the hike from anywhere else in Ithaca is hardly worth it when the outdoor space isn't hospitable - which, being Upstate New York, is most of the year. It still gets points for being less hot, sticky, and crowded than other local bars during this time of year - I'm looking at you, Chapter House - but, for a bar specializing in beer, its selection doesn't quite match that of the pub uphill (nor does it have its free popcorn). (UPDATE as of 2017: Well, Chapter House being gone does make this a somewhat more attractive option, relatively speaking, and the beer selection seems to have improved somewhat. But other spots have opened up and the Westy's strength is still its backyard in the warmer months.) read more

The classic grad student bar in Ithaca, with a good beer selection and a huge outdoor seating area when the weather is nice. Probably the nicest traditional pub in Ithaca, yet I just find there's something so generic about The Westy that I'm usually not super excited to go here. If you just want a decent bar that's like any other decent bar in any other town, this is the place for you, but if you're looking for something with a little bit of character, go elsewhere. read more

I stopped in here on a Wednesday night after waiting many weeks to find someone who would venture over with me from Cornell. I have a feeling the owners and regulars don't want many Cornell students (undergrads at least) infiltrating to keep its authentic and casual feel, which I can appreciate: we are not always the most considerate guests. But The Westy's distance away from the commons or major bus stops, as well as its shady/dark-at-night location pretty far down on MLK/State does a good job making sure only the dedicated few will come. $3 draught beers on certain nights are an amazing incentive, and the waitstaff is super cordial. I loved the huge outdoor patio filled with picnic tables, and the string lights and creeping ivy everywhere makes for a really cozy, old-fashioned outdoor space. I came with just one other person, which given the other reviews may be a good strategy on busy weekends, but on a week night it seems best to come with a group. The staff should totally consider doing some Oktoberfestivities this month - you have the tables and space to do it! Everyone should come to the Westy - as the Commons become more popular with students, I think this type of bar will be very much appreciated as a breath of fresh air as compared to the more convenient stumble-in "bars" in Collegetown. read more

First bar I have found in the area that finally speaks to me. It offers a great selection on beer, free popcorn, and has outdoor seating. Although it is not right on the commons, I think that this is what makes the bar so great. You can escape the busier atmosphere of the commons and sit quietly outside and relax. It also has a great happy hour with $2 off draft beers from 4-6, and a $1 off anything from 6-7. read more

It's never five o'clock here! I've been coming here for a few years, since it opened when they had wooden booths, etc. I enjoyed the beer selections ,the outdoor seating, mellow vibe and occasional live music. Then I switched to cocktails. The "mason jar doubles", though refreshing, were absurdly ice-laden, very low liquor ratio. I once asked for less ice and was told "well, you're not getting more liquor if I put in less ice!" - noooiiice. Then the price on those went up and the size of the mason jar glasses shrunk overnight. So I switched to wine but discovered the selection is limited to one or two each of white and red, and wtf: NON-local. Then I got a skunky glass...Wait, you tend bar in finger lakes...sniff the bottle before you serve? Got sick of the bartenders and the ever-annoying college crowd. It should be a great neighborhood bar, but it's just got too many demerits to be one of my favorites. read more

Nah not worth it - unclean unfriendly. We had to clean a table for ourselves. Friends had a baby but since the baby wasn't 21 it couldn't come in...... read more

I didn't even know it was called "Da Westy" so maybe that's not a great place to start-- where did the "Da" come from exactly? Anyway, this place is awesome. Probably one of the best bars in Ithaca as far as I'm concerned, particularly on a warm summer night. The courtyard in the back is tucked away from the world and it almost doesn't even feel like you're in Ithaca,which is awesome. The food truck is also not to be missed. They have a great selection of beers on tap, but my favorite part is the 2 for $25 wine selection, which as far as I'm concerned is an awesome deal. Plus if you run out of conversation, you can always play a little Jenga or Apples to Apples! My only issue, they don't take credit cards. Otherwise, love this place!! read more

I love this place! Their craft beer selection is very impressive and their prices are unmatched in Ithaca. That said, I had been anxiously anticipating their $10 pitcher night on Thursday, only to show up and learn they were not honoring this special despite still having it written on the chalk board. Disappointing. 3 stars. Could have been a solid 4. read more

The Westy is one of those lovely places where you can forget life a little bit. Look for a red gate and a sandwich sign and enter a nice place away from the road with a beautiful backyard and great tap list (especially for a town like Ithaca). Food three times a week, live music on the weekends, and great music from the bartenders! This is the only bar I've been to in town where I feel like my playlist is being played from my ipod. It's a place where you can be quiet and read, go to study, or go with a group of friends, grab a pitcher and play cornhole. They've recently done some interior changes so that there's more room to stand inside, which is great! This is definitely a bar that respects craft beers (the most mainstream beers they have are PBR and Guinness), but they have good wine bottle specials and solid mixed drink prices. The liquor selection leaves something to be desired if you aren't a fan of whiskey, but the quality of what they do have to offer is satisfactory. The wintertime there is much different than the summer, but it's still a nice place to go. If you miss Korova, this is where you should go! read more

In my book Da Westy is the place you go if you can't get in anywhere else... This place could be greatly improved by adding some lighting in the back outdoor area. It's summer now and most people want to be outside but at this place you will be sitting in such darkness it's hard to see even across the table. They have a few games like corn hole in the back but again it makes it a little tough due to the need to see. read more

Really enjoyed The Westy.....great beers and a nice cocktail on special that my wife loved. Bartender was very nice and accommodating, and helped us plan other stops on our trip. read more

A fun bar to hang out in. Usually not too loud, and the staff is always friendly. The bar is cash only (there's an ATM, so if you're the one with the fee free ATM card, expect to leave with a debt ledger for your friends at the end of the night). A rotating $3 beer special every night, and on Weds. and Sun. $3 for all drafts. They have wine and mixed drinks as well, but I usually stick to the beer. Did I mention the free addicting Chex mix? read more

Really fun atmosphere, doesn't feel like you're in Ithaca, which we find to be a plus. Not to knock Ithaca, but the bar scene is pretty minimal here. The outdoor seating in the back is open and inviting, with large communal picnic tables and a taco truck! Reminds me a lot of a bar I went to in Brooklyn a couple weeks ago, same idea, picnic tables and taco truck. Have to say, it;s a really good combination...who doesn't want a little taco pick me up after a few drinks? Also, it reminds me of home, I recently moved here from Los Angeles and have a serious taco deficiency. Tried the steak taco, it was really good. Cash only bar. Really friendly staff. Also, it's right next to Atomic Lounge which has amazing cocktails, perfect for a night of bar hopping fun. read more

Good beer selection and prices for a bar. Laid back atmosphere (although I went here during summer when school isn't in session). Great bar. read more

Great place to hang out, especially if the weather is nice, way more outdoor space than indoors. Cash only, but they have an atm. Nice staff, good selection of local beer, clean bathroom (the ladies is anyway). Hoping they bring in a hot truck again this summer. Perfect happy hour on a Friday place. read more

Favorite bar in Ithaca. Grad student & local hangout spot. Friendly bartenders, a popcorn machine I love so much I'd like to tattoo it onto my arm, pinball, and a great back patio for when it's warm. Just the house G&Ts are delicious & strong. Am not much of a beer drinker but they have a bunch of beers on tap. GLUTEN FREE beers for my partner with Celiac disease! Order food from Saigon Kitchen next door & eat it at the bar (but please be kind & clean up!!) - that's what we always do. It's the best. Thank you da Westy you are great. Never change. read more

Glad to have discovered this great little neighborhood place with excellent live music and great beer/wines.

The Westy has a rustic charm to it; its not fancy, but it's not a dive bar, exactly. They are under new management now, so a few changes have taken place since its early days. They do now accept credit cards. Sadly, they no longer have the 2-for-$25 bottles of wine, which were great for a crowd of friends on a summer evening. Speaking of summer evenings, The Westy is the place to go for a drink or two al fresco. Wooden picnic tables (some with umbrellas) line the west side of the alley and the back garden. They now have a popcorn machine. And, you can get take-out from Miss Saigon next door. I am not a beer drinker, so I can't speak to that, though it appears that they have a fairly wide selection. The wine selection is limited to the three or four they have at the moment - I don't think they sell bottles anymore. I have tried their cocktails and with one or two exceptions, they are far too sweet and unpalatable. They do make a good mojito, though. Overall, a casual place to meet up with friends for a drink that won't break the bank, especially in the summertime when you can sit outside. read more

Best bar in Ithaca. Free popcorn, friendly people, not bad prices, and unpretentious.