Although most of the attention for the venue has shifted to the food being served in the back at Luskus, Tørst is still the hottest place to get beer in New York. Their crazy draught rig, and their access to the kooky Evil Twin beers (through its owner and Tørst partner Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø), are just the beginning- have a look at the extensive list of rare European bottles, and order a way-better-than-average charcuterie plate. Catch them early on weekday afternoons before they’re mobbed.

The original Pony Bar on 45th St. (at 10th Ave) has been one of the city’s go to dispensers of real craft beer since 2009, and pioneered the online and live-updating beer list (and later an app). The premise was simple, all beers are $5, American, and poured from draft or cask, with the exception of Bud and Bud Light bottles, which no one ever drank. The All American Club, for which you have to taste and rate 100 beers, and its coveted polo shirts are a mark of true NYC beer-geekery. Cloning the place on 75th St. between First and York last year was a bit of a coup for the neighborhood — be sure not to miss happy hour, which is only a single hour, starting at 4:20 p.m.

Sister to the excellent Crescent & Vine, the beer menu Dan Bronson has put together for the smoked-meats and beer hall only works with breweries from within 200 miles. Singlecut, also in Astoria, brews a custom beer for them, and unlike a lot of hot beer bars, you can actually get pitchers at The Strand. Both the meat and beer are reasonably priced, but stay away if you want fancy glassware- mostly beer is served in a Mason jar.