Burp Castle
- Nearest Transit:
Astor Place (6)
8th St-Broadway (R, W)
2nd Ave-Houston St (F, V)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Fri 5:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Sat 4:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Sun 4:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Best Nights: Mon, Wed, Sun
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
95 Reviews for Burp Castle
Despite the cringe-inducing name, Burp Castle gets the highest marks for its uniqueness, crowd, and beer selection. An ever-changing lineup of heady European brews lays the foundation for what is a truly eccentric bar and social scene. But it's a friendly eccentric, one which encapsulates the charm and quirkiness of this particular block in the East Village, which is equipped with several of the best bars in lower Manhattan. The outdoor patio, though small, is the place to be on temperate evenings. But being outside, you will miss the opportunity to analyze the mesmerizing mural covering the walls inside. Stay long enough to enjoy both.
I'm not a huge fan of Belgian brews, but I am a huge fan of monk costumes and signs directing you to "whisper only." Good times! See my photo.
I'm probably not enough of a beer connoisseur to appreciate the imports they have on tap here. I was expecting the craziest murals ever but with the dark lightning and super subdued atmosphere (6:30 on a Thursday) I was hoping for more.
What I liked was they had these tiny glasses they'd fill to let you sample a beer before getting the full thing. That was great and let me avoid some of the brews I wouldn't have enjoyed.
They serve the beers in these oblong glasses with a large sphere at the bottom. There is a proper name to these things but I don't feel like going on Wiki. These glasses will be held in place via an L-shaped wooden glass stand. Now that's cool.
If I had a greater love for these Belgium beers then I imagine I would've loved this place. It was enjoyable, though. The alcohol content in these beers is far greater than say, Coors Light. I know this because I missed my train stop on the way home.
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Like a quieter, homier version of a bar that doubles as someone's living room and 3-season porch, Burp Castle came to the rescue after a busy day wandering through the weekend tourist hordes. Three things that rule about the beers here: 1) there aren't so many on tap that it's a dizzying array, 2) they seem to have a great variety and 3) it's not as freaking loud as the bars we wound through later that evening. Cheers!
Great selection of Belgian beers of course, but the day I went, the person opening up was 20 minutes late.
And if you're going through the trouble of having some sort of authentic Belgian bar spot, then at least serve the beers in the right glasses, or maybe have some nice cheeses to go along with them. Or perhaps some chairs outside that are not ready to fall apart.
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Talking bar... nice. Great belgians on tap... beer that is. Not people, that would be sick.
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I can't tell you how much I love this place. Plenty of imports on tap, a bartender who shushes the crowd when it gets too rowdy. What more can you ask for? In the winter, if you're lucky, you can sit outside on the "patio", usually alone, because it's freezing. This is the only bar I can stay awake at. Once, I paid something like $25 for a tab that should have been well over $100 (which included, among many other things, an entire bottle of Kwak). Left a huge tip.
No, I'm not turning up the music, or changing it to what you remember from ten years ago. The monks didn't go anywhere, because those dudes weren't monks. It's Manhattan, things change. Be happy about the things that have endured, like the beer. It's delicious. Let me tell you about it; we'll find the one you've been looking for.
I've tended to this bar for three years now, and I know what the regulars want. They get it. We shush so you can hear each-other, or hear yourself think. You nerds, scientists, artists, writers, engineers, lovers, foodies, drinkers, sweet-talking pretty things, makers, doers, thinkers, you all have so much to say to each other. You're not angry- so you shouldn't have to yell. This is a quiet neighborhood bar.
Yelling would make your throat sore, and then the beer wouldn't taste its best. We bring in the best beer that can be found, for you, stranger. Beer is best paired with good conversation, is best paired with people who can appreciate it. You, come by sometime.
Are you thirsty? Try this. It's perfect. The people here are marvelous. The beer is poured without haste, with great satisfaction. The murals are all the conversation starter you'll ever need. The tap will change when the keg is kicked, so come soon, while everything is exactly like it is. Perfect.
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The Burp Castle is awesome. It's a serious beer drinkers bar, but still pretty laid back and casual. Wittebeer, Peach beer, delirium tremens, chocolate stout- they are all here. Had some fun conversation with the patrons and bartender, particularly about the outstanding murals on the walls, depicting Belgian Beer monks in various situations. Apparently they're being circumsized by sharks, being blessed by Jesus on their way to meeting Pete's Dragon at a massive beer orgy in America. If that's not 5 stars than I don't know what is.
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The beers--or rather their prices--are overripe, even if this abbey is a piece of East Village solace. I'll try it again, but beyond the colourful, fast-talking and witty staff, there was nothing doing there last night.
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I like this place. The shhh-ing could be annoying. But it's fun and definitely fun to take your friends who don't go to cool bars. It seems in my experience, a dollar more expensive than other places (can anyone else confirm this?) but it's still worth going to. Good wall decor, cosy, and the other patrons are generally friendly. Worth visiting. I'd give this place a 4 but I'd rather go a dollar less for Christoffel Blonde at Jimmy's (one of the beers I've seen for a dollar more at Burp). But, you really should go to this place 'cuz it's probably more fun than Jimmy's or some of the other beer places 'cuz it's got its own quirks.
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Good beer choice, and they even brought in some Belgian Frites to spice things up, but, I got a bit of a shock when the bill arrived, and, I'm no brew cheapskate. I know how much Belgians can be. The place is a little small, and the, uh, "buzz", is pretty low key. I was only there once, but it was the weekend and the vibe was sorta like being at the local, small town, general store, that also happens to sell beer on tap. Need an example? The bartender wasn't the only one reading a book.
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I want to live on 7th St.! Hallelujah! Halle...halle...hallelujah. I love 7th St. and now I love it even more because of Burp Castle!
Clearly, I've lived under a rock. Clearly, I'm not paying attention 99.99% of the time I stagger past to go to or come from McSorley's for the umpteen thousandth time. BECAUSE I've only recently experienced the loveliness of this crazy place.
The beer selection is crazy, as in "I'm all giddy inside because of the possibilities". The prices are equally crazy, as in "I'll have 2 beers here before I go bust", but who cares about poverty when excellent new beer is involved. And you gotta love the murals depicting monks in compromising situations; mischievous and hilarious.
Only cons, the stools are really uncomfortable and kinda wobbly and it appears that they run out of stuff frequently. However, none of that matters to me, you drink enough and you can't feel your butt anymore and if they run out of something, that gives you the chance to try something else!!
I'll be back. I'll be the drunk brunette in the corner trying to figure out how to move-in to the basement.
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Burp Castle is very cool, very mellow. It's probably for the best that I don't live somewhere in the immediate vicinity, otherwise I'd find myself living here whenever I didn't have something else to do.
I like the large amounts wood present. The frescoed walls depicting a somewhat hectic monastic experience give a pleasant visual appeal and an occasional distraction when you let your eyes wander. Perhaps there is a message to be found about our strained relationship between accomplishing the Lord's work and beer. The bartender was very pleasant and very cool. Seating is somewhat limited but even on a Friday night, there was space available with perhaps ten seats around the bar and a variety of different table sizes.
As others have said, there is a "shushing" practice. It's probably more effective on a day and time other than Friday night but even then, it manages to keep things to a dull roar. As such, it's easier to carry on a conversation, read a book, and not lose one's voice trying to communicate. It also tends to create a more subdued environment in general, which can be nice sometimes. I don't find this to be gimmicky or pretentious at all. Rather, it's a pleasant way to enforce a certain amount of decorum and create a certain sort of environment that is a big part of what makes visiting Burp Castle so pleasant. Granted, some of the patrons are gimmicky and pretentious themselves, especially when trying to ironically employ the shushing when there's no real need for it. To the ironic shushers of the world: We get it, and we don't care. STFU and GTFO.
Neither do I find the use of brewery matched glasses for the beer to be pretentious or overdone. To the contrary, this is standard operating procedure at bars and restaurants such as this, particularly in beer-rich regions of the world (erm, like Belgium). I quite like it myself, for two reasons. First, it means that your beer is usually being served in a glass suitable to the variety of brew that you're enjoying. Some beers are more aromatic and best served in a wider, shorter glass. Other beers, like Pilsners, are best served in high Pilsner style glasses. Second, especially at places that offer a variety of beers, it's nice to be able to see what others are drinking, perhaps for a little inspiration.
This brings us to the most important aspect of any beer-centric bar: the beer. Burp Castle has a decent draught selection, with nine beers on tap. They have half a dozen or so Belgian ales and a couple strong American and German offerings as well. I believe the selection rotates, probably in accordance with the church calendar. They also have a massive selection of bottled beers, many of which are top notch. In particular, they have a significant list of lambics, for people who prefer or want to try to sweeter, less bitter, occasionally sugar or fruit syrup enhanced varieties.
Belgian beer, particularly from the smaller monasteries and breweries, is somewhat more expensive than most other beers. On the other hand, it's some of the best in the world. Most Belgian beers have a unique crispness to them and in my experience, seem to retain a little more carbonation than other offerings. If you're not familiar with the wide world of beer, Belgians in particular, the bartender can certainly help you out in identifying the right brew for you.
A final note on the patronage. A wide variety of people and age groups can be found at Burp. There are interesting people to meet, and they're doing interesting things. Usually. That said, if there is any pretentiousness or contrivance at Burp Castle, it's in a subset of the clientele. Overheard at Burp Castle: "No really, I'm not a hipster. My grandfather wears argyle. It's not pretentious at all." That was said by a wannabe hipster, laboring over a carefully selected Belgian beer, wearing a newsboy cap and an argyle sweater. I say wannabe because he wasn't ironic (well, not intentionally so), apathetic, or disaffected enough to actually be a hipster. Yet.
Visit the Burp Castle, partake in their communion, and let the Lord's work be done. Perhaps you are a heathen: one of the wayward souls in this world who thinks "Name Brand Light" when beer is mentioned. I encourage you to seek the counsel of the brothers and sisters at the Burp Castle abbey. Let them perform their ministrations, counsel you in the ways of beer, and perhaps you too will consider conversion. I'll see you at the altar.
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I think burp castle is one of the better places to pop into, and has one of my three favorite restaurant murals, this one depicting monks in a variety of different lifethreatening situations. including sharks! and tits!
also, they shush you if you talk loud, its kinda their thing. this place has been around for a while, and only have 8 or 9 beers but they're all good. and it never gets too too crowded. once, however, after going here and being shushed for two hours, ryan gave me a black eye.
The beers are expensive, the patrons are nerdy, and you can't talk above a murmur. Yet Beer Castle is the best, thanks to incredible tasting beers (coming from a girl who usually opts for the cheapest boxed wine available). It's also very nice how they let you sample the pricey beers before you try them, so the untrained beer drinker always is assured they like what they're about to order. There's also the perfect ambiance for someone who doesn't want to go to a "bar," thanks to the smutty Ren-fair tapestries, the friendly and super-knowledgeable girl who's always working, the unintimidating vibe, and the occasional free pomme frites and cheeses.
This bar is awesome. One of my favorites anywhere, especially in NY. I drank all night for very cheap. The selection of beers was astounding. I really prefer drinking draught so this was right up my alley. Their smoked lent beer was interested. I'm glad I was allowed a taste without having to order it. If you haven't tried it - it tastes like bacon. No... you don't understand. It is like drinking pureed bacon (albeit more watery than pureed bacon would probably be.) Bacon is great, and I enjoyed a sip, but I don't think finishing an entire glass realistically a good idea. Unless you are already drunk. In which case you should probably go actually eat instead of ordering more.
Enough rambling. The booze aside, the bartender of the evening was smart, witty, fun, and attentive. Big bonus points for that. The only thing I really didn't appreciate was all the shushing. Cute kitsch, really, but it happens too often and just gets annoying. Yeah, yeah, I know its to respect the "monks" in the monastery. Let's be honest though, the only praying that is likely to happen in this bar is to a porcelain god and at that point I don't think anyone cares about the volume. Strangely, despite the constant silencing of conversations, I still found it difficult to hear what people were saying when not shushed. Go figure...
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The BF and I learned of this place from none other than Zane Lamprey, and were pretty excited to check it out. The beers, though expensive, were what you would expect to pay for said beers (i.e., $7 for a chocolate stout), and not just an arbitrary markup.
If you speak too loudly, you get "shushed" - this is not only a charming feature, but it also enables you to speak to those in your party without waking up hoarse the next morning. It's small, and therefore makes it a great meetup place for a drink after dinner, or before a Yankee game (!). Plus, it's in the East Village, which has become a recent favorite of mine ...
I'm biased: my friends bartend here. But then again, I am friends with home brewers and beer snobs who can tell you the exact practices of any and every Trappist brewery, so I'm sure I would end up here somehow. The selection is pretty amazing. If you're not terribly enthralled by anything on tap, take a gander at the extensive cellar list. Spirits are not served here. No one gets wildly drunk (not that often, anyway). Yes, they shush you. It's quite civil. Sometimes you just want to read a book and sip a Kwak. You can do that here. And if you're looking for something rowdier just go to Standing's next door. They share the same cellar.
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After a bitter, nasty, painful break up, the 'Castle was the place I found myself face to face with my former paramour for the first time since our undoing.
Thanks to a few healthy glasses of Delirium Tremens and the reassurance and hand-holding of a mutual friend who showed up early to meet me, I didn't end up pouring beer in the ex's lap, and I had just enough liquid courage to make it though the following dinner.
That gorgeous mess aside, I really enjoyed the space (high cafe tables and stools, though the rest of the decor is trying a bit too hard to be broody) and found the shushing to be a relatively endearing gimmick.
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Would've given it five stars, but I don't think the brew monks would appreciate the paintings of naked chicks on the wall. It's also funny that they "shush" you for talking too loud while the subjects in the paintings appear to be engaging in activities that would not foster an environment for whispering.
The "shushing" and the beer-specific glasses probably comes off as a little pretentious and snobby, but what can I say, I'm a secret fan of pretentious and snobby.
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I really liked Burp Castle. The beer selection was really great, though pricier than my Boston-based wallet was used to, and I enjoyed the shushing thing. If nothing else, it allowed me to not have to scream everything I wanted to say to my friends, or strain to hear them, which was a nice change of pace. Also, the bartender was really cool and friendly. And you really can't beat the bizarre mural along the walls, which included a monk being eaten by a shark, and a dragon.
The place smelled like a warm beer fart, but in spite of that I really enjoyed it. It's pretty weird to go to a place where there is no music. I liked it way more than I thought I would. It was so nice to have an actual conversation with the group I was with.
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This amazing Beligian beer bar always has new imported choices and the cozy, monastery-like atmosphere makes it stand out from other bars. Another defining characteristic is the fact that the bartender may or may not be wearing monks' robes while he shushes you for talking above a reasonable volume. This place makes you want to taste some quality brewed beverages, curl up next to the wooden panels and monk mosaics on the wall and read a good book - not that I've actually done there, but I'd like to. Oh, and sometimes they play Gregorian or some other type of chants - money.
An awesome place to go chill with your friends, in a close, and intimate atmosphere, with a bunch of other people whom like you also actually want to be there. Ask before you try a beer, the bartenders are really nice and will help you pick one you;d like. Also if you happen to go during the week when its quieter, take some time to talk to them because they are some pretty cool people.
This place also feeds into the submissive in all of us, as you get the novelty of being told to shoosh! every now and then.
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I think my expectations for this bar were a little Yelp-inflated.
I will admit, I'm not really not big on bars. From the Yelp reviews, I was expecting it to be very quiet, and have a few more tables! It was quite loud, and my boyfriend and I had to sit outside (which was kinda nice, but got a little chilly, being January and all). But it was overall pretty cozy, the bartender was super nice, and they have a great selection. I had whatever lambic they were serving, and an Allagash white. Overall, I would certainly recommend this bar.
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You know. I don't mean to be judgemental or anything. But if you don't like Burp Castle, I really think you are a loser. And your momma's probably ugly too. I'm just saying...you know.
Goofy murals aside, I really love the dark wood that is throughout the place. Just gives a nice vibe to everything. And the beer selection. Oh yes. You likee the Belgians? Well we give yeee the Belgians fer sher. Word. Good staff too. Been a bit too long since I was there last. I will have to make the trek back.
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Tacky and gimmicky, but certainly an experience for one seeking a change of pace. The constant hushing maintains a level of conversation that is relaxing and comforting, without the obnoxious outbursts or the one token REEEEEAAALLLLY loud person you get at other bars. You may find yourself moving at a slower pace because of the quiet environment. Again, perfect for something different.
The questions remains though; is it suitable to belch loudly at Burp Castle, or is it just the name?
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Rachel's the best bartender in all New York.
Better than the old dude at Grassroots, better than anyone at A Touch of Dee or Shrine. That's praise.
Good beers, killer atmosphere, and sometimes frites or cheese or what have you. Bottle selection deep and vast but I never stray from tap anyhow, and the tap selection always makes me happy. Really, if you have framboise and DT, chances are that you're gonna make me happy right there.
Also, you can hear your friends talking. That's cool. It's like the Anti-McSorley's.
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This was probably one of my favorite bars we went to in New York. We went at happy hour on a Wed-$1 off all beers and free pomme frites with dipping sauces (I think they only have the pomme frites Mon, Wed?). They were out of pomme frites when we got there, so the bartender asked us if she ordered more would we eat them? We had just had fries at Bar Americain, but who am I to pass up free fries. The bartender was really cool and she kept coming over to talk to us about San Francisco, she was thinking of moving. The beer was good as well, I love Belgian beers. I also loved the one time she shhhhed everyone for being too loud. The only reason they're losing a star is because I was so excited to see the bartenders wearing a monk outfit, and then they weren't when we got there, it was hanging on a hanger on the side of the bar.
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There are some very strong Belgian beers here, for sure. Some nice dark ones. A lot of them are quite expensive -- I paid $9 for my last one. But it was worth it. I'm told they even order food here and have it delivered to the bar.
The shushing is great and reminds me of how uncivilized people at other bars can be.
Also, the bartendress gave me free eclairs!
I've gone twice so far, and both times have been decent. They list their beers and have descriptions for you, which is always helpful, and service is fast. Beers are relatively cheap - I got the Schneider Weisse for $6 -- at Loreley's it's $8 - so that's good, too. The atmosphere is kind of non-existent - small, dark, tiny tables, and no music. Minus a star for no real outdoor seating (only 2 tables on a patio I think). However, I still liked it because it's just a place you can feel low-key and comfortable in.
All in all, if you want good beer, for a good price, and want to talk to one or two friends, without the interest of actually meeting other people, then go here. Too bad I keep missing the free fries! :(
"Shhh! The monks are making our drinkies."
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Great beer, great location, great bartendress, and great atmosphere.
Most people will try to write this wonderful bar off as "just another beer place", but they would be sadly mistaken. The friends I went with don't like the usual kinds of beer, and they easily found something that they enjoyed. Ask to try any of the beers before ordering something. They are more than happy to let you try the different beers.
How often can you actually TALK with your friends at a bar without shouting? It was wonderful that they literally "shush" everyone when things get too loud. It actually makes the evening much more intimate and enjoyable.
Yet another establishment I probably never would have had the pleasure of going to if it weren't for Yelp!
I really can't say much that hasn't already been said. Burp Castle is a great, quiet place to get a rare beer. I told the wonderful bartender I had no idea what I wanted and she asked what beers I like. After a named a few and described my preferences she picked out a couple on tap and let me sample them.
She totally won me over (and won this review's 5th star) when asking to see the ID of the person ordering a drink next to me. After having a look she paused... "wait, you've been here once before haven't you?" The man replies yes. "Ah, I though so. I'm sorry, I won't have to ask for your ID again."
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Kinda quirky place. They have pretty strong Belgium beers on tap and they shush you if you get too loud.
Great selection of beers on tap. It's a smelly dive, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, and it's a theme bar, which can be hit or miss. I think this site (and others) hype it up a bit - it can get crowded and not so quiet, but overall it's a good, low-key place to hang out and have a tasty beer.
What can I say to add to all the other wonderfully detailed reviews already?
(1) It's a little hard to find behind a white iron gate - so beware as to where you are.
(2) The bartender wore monk garb.
(3) YES, they have both peche and frambois flavored lambic ales.
(4) The bartender will kindly review in great detail all the info you need in selecting the perfect beer for you, and let you sample any of the drafts.
(5) The outdoor space is really cute.
(6) Much of the seating is best for very small groups, if a group at all.
That's all I could think of. Nice place!
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I usually love Burp Castle.
I love the selection of beers.
I love the ugly murals on the wall.
I love the idea of a quiet bar that respects beer and good conversation.
I love the shushing.
I usually love all these things about Burp Castle.
But Burp Castle is losing some stars.
Mostly because the last time I was there, instead of having a really helpful, cheerful, and knowledgeable bartender, there was a pompous, self-congratulatory bartender that could hardly be pried away from his conversation about how he thinks Camus is a little bit existential (did you take freshman lit?) to pour us a drink.
And the bathrooms smell like a horse stable. Worse than the bathrooms at Cheap Shots.
I'm not going to say I'm not going to come back here, because I know I will, but I'm a little disappointed about the way it's changed.
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Burp Castle is a place I will keep going back to. It's great when I've only heard of one beer on the menu so I am guaranteed to try something new and delicious.
The free happy hour fries are a huge selling point but I'd go just for the tasty beer and the cozy, quiet atmosphere.
Also, I found out last night that they have free cheese-from-around-the-world tastings two Thursdays a month. I am SO there!!
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Burp Castle has been and still is one of my favorite bars in the EV.
This is truly a beer place and with about 20 taps on rotation, there's always something new to try every visit. The bartender is friendly, talkative and makes very good suggestions. And it's not like those other bars where "everything is good", if a beer is bad, she'll tell you it's bad. She even made fun of us for picking bad beer once.
Anyway, the beers here are definitely more for the connoisseurs than the chuggers. You'll be paying 6-10 dollars per beer which are generally 6-10% alcohol. They allow food inside so stop by Pomme Frites on the way (mmm... beer and fries....). The best part of course, is the shushing. A lot of people seem to be put off by this and they leave. For the rest of us, this means a nice not so crowded bar for a good beer and conversation.
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