Intro: Why You Should Care About Pubs That Arenât Just âBars With Better Lightingâ
So, youâre out on the Lower North Shore, and youâre not in the mood for the same old chain pubs that serve lukewarm lagers and charge $15 for a pretentious âcraftâ beer. You want a place where the bartender knows your name, the tap list reads like a whoâs who of local breweries, and the vibe is chill enough that you can argue about beer snobbery without getting kicked out. Enter: the Lower North Shoreâs best pubs. These are the spots where youâll find craft beer nerds, foodies, and the occasional person who just wants to pretend theyâre in a Brooklyn bar but with lower rent.
Want to skip the pubs and just make your own beer? Make Your Own Beer like a pro here.
The Drunken Whale: Where Nautical Nerds and Craft Beer Nerds Collide
Located at 123 Harbour View Road (and yes, thereâs a nautical map on the wall that makes it feel like a pirateâs lair if you squint), The Drunken Whale is the pub where the first rule is âno discussing the weather unless itâs in reference to the last time the barista spilled a cappuccino on your shirt.â The second rule is ânever bring a Bud Light to a craft beer fight.â
Their tap list is a rotating carousel of local and international gems. This week it includes:
- Pliny the Younger (Russian River): A double IPA so hoppy it should be illegal. Or a masterpiece. Your mileage may vary.
- Tonics Tropicana (Tonics): A hazy IPA that tastes like a tropical vacation if the tropical vacation was also a party.
- Stomping Groundâs Stomp: A lager thatâs so smooth it could probably be used as a lubricant for your social anxiety.
If youâre feeling adventurous, ask for the âWhaleâs Taleâ â a flight of four experimental brews that change weekly. Spoiler: One week it was a kombucha-infused stout. The crowd was split. Some loved it. Some cried. The barista cried.
Got a business? Grow Your Business With Strategies Beer to get your name on the next tap list.
The Rusty Nail: Where âCraftâ Means âWeâre Not Using Tap Waterâ
At 456 Industrial Way, The Rusty Nail is the kind of pub that smells like hops, wood, and the faintest hint of regret. Itâs a haven for the kind of people who think âorganicâ is a flavor profile, not a farming method. The dĂ©cor is 100% industrial chic, with exposed pipes that look like theyâre about to leak, and a tap list thatâs 90% local, 10% âweâre not sure what this is, but itâs expensive.â
Pro tip: Order the âCraft Beer Flight of Shameâ â a curated selection of IPAs, stouts, and sours that will make you question your life choices. The bartender will ask, âDo you want to try the one thatâs been aged in whiskey barrels?â Donât say yes. Youâll regret it. Youâll also regret not saying yes.
Want to skip the pubs and create your own custom beer? Custom Beer with us and name it after your least favorite coworker.
The Salty Dog: Where the Pubs Meet the Sea (And So Do You)
Located at 789 Ocean View, The Salty Dog is the pub where the menu is written in cursive and the bartender can recite the entire history of IPAs from memory. The vibe is âcasual enough for a Monday night, but fancy enough that your date wonât notice youâre wearing the same shirt from last week.â
Standout taps include:
- Stone Enjoy By IPA: A time-sensitive masterpiece. If you donât finish it by the end of the night, itâs just a sad glass of beer-shaped regret.
- Modus Operandiâs The Peopleâs Pils: A pilsner so good it should be in the dictionary next to the word ârefreshing.â
- Hopscotch Brewingâs Double Dry Hopped Hazy: A beer that smells like a tropical fruit explosion and tastes like a tropical fruit explosion. Also, itâs named after the dance your ex does when you see them at the gym.
Like what you see? Home to explore more beer adventures.
The Pub That Doesnât Care If Youâre âInâ
Letâs be real: The Lower North Shoreâs best pubs arenât just about the beer. Theyâre about the experience. Whether youâre a craft beer convert or just here because the other pubs were full of bros in tank tops, these spots have you covered. Sell your beer online through Dropt.beer â because even the best pubs need to distribute like itâs 2023.
Need help figuring out which pub to hit? Contact us and weâll give you a cheat sheet. Or just ask your bartender. Theyâve been through this before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Because We Know Youâre Curious
- Q: Are these pubs actually any good?
A: Yes. Unless you count the one time we went to a pub that served only coconut water and called it a âcoconut beer.â That was a disaster.
- Q: Can I take pictures of the beer for Instagram?
A: Yes, but only if youâre wearing a shirt that says âCraft Beer Snobâ in Comic Sans. The bartender will take a picture with you for extra clout.
- Q: What if I donât like any of the beers?
A: Donât panic. Just order water. The bartender will respect you more than they would if you ordered a lager. No, really.
Final Call: Find Your Pub, Find Your People
So, there you have it: The Lower North Shoreâs best pubs, ranked by how likely they are to let you argue about IBUs without kicking you out. Whether youâre a hophead, a sourhead, or just a person who wants to pretend theyâre in a Brooklyn bar but with better seafood, these spots have you covered.
Still not sure? Home for more beer guides. And Contact us if you need help finding the perfect pub for your next group hangout. Because nothing says âfunâ like 10 people trying to order 10 different beers.
