![]() ![]() Owner Adam Clark, who also has a hand in Earl’s next door, has squeezed this bar into a lean, wooden hallway of a space. But the Guthrie Inn-joining Earl’s Beer and Cheese and ABV-is the latest in a series of hipster-baiting bars colonizing the upper reaches of the UES. The Upper East Side, so rich in greenery and regal townhouses, is comparatively wanting when it comes to nightlife. Those looking to break out of the Guinness-at-an-Irish-bar rut canĬocktail enthusiasts haven’t had much use for the 6 train above 42nd Street. The craft-brew list ($5–$9) offers familiar, solid standards (Kelso Nut Brown) and a couple of Irish imports (Guinness Extra Stout)-fine enough drafts for a laid-back night with pals. Step inside and it’s easy to see why the handsome joint was an insta-hit-antique lights cast a golden glow over a long, curving bar in the front room, while elegant patterned wallpaper and aristocratic framed portraits decorate nooks in the back.ĭRINK THIS: Skip the foofy cocktails (they read better than they taste) and opt for a draft beer or a dram of the brown stuff instead. But it’s a welcome change up here, where the only other option in a ten-block radius is Jones Wood Foundry, and locals have responded in droves. Operated by the gastropub specialists behind the Wren and Wilfie & Nell, the joint would be run-of-the-mill farther downtown, where the trifecta of reclaimed wood, craft pours and pedigreed pub grub long ago joined the ranks of food-world clichés. But the Penrose-named for a neighborhood in Cork, Ireland, where two of the owners grew up-is finally bringing a bit of the indie-chic East Village to Gossip Girl territory. The idea of a hobnobbing scene in Manhattan’s stuffiest zip code seemed laughable a few years ago-as likely as an electrodisco party in Greenwich, Connecticut. And, he said it all comes down to good beer, good fun and - hopefully in the future - good food.The Upper East Side has its share of low-key gems (Torishin) and crown-jewel restaurants (Daniel), but verifiable hot spots? There are few. The culture clash, Holmes said, is all positive at MadCap. “They grabbed their beer and turned around and said, ‘Where are we sitting?’ And the older couple - I mean, the lady was knitting and the husband is reading some thick novel, - said ‘Come sit down next to us.’” “We had an older couple sitting at this table, and we had a couple of girls come in decked out in black and fishnets, ready to go to a metal show,” Holmes said. One of Holmes’ favorite parts of working at MadCap, bridging the younger scene with the older crowd. Throw in some giant wooden picnic tables, vintage pinball machines and a deck of cards for every table, and the spot is ideal for lovers of the brew. The building’s conversion features eight MadCap beers on tap, as well as a selection of cold brew coffee by Bent Tree Roasters. The building’s sheer size allowed for the crew to expand the brewing system from three barrels to 10 - and throw in some life-sized Jenga games for guests. The next step in growing the business came with an expansion after purchasing the old Consolidated Mold and Manufacturing building on Mogadore Road. Holmes noted that Ray’s is one of the longest supporters of his brew.Īfter landing a few spots in local bars in Northeast Ohio, Holmes knew it was time to expand from the “meet demand” mindset into a “make demand” mindset, testing out new flavors and variations of their original craft.Ĭurrently, featured flavors like the Golden Flash Ale, an interpretation of German-style beer, and the iconic Bad Leroy Brown Ale, a caramel-like traditional American Ale, include a few twists on classic beer styles. This cuts the cost of sourcing and shipping.Īdditionally, Creech said the bartenders consistently recommend MadCap to travelers seeking a local craft India Pale Ale while dining at Ray’s. Supporting the local scene is something MadCap is familiar with, as it sources most of its malts from down the road at LD Carlson Company. “Especially a nano brewery just a few miles away.” “It’s a good product and it’s always good to support local breweries,” Creech said. ![]() Tom Creech, a manager at Ray’s, keeps the Bullet IPA from MadCap on their tap system full time. ![]() One of the first bars to reach out to MadCap was Ray’s Place in downtown Kent. ![]()
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