The Who:
Like most kids of the 80's, Paul Kermizan, Pete Langway, and brothers Kevin and Scott Beard loved to play video games. In adulthood, that passion continued. Paul began collecting old arcade cabinets and invited friends over for parties. The friends all worked in different industries - Pete was in advertising, Kevin and Scott were graphic designers, and Paul was a film and television director. In fact, Paul directed a documentary film called American Beer. As "research," Paul would have friends over to his Williamsburg apartment to drink craft beer - and since they were there - play old video games. 

So opening a bar where people could drink craft beer and play old video games was the next natural step.  Since the friends lived in Williamsburg and the neighborhood was still a bit desolate in 2004, they decided to find a location in the now gentrified neighborhood. They found a large and cheap space in a former metal shop and have now gone on to open two more locations in Manhattan and four more in the Tri-State area (Newark, Jersey City, Philadelphia, and New Haven).

The What:
Barcade may have the greatest concept ever. At all the bars, they pair old school arcade games with craft beer. The games which vary a bit from location to location still cost the original price (mostly 25 cents) and the beers are all American craft beers. In Williamsburg, at the original location, the games are as retro as they get, dating from the 70's and 80's. Expect to see Frogger, Dig Dug, and our personal favorite Tapper (even though it was co-produced by Budweiser). The Chelsea location focuses on fighting games (think Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat) and the East Village Barcade fast forwards a bit to the 90's so the games are a bit more technologically advanced (just a bit) and include titles like Moonwalker and Terminator 2.

Across all locations, the beer is always unique and surprising. Barcade has a close relationship with many American craft brewers with a stronge emphasis on local. Here's where you can find plenty of Sixpoint's Mad Scientist series (only available on  tap in NYC), special collaborations, and the newest local breweries like Interboro featured on their ever-changing list.

The Why:
This is the perfect place to taste a wide selection of beer and find the style that best suits you. This is exactly why we start our Fermented Williamsburg Craft Beer Crawl at Barcade Brooklyn. If you think you don't like beer, we guarantee that it's just because you have not tasted the style you like yet. And odds are it is on Barcade's beer menu. And if it's not, well then you can always drown your troubles in a  video game instead. And it will only cost you a quarter.

We also just think it's great to feel like a game-playing kid again in a lively nostalgic atmosphere and unlike when we were 12 years old, we are now legally allowed to have a beer in our hand. And it's a much better beer than we ever had access to back in the day.

The Where:
Barcade has 3 locations in NYC:

388 Union Avenue,
Brooklyn, New York 11211
(718) 302-6464

148 West 24th Street,
New York, New York 10011
(212) 390-8455

6 Saint Marks Place,
New york, New York 10003
(212) 388-0522

​​​Click on the title for more info.

Genius of Place: The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted / Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 7:00-9:00pm 
Prospect Park turns 150 this week and what better way to celebrate than to learn about the man who created it. Frederick Law Olmsted was also one of the architects for Central Park.  I think we can safely say the man was a genius. Biographer Justin Martin read from his book following a wine and cheese reception.

Smart Phone Food Photography / Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 11:00am-1:00pm 
Everybody's doing it so it makes sense to do it the best way possible. We're talking about food photography. At this Brooklyn Brainery class, food historian Sarah Lohman walks you through the tools and techniques to taking great food photographs with just your smartphone. Before you know it, you'll be the envy of all your Instagram followers. ​

The Who:
Jeremy Lyman was working for a mortgage company when he met Paul Schlader, an aspiring actor and bartender at Heartland Brewery. The two quickly bonded over their love of coffee and their dream of one day owning their own coffee shop. In 2009, Lyman took a big risk by cashing in the $10,000 savings bond he got from his grandparents for his bar mitzvah. With the money, they opened the first Birch Coffee in the Flatiron District and it was quickly embraced by the neighborhood.

The two taught themselves to roast beans and now do it themselves for all their shops at their small warehouse in Long Island City. In addition to roasting the beans, opening new shops (a new one is coming to Soho this month), the two friends also find time to host their own coffee talk webseries called Stay Regular where they interview their amazing regulars, including Chef Jehangir Mehta and Chelsea Clinton.

The What:
Birch has since dominated the local New York coffee scene. They now have eight different local shops, all with their own personalities, specialities, and servicable baristas. It's become a morning staple for many throughout the city. In addition to quality beans sourced from small farms, Birch sells iressistible New York pastries, like Dough doughnuts and The Good Batch cookies, to pair with their coffees.

The most popular item on the menu is their now famous cold brew coffee. Cold brew has become very popular recently in the craft coffee scene because of its rich smooth flavor. It has become Birch's signature drink and they will even fill up a glass growler of it for you to take home with you. If you're feeling more ambitious, their roasted beans are also available in sleek packages to brew yourself.

The Why:
We are glad to see a small business grow, but still remain close to its roots. Jeremy and Paul are still very much hands-on and the quality of the coffee has remained consistent.

We also meet for our Tenements Tales and Tastes tour just a few blocks away from one of their most hidden locations at 8 Spruce Street. It's in an office building and is usually only found by locals in the know. When people are looking for a pre-tour coffee, we tell them to go past the much more visible Starbucks (in a highly coveted corner Starbucks) and find the local coffee shop. You get to see the community come together and drink some mighty good brew. And if you're brave enough, drink the cold brew all year long.

The Where:
Birch Coffee,
Multiple locations around the city
Check their locations here

Women of Winemaking Dinner  / Thursday, March 23, 2017 from 7:00-9:00pm
In honor of Women's History Month, Lorie Honor from local Staten Island wine shop Honor Wines is hosting a tasting dinner along with chef Brendan Costello of Urby, a hip residential complex. The four course dinner will be paired with wines from independent women winemakers. A worthwhile reason to head out to Staten Island.

NYC Craft Distillers Festival / Saturday, March 25, 2017
​Time travel back to the Prohibition-era, but with decidedly better booze. This annual craft distillers festival takes place at Bowery Ballroom and features live 1920's style jazz in a speakeasy setting with samples from over 60 craft distillers from in and around New York City.