The Five Best Places to Grab a Beer

The second category in our “World’s Best” is a bit less “high society” and WAY more our normal vibe. (Click here to check out our first award category, the World’s Best Cocktail Bars.) That’s right, this week we are going to spin you around the globe and take you to the five best places to grab a beer. So if you’re one for an icy cold afternoon repose, pull up a bar stool and let’s go!

The Surf Bar – Williamsburg, NY

Round, green sign that reads”Surf Bar and Seafood Restaurant” with a skull in the center of it, with a sword and the skeleton of a fish underneath — The Surf Bar

We visited the Surf Bar as a first stop on the “Martin’s Best” pub crawl. Though they JUST opened and we were the only people there, it was a total vibe. They had sand on the floor, surf boards overhead, and 70s tunes on the radio. And since we were basically alone there, no one minded that I sang along with every song. (And in case you don’t know, even if the place is full, I WILL SING. It just bothers people a whole lot more.)

Two men inside a colorful bar. Above their heads are surf board and below their feet is sand. — Surfboards overhead

Sand on the floor beneath a pair of sneakers — Surfboards overhead

Fraunces Tavern – New York City, NY

Brown brick colonial building with rows of window, framed in cream colored trim — Drink where Washington drank!

As I’m SURE you’re aware, I’m a bit of a history nerd. And when we discovered that we could have ADULT BEVERAGES where George Washington gave his farewell speech to his friends and brothers in arms before taking the oath of office, you KNOW we had to go. Besides the amazing history, Fraunces is a great local hang out. (In other words, a lot less bloody tourists to contend with.) They have 4 bars, including a whiskey bar and piano bar and they have live music on the weekends.

Dark wooden bar with multiple beer taps and old fashioned hanging lights above it — So many taps!

Stone carved image of George Washington set in a wall above a plaque that reads "This building was purchased and reconstructed by the sons of the revolution in the state of New York in 1907" — So many taps!

McSorley’s Old Ale House – New York, NY

Store front with an awning that reads McSorley's Ale House. There are two green beer barrels on either side of the front door — Ye olde ale house

Continuously operating since 1854, this is New York City’s oldest saloon. Everyone from Abraham Lincoln to John Lennon has stopped in for a tiny pint of light or dark ale. Oh and when they say CONTINUOUSLY operating, that means prohibition wasn’t a thing observed here. There have saw dust on the floor for easy clean up. The menu is written on a small chalk board. They only take cash and some of the servers are rather “Mc Surley”. But even so, it’s a wonderful place for a beer or three, especially on a week-day when it’s mostly locals.

Cash register at McSorleys, which is surrounded with pictures of past presidents such as Tedy Roosevelt and John Kennedy. — All the “Benjamins” surrounded by all the presidents

A man wearing a short sleeved white tee shirt over a black long sleeved tee shirt, holding two tiny pints of light beer — All the “Benjamins” surrounded by all the presidents

Hofbrau Haus – Munich, Germany

White multi-story building of the Haufbrau Haus — The Hofbrau Haus

If you were under the impression that we only drink in New York, let us take you to the Hofbrau Haus in Munich. After the THE MOST stressful ride on a mostly shut-down autobahn, walking through the doors of the Hofbrau Haus felt a little like making it to the pearly gates. We found two seats at a long table and spent the evening chatting with people and enjoying amazing fest bier.

Traditional German band, with tubas and bassoons and drums, at the Haufbrau Haus in Munich — House band

Man standing in a traditional German beer hall. He has one leg up on a bench and he is holding a liter of beer — House band

Tavern U Krale Brabantskeho – Prague, Czech Republic

Woman standing in front of the Medieval Tavern U Krale Brabantskeho — The Medieval Tavern

Located just below Prague Castle, the legend is that the king used to sneak into this pub to have an anonymous pint with the people. Not ONLY that, Mozart used to drink here. I mean, we have old bars in the USA, but NOTHING medieval! And the beer was, of course, DELICIOUS. I get why the king came on down!

Two pints of beer sitting on a wooden table, next to a candle — Two pints by candle light

Window display featuring medieval armor, weapons, and pottery — Two pints by candle light

Allagash Brewing Company – Portland, ME

Covered wooden archway that has a sign on it that reads "Welcome" in front of the Allagash Brewery in Main — Welcome to Allagash

On a warm fall day, what could be better than sitting outside, eating lobster and sipping on a brew from Allagash. “Nothing” we say!! We got to visit the same year they received the coveted “Brewery of the Year” award. And now, they also have one Golden Pelican!! Things just keep looking up for them, wouldn’t you say?

Metal signs hanging from wooden posts that read "Allagash Brewing Company" — Allagash Brewing Company

Silver Airstream that was converted to a food truck. The sign on the side is a large red circle that reads "Bite into Maine Fresh Lobster Rolls" — Allagash Brewing Company

Hourglass Brewing – Longwood, Florida

In the middle of large warehouse space, is a 3 sided bar with a black marble top. Two oak barrels sit in front of the side facing us. There is a 3-sided digital sign behind the bar, listing all the beer they have on draft — The bar at Hourglass

I love this brewery SO MUCH that on a random Tuesday night, I’ll say to Stephen, “let’s go to Hourglass for a night cap.” In Longwood, Florida. When we live in Detroit. Their beer is absolutely delicious, they have rotating art from local artist and they have PINBALL!!

Painting of Salvador Dali with a quote of his that reads, "Each Morning when I awake, I experience again a supreme pleasure - that of being Salvador Dali." — The joy of being Dali

Sculpture of Yoda on a tree stump — The joy of being Dali

And a Bonus “Golden Pelican” Goes to…The Beer Spa – Prague, Czech Republic

Two wooden tubs with two beer taps in between — Tubs at the Beer Spa

You can go almost anywhere in the world to grab a pint but where else can you soak in it? At the beer spa, not only do you get a hot tub or hops, you get a cold liter of light or dark beer to enjoy while you soak. And the room itself is SO VERY relaxing, with a fire place and a straw bed, should you need a little “rest”.

Finished soaking in a vat of beer - two liters of beer on a barrel in front of a fire place — Cozy in front of a fireplace

Straw bed with three pillows and a fire place — Cozy in front of a fireplace

You may have noticed that our “Top 5 Places to Grab a Beer”, actually came in at 9 places. This might be because once we started to make the list, we JUST COULDN’T eliminate 4 of them. Or MAYBE we’ve had too many pints and can no longer count. The world may never know.

Golden Pelican award with a bottle of beer in its beak — The Golden Pelican for Beer

That’s it for this week. We hope you enjoyed “hopping” around the world with us to visit the best places to get a beer. If you know one we should check out, let us know! If you enjoy hearing about these wonderful places, follow us on Instagram at The__Travel__Oracle, or subscribe to our weekly catch up. It’s free, it’s fun AND it’s EXCLUSIVE. (This means, you have to subscribe to get all the latest.) Until next week!

The Surf Bar – Williamsburg, NY

Fraunces Tavern – New York City, NY

McSorley’s Old Ale House – New York, NY

Hofbrau Haus – Munich, Germany

Tavern U Krale Brabantskeho – Prague, Czech Republic

Allagash Brewing Company – Portland, ME

Hourglass Brewing – Longwood, Florida

And a Bonus “Golden Pelican” Goes to…The Beer Spa – Prague, Czech Republic

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