With summer in full swing, nothing hits the spot quite like some ice cold beer. New York City is at the front of the race once again with beer ATMs popping up all over the city for your self-serving fun and convenience. Beer ATMs work are less like offshoots of banks and more like fountain drink machines: you get to pick which beer you want and how much of it you plan to down. Forget flagging down a server to refill your lager or stout, and take you destiny into your own hands. The future is now.
Best of NYC Beer ATMs: Paloma Rocket (Lower East Side)
Paloma Rocket is essentially beer heaven. Walk into this establishment and be immediately overwhelmed in the best way by the amount of taps around the room. This summer, try the Full Sale Session Watermelon Wheat for a taste of the season in your mouth. Other menu items include Bell’s Amber Ale with its hints of toasted and sweet caramel, as well as the malty Von Trapp Pilsner. In any case, you know you won’t have to sit around waiting for anyone to bring you your beer. 7 Clinton St., 917-262-0869, palomarocket.com
Best of NYC Beer ATMs: KEG No 229 (Financial District)
At KEG No 229, you can pour your own beer in style. You’ll receive a bracelet that activates whichever tap you want, and you can pull the handle and let your desired amount flow right into your glass. Try one or try them all, then turn your bracelet back in to pay for the ounces you’ve poured. Menu items include, but are definitely not limited to, Flagship Oyster Stout, Bronx Rye Pale Ale, and Coney Island Lager. You can also buy by the bottle when you’re ready to sit back and relax. 229 Front St., 212-566-2337, keg229.com
Best of NYC Beer ATMs: Park Avenue Tavern (Midtown East)
The Park Avenue Tavern is the perfect mix of vintage and state-of-the-art, especially with an option for self-service on their brews. You can sit in a cozy booth on the main level around the main island bar, or you can book a semi-private area for a large party. It’s the Barrel Room where you’ll find the best do-it-yourself beer action. These taps are available by reservation only, so book your table and feel like royalty as you pour your own beer. 99 Park Ave., 212-867-4484, parkavenuetavern.com
Best of NYC Beer ATMs: Randolph Beer (Brooklyn)
Randolph Beer has a newly featured self-service beer wall. Trade in your credit card for a sort of access card that you can use to activate any of the 24 beer taps. These brews are good and about half of them are local from New York, so you can feel hip and cultured supporting local breweries. Feel free to try a 1 ounce sample or an entire 12-ounce pint of beer. Then do it again with your next brew. 104 S 4th St., 646-383-3623, randolphbeer.com
Best of NYC Beer ATMs: Duke’s (Midtown East)
If you’re into the sports bar scene, Duke’s is here to offer you quality brew and quality grub in a quality atmosphere. They keep a rotation of craft beers, so head over every season for a new selection. All that is in addition to the full menu and complete drink list including mixed cocktails and bottled beers—as if their extensive selection of ATM beers isn’t enough! Additional location in Upper East Side. 560 3rd Ave., 212-949-5400, dukesnyc.com
