Oyster Bar

89 E 42nd St
New York, NY 10017-5503
212.490.6653  [website]

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Impressions

Just below the bustling stream of midtown commuters, in the lower level of Grand Central Terminal, you'll find the restaurant that claims to bring in more seafood than any other in New York City: Oyster Bar. Tourists, business folk, and families alike flock to the Oyster Bar for a cup of their famous New England Clam Chowder or to peruse a selection of more than two dozen varieties of fresh raw oysters. While the wine list looks like the shining star, beer lovers need not boycott - you will likely find a beverage or two to get you through your meal. Oyster Bar serves up a good number of common macro brews, but they do tend to throw in a couple locals, a few Belgians, and maybe even a couple more to keep the beer geeks at bay (Goose Island, Victory, Widmer). Beer connoisseurs are not likely to find anything new here, but this well-polished NYC landmark is worth a visit if looking for some time to kill before a long commute.

Vibe: 6 / 10

Service: 6 / 10

Beer Selection: 2 / 10

Other Thoughts: Oyster Bar is not a beer bar, but in the spirit of tracking down good brews in midtown NYC, this place is worth a mention. Instead of ignoring the growing demand for craft beer, like so many other establishments, they've made in an attempt to go outside the norm and bring in a little something for everyone.

Have you visited the Oyster Bar? Leave your thoughts and comments below.