The Ale House
| Address: | 3744 Vestal Pkwy E, Vestal, NY 13850, USA |
| Phone: | +1 607-729-9053 |
| Site: | beerjoint.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 3PM–1AM 3PM–1AM 3PM–1AM 3PM–1AM 3PM–1AM 3PM–1AM Closed |
Location
Photos 90
Reviews 8
A
A Private User
Ill begin by saying that I have been going to the Ale House for years...Despite the lousy location ,the inflated beer prices ,the double reverse "happy hour" (6pm-8 pm instead of 4 pm-6pm when their loyal after work customers come in. They only take a buck off the minimum $6 pint anyway!!..still making it the most overpriced beer in the region)we still liked the place because of the nice crowd,decent beer selection and friendly female bartenders.My girlfriend and I had our first date there.We were even in the early stages of their around the world beer tour when we had the great misfortune of meeting the owner last night who I believe is known as Tim...On friday last,we had a few spiedies and beer as is our habit.I provided our very friendly bartender/server Lori with my credit card so we could run the usual tab....The bar was very busy and my girlfriend went to the bar to settle up(waiting about 5-7 minutes) advising Lori that she was going to pay cash..Lori returned with the credit card and bill saying we were all set..So,forgetting that we had not actually paid the bill,we went home..Within half and hour,we realized what had happened.My girlfriend called the bar right then and there to let them know about the screw up and assuring them that we wouldnt stiff them..We come in pretty often so we thought..no big deal right??...So thursday at 4 pm,we show up to pay the bill and buy some more beer..Thats when we met the owner who proceeded to advise us that this unpaid bar bill "has been the topic of much discussion at his house over the last few days"His entire demeanor suggested that we were criminals and that he wanted to know exactly what had happened...We were there to pay the bill mind you and buy some more overpriced beer!!..To my girlfriends credit she advised him that "how about I pay your bill and get the hell out of here"He basically said do what you want...This is a true and accurate account of how this guy treats his customers.We will never go back there.The fact is that the Cyber Cafe has a better beer selection,better prices,atmosphere,food and waitstaff.Dont be fooled by that "beer joint of your dreams"crap.
A
A Private User
I used to love the Ale House. I completed the beer tour around the work twice (which, at $6 a beer would suggest that Ive spent upwards of $1000 dollars there) The beer is good and the music is always a nice selection. That being said, the other day I was in there with my father and my brother who was in from Denver. My dad had been working on a beer tour for about a year with me (I think he had a month left until it expired) and my brother was drinking some of the beers he hadnt finished and marking them on his tour card. The owners threw a fit saying that he cant mark beers on the card at which point my brother informed them that my father had nearly all the beers left to drink and he had about two weeks to do it and the likelihood that he was going to spend a few hundred dollars to finish the tour in that time was non-existent. The owners still gave him a hard time. Normally I would not be inclined to write a negative review but my father and I had been long time customers and the owners embarrassed him and my brother for no good reason. Additionally, when I completed the tours my name was never put on the wall as they advertise. I often asked about it and got some lame excuse and to this day although I finished the tour twice, my name is no where on the wall. The owners should seriously consider how they treat their customers. A bar is supposed to be a friendly and laid back atmosphere and they are rude and non-responsive. Many of the waitresses are nice enough but the service is always slow. Everyone in there acts as though they dont care about you and that the customers are not a priority. I will never go back and unless you want to throw your hard earned money into owners that dont respect the importance of their customers I suggest you get your microbrew fix at the Cyber Cafe or Lost Dog Cafe in Binghamton.
EM
Ema Gloria
A great selection of beer, with awesome pizza that is freshly made to order, and all at very reasonable prices. It could get packed during game days, but it is worth going if you can snag a table. If traveling with a designated driver, there is a parking lot behind the bar for convenience. If youre a frequent visitor, sign up for the Passport (the Ale House challenge to try the approx. 50 beers designated by different countries - if you finish all of the beers, you will get an engraved gold plate w/ your name nailed to the wall and join the other Passport hall-of-famers). I couldnt finish the Passport, but it is a very fun and do-able challenge!
MA
Mark M
This is hands down the best beer destination near Binghamton. If youre staying in Binghamton you need to stop here. Big tap list and good prices, $5 for 16 ounces from 6-8pm. Busses come here from the city and you can catch one back into the city if you make it by 8:30pm. The pizza is good, I really enjoyed it. The only problems with this place are how small it is and the lack of beer menu, they have a, hard to see, board but its not current. Their beermenus site was updated 2 days prior and was current, so it hadnt been changed in at least 2 days.
JA
Jan Deangelo
Where do I start? This place is cozy with an amazing atmosphere, constantly rotating taps with amazing craft beers from all over the country. They have bottled beers from all over the world as well. The staff is very friendly, service is quick. They offer a beer tour, which awards prizes when completed. If you complete it multiple times you even get your name added to a plaque on the wall, forever. The food is good but not great. But not bad by any stretch. The prices can be a little high (thats why I go there during happy hour
JO
Jon Fuller
Great selection of craft/micro brews on tap (36 to be exact), plus more in bottles. They get some extra rare/special beers in from time to time too. Its unfortunate when some of the best beers "on tap" arent actually available. The food is great, especially their spicy mustard. My main complaint is that sometimes it can get pretty packed, and you will have to stand until a table or stool becomes available. And its hard to get noticed at the bar as you wait for your next drink.
KA
Kapil Bhagat
This is my favourite bar in the world. Went to it while I was enrolled at binghamton. The fact that its right off of campus makes it perfect for anyone whos into craft beer who lives on campus. If you like spicy get the cheese and crackers. Pizzas good and of course the 36 beers on tap are more reason to come. The bartenders are always amazing. If you stop by might as well start a tour card. 60 beers in a year and your name gets added to the wall.
ST
Stephen Gradijan
Very cozy to say the least. (small) The Ale House has been serving up the best selection of bottle and draft beer in the Greater Binghamton area since Ill admit to remembering. Its not the cheapest bar in town but then you get what you pay for. Outstanding selection of beers from around the world. You cant sample them all in one or maybe even 15 visits so make it a destination when. you want something a bit different and a notch above.
