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No bar in the city pays more loving and thorough homage to beer—specifically Belgian beer, arguably the world’s best—than Spuyten Duyvil. In a neighborhood where $2 PBR rules the day, it's built an almost cultlike following around obscure imported microbrews. Beer geeks from Manhattan, Jersey, Connecticut, and beyond make the trek for a stunning selection of Belgian brews that’s broken down by region—Flemish and Wallonian. After that, there are more countries to sample, and a grand total of about 140 often-rare bottles, plus a rotating hand-pulled cask ale. The simple mahogany bar offers the best view of the voluminous chalkboard beer listings and a chance to chat up passionate owners Joe and Kim Carroll. Snacks—plates of cheese, meat, and Brooklyn-made pickles—stand up well to that $19 bottle of rare Wallonian Blaugies.

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Best of New York Awards

• Best Foreign Brews (2007)
• Best Beer Bar (2005)