Kaysee T.
Yelp
I've always loved their location down on 8th St., and was beyond thrilled when I found out one was opening just a few blocks from my apartment. Columbia has been in desperate need of some more good bars, and Arts & Crafts is really here to fill a void. It's by far the best beer selection in the area, and such a wonderfully cozy setting.
The downside, at least compared to the downtown location, is that this one is always packed. It makes sense, since NYU students have an abundance of great bars to go to, while Columbia students have been getting the short end of that stick for years. But still, I do find myself wishing that I could get in here without screaming undergrads sometimes. In that sense, weekends are weirdly better than weekdays here. And don't get me wrong, things don't get crazy here...it's still a chill bar, not some fratty student dive or anything. But you can expect it to be a little more crowded than is comfortable pretty frequently.
Still, the beer selection makes up for it. 24 taps, all with really impressive craft options on them. The list is constantly rotating, although they have a few that seem pretty standard, including their 3-4 happy hour beers. That is one of my few disappointments with this place - the happy hour selection is not great. Only 4 different beers get that sweet $5 price, and at least the last few times, two of them have been helles. It really doesn't make sense to have two of the same style on HH. But that's just me.
Anyway, overall I really enjoy this place and it's been an amazing addition to the neighborhood. It's a nice spot to catch up with a few friends, and has big enough tables that if you plan it right (and maybe make a reservation?), you can bring a bigger group here to enjoy the incredible beer and cute ambiance.