Andy's Corner Bar

One of the best hidden gems in Teaneck. There is never the same beer on tap, and rarely the same faces sitting across from you. George, the bartender, really knows his craft and really takes the time to know each and every beverage that is stocked on his shelves (I'd sometimes see him listening intenetly to distributors), and he is open to giving recommendations and iving tasting samples for the curious amongst us.

There is a single television usually playing the news or baseball, but really this isn't a hangout type of bar: this is a place for people who enjoy good booze and treat it like an art, and who want their beers served with a giant pretzel on the side.

This is one of THE craft beer destinations in either New Jersey, or New York. Great beer selection (and liquor selection: happy to say I was able to get a nice taste of Booker's here), reasonable prices, quiet patrons, and you can order in if that's what you're in the mood for (or grab a slice from Papa's pizza, right next door).

And one of these years, I swear I will finally enjoy their Oktoberfest.

Andy's is the starting point.  It's Romeo and Juliet before Henry V.  Its Casablanca before The 400 blows.  It's 60 minute IPA before 120 minute IPA.  George's establishment may no longer be unique, but it's still the foundation of the craft beer scene in the tri-state area.  

You can read further  below, but the reason you're here is because you want to know if you should come here, and why.  

The answers:  Yes and George

George, one of the last remaining bartenders that actually lives up to the idealistic view of the wise sage behind the bar with story-a-plenty to tell.  You'll often hear 'It's the closest to Cheers that you can get" from patrons.

And if you're still not convinced - Michael Jackson (no, not that guy) the premier beer critique while still alive, who traveled all over the world, had named Andy's as one of his favorite bars.  

Read further if necessary:

George took over his father's (Andy) bar in the 90s and made the decision to revamp it from a favorite local watering hole to a craft beer bar before most of the country even had the faintest glimmer of craft beer in their eyes.  And while you'll find plenty of bars in the area serving craft beer now, some with more taps and a larger bottled selection, you won't find any with the same character as Andy's.

The bar features 7 taps that rotate regularly and are kept fastidiously clean, a 4 by 4 shelved fridge with an assortment of bottles, and 2 cask taps which still remain unique  in the area, even 5 years after the big surge in craft beer began.  The decor is masculine and classic, noise levels remain at a comfortable level, and in the 6 years I've been going I've never run into an impolite soul.  

This is a place you go to actually converse, both with your friends and with other patrons.  Its a place you go where George will remember your name after your first visit.  Its a place to go to experience George's salt-of-the-earth charm.  And its a place you go to have a good beer.  And if you're up for it, its a place to try 100 different beers in a year and get your name on a plaque on the wall.  

Simply put, anyone disappointed by this place probably doesn't belong here.  But if you're into this type of bar, you're bound to love Andy's.  

A few notes:
- There's no kitchen. George, when so inclined will make popcorn or bar pies.  There's always pretzels to be had.  But you're free to bring food in as you like.  
- Its a small bar with only about 5 or 6 tables and a long bar.  Its best experienced on slow to moderate nights.  Busier nights can get cramped if you don't have a seat.  But the bar is never loud and everyone is polite, so it's more tolerable than other packed bars.  
- Andy's does offer liquor and mixed drinks for those that don't like beer.  So you can feel safe bringing your lady friends who only drink cocktails.  But note that George will inform you that he has yet to find someone for whom he can't find a beer that they'll enjoy.  
- George carries cases of coors and corona (I believe) in the fridge, but don't expect to find anything of that nature on tap or in general here.  Its strictly craft beer for the most part.

The craft beer destination in North Jersey.  Great selection, fair prices and George is a 10th Level Beer Sage.  If you're looking for a pint of something special, you can't miss Andy's.