David Copperfield's, Upper East Side

Overview

By Chris Lukic

The home of real beer in New York City.

David Copperfields could easily have been just another Upper East Side Sports Bar, but for one simple ingrediant - great beer. Somehow that changes everything. The crowd, the atmosphere, the feel is magically filtered by the 30 taps, the handpumps, and the 100 bottled beers. And the result leaves a good taste in your mouth.

Why you should go

A selection of 30 taps and 100 bottles means there's something great there that you haven't tried yet.
An oasis in the Upper East.
$3 "til you kill the keg" on Wednesday.

What you should know

Cask-conditioned or "Real Ale" is unpasteurized, unfiltered, and served from a hand pump. This is one of the only places in New York City to get it.
Hop Devil Bar and Grill is David Copperfield's downtown sister bar.

History

Real ale, then real estate

In 2009 we called David Copperfield's the home of real beer in New York City, and it had the lineup to prove it: more than 30 craft beers on tap, more than 100 bottles and one cask-conditioned ale¹. It served a full menu, and its celebrated burger was a sensible defense against ale overload¹. The bar has closed, and a residential building now stands at 1394 York Avenue^{2, 3, 4}.

Sources

Researched October 2026.

What's nearby

Banshee Pub 0.1 mi Closed

Raccoon Lodge (East Side) 0.1 mi Closed; now Le Moulin à Café

Tar Bar 0.1 mi No license found in 2026

Stir 0.2 mi Closed

Session 73 0.2 mi Closed; now Westville Upper East Side

American Trash 0.2 mi Closed; now The Raven Pub

Vudu Lounge 0.2 mi Closed

Bar Coastal 0.2 mi A different business is licensed at this address: Plug Uglies

Murphy's Law 0.3 mi Still pouring

Iggy's 0.3 mi Still pouring