Ambitious craft pub Hamilton Hall opens in Harlem

Craft bar Hamilton Hall just opened on Broadway.

An ambitious "craft bar" with 14 types of draft beer and a chef that's worked in Michelin-starred kitchens just debuted on a busy stretch of Broadway in Hamilton Heights.

Hamilton Hall at 3489 Broadway between W 142nd and W 143rd Streets had a soft opening last week, with plans to feature elevated dishes such as duck breast and batched cocktails mixed with ingredients like figs in the coming weeks.

A portrait of founding father Alexander Hamilton hangs inside.

The chef, AJ Harris, who has a background in restaurants like Eleven Madison Park, is overseeing a menu that, due to Covid, is still limited. A plate of three-bean nachos is layered with fontina and creme fraiche, while a plate of fettuccine comes with pesto, mushrooms and pumpkin seeds.

A long bar stretches along one wall at Hamilton Hall.

The early menu at Hamilton Hall.

For now, the easy-to-miss, faux ivy-covered entrance leads to a surprisingly long and roomy indoor space with a shiny wooden bar to match (indoor dining is currently set at 25% capacity); a nice-sized covered sidewalk patio offers outdoor seating.

There's even more space in the back—a whiskey bar is in the works—but the opening date for that is still uncertain.

One thing is for sure: Brunch kicks off this weekend. Eggs Benedict with Irish back bacon, anyone?

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