If your whole gimmick is being a "quiet bar," the bar should probably actually BE a quiet bar.

Love the concept of this bar and the commitment to it. Got shush'ed several times throughout the 2 hours I was here, but definitely happy I gave it a shot. Will swing by again if I ever find myself in the area. read more

Burp Castle is a fortress protecting something rare. If you enter feeling rowdy prepare yourself for glares. High ceilings and low light murals depicting sinners. Belgian brews on tap. A sanctuary after dinner. Love it for what it is, a (quiet) breath of weird air. If not for you, go drink next door, for a higher decibel affair. read more

The idea of a quiet bar is appealing, but no matter how quietly we whispered, it was unacceptable and we were ultimately threatened with being kicked out. I mean quiet whispering was deemed unacceptable so we had to end all conversation. And it was not done with respect our courtesy but by reprimanding and threatening us. Perhaps it would be a good place to go by yourself to have a high-quality beer, but conversation was impossible at any decibel level. They cross the bound between "interesting concept" and "ridiculous" and "sanctimonious." Other than the fact that talking is not permitted, there are some appealing beers on tap. read more

a funny and unique concept! we had some friends tell us about this place and we had to check it out. unfortunately we didn't get to experience any shushing since it wasn't busy during the time we went, but this bar is definitely a place to check out as it offers an interesting and different environment. We tried a couple beers, which were both good. The bartender had some great suggestions and was helpful and honest. read more

Small, dark, dank, smelly, crowded, hot inside. Shhhhhh! Drinking Youngs Chocolate Stout makes it all a heavenly experience! Have not been here in years, and honestly, not much has changed. Still has the terrific and fun murals of Monks in all kinds of scenes and religious scenerios. Dark woods and barely enough room to move when crowded. A few small tables on the inside, and a strange gated outside porch area to hang out in. There was music playing when I was here but not too loud. Always a bit warm in here as there really is no AC and just a few ceiling fans. Can't help it but the Shushing stuff that goes on here still makes me giggle. Each time the crowd got too loud the bartenders gave out an demanding SHHHHHH! A few patrons would also follow suit and do it. Then the whole crowd would get quiet until the volume slowly rose to a crescendo and the SHHHHHH would start again. Yeah, it's kind of hokey but that is part of the charm and history of Burp Castle. No hard liquor is served here, but what they do have is an exemplary selection of hard to find beers on tap that rotates weekly and seasonally, and a good selection of Framboise and Lambics. Usually has around 8-12 beers on tap in the $6 - $10 range. Bartenders are knowledgeable and will offer good insight about each beer. What I also like is that there are no tv's here. Definitely a place to converse and enjoy the beer rather then watching sports. Had a few pints of the Chocolate Stout and one shushing. I was content and happy. Still, I giggled as I walked out. Still funny after all these years. Even if the bartenders no longer wear the monks robes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also, please be aware that this place is filled with guys. Sausage Fest. Definitely not meant to be a place to meet girls. Even though there was a mixed crowd on Friday night it was more like 4-1 guys to gals, and those girls came here with boyfriends. read more

Last month, during a visit to New York, I met up with three friends from the internet. We ate ramen at Momofuku, and afterward, we decided to go for a beer. We wandered around the Village until one of my friends told us about Burp Castle. A quiet bar with a good beer selection? We were sold. We walked in at around 9 o'clock on a Monday night, and the place was pretty empty but not at all dead. We got a table, which is always nice, and we had easy access to the bar. I liked the mood of the place. It was dim and calm and the decor was interesting - painted murals of monks and Jesus and barrels on water. There were about a dozen beers on tap, and I guess the selection rotates on a fairly regular basis. I had a Maredsous Triple, a Delirium Tremens, and a Corsendonk Tripel (I like my high alcohol beers). All of them were delicious. I hadn't heard of most of the beers on the list, so I got some help from the bartender when picking my orders. She didn't seem like she loved being there, but she was helpful. I also think her stern demeanor had a lot to do with her job description. Burp Castle is a quiet bar, and it achieves that distinction through a special sort of system. When the clientele gets comfortable and conversation builds, the bartender puts a finger to her lips and emits a loud "SHHHHHHHHHH." It's a cute gimmick, and it is effective in keeping the noise level down. The shushing happens at the bartender's discretion, every time the noise builds. It's like a draining system. I found it pretty charming the first few times, but we stayed at Burp Castle for like three hours. It got kind of old towards the end, especially since the shushing became more frequent as the night went on and the bar filled up. In retrospect, though, I really liked Burp Castle. The selection was great, and I liked the atmosphere that resulted from the shushing. I'd come back for another beer night in the Village, taking special care to use my inside voice. read more

Why 3 stars? Because I love being shushed at a bar. --- --- --- I kind of didn't know if they were kidding. It's a fun gimmick... but it gets pretty old, pretty quick. Sometimes alcohol causes things to be louder, including myself. Being constantly shushed at a bar is funny, but I would not rush back. The best part were all of the locals that would walk by in the street and yell at the top of their lungs. I would so do that if I lived nearby. read more

I love a good Belgian beer. Burp Castle not only features a great selection but also a setting that could be right out of a monastery. Monks adorn the walls (in paint, not literally) and people are asked to keep their voices down or else be prepared to hear "Shhhhhh!" Some people might find this policy annoying but I thought it cool - I could actually hear the conversation that I was having with the bartender and other patrons at the bar. Speaking of which, everyone was so damned friendly here, from said bartender to some of the regulars I met while enjoying my Kwak. I will be back to the Burp Castle but don't worry, I'll keep it down. read more

Burp Castle - Cheers! - Pubs Near Me - New York, New York

I am constantly on the look-out for bars that are quiet enough that I can actually hear my friends without screaming, and I even love theme bars (The theme here is "monastery"). This bar has an awesome name that sounds promising. I guess it's supposed to be ironic? If you burp, you're bound to get shushed. Really, like others have said, the bartenders will "SHHH" you, and the patrons are riding the shush train too. This is one theme bar I can't get on board with. I have a loud speaking voice, and my ability to whisper disappears completely after half a drink. I like having conversations without being interrupted by loud music or cafeteria-style chatter -- but I don't like being shushed. This place just reeks of pretension. read more

What a name and what a weird fucking bar. This place is nuts. Let me give the full overview: first off, the place is themed to be some old monastary, with murals of monks drinking on the wall, monastary-like music playing, and the sole bartender in monk's garb. It isn't that big; maybe it holds 25ish people seating, with a little more standing room. There is a code of silence in here. Literally, if you and/or your friends are talking too loud, you will get shushed. I shit you not. I don't know for certain, but I've never heard of any other bar that will kick you out for talking. It is a cute novelty that gets really fucking annoying after awhile, kind of like Charlie Sheen. What is the up side to all of this, may be ask? BEER Burp Castle has a diverse and consistently great rotating tap selection of about 10 beers, with more on bottle to boot. This include Belgian standbys, high level American microbrews, hard to find Euro beer, and of course--following the theming--some Trappist brews. The bartender is also very nice so long as you follow her rules. More importantly, she is a very knowledgeable veteran of top beers, and can guide you along well whether you're an expert, novice, or somewhere in between like me. Prices can be slightly high on some things but ultimately you get what you pay for. If you love good beer and need somewhere to go with no noise so you can relax, or you want have have a quiet chat with a friend, you can't do much better than this. As much competition as there is nearby, and as much as this place irks me in so many ways, I love it. read more

I want to live on 7th St.! Hallelujah! Halle...halle...hallelujah. I love 7th St. and now I love it even more because of Burp Castle! Clearly, I've lived under a rock. Clearly, I'm not paying attention 99.99% of the time I stagger past to go to or come from McSorley's for the umpteen thousandth time. BECAUSE I've only recently experienced the loveliness of this crazy place. The beer selection is crazy, as in "I'm all giddy inside because of the possibilities". The prices are equally crazy, as in "I'll have 2 beers here before I go bust", but who cares about poverty when excellent new beer is involved. And you gotta love the murals depicting monks in compromising situations; mischievous and hilarious. Only cons, the stools are really uncomfortable and kinda wobbly and it appears that they run out of stuff frequently. However, none of that matters to me, you drink enough and you can't feel your butt anymore and if they run out of something, that gives you the chance to try something else!! I'll be back. I'll be the drunk brunette in the corner trying to figure out how to move-in to the basement. read more

Burp Castle - Pubs Near Me - New York, New York

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I love the idea of this place. A bar you can go to and actually have a conversation with someone? What an amazing idea! Yes, the SHHHHHHH, every 4 minutes does get a bit annoying, but its a small price to pay to actually be able to hear the person you're with speak. They also have a good beer selection and the prices are not horrible. Not a place to go before, during, or after a night of heavy drinking. But if you want to stop by to get some drinks with a few friends, or perhaps a beer-loving date, this is the place for you. read more

Shhhhhhhhhh! This place's gimmick is that it's supposed to maintain a level of silence. It's monk-themed. There are awesome murals on the wall. There's no music playing. And the bartender will shush the entire bar when he deems it too loud. Cool just to see what it's like, but a few complaints - they have a good beer selection, but the ones we had seemed stale (Delirium Tremens), so we only stayed for one drink. Also, despite the nice bar interior, the men's bathroom was super divey (aka unbearably stinky). There's also a small gated off outside area where you can talk, though it was packed. read more

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If rating just the bartender and beers it's 5 stars. The bartender was super sarcastic and didn't take any weirdness from my friend who was being really specific with their order. Which was great. They shhh you (yes really) when it gets too loud. Which is also great. But COME ON. Upgrade this place, the tables and chair and floors were just a total dump. read more

I'm not a beer person at all, but even I found something I liked at Burp Castle. Prices are reasonable. Beware that you should NOT come here if you are a generally loud or drunk person. The bartender shushes the room if it starts getting too loud. General conversation is totally fine but don't get too animated and high pitched like I did! This policy did piss off some people but I found it fun and unique. And plus you can actually hear what your friends are saying. read more

Strange concept, but a good time if you're with a group of close friends. Very cozy for a bar, but that's probably why the "shushing" helps so much. Not a ton of drink options, but what they do have (beer) is all very different. Everything from pilsners to ciders to fruitier beers. Prices aren't bad either. One piece of advice, don't shush other people, let the bartender handle it. According to the bartender, it's resulted in some fights and for that reason, they don't like allow patrons to shush. We did witness two people do this. The first got a warning, while the second was throw out along with the rest of his group. Overall, this is a good experience and something different. Check it out! read more

Granted, my visit to Burp Castle was a brief one, but I do hope to be back in the near future. First of all, uh, it's called Burp Castle, which is amazing! The best. Second, as you can tell by all the other reviews, it is an interesting monk-themed bar that enforces silence, which is particularly golden in New York. read more

When deciding what to write for my 200th review on Yelp, I felt it must go to a special venue, and for this I've chosen Burp Castle - why? I waited ten years to come here. Repeat. Ten years! I first heard of Burp Castle at the minty age of 21 when I started to get into the craft beer scene. Burp Castle used to be run by monks and was/is considered a beer monastery. For all the haters who complain about the shushing, go to any of the other loud bars in the East Village because this place is not for you. This place is meant to appreciate craft beers in quiet contemplation, hushed tones with piano playing in the background and Jesus looking at you from the painting above the bar, not judging you but cheering you on. Why it took me so long to get here, I'm not sure, life got in the way and like any twenty something year old I dashed to the hottest craziest bars in NYC and forgot about this one. I don't think I would've appreciated it back then. Now? I would like to sip my damn beer in peace with a couple of good friends. Burp Castle's the perfect place to do it. read more

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Really great Belgian beer bar with a constantly rotating selection of beers. The selection of beer is more limited than what you might find at DBA, but the staff here are way more helpful and less asshole-ish. I wish they had food, but they have no problem with you bringing in food from the outside so I can't fault them for it. And Mighty Quinn's BBQ is just a block away so go crazy with some BBQ beer pairings. read more

If you also enjoy a quite bar where you can actually hear yourself, then this is the place. The bartender will actually shush people if they talk too loud and I thus have an entire class of friends that I can't bring here. Good Belgian focused craft beer selection ($7-12). Sometimes the bartender dresser in a monks cassock, they play soft jazz, there's a weird mural on the wall, 4 seats of outdoor non quiet seating. This place is a respite from the noise read more

I feel like I'm going to be hanged for blasphemy. It was nice knowing you. I went on a Friday night with a few friends and was taken a back by the place. It looked dirty and it smelled funny. I'm surprised no one in the bar smelled it (My friends and I inspected our upper lips first). The bartender was knowledgeable about the good Belgian beer selection and gave suggestions along with samples. This is probably the only saving grace besides the outdoor area, which iron bars make you feel like you're in prison. The poor attempts at obtaining silence were laughable, as you could hear "shhhhh!" every five minutes. Imported Belgian beers are a little more expensive that your usual standard fare of Bud, Corona, Heineken, etc. Stay away, especially if you are a simple beer drinker, who only knows popular labels. I would try it ONCE if you have an open mind and wish to try new beer. I will not return; I'd rather go to Jimmy's No 43 next door... or better yet walk over to West 4th's hidden treat, Vol de Nuit. IFHTP 1 read more

Huge fan of the ambience- speakeasy vibes, and variety of beers. If you're walking past, you may be quick to miss it. It's quite small and definitely a cute little gem. The lights are dim, volumes low, and enough seating to keep it intimate. Love this spot for date nights or an evening of reading. read more

Have not been shushed yet since sitting down. This "temple of beer worship - whisper bar" is exactly why I keep coming to NYC. An endless number of adventures always await! Super chill, cozy bar in the east village. Great beer choices and super cool bartender. The shushing thing must be real because people are literally whispering! read more

Burp Castle - Pubs Near Me - New York, New York

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I waited years to come here. I added this to my Yelp bookmarks when I was sixteen years old. Finally at the age of 23. I went on my first mobile app date here. Both the date and the bar were okay. I guess I expected it to be nicer, but it's pretty divey. Which is fine. The quiet is def real. Came here on a Thursday night in the spring. Which is a pretty lively time for Astor/EV. The bar had maybe 8 people in it. All talking in hush tones. The bartender hushed us a few times. We left after the crowd began to get a bit unhushable. All the wine I had here was terrible, but it is a beer bar. I would definitely come back. The patio looks small, but it seemed pretty chill. It's like when you wanna pretend that you're 16 again and chillin' on ya best mate's stoop in Queens. read more

What a disappointment to discover that one or of our all-time favorite bars is owned by a clueless, aging frat boy with a big pot belly. My boyfriend and I, and our sweet little dog (who also happens to be my certified emotional support animal.) stopped into the gorgeous Burp Castle last evening. The place was empty but for the bartender and a single patron. We asked if we could sit in the outdoor section with our little dog (Check the health code. This is permitted now). We were told it was fine and ordered our first round. Chilling out on the front porch, we read our books and enjoyed a couple of rounds. As we started to drink our third round , served by a chill, venue-appropriate bartender, in walks a chubby guy, dressed to change a tire or attend a keg party. He unceremoniously interrupts us, without greeting us or making eye contact. He tells us that due to the Health Department, dogs are not allowed in the porch area. He tells us we have to leave but we can first finish our round. He doesn't try to come up with a solution or even give us a chance to respond; just turns on his (ratty-sneakered) heel and walks back into the bar. Couple of things to note things about this man and his pub: 1. DudeBro also owns the sports bar next door, called Standings, which is the polar opposite of Burp Castle and all it stands for. Here's a tip: try hiring a manager who excels at catering to the Burp Castle Crowd. As is shown by the empty space, you aren't cutting it. Sports Bar is bustling. Maybe stick to that and give BC back to someone who will treat it like the venerable institution it once was. 2. Read the NYC Health Code!! Rather than focus on a sweet little dog, sleeping under my stool in the OUTDOOR area of a pub that DOESN'T SERVE FOOD. Burp Castle is rated a "C" by the Health Department. That is pretty tough to do when you don't serve food. But our man managed it. In fact, the most current grade is Pending publication and has not been released yet. Here are the citations listed by Health Department, quoted below: The 2019 health grade hasn't been announced yet; but I wouldn't be shocked if the place were shut down shortly. Why not worry about curing these revolting violations and leaving the little dog alone? Violations: October 9, 2018 FOLLOW UP VISIT "Critical Violations Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facilitys food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh" Violations: August 7, 2018 "Critical Violations Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facilitys food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh Non-critical Violations Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to 3. The health code has been updated to expand the discretion of restaurant owners to permit dogs in their outside areas. You have an empty bar. The one customer reading his book on the porch beside us had no problem with the dog. 4. Let's get back to those health code violations. Do you want to pay for drinks from a place cited for having these unsanitary and unsavory conditions? Notably the health code ratings for this place dropped dramatically in 2018. Hmmmm. I wonder what changed around that time. Signed, Two formerly enthusiastic patrons, who frequently recommended this place to friends, family and colleagues. Thanks for nothing. read more

Choices are limited but cheap and smelled a bit funky but loved the ambiance and that people were shushed if they got too loud! The monastery decor also won my heart! read more

It's neat place I found out from my buddy Jackie Chan. I mean Jack C. They offer lots of beer I've never heard before. I am a lightweight and get a blondie beer. I can drink IPAs but rarely by itself. Just don't get shushed. read more

Great little bar that sounds way more gimmicky than what it is--a neighborhood beer bar with a well-curated tap. Tried a Southern Tier Creme Brulee Chocolate Stout--awesome. Great meeting place for 2 or 3 people (it's small) and they have a happy hour until 7 or so. Very chill. read more

This is the best bar in New York City. They have 12 beers on tap, all of which are high quality and high ABV. You want a Belgian on tap? They have it. A stout? Yep. The selection rotates daily and never disappoints. The people are friendly and the service is on point. They do shush when the bar is too loud, but that's a good thing. It means you can hear the people talking to you. Best. Bar. Ever. read more

Came here a few times on weekdays and weekends. Even though it's a small bar, the place never seems to be too crowded. Last time I came on a Saturday night there were 3 or 4 tables empty. So if you like a quiet, dim, and uncrowded bar, it's a good place to go. It's most suited for dates and not really a great place to chat with friends and laugh. If you come with a loud person, expect to feel kind of awkward and be "shushed" a lot. Quiet people only! :P read more

This is the anti-B Bar. Came here with a couple friends last week around 1 am escaping aforementioned frat haunt. It was my third visit. You need to be in the right headspace for it, as it's quiet and often a bit empty even at peak hours. There was a big crowd outside (escaping the silence?) but half-full inside. On louder nights, the bartender's shushing was gentle and judicious. Selection of beers is small, leaning towards Belgians, stouts, and ciders; mostly recognizable brands but often a few I haven't heard of. Prices are fair for the neighborhood. The frescos on the walls are cool but I prefer the small fenced-in patio outside-- perfect for a conversation and a beer while you watch the sidewalk scene. Ideal when you need a break from East Village nightlife and to actually hear each other speak. read more

Quiet, intimate place. The seating is cramped. Lighting is insufficient. Beers are overpriced. The selection is not bad for the size of the place. The novelty is that they keep the sound to a minimum. If you want to get a few drinks with a friend and not trying to talk amongst a large group, then this wouldn't be too bad. If you're looking for a bar to read and grab a drink, there's not enough lighting. Wouldn't object to the place but probably wouldn't opt to go back unless I'm in the area. read more

not much to say about this place. Great beer, great bartenders, great art. I wanna die here

I've only written one other review on Yelp--a 5 star review--but today was such a bad experience that I had to call it out. When I arrived with my friends at 9PM on a Saturday night, the bartender asked me to clear the two tables of a party that just left. I asked him, "Sorry what did you say?" just for clarification because no one asks a patron to clear a table. He said, in a pretty smug way, "What do you think I'm asking you to get from those tables?" Me, being a notoriously polite dude, just said, "You want me to get the glasses?" "Yeah." So, for whatever reason, the bartender saw me as an easy mark, and that's how the night started. Of course, I cleared the glasses and handed them to him. Cuz I'm nice and stuff and act in good faith. Later in the night, he shushed me at least 5 or 6 times, and I wasn't speaking loudly. My friends, who hadn't witnessed the previous event, pointed out that he was always looking in my direction when he did it. From what I can tell, he had an axe to grind. I was the target. And it made for a terrible night, because here I was trying to bond with people I hadn't seen in ages, and ended up being on the receiving end of some confusing power trip. read more

This seems like the sort of place I'd love, it's got a lot of features I look for in a bar. But I've always decided against visiting because I am a very loud person, much louder than your average person, or even your average loud person. I am always told to stop yelling when I'm just talking, but then I often truly do yell when I drink. And that's what drinkings all about yeah? Letting loose a little, having a good laugh, telling a dirty joke. So a bar where the bartenders shush you did not sound at all appealing, or even a place that would be possible for me to sit in without getting asked to leave. But it was a quiet night. Post new-years on a Wednesday, there were only about eight people in the bar and everyone was off in their own space. Just couples, quietly talking with each other. The bar is absolutely beautiful. Old dark carved wood, a beautiful mural of monks merrymaking, cast iron gates outside, cozy canoodling booths by two of the tables, red candle holders, moldings along the ceilings, and a great selection of Belgian beer. I got a Tripel Karmeliet and followed it with a Leffe Blonde with a splash of a cherry beer added for ~excitement~. The bartender did shush the bar a few times, but it was a very gentle, pretty shush, almost like wind blowing through trees. And it was never directed at a person, from time to time the entire rooms volume would become more noticeable and she would give a general shush to no one in particular. The music was also gentle and unobtrusive, oozing out of the same CD player I've had since high school. The bathroom graffiti is extremely uplifting and almost philosophical. "What is your first honest true memory?" is answered with "What is your first memory of true honesty?" It's a great bar, just something you've got to be in the right head space for. read more

I love a good Belgian beer. Burp Castle not only features a great selection but also a setting that could be right out of a monastery. Monks adorn the walls (in paint, not literally) and people are asked to keep their voices down or else be prepared to hear Shhhhhh! Some people might find this policy annoying but I thought it cool - I could actually hear the conversation that I was having with the bartender and other patrons at the bar. Speaking of which, everyone was so damned friendly here, from said bartender to some of the regulars I met while enjoying my Kwak. I will be back to the Burp Castle but don't worry, I'll keep it down. read more

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Shhhhhhhhhhh. I didn't stay to learn anything after being shhhhhhhhhhh'd like a gradeschooler.

they have rlly good drinks but they will literally shush the whole room of grown ass people. it's cool for a date MAYBE but it's just a bummer. read more

I refuse to believe that this is the Burp Castle that so many people have raved about over the years. I refuse to believe that people with good common sense choose to commiserate in a smelly, boiling-hot interior of a bar and be served by a very rude bartender simply because the beer here is of a variety you are unlikely to find in the rest of this city. The smell is not an exaggeration. Like a men's locker room, like soiled socks, like the rug has been spilled on and spilled on and just left to ferment over the years without so much as a thought to cleaning it. It interferes with your ability to actually enjoy the beer. Thankfully, there is a speck of patio space out front to alleviate having to breathe in the stench. Ordering is no more pleasant an experience. The bartender, despite the fact that she doesn't have to shake, muddle or measure anything--all she has to do is pour beer from the tap, just can't seem to be bothered. She practically laughed in my boyfriend's face when he asked for a porter and rolled her eyes when he changed his order. Not once did she smile or say please or thank you. Excuse us for coming in to drink some beer. I, for one, will not be coming here again. Maybe I don't love beer that much. Maybe my sense of smell is just too keen. Maybe decent service is something I've come to expect. Though there's no denying the selection, I just can't subject myself and my friends to the atmosphere and service just to try a rare beer. read more