08/25/08

Housed in an 1850s building that was once a malt shop, this Irish pub adds breezy charm to Williamsburg.

by Contributor

This pub--named for a Celtic island between Ireland and Scotland--proves a worthy complement to the 'hood. Wood-toned and gently lit, Iona reverberates with the Pogues and other alt-rockers as it fills up with conversational folk on the weekends. The beer selection--largely Irish, Scottish and Belgian--is top-notch. Twenty-odd varieties are on tap, including Guinness, Stella Artois and Fuller's London Pride, with an additional 30 in the bottle, such as Hoegaarden, Duvel and Schneiderweisse. In addition to beer, ale and bitters, there is liquor and a chalkboard menu offering several wines by the glass and snacks like potato chips and Mars bars. In warmer weather, a charming outdoor garden in back draws a crowd of locals and city folk, who enjoy ping-pong, chess, and barbecue beneath a flurry of tree branches.

Hits: The prices are unusually low, even for Billyburg--think $4 mixed drinks.

Misses: The bar is cash only, though there is an ATM machine on the premises.

04/16/08

lovely pub

by johnnawoods

Great Pub!

Tends to have an older crowd which is great for us 30 somethings. I have always enjoyed chatting to the friendly patrons and servers. Summer on the patio is wonderful.

• Pros: nice neighborhood bar
• Cons: none

10/06/07

BAR - Outdoor: Perfect

by chadwarner

This place is F*#^ing perfect. Ping Pong. Outdoor. Beer.

Great place to hang with friends outside, Needs music outside though.

04/19/07

Great Bar, Great beers

by big_gus

This bar has an awesome beer selection and the bartenders and owners are all very friendly. While this place does get very crowded on Friday and Saturday nights, it is much less so earlier, and this is the best time to go here. The perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon/evening. Weekends they play english premier league games.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, great selection
• Cons: none

04/07/07

Probably best for an older crowd, cool artwork on walls

by kb21

A bit narrow, seating within the window display makes you feel like you are a mannequin for all to see (pretty cool though, unless you are claustrophobic). Older crowd, early 30's. A sign said heineken was $4 but they charged us $5. Whatever. Secret: Tons of old board games in the back, including half missing trivia cards and chess pieces..Play some chess when you realize you're not really having fun, it helps.

03/17/06

live music at better iona

by akismith

Getting bigger and better. Now this great place has live music and events in its expanded space. Featuriing musicians and music events and performers from Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Same great drink choices and service, warm and comforting too.

10/17/05

warm and snuggly scottish irish bar

by samantha1969

If you are looking for somewhere warm and cosy with great drinks,extra friendly 'human' relaxed cute bartenders, scottish and irish sassy girls ! this is your local for the winter in Williamsburg. Now a full bar, hot toddys are good, 20 tap beers, hot and fast served homemade pies.

Live Irish traditional seisiun musicians on Tuesday nites also make it warm and relaxed a better choice over the loud too young cold bars in williamsburg !!

• Pros: intelligent bartender, big garden, table tennis outside
• Cons: too much choice, hard to leave

03/06/04

down to earth

by prettydigital

iona is your good old standby pub. your friendly face in a sea of strangers. pull up a stool, drink some great tap beer, go outside & smoke your cigarettes, and bypass bad attitudes. great garden, fresh beer, friendly bartenders.

the kind of place you can go to alone, and feel just fine about it.

• Pros: fresh clean beer, beautiful backyard, great staff
• Cons: , no spirits

07/12/02

Best Guinness Tap In The Burg

by Lampshade

Beer and Wine only. There is no hard alcohol.

I like the fact that they don't serve hard alcohol. While I have nothing against hard alcohol, in its absence, there is a different vibe there. Hard to articulate, but it is a friendlier, conversation oriented crowd. Evenings after 9pm can get loud, but the afternoons are simply a joy.

I think they have 20 taps or something. Clean lines. There is wine on tap also! Or you can get it out of the bottle. They really know how to pour a Guinness. Would you expect anything less of a bunch of ex-pat owners?

Check out their garden in the back. A real respite from the truck noise and otherwise industrial nature of The Burg.

Cheers!

• Pros: terrific staff, homey, great taps
• Cons: crowded after 9 pm, smokey at times