Nail Creek Pub & Brewery

Heads up: They are not really a brewery at the time I’m writing this review, so don’t go in expecting to get a flight of Nail Creek beers. They have brewed in the past and may again in the future.
That being said, this is a great place to stop if you’re in Utica. We have combined a trip here with a tour of the nearby F.X. Matt Brewery several times, and always had great experiences. They have a great selection of beers on tap that are well-​chosen and always straying from the normal boring stuff you find everywhere else. There’s always something interesting, even for beer drinkers who have «had it all». The food is also fantastic. I’ve tried many different menu items here, and each has been creative, well-​made, and delicious. The poutine is a standout!
Their service also stands out for me. The staff is always nice and accommodating. This last time we were in, we raided them with a fairly large group, many of us paying on separate checks, and they didn’t even blink. It’s the kind of thing that would make some servers cranky, but our server didn’t miss a beat and helped everyone efficiently and with a smile.
Can’t ask for more. Wouldn’t want to!

I’d give it five stars based solely on the Sunday brunch, however there is so much more to offer. Tremendously pleasant staff and outstanding beer selection that changes regularly. The brunch can get busy, facilitating a lengthy wait, but it’s worth it. I’ve even been approached by the owner with complimentary drinks, as an apology for the wait. If the Croque Madame is on the menu… get it!

You will not find better food, better beer, or a better atmosphere in the Utica area. I challenge anyone to order lunch or dinner off their small but amazing menue. You won’t be getting a typical fried or microwaved meal here. The medataranian grilled cheese, the Spanish chicken and dumplings, and the feature dishes are always fantastic. The craft beers on tap are cold and delicious. I’m not a wine drinker but I know they have it. Knowledgeable staff can tell you about all the different beverages and what they would recommend based on what you know you like. I hope for the sake of your taste buds… you venture into this establishment which I can only describe as a pillar of culinary art.

In town for an emergency visit to a hospital and was looking for a place for a beer and a light meal. Walked by and decided to give it a try. Very pleasant surprise. Nice folks, good beer and the food was better than the atmosphere suggested. Will come back.

First time here for food – and so pleasantly surprised! It was perfect! Burger on Utica Bread roll that my husband had was delicious and the Mediterranean Grilled cheese that I had was the best ever! The sides of garden salads were wonderful. We won’t even talk about the craft beers and drinks– because they never disappoint. Our bartender-​wish I found out her name-(brown hair & glasses) was so pleasant and helpful– that we will make the trip there again sooner rate than later.

Great pub with local neighborhood vibe. Friendly and attentive wait staff, and good beer selection. Menu not extensive but had a great meal.

Cool pub in an old building. Neighborhood feel with friendly staff and patrons. Nice local draft beer selection. Disappointed that the crab mac and cheese was not available this night. The Muffaletta was pretty good and the mussels were great! We sat outside and it was pleasant. Good street view.

Excellent burgers and sandwiches and a great selection of beer. One of my favorite places in Utica.

Decent food. Good ambiance. Decent beer selection. They just run out of too many types of food. It’s a definite gem.

Friendly and tasty. Great burger and the roasted pepper caprese sandwich was excellent. Nice craft beer line.

Here for a week for work. Came here twice during the stay. Pay at the bar service. Good beer and very tasty food. Ribs one night and a burger the later in the week. One of the other folks in the party ordered the chicken dumplings each time.

I love this place so much! Best place to grab lunch and an after-​work drink! With a constantly changing menu and a wide assortment of options always trying something new! Plus the staff is incredible!

I do not carry cash, and didn’t see the sign until I ordered that you had to spend $ 15.00 to charge anything. I ordered the tomato panini, a cup of the potato cheese soup, and a Utica Club to wash it all down. Everything was super tasty. I wish the bartender was a little more friendly, as I was dining alone and would have welcomed the conversation. Fortunately, I was close enough to the $ 15 that the bartender let it slide, as I still couldn’t meet the $ 15 quota with what I ordered. If I’m ever in the area again I’ll be sure to try the Cuban. It’s always a great sandwich. I wanted to try Nail Creek Pub, since the owners also own The Tailor and Cook. The atmosphere is quite cozy and I couldn’t imagine seeing what it would be like when the bar was jamming. I went on a Thursday night.

Tasty food, an assortment of alcoholic drinks, friendly service and good music. Good music, friendly crowd, and comfortable setting. Love this bar!

I stopped at Nail Creek during a road trip. The beer selection and ambiance were great. The food was mainly just bar food. You can only order food from the bar. We got spinach and artichoke dip to start which was actually really good. They served it with toast which was a nice touch. Then we got the three cheese and tomato sandwich, poutine and peas pasta which were all okay but not great. So basically come for the local beer selection!

Two words: tofu scramble. Holla! We stopped in for brunch (I’m on a mission to find the best bloody mary in the Utica area) and to my delight when I asked for an order of hash browns with every vegetable they had in the kitchen the server asked if I was looking for a vegan option and suggested a tofu scramble that wasn’t on the menu. Sweet! Apparently they only have a small amount prepared hence they don’t advertise it. It was very tasty! I highly recommend it. The bloody mary was solid too. I was disappointed the garnish didn’t include a pickle but that’s just me. Unless I happen to stumble upon a place with vegan brunch options, Nail Creek is going to be my go-​to Sunday morning joint. Note: Their liquor license doesn’t start until noon so if you arrive early you may find yourself sipping coffee.

Best bar in Utica.
Amazing food!
Great atmosphere!
Staff is always awesome.
I’ve heard their Sunday Brunch is awesome as well!

Great atmosphere, and strong drinks! What more can you ask for.

My favorite little bar in Utica, the city,
Every time I come, I want to sing «Doo Wah Diddy».
The perfect spot to try some new unique beers.
You and your friends will all be saying «Cheers!»
Every time I visit my old stomping grounds in Utica I stop at Nail Creek. There’s always a great selection of beers on draft at reasonable prices. The bartenders are always willing to help you pick out a good beer and will even let you try a sample if you are torn between one or two. If you really can’t decide, order a flight!
The inside is pretty much a dive bar and sometimes could generate some off-​aromas during peak hours, but that is what gives it character. There is a big deck outside with picnic tables when it warms up and there are often live bands playing out there.
I ate lunch there once. Food wasn’t great, but they let you substitute your side for a Utica Club!

Besides being a real chill bar with a vast beer selection including their own brews, Nail Creek has some of the best food around. Lunch, dinner and pub grub is on point and deserves a visit just for that.