Chama River MicroBar

Feels like your neighborhood tavern, only with craft brews. No pretentiousness, no BS, just a good downtown joint to sip a pint at. More palaces should take heed. Dog friendly, too!

Agree. Good, not great.

Cool, small, intimate atmosphere. Unique to the pub scene, but flavors and notes that many will enjoy. I really enjoyed my beer at Chama River, perfect location, various parking options. It’s walking distance to the Launchpad and Sunshine Theater. I wish I had more to say, but many have spoken for me! This is a great add to the brewing scene, right in the heart of Downtown Albuquerque.

As we furthered our quest for craft beers and microbrewery’s we ferreted Chama River out. A bit surprised at the location, we were not sure and a bit underwelmed when we walked in the door.
That didn’t last long! After sliding a couple of IPA’s up to us the barkeep chatted with us along with the other patrons. The beer was fantastic and the atmosphere even better! I’d almost kill for a local bar that was close to home that was like this place!!!
We had a couple of pints and enjoyed the vibe and the conversations before calling it a night. Much fun, we’ll be back!

This place was awesome! Small bar with an amazing selection of beers. the bar tender was real chill and so where all those who came and went. I was only in town for a few days and been in here once but you could tell that it was heavily attended by regulars. Will def be going back when back in town. Great music too.

Good, not great. I wouldn’t go out of my way, but I would go back.
We were driving home from an event elsewhere and saw a friend check in here. So we decided to crash her evening. Turned out the surprise was on us! We walked in to a packed room (meaning about 20 people, given the size of this place) and a comedy show! It had just started, so we hung out to watch (awkwardly standing there, trying to decide what to do…). Couldn’t sit with our friend, but someone near the back skooched over and we shared the table. There was an emcee and three comedians — it was initially so strange, but we had a great time!
The beer is okay, nothing to write home about, but decent. I had the amber and tried the lemon saison, which was disappointing. My man had the IPA, which he enjoyed. The bartender was great, no complaints, good service, nice guy.
Strange little place, but I could see being a regular if I lived nearby, or worked nearby. We are not huge downtown-​ers, so this will likely be a pretty infrequent stop, but I would go again for sure. Like the first line says, not going out of my way, but wouldn’t turn it down.
Give it a try, see what you think — if I see you check in, maybe I’ll come crash your visit, too! ;)

If I could give this place zero stars I would. I’ve been here twice before and never gotten quality service. Our third time here tonight was absolutely horrid. We showed up on our bicycles and were greeted with open arms… locked our bicycles up and go inside to find the table and the bartender walks outside lights a cigarette and doesn’t even notice us. he then comes back inside sits at the bar with his back facing towards all of the customers and just watches TV! we SAT there for a good 15 minutes without him even acknowledging our existence let alone asking us what kind of beer we liked. I live downtown and will never return to Chama.

Feels like the kind of bars I used to hang out in NYC… but in Albuquerque! Very much a hole-​in-​the-​wall place. Just a bar and 5 tables.
Great place to work (though, there’s no Wi-​Fi), relax, or simply enjoy a good beer.

Great beers, especially the chama hawk, and a super friendly bartender who was knowledgeable about the beers as well as sights around town for a lonely out of towner.
The locals were nice and chatty too. Would definitely come back!

Whoa, now I know what Lewis and Clark felt like cruising in a canoe, laughing and coming around a corner and finding class 5 rapids ahead…
Surprise! Sounded like a good just idea 5 minutes ago.
I, like we all do, needed a beer. Traffic was insane, I was new to the area, I had Unilocal.Whola, .8 miles Chama River MicroBar… Found parking. Found the MicroBar. Punched myself in the shoulder, nicely done.
But, just like Lewis & Clark, sometimes exploring comes to a screeching halt. MicroBar? More like a seedy afterthought. More like the clubhouse for the little rascals, if they brewed beer. Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts and back away slowly.
Since I was traveling with my business partner, she did not feel safe going into this establishment. There were 5 or 6 stools, all occupied, and once you walk (well scrape your way) past the guy hanging out in the doorway you had to fully commit. We, as a team couldn’t.

Chama MicroBar used to be on my short list of go-​to local brew places… what happened? Either I became obsessed with IPA’s and found better ones elsewhere or I moved out of the neighborhood… I guess both reasons apply,
I stopped by there the other day with my hubby for a post cinema beer. Sunday nights are pretty quiet apparently… actually it was really loud! the music (most at the whim of the servers iPod) was blaring, but we were there with one other person and the bartender. I used to love the atmosphere of this little tiny pub… but it was also super cold with a fan blowing over all the empty tables (actually only 5, its pretty small). After ordering our pints (two stouts) I requested the fan be turned down or off, a request that was quickly satisfied.
My stout was super sweet and not nearly as good as I remember… I suffered a few sips and gave the rest to my husband, went up to the bar with cash to order a IPA, the server refused the cash and and quickly satisfied my beer tastes.
Why only 3 stars then? I dunno, I just never felt comfortable there. The IPA was ok, experience was just a little disappointing all around. With the Unilocal ratings… A-​OK is 3 stars… it fits.
This wee bar is a good stop if you are waiting in line for a concert at the sunshine or happen to be downtown and not at Marble… check it out.

It’s been a good little run over at Chama Microbar for me! Pretty much each and every session has been solid in some way. Whether you are sliding in for a beer or two before a concert or to rap with a friend you should manage to find a spot in here.
Microbar sells pints. Not much else. A partial offering of Chama River’s lineup. One or two seasonals. Hey good enough right? Where can they fit any more kegs anyway? You aren’t spending your whole night in here but you do drop in.

Never been disappointed with the beer or the service! Kind of small place good place to strike up a conversation!

This place really is «micro», they are dog friendly which is great and they also allow you to bring your own food.
They have 3 or 4 Chama beers and then either seasonal or guest beers (I can’t quite remember which).
The staff were very friendly, but they didn’t have all their beers available and — as is all the rage — many of the ones they did have were IPA/​hoppy beers which isn’t great for me.
The restroom is at one end of the bar and opens directly into the bar and so that isn’t the greatest honestly.
I would probably go back as I prefer this place to Marble, I would just hope for more variety in their beer selection.

Tiny, low-​key, and filled with good beer. An excellent alternative to a packed marble on a Friday night.

3 or 4 star is my debate with Chama Micro Bar.
3 stars because with only 4 standard beers and two seasonals on tap, that’s not a lot to choose from and while we were there 2 were out. Plus I’m not a huge Chama beer fan.
4 stars because the two women behind the bar were friendly and easygoing, the place is dog friendly (as in you can bring the furry friend inside!) and our pup had a good time with the other doggies there, you can bring your own food, and the other patrons were relaxed so all equaled a good vibe.
As everyone says, the joint is super small and on a Saturday night between 7 – 9 it was standing room only, which means you’re in the walkway, but everyone seemed ok with it and thus just works here.
As with most places downtown, there’s no parking but easy enough to walk from wherever you can find a spot.

Itty bitty bar with only about 6 beers on tap. There are a few seats at the bar and some tables by the window. There’s only one restroom with just a toilet and sink! I was too afraid to use it given the kind of people that visited.
There’s only one bartender and the music is his personal playlist on his phone. He was very friendly and accommodating when another patron asked for a change in music.
The only food I saw were bags of chips. I passed on that and tried the lager and amber ale. Two beers were seasonal but I didn’t try them. Both the ale and lager had a very green after taste. I think I burped up grass.
Great laid back vibe on the inside. It’s a great place to start your night or if you just want to hang out in a no frills joint. Three drinks max at this place but it was more than enough for me!

as the name implies, very small place…(maybe holds 20 people)
same beers as the other chama river…
don’t know if they serve food or not, but the table i had was just big enough to read the Alibi…
I think more people turned away from this place than drank…
they walked in, no place to sit, walked out…
rope off a patio area with a few tables if possible but…
will be back, just need one chair, lol

A tiny little bar right around the corner from Sunshine Theater, I’ve passed by here countless times without realizing it.
Finally, yesterday with some inspiration from fellow Unilocaler, Ernesto, we dropped in to check the place out.
Like everyone points out, it’s small, fitting maybe 15 people maximum. The bartender was definitely one of those bums that sizes you up as you come in (easily done in this small space) and decides whether you’re worthy of drinking Chama River or craft brew in general. Then he asks you what you want and serves you with a tough/​superior/​I-​have-​self-​esteem-​issues demeanor. Ernesto and I ignored it and got to sipping, knowing we came to try the beers and enjoy the spot, rather than let a bum drive us away.
Anyways, I haven’t been impressed by Chama River beers in my visits to the source on I-​25, but I’ve had a few of their beers other places and been pleasantly surprised/​pleased.
Last night was no different as the rye PA appealed to me, I tried it, and I liked. It wasn’t over-​hopped, had a full body, good rye character and was smooth. Overall a damn good beer.
I’ll go back for the beer and for the low-​key aspect of the place, but I’ll probably send someone else to deal with the barkeep.

Even though its right downtown we had a bit of trouble finding it. I don’t know if our GPS was being crazy or the information they have online is wrong or what but we thought it was on the other side of the main road. Also, the signs are not that big so that didn’t help. Eventually we made it and I mus say that they are not kidding when they say «micobar». This place is tiny, it reminds me of bars in Tokyo. They had their normal line up of about 5 beers or so on tap plus two seasonal beers. My husband enjoyed the beer more than I did so I will have to say that this place is just ok. Oh yea, the parking downtown ABQ sucks so be prepared.