Where to Spend Your Annoying, Mid-Week 4th of July
Circumstances may have put a bit of a damper on this year’s Fourth of July festivities, but what better way to celebrate your freedom from colonial oppression than to go out and get toasted in the middle of the workweek? Look to these Brooklyn bars and restaurants for your Fourth of July fun — whether as places to wile away the better part of the day, or as easy evening respites after a grueling 9-5.
Alma: Macy’s may have screwed the city for the fourth time running by choosing to mount their fireworks spectacular over the Hudson River (the one day of the year you’re better off in New Jersey!) but you just might be able to sneak a peek if you perch on the rooftop of Alma’s in the Columbia Waterfront District. No such luck? Drown your sorrows in a bowl of guac and chips and multiple shots of tequila instead.
187 Columbia St, (718) 643-5400
James: Don’t worry about spending the remainder of your day poking at a bunch of hot coals. Relax with a beer or bloody mary at this cozy Prospect Heights eatery and choose from a one-day-only menu of all-American favorites, done one better. We bet your standard picnic staples don’t include grass-fed beef burgers, grilled Kobe chilidogs, Peekytoe crab salad, fingerling potato salad with horseradish and bacon, and peanut butter and jelly sundaes!
605 Carlton Ave, (718) 942-4255
Crown Victoria in Williamsburg: Call us twisted, but there’s something strangely satisfying about the thought of ringing in the holiday with a greasy plate of fish and chips and raising a Pimm’s Cup to our freedom. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to celebrate at this genial Williamsburg pub — namely a 1,000 square foot front patio and 10,000-foot backyard. Pip pip cheerio, y’all!
60 S 2nd St, (917) 719-6072
Dekalb Market: Party down while you can at the current location of Brooklyn’s favorite container store. Grab a bite, shop ‘till you drop, then check out Deep Space’s all ages dance party from 3-9pm, which promises to “explore a galaxy of music and mixing styles that have even the most remote connection to our almighty star of inspiration: planet dub.” It’s what our forefathers would have wanted.
138 Willoughby St, (212) 529-9262
Sycamore: If you don’t have access to so much as a Hibachi — but still prefer to DIY — this Ditmas Park flower shop-turned whiskey bar will let you get your grill on in their ivy-ringed backyard. If you bring the beef, they’ve got the burners…just make sure to order up a few rounds of reserve Kentucky bourbon or aged George Dickel Tennessee.
1118 Cortelyou Rd, (347) 240-5850
Gowanus Yacht Club: This ramshackle watering hole perched atop the Smith Street F and G station embodies a certain laid-back American ethos…catch-as-catch-can décor, a plastic chair or two, and all of the Old Milwaukee or Pabst Blue Ribbon you can drink.
323 Smith St, (718) 246-1321
Burger Bistro: Show that you’re proud to be an American by ordering up this exercise in unapologetic overindulgence — namely, a beef patty topped with an all-beef hot dog, cheddar cheese and bacon, served with a side of baked beans. Feeling a little parched? Be sure to chase that sucker down with a red, white and blue milkshake. USA! USA!
7217 3rd Ave, (718) 833-5833 or 177 5th Ave, (718) 398-9800
Beer Island: Do yourself a favor and wait until the crowds have parted from the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest before settling in for the evening at this raucous, open-air sandpit just off of the Coney Island boardwalk. You won’t even have to leave the premises for all of your brew and ‘cue needs…Bar-B-Que Island (pulled pork sammies, brisket platters) and Chicken Island (shish kebabs, gyros), are just a drunken stagger away.
3070 Stillwell Ave., no phone
