The Best Dive Bars in Brooklyn
Farrell’s Bar and Grill
215 Prospect Park West, Windsor Terrace
Who says there’s no drinking outdoors? Outside Farrell’s, there’s always a small crowd swigging Bud from huge styrofoam cups, puffing on Marlboro Reds or the occasional cigar. Of course, these guys probably have little fear of being ticketed—if they’re not cops, they’re probably firefighters, or at least have a cousin on the force. Farrell’s is, for good reason, often cited as one of the last bastions of old-school, blue collar Brooklyn. The bar didn’t allow women until the 1970s (Shirley Maclaine was famously the first unchaperoned woman served), and it’s still pretty dominated by men today. But that doesn’t mean women aren’t welcome, or that people who wander across the street from the craft beer-oriented Double Windsor won’t be welcome. Get a Bud. Get it in a styrofoam cup. Start a conversation with the guy to the left or the right of you about the Mets or the Rangers (never talk politics…just don’t do it) and you’ll soon find out that old-school, blue collar Brooklyn isn’t so bad. And, hey, this might be the perfect spot to find someone who will help you get your next ticket for public drinking dismissed.