Best of Brooklyn: Drinks
From the best revived cocktail trend to the best rock star bar, here’s our choices for the best places to drink up in Brooklyn.
Best Reason to Drink in the Columbia Waterfront District: The Hop Shop
This neighborhood-that-many-people-don’t-even-know-is-a-neighborhood has a few great spots to eat, like Pok Pok Ny, but not as many awesome, stand-alone bars. Well, no need to go to Red Hook or Carroll Gardens to imbibe any longer: The Hop Shop is the craft beer haven you’ve been craving. Plus, it’s got a killer backyard for lounging.
121 Columbia Street, Columbia Street Waterfront District
Best Underrated Bar in Williamsburg: Daddy’s
The thing about Daddy’s is that there’s nothing too flashy about it, which is just why we like it. The food is good and cheap, the booze is good and cheap, and the jukebox is just plain good. In a time of overwrought concept bars (some of which, we must admit, we really like) this bar stands out for not standing out that much at all.
437 Graham Avenue, Williamsburg
Best Tropical Drinks, Not Featuring Bacardi, Paper Umbrellas or Twisty Straws: Leyenda
221 Smith Street, Cobble Hill
Best Bar for Indulging Your Chuck-E-Cheese Nostalgia: Pizza Party
Board games and pizza and screaming kids your bag? Sure, why not. This is the best place in Brooklyn to get your fill of all those things without also having to deal with a grown man in a furry rat costume. Win-win.
254 Irving Avenue, Bushwick
Best Rock Star Bar: James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem’s The Four Horseman
295 Grand Street, Williamsburg
Best New Cocktail Trend for Those of Us Who Like to Get Drunk But Can Never Really Tell the Difference Between Well Whiskey and Pappy Van Winkle Anyway: The Return of the Long Island Iced Tea
At “fern bar” restaurant Oleanders drinks feel like a trip back to someone’s grandparents 70s-era cocktail parties; we’re talking minty Grasshoppers, citrusy Long Island Iced Teas, and frosty Pina Coladas. And you know what? They’re not just fun, they’re also delicious. And way easier to get down than is probably good for you. But that’s fine with us.
160 N. 12th Street, Williamsburg