Brooklyn Drinking Guide: Where to Drink Wherever You Are
The Brooklyn Bar Guide:
WHERE TO DRINK ,
WHEREVER YOU ARE
ICONS KEY
BAR LUNATICO
486 Halsey Street, Bed-Stuy
Eugene & Co
397 Tompkins Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Beast of Bourbon
710 Myrtle Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Brooklyn Stoops
742 Myrtle Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Project Parlor
486 Halsey Street, Bed-Stuy
Project Parlor
486 Halsey Street, Bed-Stuy
Brooklyn Tap House
590 Myrtle Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Black Swan
1048 Bedford Avenue, Bed-Stuy
One Last Shag
348 Franklin Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Tip Top Bar & Grill
432 Franklin Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Dynaco
1112 Bedford Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Doris
1088 Fulton Street, Bed-Stuy
Stop Time
1223 Bedford Avenue, Bed-Stuy
C’Mon Everybody
325 Franklin Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Chilo’s
323 Franklin Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Moloko
705 Myrtle Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Fancy Nancy
1038 Bedford Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Glorietta Baldy
502 Franklin Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Moot Bar
579 Myrtle Avenue, Bed-Stuy
KeBeer
1003 Brighton Beach Avenue, Brighton Beach
The Velvet Rope Lounge
3212 Coney Island Avenue
The Freak Bar
3006 W 12th Street, Coney Island
Ruby’s Bar & Grill
1213 Boardwalk West, Coney Island
Peggy O’Neill’s
1904 Surf Avenue, Coney Island
Margarita Island
1105 Bowery Street, Coney Island
Draft Barn
317 Avenue X, Gravesend or 28 Dooley Street, Sheepshead Bay
Brass Rail
2123 Avenue Z, Sheepshead Bay
Bossa Nova Civic Club
1271 Myrtle Avenue, Bushwick
Sunrise/Sunset
351 Evergreen Avenue, Bushwick
Bootleg Bar
1438 Myrtle Avenue, Bushwick
Bizarre
12 Jefferson Street, Bushwick
Lone Wolf
1089 Broadway, Bushwick
Industry 1332
1332 Halsey Street, Bushwick
The Evergreen
109 Moffat Street, Bushwick
Birdy’s
1215 Myrtle Avenue, Bushwick
Happy Fun Hideaway
1211 Myrtle Avenue, Bushwick
Bushwick Public House
1288 Myrtle Avenue, Bushwick
Gotham City Lounge
1293 Myrtle Avenue, Bushwick
Looking Glass
1087 Broadway, Bushwick
Left Hand Path
89 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick
Heavy Woods
50 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick
The Rookery
425 Troutman Street, Bushwick
The Cobra Club
6 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick
Montana’s Trail House
455 Troutman Street, Bushwick
Bodega
24 St Nicholas Avenue, Bushwick
Pearl’s Social & Billy Club
40 St Nicholas Avenue, Bushwick
The Narrows
1037 Flushing Avenue, Bushwick
Pine Box Rock Shop
12 Grattan Street, Bushwick
Arrogant Swine
173 Morgan Avenue, Bushwick
Union Pizza Works
423 Troutman Street, Bushwick
Northeast Kingdom
18 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick
The Johnson’s
369 Troutman Street, Bushwick
983: Bushwick’s Living Room
983 Flushing Avenue, Bushwick
Boobie Trap
308 Bleecker Street, Bushwick
Old Stanley’s Bar
226 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick
Yours Sincerely
41 Wilson Avenue, Bushwick
Dear Bushwick
41 Wilson Avenue, Bushwick
Cafe Ghia
24 Irving Avenue, Bushwick
Mominette
221 Knickerbocker Avenue, Bushwick
nenzo’s
19 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick
The Sampler Bushwick
The emphasis at The Sampler is to let patrons try–sample, if you will–quite a few beers. Their extensive tap beer list is constantly rotating, as is the size and pour of the brew in question, and the bartenders are extremely knowledgeable about their wares. A bar that will keep the serious beer drinker and their whiskey-inclined companion, very happy. And if you overimbibe, try the pickles.
Lot 45
Lot 45 is a dark bar with huge chandeliers, and while that’s not the most original presentation, it’s still a damn good one. It’s the kind of place where you can get anything from $1.50 oysters, to a whole bottle of Bloody Mary (to get a sense of the size, a glass is $9, a bottle $35), to a take on a Pimm’s cup that’s topped off with Red Bull. Basically, it’s the perfect balance of classic elegance and millennial cheekiness. Yes, you read that right: millennial.
Miles
For the neighborhood, Miles is what would be considered an upscale cocktail bar, and it would certainly be in the upper echelon of bars regardless of location. Their menu features drinks that incorporate unwieldy spirits like oolong whiskey or chipotle tequila into cocktails that sound—and taste!—lush and appetizing. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, go for the Woodbury Campfire, a drink that combines bourbon, scotch and Lillet into one glorious, fiery concoction.
Hi Hello
Hi Hello is fairly new to the area, it opened in spring of 2015, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a staple for drinks and decadent sandwiches. The owners also run Momo Sushi Shack, so you can trust that the environment is very relaxed, and that they know how to put ingredients together. The bar itself stays open till 2am, offering reasonably priced cocktails ($10 for most) with unexpected combinations, like the Fizzy Cola, a blend of Ramazzotti, lime juice and soda.
The Three Diamond Door
Housed in a converted Kennedy Fried Chicken–yes, that’s a KFC knockoff brand–the Three Diamond Door converts nicely into a 1950s-styled speakeasy. There’s prosecco on tap, beer and shot specials, and a four hour happy hour from 4-8pm that’ll get you a dollar off well drinks, tap beers, shots and wine. The main appeal here, though, are the cozy vintage booths, that give this place a retro feel that isn’t over-the-top.
Central Station
With a huge backyard and a kitchen that stays open until 1am, Central Station offers two things this somewhat secluded area of Bushwick needs: late night eats and the space to do it in. The emphasis here is beer and classic cocktails–nothing fancy–and the small plates and other food items are divided into sections named for transportation-related terms. That should tell you a lot about the vibe in question, and if it you like that kind of humor, then you’ll probably like this place a lot.
Forrest Point
In possession of what is easily one of the most beautiful backyards in Brooklyn (it feels like you’re in Fern Gully!), Forrest Point has an impeccable craft cocktail menu, featuring several amazing renditions of milk punch (our favorite is the Silken Road, redolent of bourbon, lemongrass, lychee, and coconut milk), and a great food menu, with great snack food and more hearty fare like a delicious quinoa salad (yes, quinoa can be good!). Eat and drink outside under the strings of fairy lights, surrounded by tables fashioned from stumps and adult-sized swings.
Gottscheer Hall
Gottschee is a region of Europe so old it precedes nation states, and so distinctive that its culture has outlasted the many border and naming changes. The German-speaking region is located in modern-day Slovenia, but the chaos of both world wars led to the vast majority of Gottscheer people to emigrate to America, specifically New York. All this to say, Gottscheer Hall is a bar with a long memory, and an even longer pedigree, and you can feel both of these things when you enter the bar, which turns 92 years old this year. It’s got a long walnut bar in the center, and a mix of round, dinner-table style and taller tables scattered throughout. There’s three German beers on tap, along with standard bottom shelf brews like Coors Light and Budweiser, a jukebox lurks in the corner and the food menu contains German classics like spaetzle, wursts, and big, fluffy pretzels. All this is well and good, but it’s the history that makes this bar special, some sort of spirit hangs thick in the air, almost like a noise, like the clattering of empty steins past. Sometimes the age of a place is a feeling, not a function.
Onderdonk & Sons
Onderdonk & Sons is relatively new the the Ridgewood area–as are a lot of bars in this neighborhood–but the cozy, well-decorated bar still manages to feel like it’s been a neighborhood staple for decades. They don’t serve any real liquor and focus much more on a rotating list of tap beers, but thanks to the help of liqueurs, beer, wine and Soju, you can still grab a makeshift cocktail if your heart desires. The Negroni Incorrect is especially appealing with a smooth mix of Cappelletti, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Sparkling Wine. Venturing out of Brooklyn’s pricier neighborhoods is always a relief, too; mixed drinks will run you $7 and as little as $5 during the notable happy hour from 4-7 on weekdays, 12-7 on weekends. That’s also when you grab a burger, fries, and a beer for the minimal $11. Long live Quooklyn.
Milo’s Yard
Milo’s Yard does indeed include an ample yard, with long, clean wooden picnic tables and ample room for smokers and non-smokers alike. However, it’s the pinball games indoors that might end up garnering more attention in this converted Butcher Shop bar operated by the same couple who own Happy Fun Hideaway. It’s right off the Seneca M stop and features a dollar off all drinks during the 4-8pm happy hour. They also offer an eclectic food menu that features a Chicago hot dog alongside a Chinese pork buns, vegetarian samosas, and Jamaican beef (or veggie) patties.
Bierleichen
This massive, concrete beer hall is big enough to host the beginning of your Ridgewood bar crawl, or collect everyone in your rolodex for one enormous rager. Old films are projected on the back wall, and the beer list is extensive and eclectic enough to please even your snobbiest brew-obsessed friend. There’s foosball tables to boot, bratwursts, and four kinds of grilled cheese including a yummy muenster & jalapeño sandwich.
June
One of June’s claims to fame is that it’s so tightly packed into Ridgewood’s commercial strip that the looming 99 cent store sign almost eclipses this quiet, unassuming bar. But no marquee can overshadow June’s much-needed presence on a still-developing block. The three-hour happy hour from 5-8pm gets you a $2 draft beer with the purchase of a Cheddar ($4) or Provolone and Prosciutto ($6) grilled cheese.
Julia’s Beer and Wine Bar
Denise Plowman and Crystal River Williams opened Ridgewood’s beloved Norma’s Cafe in 2012, and the coffee shop quickly grew to become an essential haven for residents new and old. Two years later, they crowdfunded another neighborhood spot: a much-needed casual hangout spot called Julia’s Beer and Wine Bar. Beers are around $5, local wines by the glass all under $10, and there are several delicious beer and wine cocktails as well, like a stunning stout and sparkling wine concoction called the Black Velvet. You can also grab a beef turnover or a cheese plate to balance out the booze. Julia’s is great because it has all the charm and appeal of being at home without the cleanup.
The Ridgewood Ale House
The Ridgewood Ale House is one of those big, comfortable bars that you associate more with the suburbs than Brooklyn. It’s got enough TVs to qualify as a sports bar–as in there’s a screen in every booth–and there’s also karaoke. There’s absolutely nothing about this bar that says “hipster” or “Brooklyn,” and some nights, that’s just what you need.
Glenlo Tavern
Glenlo Tavern is one of those bars that’s been happily serving alcohol to local Ridgewood residents long before “Quooklyn” was even a twinkle in a Times editor’s eye. It’s a spacious bar on the otherwise nearly bar-free zone of Fresh Pond Road–we’re talking deep Ridgewood here–and one of the primary draws are their dart boards. That should tell you a lot about what to expect.
Queens Tavern
In 2013 this bar changed hands, and Caskey’s Tavern became Queens Tavern. Currently, the bar is most notable for hosting music video events like Wu Tang Wednesday, regular karaoke nights and movie nights. It’s the kind of place that fosters a close knit neighborhood community out in a hood that most of Brooklyn is still discovering exists.
The Monk
This bar is unabashedly about beer, specifically, Belgian beer. There are no TVs or other newfangled contraptions to distract the avid drinker from focusing on a frothy, rare brew. Featuring extensive selection of both bottled and on tap options, The Monk is a discerning outpost for those who crave Brooklyn’s cutting edge discernment, but find themselves off in Queens.
The Keep
Walking into this bar is like walking into an antique shop that sells alcohol. Seriously, the air of history–specifically one person’s eye for it–hangs as heavy in the air of the Keep as a sense of neighborhood camaraderie. It’s one of the last outposts before the neighborhood turns into a wasteland of loading docks and abandoned factory buildings, and it functions as such, keeping stragglers and neighbors from feeling like they live too far out. Amid the many old chairs and tables, a suit of armor, a motorcycle, and the legendary bulletholes in the walls from past inhabitants, you’ll find old guard New York happily mingling with newcomers–there’s absolutely no sense of hierarchy in a bar this noble.
Paradise
There’s Christmas lights up year round in this quiet, dark Ridgewood watering hole. It’s a neighborhood staple for those who want a quick beer and a chance to zone out post-work. Or, it can easily contain an all-nighter within its dingy, simple confines. There’s nothing remarkable about the place at all, which ends up being one of the features most people appreciate about it. Paradise is only trying to be exactly what it is: a bar. That’s what makes it so goddamn heavenly.
Nowadays
Perhaps the title gives it away, but Nowadays is a seasonal bar that’s only open during New York’s signature humid summer months–and even then, only when it doesn’t rain. Sporting a gigantic outdoor area with colorful picnic tables and enough of a lawn for both kids and dogs to enjoy, this far Ridgewood bar is family-oriented in a way that many aren’t able to be. Nowadays serves drinks as well as food, and also provide games, so on a sunny day in Brooklyn, there’s absolutely no reason to leave.
282 Burger
As you may surmise from the name, this is a good spot to get a solid, no-frills burger. But “no-frills” doesn’t mean low quality: 282 uses grass-fed beef from local butcher Los Paisanos. There are 10w burger variations including a particularly delish vegetarian option coming with grilled onions and roasted poblano chips—all to be washed it down with a nice, foamy beer while you people watch through the glass façade onto Atlantic Avenue. 282 opens at noon every day, so if you happened to be hungover and craving, say, a burger topped with a fried egg and melted cheese, right here would be your saving grace. Hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, and a kids’ section round out the menu, as well as a nice list of house cocktails. For something unique, try the Across Smith Street, with Smith and Cross rum (don’t be fooled, it’s bottled in London, not on Smith Street), Velvet Falernum, lime and pineapple.
Saint Gambrinus
Beer nerds flock here to sample cult brews like Barrel Aged Evil Twin by the bottle and on draught—the latter to be taken home in growlers. Take your flights and snacks out to the garden, open from April through November, or enjoy them at the bar or tables near the front. It’s fun to crane your neck to browse the various obscure bottles of beer stacked alongside the wall. There’s cider, too, not quite as nerdy as the beer selection but still good. The best part is that the staff is helpful rather than snobby. Stop here on your way to the Barclay Center, a short walk.
Bar Tabac
Every neighborhood’s got to have its classic, casual French bistro, and Bar Tabac has long held the designation on Smith Street. A great spot for casual weekday lunch—try the Croque Monsieur made with country-style bread, ham and Swiss cheese, served with fries, or an expertly prepared omelette with a side of mesclun greens—as well as a great date spot any night of the week, Bar Tabac excels at simple and delicious food. In terms of drinks, you’ll find the French version of “happy hour” here: the aperitif, featuring light and refreshing spirits like Cocchi Americano on the rocks, and supremely classic French drinks like the Kir Royale, made with crème de cassis and sparkling white wine. The wine list is French (duh), tidy, user-friendly, and affordable. Bring your mom, your second date, your coworker—it’s easy to have a good time. Brunch, especially, is a fun affair, featuring live music. Don’t miss the cheese plate.
White Oak
There’s a whole host of reasons locals love this place: for the beautiful, quiet, wooden patio out back; for the calm, exposed brick interior inside; for the fresh oysters and raw bar; for decadent bites like filet mignon sliders, or a fried egg-topped bacon cheeseburger with fries, or the duck confit grilled cheese; for the rotating selection of beers on tap. Wine and beer lists here are fairly low-key, but the cocktail menu is on the adventurous side—for example, try the Blackberries and Smoke, a concoction of Pisco, Laphroaig, blackberries, lemon juice and pomegranate juice. Service here is attentive and inviting, revealing White Oak to be a true neighborhood restaurant.
61 Local
This is a reliably good bar where you can stroll in with half your department and find a place to stand with a draught beer in your hand and make conversation. The 30-beer draught list is always changing, and the wine program emphasizes interesting local (hence the bar’s name) producers like Brooklyn’s own Red Hook Winery and Brooklyn Oenology. Order up some charcuterie and cheese board, throw in some smoked almonds, marinated olives, and Brooklyn Brine pickles and you’ve got a spread. There are larger plates, too—mac ‘n cheese, and a wild mushroom and lentil shepherd’s pie. Although 61 Local is an excellent spot to gather some boozehounds, it’s also not too loud and totally decent for a date or hanging with just one friend at the long wooden bar. And uniquely, 61 Local offers low-ABV soft cocktails, as well as house-made ginger ale and local kombucha, so you can invite your friends who are “cleansing.” 61 Local also hosts a free monthly comedy-music show called “Politics and Pints.”
Boat Bar
When you just want to grab a cheap beer or late-night whiskey, play a few songs on a juke box, and make out with someone in low lighting, Boat is your destination. It’s exactly what a bar should be—a place to sit and drink—and not much more. Bartenders are nice, the vibe is relaxed, you might end up talking to the couple next to you at the bar, that sort of thing. There’s a killer happy hour–$3 beer, booze, or wine until 8pm, every day.
Camp
Deer heads and canoes on the walls, a working fireplace, board games—as befits the name in both senses, this bar is campy and makes you want to camp out for hours, drinking craft beer or Hot Toddys and lounging just like you did in your college dorm. You’d be well advised to share an order of s’mores with your buds: they come in a basket with a little gas flam, ready to take you back to your Scouts days. There is even, steady yourself, a Girl Scout Martini coming with a chocolate covered marshmallow. Karaoke night is bound to be wild.
Building on Bond
This may be one of the most versatile—and most beloved—bars in Brooklyn. You could have a daytime meeting here, or a casual happy hour date, or meet some friends for a drink and let it turn into a full-on dinner. The dinner menu features New American classics like kale salad (it’s charred, though, adding a unique touch), flatiron steak, a supremerly good veggie burger, and salmon. The décor, with wood-slab tables and quirky abstract paintings, makes you feel immediately at home—one reason this spot has been called a “living room” for locals. With several rotating beers on tap, and innovative seasonal cocktails like the vodka-spiked strawberry basil lemonade (in summer) or a classic Dark and Stormy (in winter), you can’t go wrong. Choose from five different Bloody Marys to go alongside your Eggs Benedict at weekend brunch. Swing by on Tuesdays for trivia night.
Brooklyn Inn
Dating back to the late 19th century, when the surrounding brownstones were just being erected, this is one of these super old-school, institutional bars that you absolutely have to experience. The woodwork is original, and when you enter and look up at the vaulted ceilings, you feel transported to another era. The décor is kept minimal with just a few mirrors on the walls, and a long one elegantly placed behind the bar. This approach could be done pretentiously but it’s the opposite—relaxed and inviting. Grab a Brooklyn Lager or a neat whiskey and bunker down for a long conversation with a good friend, or grab your date and sidle up to the pool table in the third room.
Fawkner
Fawkner is a top-notch gastropub with good beer, classic cocktails, and a relaxed atmosphere, from the people who opened the Bell House, Floyd and Union Hall. Everything is affordably-priced and well-executed. If you’re hanging with a group of buddies, grab one of the booths set into wooden caves, and dig into a bowl of cheesy Poutine doused with New England style brown gravy, and some sweet, savory, or spicy beer nuts. Don’t miss the fried chicken sandwich, made with a lightly breaded thigh and topped with relish, corn pudding, and fried onions (good luck getting it all into your mouth). Snuggle up with your date on the couch in back, where several antique couches and lowlighting create a nice mood in front of the working fireplace.
Clover Club
One of the iconic bars of the mixology movement, this is a well-established, award-winning destination cocktail bar. You could have the most perfect Sazerac of your life here, prepared by an expert bartender wearing a smart vest, or try one of seven variations on an Old Fashioned. To experience the cutting edge approach here, opt for the Eastward-leaning Kafka on the Shore, featuring the Indonesian sugarcane spirit Batavia Arrack, shitake-infused Japanese whiskey, Cardamaro, Carpano Antica, and crème de cacao. All cocktails here are mercifully under $15, despite the bar’s renown. If you’re not feeling cocktail-y, there’s beer and wine, and an especially good selection of sparkling wines and Champagne. Food is satisfying and New American, ranging from oysters to salads to steak tartare to a scrumptious lamb burger. Brunch here is an delightful affair with a special menu of fantastic daytime cocktails—of course Bloody Marys, but also Collins and Fizzes, Sours, uber-sophisticated variations on the Mimosa, and more to keep you saucing long into the afternoon.
Verde
Northern Italian cuisine made with fresh, high-quality ingredients is the attraction at Verde, a beautiful and casual neighborhood spot. It’s ideal for catching up with a friend, a group birthday brunch, or a simple date. Start with baked clams stuffed with garlicky, buttery, oregano-flecked breadcrumb filling; then have the crispy gnocchi with sausage and broccoli rabe or a 20-oz Angus rib-eye with polenta and spinach—in other words, a solid meal. The wine list is nearly all Italian, with excellent variety and reasonable prices. There is bottomless brunch on weekends, including all the Bellinis and Mimosas you can drink. A very likely candidate if you’re looking for a reliable go-to restaurant that’s strong in hospitality and cuisine alike.
Battersby
Plush leather banquettes set against exposed brick walls, with distressed wood paneling, set the scene at Battersby for lingering with friends or loved ones over interesting, contemporary food and a bottle or two of wine. Created by two chefs who met working at Alain Ducasse’s Essex House, this is a fresh and seasonal approach to Italian cuisine, with small and tasty first courses like octopus with butter beans, a second course of house-made pastas, and many well-prepared mains like heritage pork atop a sauce of farro, cauliflower and raisons, or braised short ribs with sunchokes and carrots. To sample the best of the chef’s offerings, there are two tasting menus—either five courses for $75, or seven for $95—for which you can make a reservation. The cocktail list here is very succinct—just three house drinks—but it is good, and the wine list is particularly stand-out, featuring top Old World producers and a few exciting New World options, all skewing “natural,” meaning organic vineyards and a traditional, minimalist approach in the cellar.
Zombie Hut
Tiki at its finest is what you’ll find at Zombie Hut, where people gather on the ample back patio to sip tropical drinks garnished with plastic creatures like a green monkey. Try a sugar-rimmed Frozen Zombie, a Bacardi-based slushi, or a Long Island Iced Tea, which nobody will judge you for ordering because it’s a tiki bar. Get everybody nice and hammered with a pitcher of the $26 “Scorpion Bowl,” a concoction of Bacardi, brandy and juice, coming in a pretty painted bowl with several straws and a flame in the center for an impressive presentation. Spend an afternoon here sipping on Mai Tais and playing Jenga, kicking your feet up on the patio, and living your best life. Stagger out like, well, a zombie.
Ravioli Wine Bar
277 Smith Street, Carroll Gardens
As you may discern by the name, pasta is served here, as well as wine. Carroll Gardens has long been an Italian neighborhood, and these guys are keeping the tradition alive with their fresh, house-made pasta dishes and Italian wine list. Regarding the latter, Ravioli has some particularly interesting options on its thoughtful and well-organized wine list; nearly all bottles are served by-the-glass, and highlights include rare treats such as Barolo and Brunello from 2010 (just about ready to drink), and a 2007 Montepulciano. There are just two beers here—both from Forst, an Italian brand—so come thirsty for fermented grapes. Aside from delicious pasta dishes like pumpkin ravioli smothered in a butter, sage, and Parmesan sauce, there is also house-made Minestrone that rivals your Nonna’s. Ravioli is closed Monday and Tuesday, but opens at 11am for lunch all other days.
Bar Great Harry
280 Smith Street, Carroll Gardens
Beer nerd alert, this is a great spot for trying some of the trendiest bottles out there, like Evil Twin and Other Half, and other craft beers that sound like they’re named after a Stephen King movie. Although it has its edgy side, Bar Great Harry is above all a casual, yet hip place for sipping brews, snacking on cheap bites like bacon-wrapped dates (may they never go out of fashion) with jalapeño sauce, and playing pinball. The bar hosts occasional tap takeovers, often featuring a line-up from a particular importer. Happy hour here is stellar, if potentially dangerous: two beers for $5, from 2-7pm. Low lighting makes this a great date spot if your boo is the type to be into brews and pinball. Locals like bringing their pups here, too.
The JakeWalk
No self-respecting neighborhood can be without a good speakeasy-themed bar, right? The JakeWalk is just that. It’s where you go for that perfect after-work tipple, that first date you’re really excited about, that long night of drinking with old friends—it’s a classy spot with top-notch booze. There are also plenty of tasty snacks, including an extensive selection of artisanal charcuterie and cheeses, and various forms of gastropub fare like pimento cheese, house-made ricotta crostini, Parmesan-topped meatballs served with bread bits, and a slow-baked chicken pot-pie. At happy hour, enjoy $9 cocktails as well as reduced-price beers and wines, as well as the “Working (Wo)man’s Special,” which is a Narragansett accompanied by a whiskey shot for $9. Beer aficionados, note that the beloved Hill Farmstead Brewery can be found here.
Bar San Miguel
When you need some excellent tacos, don’t bother Yelping it for an hour straight like Aziz Ansari’s character does on “Master of None”—just head to Bar San Miguel. Choose from the braised short ribs with pico de gallo, or the fried fish with red onion and cherry tomato salsa, for only $9, both coming in a pair of soft corn tortillas. Or, go for enchiladas, cheesy and stuffed with your choice of ribs or chicken, and served non-traditionally in the form of soft tacos with a side arugula salad. Portions are small; consider adding some chips and guac or salsa, or an order of empanadas, to round it out. You’ll want to wash it all down with the San Miguel Margarita, a classy, not-overly-sweet concoction of blanco tequila, Combier, agave nectar, and lime—with the option to sub in jalapeño-infused tequila for you spice hounds. There are several other, seasonally rotating house-made cocktails featuring tequila or mezcal. Drinks are quite boozy. Waits can be long, as the space is small, and reservations are recommended for groups.
Claudine’s
With the Italian heritage of the neighborhood, you’d hope there’s still one good red sauce restaurant around. Claudine’s is only a few years old, but it’s right on point in terms of delivering classic, simple, fresh Italian food, as well as a selection of beer and wine. The menu features staples such as eggplant or chicken Parmigiana, brick oven-fired pizza, calamari—old-school Italian favorites. And every dish is under $18.
Wilma Jean
Famous for its really, really good fried chicken, Wilma Jean has a sweet all-day happy hour that goes from 12pm-5pm daily, with reduced prices on wine and beer. The selection is interesting and diverse, featuring local mainstays like Sixpoint Brewery, as well as more unusual bottles like a blackberry saison from Tennessee. Wines are locally sourced, including small producers on Long Island and in the Finger Lakes. Perfect when you need a really strong first meal of the day, or you can skip out on work early and you’re craving some flavor and a nice hoppy beer. The atmosphere at Wilma Jean’s is great, too—wonderful natural light, and fresh flowers to liven your spirits.
Frankies 457 Spuntino
A veritable Carroll Gardens institution, Frankie’s is a benchmark in terms of really great food, excellent hospitality, beautiful décor, and perfectly made cocktails. It’s where you bring your first date, your second date, your family, and your cousin on his birthday, and where you can also sit at the bar alone and have a proper meal while reading a book on a Tuesday night. Signature cocktails are on-point, and you’d do well to start with a classic Italian aperitivo beverage made with Campari or Aperol, modestly priced at just $8; there are also a few signature cocktails, some of which are contemporary explorations of classic Italian drinks. The extensive and very good wine list is mostly Italian and showcases many lesser-known grapes like the light red Ruché, as well as unsuspecting regions like Sicily and Umbria. On weekends, brunch is served until 4pm; expect waits. Don’t miss the famous French toast, to be enjoyed with a side of thick-cut bacon.
Abilene
That welcoming sky-blue exterior, in warmer months accompanied by white patio chairs where people lounge over a pint on a lazy afternoon, is a quintessential sight on Court Street. Abilene is low-key, with a living room feel inside thanks to comfy beige couches, garden green walls, and hazy natural lighting in the afternoons, when locals gather to enjoy happy hour specials like that perfect combo, beer and a shot, just $6 here. After dusk, candlelit provides a perfect atmosphere for chatting with small groups of friends, or getting to know your date. Cocktails include a raspberry vodka lemonade, a Pimm’s Cup, and a Dark and Stormy.
Buschenschank
Come here after class, work, or a long gym session to cram yourself full of house-made pretzels and guzzle large mugs of beer at communal tables or on the spacious patio. Indoors, you’ll find exposed brick and reclaimed wood, and a working fireplace. Aside from beer garden favorites like pretzels, spaetzle, pickled things, and ‘wurst, there’s pizza from a wood oven. (German-Austrian and Italian food together might seem odd, but Buschenschank is inspired by the Alto-Adige region of northern Italy, where the two cultures collide.) Tuesdays for Trivia, weekends for brunch. Great for casually hanging out with a group, especially if people are coming and going throughout the night.
Dosa Royale
One of the newer additions to the neighborhood, Dosa Royale has been a quick hit, offering a great atmosphere for dates and groups alike (there are two-tops and six-tops at the ready), and a solid menu of tasty, updated Indian street food favorites, mainly dosas and curries. The fermented semolina-based dosa pancakes come with several forms of dipping sauce or fillings, including mixed veggie, spinach and paneer, and onion and tomato with spicy green chili. There’s no meat on the menu, except for a few fish appetizers and curries. Add an extra spice kick to any dish by requesting gunpowder or mysore, or green chilies. You can order them family style, as a “dosa royale.” Although the food might transport you to Varanasi, the cocktails will remind you that you’re in Brooklyn; try the Kovai Express with rye, sweet vermouth, and cardamom bitters for a Southeastern take on a Manhattan. The entire cocktail list takes this approach of adding Indian flair to an otherwise classic drink. Everything is a great value here, and the vibe is relaxed and hip. Dine al fresco, on the back patio, in warmer months.
Strong Place
This popular watering hole has 24 beers on tap, a cute backyard with actual wooden picnic tables, and great food. Strong Place runs a strong snack game. Order some fried chick peas, or a plate of oysters and clams ($1 at happy hour), or some bone marrow and short rib croquettes that look and taste as fancy as they sound, or the small and hearty bowls of pasta. There’s enough that you could make a proper, casual dinner out of it by passing around plates and ordering rounds. Lots of great vegetarian options, too. Food presentation is artful, even Instagrammable. Check the calendar for regular live music by local artists, and stop by on weekends for brunch.
June
Since June opened in early 2015, it has received much attention for its beautiful art nouveau décor by the design firm hOmE, as well as its excellent selection of natural, funky, and eclectic wines from around the world. June also wins points for its fantastic staff, who could be cooler-than-thou, and might, actually, be cooler than most of us, but outwardly are friendly and helpful to the max. Food at June is composed, seasonal small plates and it’s best to either come here pre-dinner for snacks, or expect to eat lightly. Aside from wine, cocktails at June are very on point, often featuring Italian amari, and generally leaning bitter rather than sweet. Try the High Plains Drifter, conceived as “a gin cocktail for a whiskey guy,” and featuring gin, sherry, Sapins herbal liquer, angostura bitters and smoked rosemary. The best thing about June may be its heated patio, open year-round. Bring a date here and grab stools at the bar, or call to reserve a table for a group of six or more wine lovers.
Lobo
For 13 years, Lobo has been a solid neighborhood spot for Tex-Mex and tequila. The flavored margaritas are just-sweet-enough and strong, the food is quick to come out and flavorful, and the vibe is low-key. Try the Loaded Nachoas, with homemade tortilla crisps, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, guac, and sour cream, topped with your choice of chicken, beef, pork, veggies, all for only $10, or fajita-style beer or chicken for a few bucks extra. Wash it down with a Michelada featuring Modelo Especial, or get a pitcher of Sangria for the table. Finish with a round of house-infused tequila shots. At brunch, the buttermilk pancakes are a must, with a side of bacon.
Joya
There are two sides to Joya: the scene indoors, where a live DJ creates a clubby vibe, and the outdoor patio, open in warmer months and much quieter and serene. The industrial-chic, youthful ambience conspired with a solid menu of Americanized Thai food, and a selection of beer and wine, for a place that’s reliably fun and atmospheric, whether for a date or a gathering with friends. Try the Pad See Ew with tender chunks of pork, the veggie spring rolls, and the classic dish Pad Thai—all shy of $10. Wash down with a Singha and you’re set.
Congress
Winner of the 2015 People’s Choice for Best Bloody Mary in Brooklyn, Congress is a beloved local watering hole and verified classy joint that features an excellent selection of beers on tap and many very pretty cocktails that arrive in coupes, so you can look nice and coy in the dim lighting as you lift the drink gently to your lips. One of those that you might venture to try is the Mermaid’s Tale, made with gin, frothy egg white, crème de violette, lemon and Peychaud’s—proper #drinkporn. Note that there is a “Bartender’s Choice” option for just $11 if you’re feeling mischievous (and trusting). There’s also an extensive menu of sipping spirits, including an impressive selection of single-malt Scotches and bourbons, and various aperitif and digestif liqueurs. The food at Congress is limited to two kinds of very specific and unusual snacks: sweet artisanal “pop tarts,” and locally made beef jerky. Make sure to check out the wallpaper, custom made and resembling a fruit salad of sorts. Happy hour starts at 2pm, goes until 7. Congress is cash only.
Cody’s American Bar and Grill
Wings, mozzarella sticks, a freshly poured Guinness and some NFL on a Sunday sound good to you? Stop by Cody’s, a neighborhood stalwart with many flat-screen TVs, friendly bartenders and patrons, a super relaxed vibe, and plenty of food, beer, and good cheer. Bites include clam chowder, nachos, a Cuban sandwich, chicken Caesar wrap, and popcorn shrimp. If beer isn’t your thing, the bar serves all kinds of cocktails, including house-made margaritas. Finish it all off with some Irish coffee or mulled wine, and apple pie.
Floyd
Bocce ball, at a bar? A great date idea, or perhaps you want to join a league and make it a regular Sunday night outing. You’ll find Bocce, an old-fashioned game similar to shuffleboard, as well as childhood arcade favorites like Pac Man at Floyd, a mellow spot for gathering in a group any time of the day. Kick back on the tattered couches and sip bourbon, or share a bucket of beer. Snacks include Kentucky beer cheese with crackers, for just $4.
The Brazen Head
The Brazen Head is a low-key neighborhood bar with craft beer on tap, the occasional brewery tap takeover, darts, and groups of friends—or, more specifically, students from nearby Brooklyn Law School or employees from Trader Joe’s—catching up, as well as locals hanging solo to watch the game. Aside from craft brews, there are cask ales, which are unfiltered and unpasteurized. Scotch is a specialty here; there are over a dozen to choose from. Complementary bowls of pretzels are available to help soak up the booze. As well, there are complementary wings on Mondays, cheese plates on Thursdays, and various other specials throughout the week, listed on the chalkboard outside the bar. You can participate in [THAT THING WHEN YOU BET ON SUPER BOWL TEAMS, WHAT IS IT CALLED???] in good company here.
Leyenda
Mixologist Ivy Mix worked at Clover Club before she and owner, Julie Reiner, decided it was time to open a place where she could showcase her own personal style, including her love for all things mezcal. Despite being something of a cocktail celebrity around the country (she was named “American Bartender of the Year” at the annual industry event, Tales of the Cocktail), Ivy is actually behind the bar at Leyenda most nights, serving up tastes from cult bottles of single-varietal mezcal, or whipping up one of the innovative drink creations on the menu. Solid Latin-inspired dishes at Leyenda include one of Latin America’s best street foods, the pupusa, which come stuffed with refried beans and cheese, and topped with salsa ranchera. There are also updated Latin foods, such as the spinach and Manchego empanadas with an artichoke and orange escabeche sauce, as well as more New American style dishes (the obligatory Brussels sprouts), and heavier plates and tacos, too—all quite good. But the real attraction at Leyenda is the impressive cocktail menu. Try the Cabesozo, consisting of mezcal, whiskey, Lillet Rose, white vermouth, elderflower, mole and habanero bitters, and lemon oils, and you’ll see what all the hype is about.
Mekelburg’s
Not only is there no place quite like Mekelburg’s in Clinton Hill, there is, we dare say, no other place quite like it in Brooklyn. When the part-gourmet-grocer, part-bar opened in summer 2015, it was a novelty-cum-staple success. Longtime Clinton Hill residents Alicia and Daniel Mekelburg opened their basement-level culinary hideout because quality groceries like high-end cheeses, meats and sandwiches were unavailable in the vicinity. But beyond these front-room delicacies, the back room is where the party is at. With a combination of bar, four-top, and backyard picnic seating, 16 local beers on tap, and surprising small plates like a caviar and crème fraîche baked potato (plus excellent meat and cheese plates, assembled up front), Mekelburg’s is all inspired-hit and no miss.
Mayflower
The scene you might imagine inside this pint-sized cocktail bar—which doubles as a fantastic place to guzzle a Manhattan while waiting for a dinner table at Aita (by the same owners) next door—belongs to a Fitzgerald novel: men in coattails and women in drop-waist dresses, all having intimate tête-a-têtes, perched along banquette seating and two-tops. The bar itself, in line with the space, is short—just four seats—as is the list of house cocktails scrawled on a chalkboard hanging behind it. With one bartender as staff, each order can take a minute to mix. But the surroundings are so cozy and intimate that you won’t mind the wait. Time runs at its own pace inside this candle-lit boozy refuge.
Hanson Dry
In a neighborhood oddly lacking in straightforward bars, Hanson Dry stands out for being one. Happy hour starts early, come with pretzels, and music-at-a-certain-volume. The front room is long and narrow, with bar-only seating—save for a little banquet spot lining the front window. Warm weather calls drinkers to the backyard and, for those who have not secured a place at the bar, there is more seating in a second back room. The space is simultaneously no-frills (except: a Photo Booth! And a TV) but handsome: a pleasant grey-blue is painted throughout. If a classic bar experience is what you’re after—elevated by bottomless, comforting bowls of pretzels—Hanson Dry is your ticket.
Hot Bird
There are two excellent times to go to Hot Bird: In the summer, when you’d like to drink outdoors—Hot Bird is, first and foremost, a bar with substantial outdoor picnic seating—and in the winter, when you’d like to drink outdoors (there’s a fire pit, too!). Which is to say, there is never not a pretty good time to drink at Hot Bird, which offers 12 beers on tap and all the standard cocktails. Well, maybe one: When it gets too crowded, which happens semi-regularly, though less in the the winter, and never due to strollers (no kids allowed!). Inside, the bar is cash only, and there are seating options here, too. Get on it, though: on perfect summer nights, those fill up quickly, too, with those who didn’t get in early enough to secure a spot within the main attraction.
Hops Hill
Hops Hill, perched on the southern end of a string of relatively new bars on Fulton Street, boasts a dozen rotating beers on tap, 100 bottles in stock, more than 20 ciders, a nice selection of small plates and sandwiches, and a pretty mellow local crowd. It’s attractive inside—a rectangular white marble bar anchors the space—but there is not a lot of seating on the periphery (and it’s not as appealing anyway). One TV hangs inconspicuously in the corner; good to keep the solo drinker company, or for those who want to keep tabs on the game, but are more interested in talking and drinking beers (or some inventive house cocktails) with a friend.
Sisters
Sisters, as far as a still-living human can tell, is what a bar would look like in heaven. Design firm hOmE created a space flooded by natural light (a gigantic, 30-foot skylight draws the eye upward) and is anchored by a long, white marble snaking bar. Aim to sit there; it is a true delight. The serenity continues with a white latticed tile floor, pendant globe lights, and sandalwood paneling throughout. Daytimes are great for working (all that sun and plush plant life!) and the brunch crowd is chill on the weekends. Nighttimes offer what you want from a bar: candlelight, live music in the the back bar (yes, there are two full and separate bars ), a full dinner menu, and lots of people casually drinking and eating for long stretches of time: This is a heavenly bar, so it is very hard to leave.
Fulton on Grand
True to its name, this Clinton Hill go-to rests at the forked intersection of Fulton Street and Grand Avenue, and geographically beckons you inside. Because of that, the narrow casual space is often crowded, and even a little rowdy, especially on the weekend. The owners here are behind 4th Avenue Pub in Boerum Hill and The Evergreen in Bushwick—both of which offer markedly different experiences than this convenient and therefore popular spot. Summers here are best: limited outdoor seating offers great people-watching on the pedestrian heavy intersection. There’s shade on one side of the building, sun on the other, and for an especially long hangout, you can order takeout and eat on site.
Outpost
This is first a cafe, second a bar. But it’s cozy, lived-in, all-day hangout appeal, transitions easily to a nighttime hang, particularly for those who want to work and start drinking at the same time. There are cheap beers on tap plus a small selection of wines. Plus, if you’ve been in front of your laptop all day, amped up on coffee, you’ll need a snack, too. Outpost to the rescue! They make excellent salads, sandwiches, and soups (the vegetarian and meat chilis are filling and tasty). Plus, this is not your standard beautiful-people-only crowd: Outpost’s freelancers have a lot to do, an interest in getting it done, and drinking while they’re at it. Take note: no internet available before 4pm on the weekends, and a credit card minimum of ten dollars.
The Emerson
This five-year-old bar has become a true neighborhood hangout (it even won best neighborhood Brooklyn bar in 2015), and for good reason. It is, for Brooklyn, huge inside (both wide and long), has a pool table in back, arched banquette seating along the walls, a large backyard (smokers allowed), comfy vintage furniture, and hosts open mic night every Thursday. It feels like a bar that has been around forever in small town Nebraska (the owners wanted to give it an old-time art-deco feel) except filled with Pratt students and Brooklynites. Happy hour starts at four and lasts till 7, but you’ll likely end up staying much later—unless you forgot your ATM card. This bar is cash only, just like the old days.
Mirrors on Grand
Vodka, peach Schnapps, pineapple and orange juice are the ingredients of Sex on the Streets—a house cocktail scrawled on the large mirror that hangs front and center behind the bar in this Clinton Hill hidden-in-plane sight gem; somehow, the drink’s title evokes the simultaneous sense of play, and, well, hookup club scene (though it is not a club) that suffuses the space. There is an unfinished floor, tall ceilings, loud 90s hip-hop (if the juke box is not in play), and velvet seating all around. You want all of that, right? You’re not sure why, but you do. And what better backdrop to all of this but the football game, displayed on the prominent TV next to the mirrored bar.
Bar Bolinas
Exceptional lighting, falling out of milk glass pendants above the bar, and stained-glass wall sconces; old-fashioned strings of large holiday lights; Stereo Lab on the sound system: these are all tell-tale signs that you’ve stumbled upon an especially lovely bar on the northern end of Myrtle in Clinton Hill, a place where few other options abound. The kitchen is run by the couple behind the delicious Allswell in Williamsburg and, while drinking a Fine Mess (a perfectly smoky mescal and tequila house cocktail) they invite you to nibble on peanuts, bao, or kimchi. Or you could go for a full-on dinner. A whole trout! A chicken sandwich! Or a burger! Warm weather hosts backyard drinking, too. Bar Bolinas is an under-wraps beauty, and one you should make it your business to get to know.
Putnam’s Pub and Cooker
There are, definitively, not so many great bars along Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill (RIP Splittys!), so we can overlook Putnam’s shortcomings a little more than we’d otherwise like to. This place feels a little like Brooklyn… trying to be Brooklyn, in a pre-fab kind of way. Aesthetics (and hit or miss live music on Sundays) aside, there are it’s perks: The menu is giant (chicken pot pie even!), an adjoining room with cozy booth seating, the bar is fully stocked, and TVs hang above it. One thing not to miss: A room downstairs hosts dance parties on Fridays and Saturdays. Brooklyn is sadly bereft of these—at least in this neighborhood—and given the weirdness upstairs, things could even weirder, in a good way, on the lower level.
Brooklyn Public House
This neighborhood staple is lovely because it is very casual, serves food until 1am on weekdays, 3am on the weekend, and fills up with industry people and regulars not looking for a scene—just some straightforward decompressing. The bar is nice and long and traditional. Happy hour is from 4 – 7pm including half-priced appetizers. Original floors and ceilings remain in place so that it feels vintage but naturally so, like a classic diner experience, with a very inviting bar. There isn’t much else like this late night—and all day— experience in Fort Greene.
Die Stammkneipe / Der Schwarze Koelner
Wow, there sure are a lot of consonants squeezed next to each other in this Fort Greene German beer hangout. Which is why, if you’re a regular or local, you stick with “DSK.” It is a charming, amiable, European-feeling space with reindeer ornaments above the bar, a black and white checked floor, a big open floor plan with a couch, more than a dozen german beers on tap, and german snacks like pretzels, potato salad, and sausage to give the stomach a base for all those suds. Outdoor benches and tables line either side of the restaurant, which is located in the fork between Fulton Street and Hanson Place. Of note: the game is always playing on a large projection screen, and, it’s cash only. DSK is perfect for a summer hang with a snack, or a winter hideout with friends.
Hanson Dry
In a neighborhood oddly lacking in straightforward bars, Hanson Dry stands out for being one. Happy hour starts early, come with pretzels, and music-at-a-certain-volume. The front room is long and narrow, with bar-only seating—save for a little banquet spot lining the front window. Warm weather calls drinkers to the backyard and, for those who have not secured a place at the bar, there is more seating in a second back room. The space is simultaneously no-frills (except: a Photo Booth! And a TV) but handsome: a pleasant grey-blue is painted throughout. If a classic bar experience is what you’re after—elevated by bottomless, comforting bowls of pretzels—Hanson Dry is your ticket.
Frank’s Cocktail Lounge
Frank’s—Frank’s! Thank goodness for Frank’s Cocktail Lounge, a Fort Greene family-owned institution since 1974—a time when the neighborhood was decidedly less filled with German Beer Gardens and freelancer-heavy cafés. Inside, Frank’s serves cheap bottles, standard cocktails, hosts karaoke on Wednesdays, has a jukebox packed with lots of R&B classics, and doesn’t look an inch different than it did in the 70s. Just look at that crazy white stalactite ceiling behind the bar, vintage bar stools, and dark lounge carpet. It is like nothing else around, the same as it ever was, and absolutely perfect. Upstairs on Saturdays, there are hidden dance parties, too. Bring your I.D.! This classy joint has a bouncer.
Mo’s
Mo’s, previously Moe’s (though not at all affiliated with that shuttered 10a-year-old establishment), has been run by its new owners since 2011, but retains the spirit of regulars that Moe’s was known for before it. The high-ceilinged, two-level establishment is filled with a very loyal crowd, who will both know that you are not a regular when you walk in, but welcome you all the same for it. There’s Tuesday karaoke from 9pm–1am, DJs every Friday and Saturday, and a nightly happy hour: two drinks for six bucks. Walk in here in sweatpants and feel fine, or come for a post BAM drink, or with a tinder date. Here, everything goes, and all are welcome.
Alibi
Go to Alibi because you’re sick of all that is Fancy in Brooklyn. Go to Alibi because, in Fort Greene especially, things are looking nicer and nicer, and cost an arm and a leg. Go to Alibi because all you want is a dive bar, and those are sure hard to come by in these parts. But this is it, and you won’t be disappointed with what you find here. Happy hour from 5-8pm, all drafts are four bucks. There’s a pool table, two TVs, spacious backyard, and many, many regulars in this bar, mildly sunken from the street. All told, the affect is ever-so mildly, and pleasantly derelict. Just like you always wanted New York City to be. And cash only, please. This dive is the real deal.
Mullanes
This is first a cafe, second a bar. But it’s cozy, lived-in, all-day hangout appeal, transitions easily to a nighttime hang, particularly for those who want to work and start drinking at the same time. There are cheap beers on tap plus a small selection of wines. Plus, if you’ve been in front of your laptop all day, amped up on coffee, you’ll need a snack, too. Outpost to the rescue! They make excellent salads, sandwiches, and soups (the vegetarian and meat chilis are filling and tasty). Plus, this is not your standard beautiful-people-only crowd: Outpost’s freelancers have a lot to do, an interest in getting it done, and drinking while they’re at it. Take note: no internet available before 4pm on the weekends, and a credit card minimum of ten dollars.
Dick and Jane’s
Speakeasies, in the traditional sense, no longer exist: Americans are allowed to sell alcohol in public! But New York speakeasies, i.e., bars that don’t advertise that they exist—are in abundance, and this is one of them. It is Fort Greene’s only one, however. Dick and Jane’s is a small, cozy cocktail bar that looks like a shuttered carriage house by day. By night, big heavy doors open to low-hung windows that are filled with dim light that spills onto the sidewalk. The ceilings are pressed tin; the walls are exposed brick, and the far end of the bar is capped with a big mirrored wall. Industrial pendant lamps hang above the bar-top, and—as is required of speakeasies in New York—there are Edison Bulb wall sconces. Bring a date, get cozy, and drink some booze ($8 house cocktails for happy hour!), in a place that, if not illegal, still feels like a fun secret.
The Great Georgiana
Repeated attempts to say something outstanding about this place have proven unsuccessful—and yet, to say something damning is hard, too. Where does that leave us? Well—with a bar. One that has a TV, an occasional in-house DJ, and stays open until four on the weekends. It’s a big open room with nothing offensive and nothing singularly excellent, er, great. But as the bartender mentioned when I sat at the bar post 2am, feet dangling (no foot rest either!), and the rest of the neighborhood already shut down, The Great Georgiana was still going, if not strong. Yes, this totally fine establishment outlasts all its neighbors, and that counts for something, if not greatness.
Berlyn
Berlyn, first and foremost, is a restaurant. There is, however, a smallish, dark-wood bar stocked with all the alcohol you need—which is especially convenient for the pre- and post-BAM crowd, which looms like a gorgeous, large-windowed monument to culture just across the street. But back inside this very traditional German establishment—decked out with quirky antler chandeliers, pillows in the shape of cut logs, dark wanes coating, pre-war German ephemera, and one hunting trophy—indulge in something hearty and Germanic, like Wienschnitzel, pretzels, and a pilsner, to fuel, or put a nice cap on, the rest of your night.
No. 7
No. 7 is an excellent restaurant, but most neighborhood regulars wouldn’t call it that. The front portion of the space, which abuts the final step of the Lafayette C stop Subway entrance, is a fantastic bar. Many never make it to the high-ceilinged dining room in back where full dinners are served. The front window is lined with spacious banquette seating, and catches those who fail to find a spot at the intimate bar. Order a negroni—classic, but not boring, because what a negroni it is! Above all, go for No. 7’s famous broccoli tacos (strange but worth it) and if it’s Wednesday, order a half-priced bottle of wine to go with them. When you sign your receipt, steal the “Eat your broccoli (tacos)” pen that they give you for signing; it will remind you to go back for more.
Walter’s
This is one branch of the same excellent Walter Foods located in Grand Street in Williamsburg—so yes: it, too, would be called restaurant before bar. But because outside of Alibi, the Great Georgiana, and Mo’s, there are, again, very few straightforward bars in Fort Greene, many who live near will come here just for drinks. At least, that will be their intention, and then the mouth watering bites—pork chops, clams and pasta, a delicious house burger—whizzing out of the kitchen and right passed them, will probably turn drinks into your evening meal. Still, the intention was to get a Grüner, or a whiskey sour, in a romantic, low-lighted, art-deco-y space. And if you stick to your guns (and think of your wallet) you can make that happen.
Kinjo
Repeat after me: Fort Greene is a neighborhood of restaurants fused to bars, and that are quite good at serving both purposes. This is another of those places. Kinjo has a full sushi bar and kitchen that produces Japanese and Korean classics (and some excellent soy-ginger wings). But the bar is also large, and host to many a local’s day-ending sake (served out of adorable glasses lined with pandas that you can take home and collect!) or cold Asahis. And, if cooking is not in your future, plenty of sushi rolls and bowls of ramen are served, and gobbled, along with them. The decor is largely wooden, the floor plan is open, and the staff—when they see you returning over and over—will yell your name as you walk inside (kinda like Cheers). So even when you go there solo, you won’t be alone.
Habana Outpost
In a very real sense, this outdoor picnic table, margarita, and corn on the cob party could be considered the epicenter of neighborhood. It takes up the prominent (and significant portion of the) corner at Fulton and South Portland Avenue, and—during warm months—it rarely lacks for day or nighttime drinkers. Frozen drinks and mojitos are gulped aplenty, and vibrant fiesta colors are found on the tables and fenced-in outdoor space. There is also an indoor, more traditional restaurant—but, really, this place is all about the outdoors, and pretending like you’re having a party in a hot place, much farther south than in Brooklyn.
Black Forest
Though a relatively new arrival to this bar-starved corner of Windsor Terrace, the Adirondack has quickly become a go-to for locals. In warmer months, the handful of outdoor tables are always crowded with drinkers amiably chatting with local passersby; and in the winter? There’s really no cozier indoor spot, thanks to the abundance of natural wood and a secret-feeling, tucked-away booth for two. Oh, and then there’s the beer list. It’s smart, comprehensive and fairly priced; it’s also complemented by a full bar (stick with the classics, and enjoy an excellent old fashioned) and a small selection of wine.
BUT THIS BAR IS THE BEST
Though a relatively new arrival to this bar-starved corner of Windsor Terrace, the Adirondack has quickly become a go-to for locals. In warmer months, the handful of outdoor tables are always crowded with drinkers amiably chatting with local passersby; and in the winter? There’s really no cozier indoor spot, thanks to the abundance of natural wood and a secret-feeling, tucked-away booth for two. Oh, and then there’s the beer list. It’s smart, comprehensive and fairly priced; it’s also complemented by a full bar (stick with the classics, and enjoy an excellent old fashioned) and a small selection of wine.
The Bridges
Tucked between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges lies the aptly named the Bridges, a two-story American pub that has been providing DUMBO a spacious venue perfect for hosting events and parties that just ought to be in a century-plus-old building. Their mac & cheese and four types of wings (BBQ, Buffalo, Margarita, and Teriyaki) are the bar’s highlights, which makes up for their admittedly averate beer and wine list. The basement doubles as the home Burlesque Below The Bridges, adding a little sleaze and tease to your Saturday evening.