Brooklyn's Best Bars

01/24/2024

FOR LOVERS OF  Craft Cocktails and Beers 

Maison Premiere

Located in the vibrant Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, Maison Premiere captures the essence of New York with Parisian vibes and nods to New Orleans. Accessible by the L subway line, with stops at Bedford Avenue and Lorimer, it's a prime spot for exploring the area's top bars and restaurants. Managed by Josh Boissy and Krystof Zizka, it boasts an extensive selection of absinthe and refined cocktails.

Its sophisticated retro decor and cozy backyard garden make Maison Premiere a sought-after Brooklyn bar. During Happy Hour and weekend brunch, enjoy delectable oysters and special cocktails like the Maison Bloody Mary. The Oyster Stout, brewed in collaboration with Barrier Brewing Co., adds a unique twist to the culinary experience here.

Baby’s All Right

In the heart of South Williamsburg lies one of Brooklyn's finest bars: Baby’s All Right. This spacious bar and venue offers generous drinks, enjoyed alongside performances from indie bands and drag queens. The crowd, effortlessly chic, is passionate about both drinks and music. The cocktail menu features classics like the Espresso Martini and Rye Manhattan, alongside Miller High Life beers and special alcoholic sorbets.

The food is noteworthy, matching the best of Brooklyn bars, with nachos and tacos in the evenings and an amazing weekend brunch that includes cocktails and treats like French toast and breakfast sandwiches with lettuce and sriracha aioli sauce. Before visiting, it's wise to check the online schedule for ticket reservations, as shows often sell out weeks in advance, especially with artists like SZA and Billie Eilish on the lineup.

The Long Island Bar

The decor of this spot never fails to impress: intimate, retro lighting above the bar, decades-old with a four-panel mirror near the cash register, is stunning. New Yorkers, dressed in their finest, flock here, adding to the glamour of what is undoubtedly one of Brooklyn's top bars.

Toby Cecchini, co-owner (who invented the Cosmo at Odeon years ago), is a renowned figure, and his cocktails are known city-wide. The menu he curates offers a short list of classics with a twist: a martini with junmai daiginjo sake, a gimlet with ginger and lime cordial, a white negroni sbagliato. Beyond the menu, guests can request a flavor combination from the bartender, ensuring no disappointment in any case.

June

Henry Rich and Tom Kearney's June Wine Bar is a cozy and inviting spot, with warm, romantic lighting and a design that pays homage to bygone Paris. As a natural wine bar, those searching for a bottle of Jura or various organic options will be pleased. The extensive wine list might overwhelm a beginner, but thankfully, the well-selected staff is eager to assist. Start your evening with one of the small plates on the menu, like the lemongrass and tomato ricotta toast, before moving on to a more substantial meal.

Leyenda

Strolling down Brooklyn's lively Smith Street, it's hard to miss Leyenda, with its large arched windows and red-tiled roof reminiscent of Latin America. Inspired by owner Ivy Mix's travels across Central and South America, this cocktail bar boasts an incredibly cool atmosphere. Its reputation as one of Brooklyn's best draws cocktail enthusiasts and is also a beloved date spot.

Mix's creative drinks, centered on popular liquors from Latin America and the Caribbean like rum, tequila, and mezcal, are award-winning. The food, inspired by South America like scallop ceviche and octopus tostadas, is more inventive and well-executed than typical bar fare. Leyenda is a prime spot for summer outings, especially in the back courtyard, but its extensive mezcal selection makes it cozy in winter too.

Threes Brewing Gowanus

This expansive space in Gowanus, with a large courtyard, serves multiple purposes: brewery (boasting a 15-barrel production with a focus on farm products and natural yeasts), full bar, and event space for readings and more. Threes Brewing, one of Brooklyn's best bars, also hosts pop-ups and traveling restaurants (like Roberta's, Prime Meats, and Mile End).

Besides about six in-house brewed beers, there are another 14 on tap, half of which are usually local, even hyper-local like Other Half beer, from a brewery less than two miles away. The friendly staff, delicious food, abundance of outdoor seating, and availability of Ninth Street Espresso coffee make spending long evenings here a delight, amidst natural products and a laid-back atmosphere.

THE BARS OF BROOKLYN: THE MAP

BROOKLYN BARS - PHOTO GALLERY 

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