a 4BR in Windsor Terrace.

It’s moving season and Brokesters on the hunt for apartment deals should know that you can get way more space for less dough in better hoods if you’re willing to sacrifice no-pants Wednesdays, commit to a chore wheel and stick to a strict morning bathroom schedule — aka, have some roommates. In today’s roundup of apartment deals and steals from our Brokelyn Real Estate section, we’ve got some true bargains on three and four bedrooms for young families, post-collegiates nostalgic for the frat/sorority house, and other folks who are into the hostel-esque commune vibe of sharing living space with multiple (potentially awesome) roommates.

First up is this AMAZING two-story, 4BR/1.5 bath unit in Windsor Terrace. For $3,000/month you get an eat-in-kitchen, living room, dining room, den AND a lush lawn and garden area that are fully maintained by a wise old groundskeeper (I assume he’s wise; aren’t they always?). Only catch is that the house sits on old church grounds, so there may be some extra tenants floating around rattling chains and cutting holes in the sheets. But you can put all the dough you save on rent towards an exorcism. (more…)

Does this place put you in the mood for love?

There comes a time in a couple’s relationship — and for some of you people it’s about two weeks in — when it’s time to flee the 17 roommates and upgrade to a love nest. In today’s edition of Awesome Cheap Apartments, we look at inviting one-bedrooms that will leave you enough money for the couples therapy you will inevitably need after moving in just to save on rent. First up (above): a light-filled 1BR in Sunset Park for $1,150, on the second floor of a walkup. Even if you’re solo, a joint like this will help you find a rent buddy real fast. What other cozy shacks beckon from our apartment listings? (more…)

Not their best sign, but it does the job

I have been walking past Gowanus Yacht Club every day of this abnormally outdoor-drinking-friendly spring wondering “WTF they were waiting for?” New taps apparently, because the minute they were finished being installed yesterday, the gates swung open and excited/thirsty Carroll Gardens locals started streaming in.

The place is still pretty barren as they rushed to open for the unseasonably warm weather, weeks before the usual opening. The grill is not yet assembled and the “Don’ts” list isn’t even up yet. But management assures us they will be fully operational by the weekend. In addition to burgers and dogs cooked on a hairdryer fueled grill, GYC is also introducing an expanded menu this year including $1 oysters on Tuesday (owner Alan Harding is a legend in the Brooklyn restaurant scene and currently chef at Littleneck) and other daily food specials TBA. Get excited for house smoked pulled pork and 2/$5 random grab-bag beer specials all day every day. They also have $4 Duff and $5 Jever Pils daily plus a rotation of interesting drafts throughout the summer. (more…)

Lana Del Rey's got nothing on these guys: The spread at Brooklyn Strategist's temporary location.

Here’s your daily Jeopardy-style quiz: The last time you sat down to a rough-and-tumble game of Battleship. What is “Way too damn long ago?” My friend, that is correct. But a new game center in Carroll Gardens is hoping to change that. After a few months of temporary residency, the Brooklyn Strategist recently opened a set of permanent doors at 333 Court St. between Union and Sackett. Ten bucks buys you four hours of game time, in addition to a staff of gaming experts who can either be enlisted as challengers or strategy consultants. The club has 250 games including long-lost and out-of-print gems, newly favorited, and of course, classics from the bitter battles of family game nights. “You name it, we probably have it,” says the club’s owner Jon Freeman. (more…)

Dig the loft bed in the corner!

Jetsetter, the luxe hotel discount site that makes us weep for Machu Picchu hideaways and beachfront huts in Bali, features its first Brooklyn property this week, and it’s the NU Hotel at Smith and Atlantic. For four more days, you can book NU Hotel rooms on Jetsetter for $116 (normally $179 and up elsewhere). We haven’t stayed there, cause we live here, but at these prices (and solid NU Hotel reviews on TripAdvisor), we’ll suggest it to our parents / cousins / friends. Those Jetsetters love this 93-room gem because, and we quote: (more…)

Photo via Flickr's William Self

Dear Cobble Hill Cinemas: We could go on and on about how we’d much rather hand over our $10 to your smiling, independently owned faces instead of shelling out $13 and some dignity at the bigger UA bully down the street; or how your concessions are priced lower so we don’t feel like we’re shopping at the last snack bar on the international space station; or how your crowds are pleasant and respectful and actually bought up all the tickets to Bridesmaids one Saturday night three weeks after its release while the newly released, far dumber Hangover 2 still had plenty of seats available. But there’s something bigger that cements our crush: it’s that old-generation, Saturday-morning-movie-with-Dad kind of charm the theater captures so well. You are located in one of the most Brooklyn stretches of Brooklyn down Court Street, with enough cozy bars, tasty food and enticing chocolatiers to justify missing the first showing. Climbing the winding staircase past movie scenes painted on the wall, it’s easy to imagine being there when all the movies were black and white and everyone wore fedoras. But mostly, we love that that the one time a bag of Trader Joe’s chocolate covered pretzels fell out of our bag as you were taking our ticket, you just smiled, laughed, and waved us through.

So, dear reader, you should buy this $15 Groupon for two tickets, popcorns and sodas today and go see for yourself. And even if you miss the Groupon, love up on some of their bargain nights: $7 seats all day Tuesdays and Thursdays and up to 5pm from Monday-Friday.

This is the 29th in our series on the venues featured in the second Brooklyn Beer Book. This week we feature our penultimate bar by taking a trip over the Atlantic (Avenue) to visit those Brits at Chip Shop.

Photo by Flickr's Robert Alamo

THE ATLANTIC CHIP SHOP
129 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn Heights

What it is: Classic Brit, from Spotted Dick to Old Speckled Hen to Beatles/Bowie posters to the propaganda slapped on the tables and walls.

Why we love it: Something about gloomy Brits and their greasy, caloric, hoppy habits make us very happy. The beers are heavy and the room can get rowdy when a good match is on. (more…)

This is the 24th in our series on the venues featured in the second Brooklyn Beer Book. This week we’re headed back to Cobble Hill to revisit an old favorite from Beer Book 1: Strong Place.

Photo via Strong Place FB

STRONG PLACE
270 Court St., between Butler and Douglass streets, Cobble Hill

What It Is: Cobble Hill’s newest soccer/gastro pub and microbrew bar with 24 taps that change daily, a shaded backyard and a menu built to epicurean proportions at less-than gastronomical prices. (more…)

Consider us told. Photo via alibrady12

This picture is too perfect not to post: Announcing the seasonal opening of Gowanus Yacht Club, home to cheap pitchers, cheaper mysterious “Duff” beer, veggie dogs, good tunes, and the sun-soaked seating area that, for this reporter, most symbolizes a cool oasis adorning another gorgeous summer in Brooklyn. The small beer garden at the corner of Smith and President streets opened its gate on Friday, according to its Facebook page. Expect to see your friends at Brokelyn there en masse (or sometimes just with a good book). Thanks to @alibrady12 for doing her duty and sending us the pic! Ah summer!

This is the seventh in our series on the venues featured in the second Brooklyn Beer Book. Let’s just allow ourselves to believe this week that the spate of warm weather is the harbinger for a glorious spring to come, which is why we’re featuring Bar Great Harry, whose wide-open doors provide just the right amount of air flow to enjoy those early spring breezes.

Open those doors and let the sun shine in

BAR GREAT HARRY

280 Smith St. between Sackett & Degraw, Carroll Gardens

What it is: Hops heaven that stands out from the preponderance of watering holes on Smith Street.

Why we love it: Knowledgeable staff helps you choose from 20 rotating drafts and 70+ bottles; two pinball machines keep your hands busy; a welcoming atmosphere for your pooch. (more…)