Here’s a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the 60 hand-picked, lovingly curated bars and beer-centric eateries featured in the 2013 editions of the Brokelyn Beer Books. The books have sold out, but these bars are freaking great with or without a Beer Book.
Bed-Stuy Bedford Hill • Black Swan • Brooklyn Tap House • Project Parlor
Brooklyn Heights Waterfront Ale House
Bushwick Alaska • Anchored Inn • Bodega • Brooklyn Fire Proof East • DuckDuck • Heavy Woods • Mama Joy’s • Mazelle • Miles • Pine Box Rock Shop
Carroll Gardens Bar Great Harry • Buschenschank
Clinton Hill Lola BKLYN
Cobble Hill Brazen Head
Ditmas Park Ox Cart Tavern • The Castello Plan • Sycamore
Gowanus Halyards • Lavender Lake
Greenpoint Black Rabbit • Boulevard • The Diamond
Park Slope Der Kommissar • The Gate • High Dive • Mission Dolores • Owl Farm • Pork Slope • Prospect • The Sackett •Union Hall
Prospect Heights Branded Saloon • Dean Street • Flatbush Farm • The Way Station
Red Hook Brooklyn Ice House • Hope and Anchor • Rocky Sullivan’s
South Slope Freddy’s Bar and Backroom • Sea Witch Tavern • South
Williamsburg Banter • The Bedford • Brooklyn Brewery • Counting Room • Full Circle Bar • The Gibson • Good Co. • K & M • Mable’s Smokehouse • Mug’s Ale House • South 4th Bar and Cafe • The Soft Spot
Windsor Terrace Double Windsor
Bedford Hill Coffee Bar
A sunken treasure with seasonal beers, a rotating cabinet of curiosities and a charming staff, find funky events like readings, book swaps and Bed-Stuy’s favorite parents’ happy hour, where moms and dads get a $1 off for every kid.
343 Franklin Ave. (at Greene)
718-636-7650
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Black Swan
Dark wood and exposed brick on the walls surround the copper bar with 24 premium craft beers from around the world. Go early for a Michelin-rated brunch on the weekends; stay late for a burger from the midnight menu.
1048 Bedford Ave. (Lafayette & Clifton Place)
718-783-4744
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Brooklyn Tap House
This beer hall is huge inside and out with a year-round yard featuring a fire pit in winter. Take some time choosing from the 44 rotating and seasonal taps while watching the HD TVs showing tons of sports.
590 Myrtle Ave. (at Classon)
917-202-1801
Website // Facebook
Project Parlor
Go back in time at the cozy boozerie with solid drafts, a large selection of absinthe and avant garde cinema, film noir or classic cartoons projected on the wall. Bring some food to grill out back or snuggle up with a board game.
742 Myrtle Ave. (Sanford & Nostrand)
347-525-5482
Waterfront Ale House
The decade-old neighborhood haunt offers up a shabby chic first impression, but once inside you’ll find award-winning barbecue with creative offerings such as venison chili and tandoori veggie burgers. The real treat is the selection of 19 local and craft beers to choose from.
155 Atlantic Ave. (Henry & Clinton)
718-522-3794
Website // Facebook
Alaska
Taxidermy, a 1960s vintage gold embroidered sofa and a salvaged wood bar give this an upscale dive feel. Enjoy one of 8 microbrews or craft beers with Twin Peaks viewings in winter.
35 Ingraham St. (between Bogart & Morgan)
718-628-3643
Facebook
The Anchored Inn
You’ll be happy to be shipwrecked with the nautical ephemera on the walls, including a full diving suit. Order some food specials from the galley and try one of the constantly rotating draft beer selections.
57 Waterbury St. (Scholes & Meserole)
718-576-3297
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The Bodega
You’ll find a carefully hand picked selection of 12 craft beers on tap at this slick but rustic Spanish-inspired neighborhood bar. The small plates menu beats your corner bodega’s deli counter any day.
24 St. Nicholas Ave. (at Troutman)
646-924-8488
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Brooklyn Fire Proof East
In Bushwick style, this spot has multiple personalities: a cafe by day, a bar and restaurant by night, with attached performance and gallery space. An extensive craft beer list and arts vibe make it worth the trip.
119 Ingraham St. (Knickerbocker & Porter)
347-223-4211
Website // Facebook
DuckDuck
Like Cheers for the Montrose crowd, the wood-and-brick bar straddles rustic and stylish. The 11 taps feature local and craft brews, plus beer-and-shot combos, and free cheeseballs. And ducks – lots of ducks everywhere.
161 Montrose Ave. (Graham & Humboldt)
347-799-1449
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Heavy Woods
The coffee shop turns into a bar at night, with amazing Cajun food by Tchoup Shop and a projector showing movies or games. Large Mezcal and whiskey selections accompany the 14 beers on draft.
50 Wyckoff Ave. (at Willoughby)
929-234-3500
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Mama Joy’s
Two southerners brought locally sourced, authentic Southern food and country cocktails to Bushwick. Pair some hush puppies or fried chicken with one of 8 rotating taps that include Southern-brewed specialities.
1084 Flushing Ave. (at Porter)
347-295-2227
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Mazelle
A bit of Russia, right in Bushwick! The bar serves Eastern European favorites alongside its beers, including scotch eggs, paddlefish caviar and dollar oysters. Events include DJ parties and Dolly Parton band night.
247 Starr (at Wyckoff)
347-425-7675
Facebook
Miles
The perfect place to catch up with friends, Miles offers a solid selection of microbrews and seasonal beers. Or grab a cheese board and custom cocktail and enjoy the vintage vinyl nights.
101 Wilson Ave. (Troutman and Starr)
718-483-9172
Website // Facebook
Pine Box Rock Shop
The 16 rotating taps aren’t just for taste; they’re also free of animal products at this 100% vegan bar. Drink one while singing an ode to animals at weekly karaoke, or chomping vegan snacks like empanadas or soft pretzels.
12 Grattan St. (Bogart & Morgan)
718-366-6311
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Bar Great Harry
20 rotating drafts, one hand-pump cask and a whole mess of bottled beers are a lot to work through, so bring your dog to keep you company, snack on a DUB pie from Red Hook or bang away at the three pristine pinball machines.
280 Smith St. (at Sackett Street)
718-222-1103
Website // Twitter
Buschenschank
This beer hall offers 16 German beers on tap to choose from while curling up by the fireplace or listening to live music in its ratskeller on the weekends. A full menu includes dumplings, fondue and wurst.
320 Court St. (Sackett & Degraw)
718-237-0325
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Lola BKLYN
Quirky vintage decor draws people in for all-you-can eat mussels on Thursday nights and theme-based trivia every Tuesday. They stay around for the craft beers on tap, a tree-shrouded back yard and full kitchen menu.
387 Myrtle Ave. (Clermont and Vanderbilt)
718-858-1484
Website
Brazen Head
Locals’ pub with Brooklyn small-batch fetishism on its 15 rotating tap lines; added touches include posted keg change dates, hand-pulled casks and free wings and other food on certain days.
228 Atlantic Ave. (Court Street & Boerum Place)
718-488-0430
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Ox Cart Tavern
The bar pays homage to the Old Ox Cart Beer that was brewed upstate in 1937 and Ditmas Park’s Dutch history, but it’s creating new traditions with hearty pub fare such as catfish, crabcake poppers and great beers on tap.
1301 Newkirk Ave. (at Argyle)
718-284-0005
Website
The Castello Plan
Candle light and wood-paneled walls make for a romantic date night, but the ample choices of rare beers from Portland to Denmark make it the right spot for any kind of crowd.
1213 Cortelyou Rd. (Westminster & Argyle)
718-856-8888
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Sycamore
A flower shop and bar combo pouring domestic and international craft beers. The ivy-surrounded garden is open year round; bring food to throw on the grill or enjoy regular live music and tastings.
1118 Cortelyou Rd. (Stratford & Westminster)
347-240-5850
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Black Rabbit Bar
Grab a date or some friends and cozy into an old-style wooden booth with swinging doors and a light you flick for service. The craft beers and kitchen pair with the fireplace, garden and piles of board games.
91 Greenpoint Ave. (Franklin & Manhattan)
718-349-1595
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Boulevard Tavern
Get all-you-can-eat BBQ here for $5, even in winter. In summer, grab one of the 12 beers on tap and head to the beautiful backyard or stay inside and catch shows like Breaking Bad or Portlandia on the 8’ screen.
579 Meeker Ave. (N. Henry & Monitor)
718-389-3252
Facebook
The Diamond
Eight rotating taps and 35 bottles/cans make up the most focused selection of session beers under 4.5% in New York City. The locals’ favorite also offers a shuffleboard table or a chance to chat in the Gore Mountain ski gondola out back.
43 Franklin St. (Calyer & Quay)
718-383-5030
Website // Facebook
Halyards
Halyards has added a touch of class to the Gowanus corridor with great drafts and old-school cocktails. The bar draws regular crowds for weekly screenings of premium shows like Girls and Boardwalk Empire.
406 Third Ave. (at 6th)
718-532-8787
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Lavender Lake
The expansive reclaimed wood bar and interior is perfect for large outings. Seasonal cocktails with house-infused spirits complement local beers, a seasonal dinner menu and an inviting back yard.
388 Carroll St. (Bond & Nevins)
347-799-2154
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Der Kommissar
The bar gives a Brooklyn twist to an Austrian institution: the Würstelstand, aka the little sausage stand. The menu features artisanal Austrian-style sausages and eight draft beers that feel plucked right from Vienna.
559 Fifth Ave. (at 15th Street)
718-788-0789
Website // Facebook // Twitter
The Gate
Park Slope’s pioneering craft beer bar is celebrating its 16th year, but the old-world tavern serving 24 draft lines of rare, cellared and rotating craft ales and lagers is is reliable as ever.
321 Fifth Ave. (at 3rd Street)
718-768-4329
Website // Facebook // Twitter
High Dive
Vintage-mod décor and a jukebox spanning decades matches High Dive’s pinball-and-pac-man vibe. Free wi-fi, free popcorn and 15 beers on tap lift it well above “dive” status.
243 Fifth Ave. (Carroll & Garfield)
718-788-0401
Website // Facebook
Mission Dolores
The former auto shop has a funky and unique layout: walls collapse in nice weather, opening a flow between the courtyard, two pinball machines and the bar in the back, where 20 rotating drafts and one cask await.
249 Fourth Ave. (Carroll & President)
347-457-5606
Website // Twitter
The Owl Farm
Named after Hunter S. Thompson’s farm, the craft beer bar has three classic pinball machines to keep you busy while you select from the 28 curated, rotating draft lines and two casks.
297 9th St.(at Fifth Avenue)
718-499-4988
Website // Facebook
Pork Slope
Pair chef Talde’s versions of American classics like ribs and porky melt with a brew from a large craft draft or classic canned beer selection late into the night. Or go for the Slippery Slope shot-beer special.
247 Fifth Ave. (Carroll & Garfield)
718-768-7675
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Prospect
The floors and ceiling beams in this huge watering hole are made of reclaimed wood that gives it a cozy feel, complete with 22 rotating craft beers. Stretch out even more in the open, bi-level backyard with picnic tables.
545 Fifth Ave.
347-599-1087
The Sackett
Quaint neighborhood bar offers a niche selection of craft beers, wine, and both classic and specialty cocktails. Regularly hosts readings and spoken-word events.
661 Sackett St. (Fourth & Fifth avenues)
718-622-0437
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Union Hall
Two fireplaces, two bocce courts, 12 microbrews on tap and a sprawling library foster a warm and comfy atmosphere; venue downstairs features local and national bands, regular comedy shows and lectures.
702 Union St. (Fifth & Sixth avenues)
718-638-4400
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Branded Saloon
A bit of the West right here in Brooklyn, this silver-spurs hangout holds 12 taps of local and craft beers, 30 bourbons and a heaping helping of camp with its weekly entertainment that includes White Trash Bingo.
603 Vanderbilt Ave. (Bergen)
718-484-8704
Website // Facebook
Dean Street
A neighborhood institution complete with swinging street sign hanging out front, Dean Street is known for its 7-day-a-week happy hour, American-pub menu and regular singalongs and music events for neighborhood kids.
755 Dean St. (at Underhill)
718-783-3326
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Flatbush Farm
The former home of a bookstore owned by Mos Def and Talib Kweli now focuses on local and sustainable food and beers. Bring a date and order from the Flatbush Farm menu or bring a crowd and chill in the vast backyard.
76 St. Marks Ave. (Sixth & Flatbush)
718-622-3276
Website // Facebook // Twitter
The Way Station
Brooklyn’s own nerdvana, it’s got a Doctor Who-loving, steampunk aesthetic that includes live music every night, five rotating beer lines, and, of course, a TARDIS for a bathroom. Bigger on the inside!
683 Washington Ave. (Prospect & St. Marks)
347-627-4949
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Brooklyn Ice House
The backyard garden — where you can roast s’mores over a campfire in the winter — captures Red Hook’s waterfront vibe. Wash down in-house-smoked pulled pork sandwiches with one of the 60 beers from around the world.
318 Van Brunt St. (Pioneer Street & Visitation Place)
718-222-1865
Facebook
Hope and Anchor
If the unique American craft bottled beer selection doesn’t hook you, try the regular live jazz jams or drag queen karaoke on weekends. Come back in the morning for a hangover helper breakfast burrito.
347 Van Brunt St. (at Wolcott)
718-237-0276
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Rocky Sullivan’s
A taste of Ireland in Red Hook with Celtic music, pub quiz and hearty food. The local connection stays strong with Six Point beers, local food nights, readings and a welcoming roof deck.
34 Van Dyke St. (at Dwight)
718-246-8050
Website // Facebook
Freddy’s Bar and Backroom
Voted one of Esquire magazine’s best bars in America, Freddy’s survived Atlantic Yards, and its new spot has the same decor and regulars as the old. Take a craft beer on tap to the backroom for a music or comedy showcase.
627 Fifth Ave. (17th & 18th streets)
718-768-0131
Website // Twitter
Sea Witch Tavern
Life under the sea is good, where landlubbers are greeted with 20 taps, a saltwater fish tank and a galley menu with fried clam belly sandwiches. The adventure continues in the large backyard with water features.
703 Fifth Ave. (21st & 22nd)
347-227-7166
Website // Facebook // Twitter
South
In winter, you can cozy up at this warm pub with free popcorn, video games and grilled cheese until 4am. In summer, take one of the 70 beers to the sunny backyard and meet the locals.
629 Fifth Ave. (17th & 18th)
718-832-4720
Website
Banter
Get your beer breakfast here because this old-world pub opens at 8 a.m. for English football. The bar also shows The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad on its big-screen, giving you something to watch while you select one of 24 curated beers.
132 Havemeyer St. (Havemeyer & S. 1st)
718-599-5200
Website // Facebook // Twitter
The Bedford
The vintage bar with plush leather banquets, tin walls and ceiling features live DJs five nights a week, a full dinner menu until 2am and a curated selection of tasty beers.
110 Bedford Ave. (at N. 11th)
718-302-1002
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Brooklyn Brewery
Visit the the Tasting Room of the world-famous Brooklyn Brewery for the freshest beer in the borough. You’ll find rare offerings, one-offs, cask and the comfort of communal seating, with free tours on the hour.
79 N. 11th St. (Berry & Wythe)
(718) 486-7422
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Counting Room
Classy lighting and large wood tables are perfect for groups. The beer selection mixes craft, seasonal and local brews and changes regularly; bar snacks including truffle oil grilled cheese help it go down even better.
44 Berry St. (at N. 11th)
718-599-1860
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Full Circle Bar
The national home of Brewskee-Ball, the first-ever competitive skee-ball league, Full Circle has four classic lanes, which are free on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pair one of the 50 canned beers with a hot dog or pretzel for the full experience.
318 Grand St. (Havemeyer & Marcy)
347-725-4588
Website // Facebook // Twitter
The Gibson
Low-key respite from Bedford Avenue with a constantly changing selection of eight unique craft beers on tap. Compliment your beer with a game of foosball or Wii.
108 Bedford Ave. (at N. 11th)
718-387-6296
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Good Co.
The sprawling back patio features ping pong, cornhole and barbecue truck in the summer; in the winter, stretch out inside for Tuesday night trivia and the tasty beer-liquor combos.
10 Hope St. (Roebling & Havemeyer)
718-218-7191
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K & M
Work up a thirst at the regular dance nights, covering the gamut from old soul to obscure indie at this former pierogi factory. You can still snack on one, and the no-frills bar holds a rotating beer lineup.
225 N. 8th St. (Hinckley & Turner)
718-388-3088
Mable’s Smokehouse and Banquet Hall
This ain’t no imitation barbecue: Mable’s features pulled pork, ribs, slaw and other recipes based on the Oklahoma restaurant the owner’s mother ran. The funky farmhouse vibe includes mismatched chairs, wagon wheel light fixtures and six taps of local and craft beers.
44 Berry St. (Wythe)
718-218-6655
Website // Facebook // Twitter
Mugs Ale House
A locals’ haunt that breaks from the skinny jeans crowd, this beer-lovers paradise offers 32 drafts, two casks and a picture of Michael Jackson from when he visited the bar. Regular beer events and homebrew meetings solidify its suds cred.
125 Bedford Ave. (at N. 10th Street)
718-486-8232
Website // Facebook // Twitter
South 4th Bar and Cafe
Good for hangover hooky from work (or for doing actual work on its free wifi), the locals’ corner hang is a dog-friendly spot serving Irving Farms coffee and craft beers. Local art lines the walls and regular movie nights keep the crowd entertained.
90 S. 4th St. (at Berry)
718-218-7478
Website // Facebook // Twitter
The Soft Spot
The surprisingly big backyard is open until 10, where you can also enjoy BBQ every weekend in the summer. Inside is a cozy, unassuming bar with good lighting and 2-for-1 specials every weekday until 8.
128 Bedford (N. 9th & N. 10th)
718-384-7768
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Double Windsor
14 taps focus on American draft beers, with selection rotating almost daily and more in bottles. Beer events are held regularly and the full menu features Pat LaFrieda burgers.
210 Prospect Park West (at 16th Street)
347-725-3479
Website // Facebook // Twitter