Folks, it’s been a tough year and it’s only April. Spring is desperately clawing its way into Brooklyn and we’re all wondering whether we’ll see the sun again, literally and figuratively. But fear not. The overcast days are lessening; the temperature is steadily rising. Soon we’ll throw off the shackles of light coats and layers and sit glistening in the heat of summer.
In anticipation of this bright future, we’ve updated our Outdoor Bars Guide! We’re sad to see a couple of our favorite places close (Boulevard Tavern, Sud, and Backyard), but we’re happy to report there are a slew of new places (Smoking Monkey, Brouwerij Lane, Nowadays) for you to get a tan while getting tanked. Team Brokelyn has compiled a comprehensive list of nearly 175 spirited spots across the borough where you can drink outside. From wine bars to dives to every sidewalk seat in between, we’re passing along our notes on each bar’s vibe and spilling our secrets to navigating the drink menu without spending your summer allowance all in one place.
—Conal Darcy
Jump to a specific neighborhood: Williamsburg / Greenpoint / Bushwick & Ridgewood / Bed-Stuy / Crown Heights / Prospect Heights / Clinton Hill / Fort Greene / Boerum Hill / Cobble Hill & Carroll Gardens / Gowanus / Park Slope / South Park Slope / Bay Ridge / Ditmas Park & Windsor Terrace / Prospect-Lefferts Gardens / Red Hook / Coney Island / Kensington
WILLIAMSBURG
Night of Joy 667 Lorimer St., Williamsburg
Night of Joy is known for its old-school-vintage-meets-Grandma’s-living-room interior, complete with ottomans and Persian carpeting. Its rooftop deck is one of our favorite summer drinking spots, complete with a cool graffiti-covered wall, patio furniture, plant-covered railings and white Christmas lights that make you feel like you’re hanging out in a buddy’s backyard somewhere far removed from the BQE. Plus, they’ve got a killer happy hour deal: $6 specialty cocktails like a basil-lime gin gimlet and cilantro Bloody Mary, $6 frozen margaritas and $4 drafts. Show up early and be forewarned: this place will be packed, but the crowd is laid-back.
Spuyten Duyvil 359 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg
If it’s an obscure micro-brew you’re craving, Spuytin Duyvil (“Spouting Devil” in Dutch) is the craft connoisseur’s paradise. The roomy back patio, open until 11:30PM all year-round, is lined by high, foliage-covered walls and boasts small tables to spare.
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Bushwick Country Club 618 Grand St., Williamsburg
This dive bar lays claim to inventing the pickle-back, which they’ve since evolved and perfected. That might be enough to bank on, until you find out they’ve also got makeshift mini golf in the backyard, as all country clubs do. Grab a patio table and sit alongside the putt-putt course for a low-key experience that definitely beats the ‘burbs.
The Levee 212 Berry St., Williamsburg
One of our favorite dive bars, The Levee was built on rock-and-roll and bowls of free cheese balls. The patio is small-ish, but boasts a handful of picnic tables complemented by vibrant graffiti that makes the high fences pop. Kick it with the Texas Two-step, The Sportsman or The Frat Boy, an assortment of cheap af shot-and-beer combos.
Midnights 149 N. 6th St., Williamsburg (2017 Beer Book bar!)
A new arrival to the Bedford scene, Midnights has a lot working in its favor: a weekday happy hour, a menu devised by a “Chopped” champion, cocktails with cute celebrity-pun names (Berry Manilow, anyone?) and an incredible back patio with upholstered benches, ivy for days and a vibe that’s very Miami – but not in an obnoxious way. It’s currently the best kept secret in North Williamsburg (until now!), so bring your crew while you can still get a table. Happy hour runs M – F, 4:30-7pm!
Iona 180 Grand St., Williamsburg
This Scottish bar features premier league soccer, 8 rotating craft beers among 22 draughts, a built-in backyard chef and patio ping-pong. What are you waiting for? This shady spot has enough room to sprawl. Happy hour runs until 7pm every day; grab $4 beers and well drinks!
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Battery Harris 64 Frost St., Williamsburg
A quintessential Williamsburg bar and restaurant, Battery Harris is the ultimate summer spot. (We’ve spotted comedians Jenny Slate and Max Silvestri dining on the patio.) The bar features an enormous outdoor space filled with picnic tables great for groups, and a menu stacked with Caribbean-inspired comfort food to soothe your hunger pangs.
Rocka Rolla 486 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg (2017 Beer Book bar!)
This hair metal bar is well-loved for its dive aesthetic, hard rock jukebox and schooner glasses, but we also love it for its roomy outdoor space. Picnic tables with 360-seating to accommodate larger groups and / or the making of new friends accompany smaller seats beneath umbrellas, but make no mistake – this patio gets packed. $3 gets you a schooner of Budweiser!
Mother’s 347 Graham Ave., Williamsburg
Mother’s is known for its great burgers, but this popular hangout boasts an affordable craft beer and wine selection as well. A dozen cafe tables line the back patio, where there’s space to enjoy a glass of rosé in the sunshine.
The Well 272 Meserole, Williamsburg
This massive bar and events space stays true to its namesake, featuring a full bar and 60 beers on draft. The expansive backyard spans a full city block, often playing host to live music and afternoon soirees during the summer months. Check the website before you head out to get a heads up on any happenings.
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Noorman’s Kil 609 Grand Street, Williamsburg
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey. This place has over 400 types of the brown stuff, so if you’re a connoisseur, it’s worth a visit. The outdoor space feels like you found a delightful outdoor bar in the middle of a city park. They’ve also got a selection of fancy grilled cheese sandwiches at decent prices. Did we mention the whiskey?
Belle Shoals 10 Hope St., Williamsburg
Okay, we’re not gonna lie: the closing of Good Co. (and its spectacular backyard) just about broke our hearts. But now 10 Hope Street is home to Belle Shoals, a Southern-inspired juke joint with a serious cocktail program. The backyard remains one of Williamsburg’s best, and it now includes a julep bar ($8 each), a selection of $10 frozen cocktails and a $45 day-long “country club membership” that sets you up with all the rosé you can drink.
ba’sik 323 Graham Ave, Williamsburg
This bar claims to be a return to the traditional public house, though with atypical pub decor. The backyard, with an all-wood bench perimeter and private tables, essentially doubles their capacity. The food here is inexpensive for Williamsburg, and the various house cocktails light enough to compliment a hot day.
Harefield Road 769 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg
If a dive bar and a gastropub had a love child, Harefield Road would be it: dark on the inside but with beer and shot specials that feature Tullamore Dew and Milagro. The outdoor space is well-shaded, with wooden benches, private tables and picnic tables. The beer selection is huge and the $13 prix-fixe brunch comes with a drink. What?!
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Pete’s Candy Store 709 Lorimer St., Williamsburg
Part performance venue (live music every night!), part patio bar, Pete’s is a long-standing Billyburg institution. Head past the stage to the roomy backyard and enjoy simple spirits beneath twinkling lights wound around dangling tree branches. Happy hour runs from 5 – 7pm and features daily specials, including $2 draft beers.
East River Bar 97 S 6th St, Williamsburg
A dark dive tucked away near the Williamsburg Bridge in an abandoned paint factory, East River Bar evokes the north Brooklyn of ten years ago. The backyard gravel, corrugated tin, and spray-painted murals make for the perfect place to crush a PBR and puff a Parliament after a lo-fi show. Not many drink specials, but the pool table and old-school Buck Hunter make up for it.
Macri Park 462 Union Ave, Williamsburg
Macri Park has seen plenty of changes over the past year, transforming from an unassuming dive into Williamsburg’s newest hot spot for the LGBTQ crowd. Luckily, two features remain the same: the cheap drinks and the spacious back patio. Now, they just come with more dance parties and drag shows, which can only be a good thing.
The Second Chance Saloon 659 Grand Street, Williamsburg
Often our last stop for the night, Second Chance is easy on the pretension and heavy on the chill. The backyard is modest but a great place to hang in between pool games. Daily drink specials and a decent beer selection complement the awesome metal and punk jukebox.
Hotel Delmano 82 Berry Street, Williamsburg
The interior of this fancy cocktail bar seems like something out of the Grand Hotel Budapest universe. The outdoor seating is more like a French cafe, with bistro tables on a narrow strip along N. 9th St. The prices are more astronomical than continental, so maybe save this one for a special occasion.
Arrogant Swine 173 Morgan Ave., East Williamsburg (2017 Beer Book bar!)
A Carolina-style, whole-hog barbecue joint. Stave off guilty feelings in the spacious beer hall with a wide selection of drafts, bottles and whiskeys. The backyard beer gardens boasts dope murals and giant Jenga.
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Charleston 174 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg
When we’re broke, hungry, and looking to play drunk skeeball (i.e. always), we head over to this watering hole that gives out a personal pizza with each drink. The outdoor seating is composed of a few tables on the front street, and is a great spot to take advantage of the happy hour. That’s a buck off beer and well, plus a killer $5 beer-shot combo. Pizza does cost a buck extra after 8pm, which we’re OK with.
Maison Premiere 298 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg
New Orleans in Williamsburg: Maison Premiere is a fancy cocktail bar with a nice selection of oysters and seafood. The backyard, with its vine-covered arbors offering cool shade, feels like you hopped a plane to the Vieux Carré. The prices aren’t what you’d call cheap, but they have $1 oysters during happy hour, 4-7pm Monday – Friday and 11am – 1pm on weekends. Be prepared for a wait.
Luckydog 303 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg (2017 Beer Book bar!)
What was once the best dog-friendly bar in the ‘burg is no longer a canine hot spot (dogs are forbidden, thanks to a visit from The Man), but it still boasts a phenomenal jukebox and a laid-back attitude. While this dive bar’s slender interior gets pretty rowdy when it fills up at night, the yard is a chill spot, decked out in Christmas lights and real trees. Grab a $5 Abita and kick back.
Falcon Laundry 65 N. 7th St.; Williamsburg
If you’re looking for quality cocktails and a chill rooftop just steps away from Smorgasburg, Falcon Laundry will do you right. The roof terrace is a total warm-weather oasis: think wooden benches, overflowing greenery, a menu of elevated pub-food classics…and, of course, tall glasses of spiked basil lemonade. Doesn’t get much more summer than that.
Tradesman 222 Bushwick Ave., East Williamsburg
This funky bar smack dab in the middle of East Williamsburg is probably better known for its woodsy decor and hip clientele than for its backyard, but they’ve got one, and at 1,500 square feet, it’s a nice one at that. Head over for long-running happy hours, (’til 9pm!) and chill with the rest of the bearded brotherhood while you argue endlessly over whether or not the Montrose L stop qualifies as Bushwick.
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Soft Spot 128 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg
Soft Spot’s backyard is one of the best places in the ‘hood for outdoor boozing. The yard features a handful of round tables and metal chairs along with scalloped benches for extra seating. It’s festively decorated and sealed-off to street noise, so you can enjoy the stellar 2-for-1 happy hour deal in relative peace; they’ve got beers like Allagash White ($6) and Brooklyn Lager ($6) on tap for your summer sudsing pleasure.
Berry Park 4 Berry St., Williamsburg
Berry Park may be one of the most bro-tastic bars in the neighborhood, but if you’re willing to put up with hordes of Manhattanites in button-downs that cost more than your monthly MetroCard, here’s a stellar rooftop for warm weather day-drinking. The roof’s got a wooden fence that dips just low enough to get a good view of the Manhattan skyline, and offers long communal bars and big tables where you can drink with a crew.
St. Mazie 345 Grand St., Williamsburg
With its salvaged wood bar and walls, live jazz music and penchant for hosting flamenco dancers, this lovely little bar by the BQE is well worth even a wintertime visit — but it’s also got a good-sized garden in the back, filled with small romantic tables and a few long communal ones in addition to a vine-filled trellis roof that makes you feel like you’re sipping drinks in a European alleyway. Stop by for one of their $1 oyster happy hours from 6 to 8pm on weeknights and try a classy cocktail or two while you watch the summer sun slip away.
Union Pool 484 Union Ave., Williamsburg
Union Pool is a madhouse on most weekend nights, having earned a reputation as the number one hook up bar in North Brooklyn. But you don’t have to be on the prowl to enjoy Union Pool’s outdoors in warm weather: they’ve also got “serenity” fish ponds, funky lights and the delectable El Diablo Taco Truck. Just try not to trip over any lip-locked bodies on your way over to grab a late night snack.
Huckleberry Bar 588 Grand St., Williamsburg
This craft cocktail bar’s charming backyard is well-partitioned, with wooden booths cornered in just the right way to feign privacy. The whole space is dripping in greenery – from ivy crawling up walls and window boxes topping the booths to a less identifiable foliage lacing the iron lattice that frames the gazebo-like elevated seating. It could be a wealthy patron’s backyard, but lucky for us all, it’s an urban escape in East Williamsburg. With something going on almost every night of the week, you kind of can’t pick a bad time to go.
Trophy Bar 351 Broadway, Williamsburg
This South Williamsburg spot doesn’t have the biggest backyard in the ‘hood, but it’s still a pleasant little place to have a drink and listen to the ’80s hits trickling in from the bar’s interior.
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The Woods 48 S. 4th St., Williamsburg
Though this South side bar boasts a massive backyard, you will still be smashed against hundreds of other bodies if you choose to brave it on a weekend night. But, hey, they’ve got lots of tables, an overhead trellis, trees and the Landhaus outdoor eatery, where you can pick up fancy drunchies like a $7 grass-fed cheese burger or $3.50 tacos. We’re mostly fans of the Bud bottle & Tully ($8), Tecate tallboy and tequila ($8) and High Life & whiskey ($6), though; after a few of those, you won’t mind dancing butt-to-butt to New Order with a stranger.
Metropolitan 559 Lorimer St., Williamsburg
Metropolitan’s probably the best gay bar in Brooklyn, dishing out cheap well drinks and drafts and hosting a whole bunch of events, ladies’ nights and drag shows — not to mention the Skee-Ball machines and photobooth it boasts. In the warm weather seasons, this Lorimer stop bar’s also got a killer backyard filled with benches, white tiki lights, potted plants and leather-jacketed smokers. The bar hosts free (!) barbecues with hot dogs and such on Sunday afternoons and other fun outdoor events in the summer.
Larry Lawrence 295 Grand St., Williamsburg
For all the people-watchers out there, Larry Lawrence is a crowd-pleaser for those drinking outside. Enjoying the outdoors here is a step up — literally — from the norm; the space is a see-through balcony overlooking the bar, where deck dwellers can look down on the sophisticated scene below, which consists of guests enjoying classy beverages without the prices that usually accompany a place with so much exposed brick and candlelight. There are events as well as private parties on certain nights, so call ahead if you’re making the trip and aren’t into the surrounding dive bar scene.
The Ides (Rooftop Bar at Wythe Hotel) 80 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg
This rooftop bar and scene du jour boasts a beautiful view and a lot of hype — come on a weekend and expect a wait before being ushered into a packed elevator to experience said view. A typical crowd consists mostly of drunk 20-somethings and a good many middle-aged Manhattan tourists, rustic craft cocktails in hand, so don’t say we didn’t warn you. All said, with plenty of outdoor space to share, it’s not a bad place to meet up for a drink or a smoke under the glowing wall of lights mimicking the city skyline it obscures. A vodka soda clocks in around $9, so be prepared.
Maracuja 279 Grand St., Williamsburg
Williamsburg’s best-kept secret! To get to Maracuja’s “secret garden,” walk through the spacious, high-ceilinged bar, past one of the more coveted pool tables in the ‘hood, and enter the oft-closed door marked “Private”. (We’re pretty sure no one will yell at you.) What you find is a little stretch leading to a green—very green—outdoor area with seating for about two dozen people. The back is subtly lit, and wind chimes and birdhouses abound. There’s enough space to smoke but not be smoked upon and you’ll have no trouble keeping cool with one of the house cocktails.
Freehold 45 S. 3rd St., South Williamsburg
Freehold is an odd member of our list. It’s not only a bar, but a coworking space, events hall, and restaurant. We’re only concerned about the booze prices and the outdoor views, both stunning. Expect the parvenu crowd that defines modern Williamsburg.
Westlight 111 N. 12th St. Williamsburg
On the rooftop of the new William Vale Hotel, Westlight features simple but delicious cocktails and an arresting view of the city. While not cheap, prices aren’t totally unreasonable for the location, making it good for beginning a night out. This is Williamsburg, so expect lines just to get in on weekends (and the kind of people who would wait in line to get into a hotel bar).
GREENPOINT
t.b.d. 224 Franklin St., Greenpoint
Couches and ping pong tables and a full bar are situated comfortably in an easygoing, open-air indoor space, but this bar’s hidden treasure is a straight shot across all that room: a seriously huge beer garden. Filled with rows of patio tables, the beer garden fluctuates between totally empty and pretty packed depending on the day of the week. Here, you really just chill – play some ping pong, drink some beers or a dark & stormy, take a load off and just hang.
The Graham 151 Meserole, Greenpoint (2017 Beer Book bar!)
This spacious, Brokelyn-favorite spot offers a friendly, dive-like vibe offset by DJ nights and a full-service weekend brunch with unlimited drinks (for two hours). Come by for happy hour before 8pm Tuesday – Friday, or wash the stench of Monday away with a happy hour that goes until 10pm. The bar also hosts open mic nights and other fun events like an emo night, if you’re into that sort of thing.
The Brooklyn Barge, 3 Milton St., Greenpoint
The Brooklyn Barge is a floating salute to New York’s vibrant maritime history, offering gorgeous views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline. Drop anchor at a cable-spool-turned-bar-table and enjoy tasty eats like BBQ pork sliders, harpooned shrimp, tacos and sandwiches for $5-$16. The tap boasts an impressive selection of local brews, including the namesake Brooklyn Barge Brew and Greenpoint Milk & Honey. The Brooklyn Barge will feature a full-slate of summer programming to help you get your sea legs, such as kayak and sailing lessons, visits from big ships and a partnership with the Billion Dollar Oyster Project. The vibe is neighborhood and family-friendly.
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Black Rabbit 91 Greenpoint Avenue, Greenpoint
Black Rabbit has a 19th Century vibe and indoor booths are secreted by saloon-style doors, but the backyard garden is where it’s at in the summer. Follow charming stepping stones to picnic tables surrounded by fence and ivy. Happy Hour is 4-8pm daily, offering $3 Black Rabbit Draft and $5 specialty cocktails.
Broken Land 105 Franklin Street, Greenpoint
Looking for a classy cocktail bar that also features a DJ Booth and backyard open year-round? Welcome to Broken Land. The large outdoor patio, perfect for summer imbibing, holds plentiful tables and booths and is decorated with foliage, mosaics and murals. Broken Land features a “Punch of the Week” for $8, such as the Kingfisher, which consists of rum, thyme, and peach.
Northern Territory 12 Franklin Street, Greenpoint
Northern Territory has a mouth-watering Aussie-inspired menu and an impressive drink list to wash it all down. The spacious rooftop deck, complete with booths and umbrella-ed tables, overlooks the East River and Manhattan skyline. Enjoy the view while sipping a selection of Aussie beers, a rotating assortment of frozen cocktails and happy hour drink specials weekdays, from 5 – 7pm.
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The Diamond 43 Franklin St., Greenpoint (2017 Beer Book bar!)
The Diamond‘s a gem of a bar in a quiet stretch of Greenpoint that offers a curated selection of beer and wine. There is a small menu of cheeses, meats, olives, and Tuck Shop pies if you get peckish, with most offerings under $10. The outdoor courtyard is a cozy and clean picnic-table oasis featuring a gondola cabin where you can mull over your drink order. The nostalgic touch of tiling the bathrooms with old cassette tapes makes you feel like you’re among people who get how a neighborhood bar should be: straightforward, slightly old-school, and well-done.
Milk and Roses 1110 Manhattan Ave., Greenpoint
American food and drink with a Southern Italian flair. The outdoor space is rustic and cozy, with lots of plants, vines, and trees for shade. Try the signature cocktail, Milk and Roses, which consists of Four Roses Bourbon, Velvet Falernum syrup, Angostura bitters, lime, orange, mint, and egg white.
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Pencil Factory Bar 142 Franklin St., Greenpoint
Pencil Factory Bar, known as the Miltonian Social Club in the 1930s, is a throwback to days gone by; it still houses the original plank floorboards, apothecary cabinetry, and exposed brick walls of the original watering hole. Tables are set up outside the front of the building for enjoying the weather while eating and drinking during the warmer months. Enjoy the generous happy hour from 3 – 9pm, Monday – Friday, offering $4 well drinks and $3 rotating beers.
Shayz Lounge 130 Franklin St., Greenpoint
Locals love this spot that keeps customers coming back year-round with a fireplace roaring in the winter and backyard hopping in the summer. The outdoor space holds wrought iron tables and chairs, some tables with umbrellas to shelter its clientele from the blazing sun. Drink a happy hour brew out back, $3 select drafts and bottles, $4 well drinks, and $6 Bloody Marys from 3 – 9pm Monday – Friday.
Brouwerij Lane 78 Greenpoint Ave., Greenpoint (2017 Beer Book bar!)
This bar has a ton of rotating taps and a massive bottle selection. The backyard is a little tight, but the picnic tables are comfy and there’s BBQ every once in awhile. If anything, stop by for the rare beers and gonzo decor.
Troost 1011 Manhattan Ave. Greepoint
Troost’s facade and interior are somewhat austere, but the backyard is well-appointed. With a shade tree, paper lanterns, and a landscaped gravel walk, it wouldn’t look out of place in an upscale suburb. Happy hour until eight is nice: beers are a buck off and all wine $6 a glass. Cocktails are classy and a steal at $10.
No Name 597 Manhattan Ave., Greenpoint
No Name has a backyard unparalleled in Brooklyn. A giant tree is the centerpiece of the stone patio with a lot of seating. A wooden pergola provides a private area for a small group. Inside’s a bit tight and getting drinks can take a while when busy, so don’t plan any parties here.
BUSHWICK & RIDGEWOOD
The Rookery 425 Troutman St., Bushwick
Escape the bustle of Brooklyn and step into this spacious neighborhood bar that offers an eclectic wine list, craft beer & cocktails, and a bangin’ Sunday brunch. The floor to ceiling windows overlook a fenced-in patio, which is decked out with a fire pit, hanging lights and plenty of seating. Bonus: there are no neighbors to disturb, so the patio closes when the bar does. Grab a Mexicali and a shot $5.50 or a 160z. Narragansett and shot for $7.00. Beat the Monday blues with $5 mussels and half off bottles of house red, white androsé.
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Our Wicked Lady 153 Meserole, Bushwick (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Our Wicked Lady is an awesome warehouse that’s been up-cycled into a sprawling indoor bar and topped with a spacious rooftop slash bar slash live music venue. Grab a drink and head upstairs to watch the sunset alongside an indie or soul DJ, snack on the $3 empanadas from Conscious Columbian Food or stop in on Sunday for $10 all-you-can-eat brunch and $6 bloodies / mimosas. Check out the events calendar if you’re the planning type!
Left Hand Path 89 Wyckoff Ave., Bushwick
At the Northern Cali-inspired Left Hand Path, the dark interior does not reflect the mood of the laid-back staff. Their back patio with wooden stadium-style seating is perfect for large parties to mingle around a brick fire. Hungry? Snag an order of their $4 pork dumplings – you will not be disappointed. Happy hour runs 4 – 8pm, when you’ll be able to drink $5 cans and $5 well drinks.
The Bodega 24 St. Nicholas Ave, Bushwick
This wine and beer bar serves up craft coffee by day and great eats with mature, chill vibes by night. The wrap-around outdoor seating area lives on the corner of St. Nicholas and Troutman. It’s a great date spot! Order a beer and Soju shot combo for just $6. Happy hour runs 12-8pm daily.
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The Narrows 1037 Flushing Ave., Bushwick
This black-and-white, art deco dive bar offers up craft cocktails and great late night eats. There are two patios to choose from: an indoor option, complete with large windows and bar stool seating, or a traditional outdoor oasis, where hanging rope lights cast glimmers and shadows onto the patrons and the plant life alike. For $7, you can choose from a bottle of Bud with a whiskey or a bottle of Sol with a shot of jalapeño tequila. The bar also boasts $1 oysters all day until 7pm.
Heavy Woods 50 Wyckoff Ave., Bushwick
Craft coffee and morning nibbles by day, full on bar and restaurant by night. The vibe is rustic meets New Orleans meets Brooklyn, so grab a chair in the outdoor seating area and enjoy a whiskey, tequila or mezcal. Score big with the all day $5 PBR and shot special.
The Cobra Club 6 Wyckoff Ave., Bushwick
This is a traditional dive bar, offering Wi-Fi, coffee and yoga by day and cheap cocktails and karaoke (in a big back room!) on the weekends. Their cozy outdoor patio is a side alleyway decorated with blue Christmas lights, the perfect hideaway to enjoy your $6 Genesee and Jameson shot. If you’re there during the day, get a homemade pop tart, if you’re there at night, get the voodoo pie. Happy hour runs every day from 4-9pm.
The Johnson’s 369 Troutman St., Bushwick
Enjoy cheap drinks and an eclectic jukebox as you soak up the laid-back vibes of this 1970’s-esque-bar. Their spacious front patio is perfect for mingling or enjoying a $2 Lionshead in front of an outdoor fire. For something a little different, try their $2 Beer-mosa or the $3 Michelaba (Michelob Ultra, fresh lime juice and hot sauce over ice). Happy hour runs daily from 5-9pm.
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Three Diamond Door 211 Knickerbocker Ave., Bushwick
This old-school bar will likely greet you with bumping bass and leather-upholstered booths that outline the perimeter of the retro checkered floor. Get outside and take advantage of all-day beer and shot combos on the spacious, wood-decked back patio. Cheap drinks include a $6 beer-and-shot combo, $3 Rolling Rock or High Life and happy hour daily from 2-8pm.
Roberta’s 261 Moore Street, Bushwick
Munch on gourmet pizza in this well-known eclectic neighborhood spot. Their outdoor patios – yes, more than one patio – offer both inside and outside options to those looking to either have a quick bite or stay for the whole night and enjoy $4 Budweisers. Happy hour in the “Tiki Bar” is held Monday – Friday from 4 – 7pm and includes $5 daily cocktails, $15 pitchers and $20 buckets of Pacifico.
Mominette 221 Knickerbocker Ave., Bushwick
Step into this French bistro for moderately priced appetizers, drinks and desserts, and head out to the gorgeous garden for a sweet escape from the neighborhood. All day $5 beer/shot specials, $4 16oz Narragansett cans, $5 Red Stripe. Happy hour is exclusive to the oyster bar, where you can shoot back $1 oysters from 4 – 7pm on weekdays and 5 – 7pm on weekends.
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Forrest Point 970 Flushing Ave., Bushwick
Vibrant wall murals, rustic furniture and that Bushwick pulse combine to give this neighborhood restaurant and bar a unique kick. The side and front outdoor seating areas are perfect for full blown meals or just a quick drink, like any one of their famous milk punches. Happy hour runs Monday-Friday, 5-7pm, featuring $1 off beer and $2 off wine, but you can score $7 Narragansett/whiskey or Modelo/tequila shot combos anytime.
Lot45 411 Troutman St., Bushwick
This bar, restaurant and neighborhood hangout gives you the option of cheap beers and ping-pong or $10 cocktails and French/Algerian-inspired cuisine. The space feels like a lounge, curated with chandeliers, reclaimed couches and artisan ornaments, and the patio is quaint. Daily happy hour spans from 5-9pm and includes (but is not limited to) $5 well drinks, $7 dark and stormy and $4 Corona and Bronx Pale Ale. $1.50 oysters during happy hour, too!
Tutus 25 Bogart St., Bushwick
Already boasting an expansive space including a basement for screenings, Tutus was sure to expand their mass to the great outdoors (aka the sidewalk). They transformed the concrete slab right outside the bar into a sit-down spot for food and drinks. Prices for grub aren’t ideal, but hey – they do have delicious cocktails, so why not treat yo’self on a steamy evening? Grab a beer and a shot here for $6.
Happyfun Hideaway 1211 Myrtle Ave., Bushwick (2017 Beer Book bar!)
With a name like that, how could you go wrong? Happyfun Hideaway is exactly what it sounds like: cheap drinks, good vibes and an atmosphere that oozes chill. Amenities include bargain bar food, colorful wall art and Alec Baldwin-centric pinball, but the back patio is the sweet spot during summer. The semi-covered space lends itself to conversation, so squish into an open seat and make new friends over $3 Budweisers or $7 mango-chili margaritas.
Terra Firma 119 Ingraham St., Bushwick
This cozy coffee shop by day, bar by night features a killer bottomless brunch, with offerings on the menu like house-smoked meats, crab Benedict and shrimp & grits. Hop off the L at Morgan Ave. and head in with your laptop to enjoy free Wi-Fi while you get some boozy business done, or just go for the booze and the killer patio.
Central Station 84 Central Ave., Bushwick
Nestled right in the heart of Bushwick, this cute spot has a solid beer selection and gourmet menu items like grilled cheese with tomato jam – not to mention an amazing burger. But the real reason to swing by is because it’s (arguably) the best backyard in Bushwick. Grab a table outside and check out graffiti from local artists.
Bizarre 12 Jefferson St., Bushwick
This dark, quirky restaurant and bar is decorated with vintage furniture and boasts a sweet list of signature cocktails (including an entire section on Absinthe), beers and wines. If you’re in the mood to groove, come by late when the bar turns into a club, featuring performances by local artists. Bizarre is open at 4pm on weekdays, begins serving dinner at 6pm, and is also open for brunch from 11 – 4 on weekends.
Old Stanley’s 226 Wyckoff Ave., Bushwick
Old Stanley’s is a bit broey, but drinks are good and they have a shuffleboard table. The backyard has standard picnic tables and is a good place to tip a few back with some friends.
Nowadays 56-06 Cooper Ave., Ridgewood
The backyard at Nowadays is so big you could hold Smorgasbu there. This hasn’t happened yet, but there is a food truck with eclectic, substantial dishes. Oddly, with all this room there aren’t many tables. At least it gets a lot of use when there are outdoor events like screenings and DJs.
Father Knows Best 611A Wilson Ave., Bushwick
The crowd’s laid-back at Father Knows Best and the bartenders are nice. They have a good selection of above-average bar snacks at reasonable prices. Cocktails are about $9-$10. We haven’t had the guts to try “The Long Hello”, a $40 cocktail for four people that may leave more dead bodies than a Raymond Chandler novel. The backyard is a simple wooden deck without much seating, but there is a cool mural, a la Bushwick.
BED-STUY
Brooklyn Stoops 748 Myrtle Ave., Bed-Stuy
In a perfect world, there’d be no apartment building between Brooklyn Stoops and Project Parlor and you’d be able to wander from the backyard of one into the backyard of the other. Sadly, we don’t have a perfect world, but Brooklyn Stoops has a pretty big backyard, with a roof in the front and a collection of wooden bleachers in the open air area, which you’re not going to find anywhere else. Our recommendation is to hit it up on Taco Tuesdays, when you can get $1 tacos and $4 margaritas.
Project Parlor 742 Myrtle Ave., Bed-Stuy (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Project Parlor has a comfortable interior, with couches, pinball and odd movies frequently projected on the wall of the front room, but it’s the backyard of this Bed-Stuy bar that truly separates it from the rest. A sprawling treat that’s larger than the interior, Project Parlor’s backyard has plenty of tables to gather with friends and drink 2-for-1 happy hour drinks (7 days a week until 8pm), and even a tent to pass short summer rains beneath.
Doris 1088 Fulton St., Bed-Stuy
A concrete patio with plant life surrounding you, Doris’ backyard is one of the more popular backyards in the neighborhood. There’s plenty of seating, but that popularity means that even on an otherwise sleepy Sunday night you might find yourself standing. On the other hand, since Doris opens at 3pm on weekends and offers grilled cheese at prices ranging from $6 to $10, drafts that are either $5 or $7 and Lone Star bottles for $4, it could make sense to get there early and spend the whole day back there.
Chilo’s 323 Franklin Ave., Bed-Stuy
Chilo’s is a recently-opened Mexican dive by the owners of Mayfield restaurant in Crown Heights. The back area is a bonafide baby courtyard—wooden furniture, Christmas lights and all—with an in-house taco truck! We’re all about the price, too: at $2.50 apiece, these tacos are an affordable complement to a smoky $8 mezcal margarita.
Tip-Top 432 Franklin Ave., Bed-Stuy
Are you really outside if there’s a roof over your head? Ponder this paradox while drinking a $5 High Life or Budweiser, and be thankful for it on rainy days, when you can sit in Tip-Top’s chaotically-decorated covered patio. There’s still plenty of light shining through, thanks to the plexiglas ceiling over half of the patio, and the roof leaves just enough of an opening to get some air going too.
Bed-Vyne Brew 370 Tompkins Ave., Bed-Stuy (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Instead of a backyard, Bed-Vyne Brew has its outdoor seating in the front of the bar. A small area with four stumps and a small bench is on the Tompkins Ave. side of the outdoor space, while a standing-room only deck runs along the majority of the Putnam Ave. side of the bar. Either side provides a good vantage point for people-watching while you sip on a draft craft beer ranging from $7 to $10, or maybe one of the ciders or gluten-free beers from the two-page gluten-free drink menu.
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Beast of Bourbon 710 Myrtle Ave., Bed-Stuy
Beast of Bourbon boasts a walled-in patio with long communal picnic tables as befitting a barbecue joint. The small size and high walls in Beast’s outdoor space leaves you feeling a bit hemmed in, but it feels good to eat a pulled pork sandwich with 2-for-1 beers from a huge draft selection in the open air, so it’s nice that there’s at least a little bit of space to do that.
Therapy Wine Bar 364 Lewis Ave., Bed-Stuy
Do you want your canned High Life poured into a fancy chalice? Hey, sometimes you’re just feeling that, no judgements here. Then again, as the name suggests, it’s probably better to come to Therapy looking to sip wine ($5 during happy hour from 5 – 7pm Monday – Friday) in their backyard or one of their many martinis or cocktails as opposed to beer. The patio has a few tables and a cushioned wooden loveseat in the back, and manages to feel cut off from the rest of the world, a neat trick in a city where it can be difficult to find 10 seconds of peace and quiet.
CROWN HEIGHTS
Nostrand Ave. Pub 658 Nostrand Ave., Crown Heights
This place is a relatively new addition to the neighborhood (has it been two years already?) but quickly became one of our go-to outdoor drinking spots. The interior is narrow, with huge booths and lots of bar seating. Outdoors, you’ll find plenty of picnic tables and some more private seating in the back. Beer selection is diverse, and you can score $1 off pints until 8pm every day.
Tooker Alley 793 Washington Ave., Crown Heights
We were skeptical when a 20’s-era “speakeasy” opened on Washington a few years ago, especially one whose bartenders wear aprons, but we were pleasantly surprised. The outdoor space is like stepping into a ‘50s backyard, and it’s a great place to enjoy a meticulously muddled summer cocktail.
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Crown Inn 724 Franklin Ave., Crown Heights
Arguably one of the best bars in Crown Heights, Crown Inn has some of the nicest bartenders and a great rotating beer selections. The backyard seating is pretty spacious, though like the indoor space it fills up pretty fast on the weekends. Daily happy hour until 8pm lets you try the beer selection. If you’re in the mood, they offer a huge selection of whiskeys and other fine liquors.
Covenhoven 730 Classon Ave., Crown Heights (2017 Beer Book bar!)
This is probably one of the best beer bars in Brooklyn. Their selection is unmatched, with a giant list bottle and draft beers written on a wall-sized chalkboard behind the bar. The inside of Covenhoven lacks some creature comforts, but the backyard is grassy and full of comfortable lawn chairs.
Berg’n 899 Bergen St., Crown Heights (2017 Beer Book bar!)
The newest addition to the outdoor scene in Crown Heights, Berg’n is a combination beer hall, foodie cafeteria, and bar. Their outdoor space is the central courtyard of the former Studebaker Service Station it resides in. Inside, tables are long, angular beer hall deals, while outdoor seating consists of more private tables. Happy hour (4 – 7pm) takes the sting out of beer prices, though you’ll need a couple with the longer food lines and the preponderance of strollers.
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Branch Ofc. 225 Rogers Ave., Crown Heights
Branch Ofc. is a semi-retro spot with checkered linoleum, chrome stools and pinball. The backyard is a little spartan with metal corrugated fencing and unfinished picnic tables, but the place is quiet enough that you’re not shouting over each other just to enjoy a nice evening out. Happy hour knocks a couple of bucks off pints.
Catfish 1433 Bedford Ave., Crown Heights
Catfish opened a few years ago and became an anchor bar for this section of Bedford. More of a gastropub, they offer a wide range of New Orleans-themed food. The bar is open to casual drinking, as is the backyard which is small with a few rustic picnic tables. The restaurant area can get pretty full, so we suggest taking advantage of $2 off drinks and $1 oyster happy hour every day between 4:30 and 7:30pm.
Franklin Park 618 St Johns Pl., Crown Heights
This is one of the original outdoor bars in the neighborhood, and it’s gathered an immense fan base in the past seven years. The outdoor beer garden is situated between the two separate bars and has a number of tables that fill up pretty fast on nice days. Snag a seat before 4pm and take advantage of the $4 drafts and food specials during happy hour.
King Tai 1095 Bergen St. Crown Heights
This small bar feels cozy and chill, boasting a 1940s Miami Beach vibe and a sliiightly upscale feel. It’s compact and homey, perfect for pairs or small groups looking for a place to sip, but not ideal for bigger parties. Unique house cocktails will run you $10, and the bartenders tend to have a heavy pour when it comes to wine. Beware peak hours if you’re looking for something intimate – the bar can be packed, loud and slow-to-serve.
Art Cafe + Bar 886 Pacific St., Crown Heights
Art Cafe is one of those places whose purpose is hard to define. It’s part bar, part events space, part informal social club. About two-thirds of the place is an outdoor patio with lots of seating and a view of Lowry Triangle Park formed by Underhill and Washington. The owners are incredibly friendly and are easy to work with when planning events.
PROSPECT HEIGHTS
Tin Kettle 611 Vanderbilt Ave., Prospect Heights
This Southern influenced sports and food spot opened in 2016. It’s got southern classics on the menu like boiled peanuts, hush puppies, Lone Star beer and front windows that open to the street life on Vanderbilt Ave. You can break free of the sports on TVs and head to the large backyard, which is filled with picnic tables, greenery, fans and strings of lights.
Branded Saloon 603 Vanderbilt Ave., Prospect Heights (2017 Beer Book bar!)
This atypical corner cowboy bar offers up a queer-friendly vibe, wagon-wheel decor on the inside, and prime Vanderbilt Ave. sidewalk viewing on the outside. The food options include brisket on Texas toast and beer-battered fish tacos; the bar includes microbrew taps, lots of refreshing cocktails and the special whiskey bacon milkshake with Jack Daniels and maple bacon. In the back room, you’ll find games and a music stage.
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Burrito Bar 307 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Heights
Burrito Bar is a cheesy Flatbush Ave. classic, brimming with Brooklynites in search of Mexican food favorites and oversized flavored margaritas. The large sidewalk seating area is bustling in warmer months, turning into a patio party during twilight hours on the weekends.
Weather Up 589 Vanderbilt Ave., Prospect Heights
The unmarked front facade hides one of Prospect Heights’ original craft cocktail bars, a prime destination for patrons craving something special and strong. The back of the bar opens into a romantic, plant-lined yard with white lights, benches and a handful of tables to cozy up around.
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Bearded Lady 686 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights
The brightly-colored furniture in this open-air bar evokes tropical vibes all year-round, welcoming passersby with drifting conversation over oyster shooters and the clink of ice in cocktail glasses. In summer months, patrons take their beverages out front, where the sidewalk boasts porch chairs that evoke memories of your parent’s house.
Washington Commons 748 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights
This popular spot can be a bit bro-y on the weekends, but it’s still a great beer bar with a wide selection of booze to back it up. The spacious picnic table lined patio is perfect for big groups who want to bask in the sunshine on a Saturday afternoon. Brokester order: $4 Bloody Marys from 1-4pm on weekends
Piquant 259 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Heights
If you’re in the mood for something slightly upscale, mosey over to Piquant for delectable Southwestern dishes and classic craft cocktails. Looking to brunch al fresco? This spot is a neighborhood fave. Even if you’re just in it to enjoy a few drinks with friends, the spacious backyard, engulfed in lush greens, might be just what you’re looking for.
Soda Bar 629 Vanderbilt Ave., Prospect Heights
The former 1930s ice cream parlor is a cozy, friendly spot on the inside that leads to a large bi-level deck on the outside. You’ll find the neighborhood crowd lounging out there, drinking beers and frozen cocktails from the bar or munching on the menu of burgers, pierogies, shoestring fries or fish ‘n chips.
CLINTON HILL
Outpost 1014 Fulton St., Clinton Hill
Wi-Fi-enabled café by day, date spot serving beer and wine by night. The back patio is charmingly unkempt, with wild ivy growing every which way and loose cobblestones to set the stage for socializing (not to mention mar campers’ attempts to balance their laptops on the tables). Can’t beat the anytime $6 glass of wine.
Hot Bird 546 Clinton Ave., Clinton Hill
With it’s huge yard filled with picnic tables and weekday happy hour that runs until 8pm ($4 drafts! All of them!!), Hot Bird is one of the best bars to turn day drinking into nighttiming. We love their rotating seasonal drafts, affordable cocktails and people watching on a weeknight. You can escape the playground vibe that sometimes accompanies outdoor bars here too: the bar banned kids last year.
Brooklyn Tap House 590 Myrtle Ave., Clinton Hill
The name tells (almost) all, as this biergarten-style sports bar has over 40 beers on tap at all times. Hard to believe a place of this size could fill up, but you’ll be grateful for the backyard on game nights: more benches, more screens and hard pavement add some necessary breathing room in the summer months. Bring a fellow sports fan (at-your-own-risk on weekends) and pound your favorite $3 macrobrew: Miller High Life, Tecate, et al.
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The Emerson 561 Myrtle Ave., Clinton Hill (2017 Beer Book bar!)
A bar that feels like a billiards lounge. The backyard’s wide wooden benches and red-brick walls lend a nice contrast to the bar’s dimly-lit, prohibition-esque interior. Get up the balls to shoot some pool on Tuesday tournament nights so you can take advantage of $3 Modelo cans.
The Fulton Grand 1011 Fulton St., Clinton Hill
No doubt you know this homey bar by its patio. Since it occupies a flatiron-style corner at Grand Ave. and Fulton St. (ahem, hence the name), half its real estate is actually the outdoor space that spills over into the street. People-watch to your heart’s content with anything cold & craft in hand—with a rotating tap list and a weekday happy hour until 8pm, you really can’t go wrong.
Hanson Dry 925 Fulton St., Clinton Hill
You might miss this quirky bar if not for the neon sign outside. Step in to discover a long, narrow watering hole that does cocktails right! The back patio adds depth and a little extra charm, so if the indoors gets packed after you order that heavy-pour $10 Ready Made (mezcal, honey, cider bitters, lemon) you can scoot out back to sip on it.
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Lox 15 Putnam Ave., Clinton Hill
As lounge as it gets: dim red lighting, live DJ’s, the whole bit. Nothing to do with smoked salmon, unless smoked salmon knows how to get down. The backyard has extra seating and better lighting; consider it a place to catch your breath before you head back inside to sweat again. Reggae Thursdays and a classic well drink? The work week never looked so good.
Pillow Café Lounge 505 Myrtle Ave., Clinton Hill
You’d never expect a full bar at this airy café, but they’re licensed and ready to serve — until 7pm closing time, that is. A shady back patio with mural artwork and sleek wooden benches makes for the perfect morning respite from the bustle on Myrtle. Nurse a $5 margarita out back at any hour (it’s happy hour all day)!
Putnam’s Pub & Cooker 419 Myrtle Ave., Clinton Hill
Gastropub with an all-American feel. The outdoor seating is out front, so you’re right in the action on Myrtle Ave. Skint-friendly $5 wines and wells at happy hour are the perfect excuse to start your night early after work. Got off late? Head over anyway and nosh on cheeseburger spring rolls in the after-hours.
SoCo 509 Myrtle Ave., Clinton Hill
Southern fusion and live DJs in a well-manicured but rustic venue. With table service, it feels more like a restaurant than a watering hole, but for a second or third date this’ll do nicely. The small, grass-covered patio out back offers additional seating and a little extra breathing room on busier days. Enjoy bottomless brunch mimosas al fresco on Saturdays, and then spend your afternoon wandering hazily along Myrtle Ave.
Smoking Monkey 214 Greene Ave., Clinton Hill
Smoking Monkey is new on the scene and seems to have gotten it right on their first try. Oysters are a buck each during the 4 – 7 happy hour and pitchers of pilsner are just $15. Food prices are average for the area, but the menu is full of tasty snacks. The interior is beautifully done (and they have a mini Bugatti racecar!). The backyard is less ornate and a bit cramped. The fountain’s a cool idea, but the space could have been better used.
Mekelburg’s 293 Grand Ave., Clinton Hill
We don’t think Mekelburg’s related to the German state with a similar name, but the vibe is definitely Teutonic. The interior is immaculate and functional. The backyard is geometric and gemütlich with a crowd. The beer selection is large and the food is delicious. The “fine foods” grocery store in the back is a surprise and a lot of fun to browse when a little tipsy.
Cardiff Giant 415 Myrtle Ave., Clinton Hill
Wiley Brothers, founders of Bar Great Harry, Glorietta Baldy, Mission Dolores, and the Owl Farm, continue their domination of Brooklyn with Cardiff Giant. You’ll only find New York booze here, which we guess kind of relates to the eponymous 19th Century upstate hoax. Maybe? The backyard is pretty standard with tables, chairs and white Christmas lights. Alas, no stone giants that we could see.
FORT GREENE
Habana Outpost 757 Fulton St., Fort Greene
One of the monsters of Brooklyn’s outdoor bar scene, Habana Outpost is a seasonal, mostly al fresco Cuban-inspired drinking spot and eatery. The colorful corner spot is one of the most eco-friendly bars in the city, and it’s got Brokelyn favorite free movies every Sunday night. The beer prices here are always agreeable: $3.50 for a cup of Sixpoint.
Alibi 242 Dekalb Ave., Fort Greene
The neighborhood dive is perfect in its simplicity, and it’s matched with an equally simple and perfect back patio. While the walls inside are covered in graffiti (and billiards trophies), the backyard is surrounded by wood and a latticed roof that’s now covered in greenery, with a tree cover and some picnic tables to share. Make your day pitcher perfect with cheap pitchers of Narragansett.
The Great Georgiana 248 Dekalb Ave., Fort Greene
The corner spot at a busy Fort Greene intersection makes for prime people watching. It pairs well with the solid cocktail menu: Names include Delete Facebook, Etta James and the Clinton Hillbilly. Stick with Modelo if you’re looking for something cheaper ($4; $3 during happy hour). The snack menu includes cheese boards, fancy mac n cheese, Korean fried chicken and more. You can usually catch chill events here at night too, with a great lineup of DJs.
Brooklyn Public House 247 Dekalb Ave., Fort Greene
Get in some great people watching on Dekalb at this gastropub with sidewalk seating. The menu here ranges from hearty food (cajun catfish, shrimp and grits) to British staples (Welsh rarebit). Try the burger and a beer lunch special, only $10.95. Otherwise, you can count on good ol’ Narragansett here for $5.
Mullane’s 71 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene
It may be the most TGIFriday’s-esque spot in Fort Greene, but this sports-centric spot boasts a lovely front patio for ample outdoor seating without the scrum of TVs inside. It’s at a busy corner in the neighborhood so you can watch all the beauty of Fort Greene walk by. It’s hard to go wrong with a $6 beer and shot combo.
Olea 171 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene
This little gem of a Mediterranean restaurant is tucked away in a corner in Fort Greene. It’s got a smattering of outdoor seating so you can take in the street life in one of Brooklyn’s best neighborhoods.
Smooch Cafe 264 Carlton Ave., Fort Greene
The tiny little sidewalk seating space in front of this tucked-away cafe doesn’t look like much, but it’s about as picturesque a spot as you can find to sip a drink under the trees. The Australian-inspired sandwiches here are not to be missed (recommended: the vegan temptress, with baked tofu and carrot slaw).
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Martha 184 Dekalb Ave., Fort Greene
The yard here looks borrowed from some California wine country house, but you’ll feel at home: it’s spacious enough you can spread out among its tables and stools under a canopy dangling with lights.
Black Forest 733 Fulton St., Fort Greene
Patio seating, sausages, giant pretzels and German beers are the combo to beat here. This German gastropub offers up a swath of sidewalk seating so you can get some sun while you down some wurst. You can find a lot of heavy beers here for $7, but you can get a boot of Radeberger for $25, which is the most fun way to drink $25 worth of beer.
BOERUM HILL
Hollow Nickel 494 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill
This neighborhood pub on busy Atlantic Ave. has a gorgeously landscaped pebble-covered backyard, with seats and lights intertwined under a lush tree cover. You can lounge the days away back here without getting too hot, and the yard lights up at night for a cozy ambiance. The bar’s kitchen stays open late (til 1am on the weekends), and the rest of the bar opens at noon just about every day. Grab a beer and shot special here, Narragansett and whiskey for $6 each. You also can get a pickle-back for just $6.
Building on Bond 112 Bond St., Boerum Hill (2017 Beer Book bar!)
The neighborhood hot spot with the rustic decor is the place to be on weekend brunch mornings, and its outdoor seating is some of the most picturesque in the borough: it’s on a residential corner lined by the historic homes and lush trees of brownstone Brooklyn. You can spend a day people watching there, or a night – the bar closes at 1am most days. The beer selection here matches the nabe, but you can still get a Coors Banquet can for $3.
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St Gambrinus Beer Shoppe 533 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill
The front of this spot not far from the Barclays Center is half intricately-curated beer bar, half beer store, where you can stock up from a ceiling-high shelf of craft beers. The yard behind it feels like partly a secret garden: it’s well-hidden from the street, sprawling behind the whole stretch of buildings, filled with flowering trees and enough privacy to make you feel like you’re not in the center of Brooklyn.
Two 8 Two 282 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill
The burger shop also boasts a solid beer menu and a picnic table-filled backyard where you can house your beef in peace. You can stack up any combo of meats on a burger bun here: lamb, turkey, beef and egg. Then take that to the backyard with a hearty selection of draft beers and specialty cocktails. You’ll find cheap solace here in the $4 Bud Light, or try the lunch special: $8 burger and fries and $4 pints.
COBBLE HILL & CARROLL GARDENS
Bar Bruno 520 Henry St., Carroll Gardens
Mexican-inspired with a flair of NY Bistro, Bar Bruno is situated on a quiet street (for Brooklyn, that is) in Carroll Gardens. The patio seating is made up of small tables, chairs, and benches along Henry and Union streets. Bar Bruno is known for fish tacos, so enjoy one with one of Bar Bruno’s signature Micheladas.
Brazen Head 228 Atlantic Ave., Cobble Hill
This beer- and whiskey focused bar can get a little crowded with lawyers and law school types from the neighborhood, but it’s a friendly place to duck in off Atlantic Ave. for a few drinks. The backyard has a few tables and a counter, and it even catches some good sun in between the surrounding buildings. The beers on the menu run the gamut from fancy to simple, but we’re suckers for the shot-and-beer special: $7 for a PBR and rye. Check back throughout the week for free bagels, wings and other specials too.
Strong Place 270 Court St., Cobble Hill
A mouth-watering menu, 23 craft beers on tap, and live music on Thursdays make Strong Place a force to be reckoned with among neighborhood bars. Add the backyard of hightop tables of various shapes and sizes and the larger than life Jenga game, and you just may become a regular. Order a beer flight to try the greatest selection of what’s on tap, and enjoy some east coast oysters or clams on the half shell.
Brooklyn Social Club 335 Smith St., Carroll Gardens
If you like your barkeeps in bowties and cumberbunds, step right up to Brooklyn Social. Through the dimly lit, classically classy bar and past the game room with pool table is the backyard patio, which has a more casual vibe, complete with mismatched patio furniture that feels like home. All cocktails are $10, so take your pick; will it be the Rum Crusta or the Sicilian Fizz? Might we suggest both?
Zombie Hut 273 Smith St., Cobble Hill
Zombie Hut’s a tiki bar, so naturally it’s got a great tiki hut-esque backyard to compliment its super strong desert island drinks. Thatched little roofs hang over blue and red picnic tables, secluded couches and a few wooden benches, and on any given night you’ll usually find groups sipping massive frozen cocktails like the Scorpion Bowl ($26, serves four) or couples sharing $5 plastic monkey-topped Mai-Tais. No happy hour, but signature drinks tend to be on the cheap side.
Abilene 442 Court St., Carroll Gardens
Even if you don’t score a coveted outdoor table at Abilene, large bay windows open wide to let in sunlight and fresh air and the mock-appearance of being outside. The patio seating is along Court St., so there’s plenty of interesting people-watching to be done. Cool down with a $7 raspberry lemonade, just one of Abilene’s great happy hour deals, 4pm – 7pm every single day.
August Laura 387 Court St., Carroll Gardens
This quaint Carroll Gardens cocktail bar is primarily sidewalk seating outdoors, but there are quite a few tables available – and the decor adds to the ambiance. The inside space is beautiful and dimly lit, perfect for a date night or quiet night out. Head out for slight twists on refreshing classic cocktails, all served with complimentary, delicious, cheesy, chili popcorn.
We Olive and Wine Bar, 116 Smith St., Carroll Gardens
This place is kiiinda fancy, and it’s kiiind of a chain, but it encompasses many things: wine bar, artisan pizza restaurant, outdoor drinking spot and even retail, with wine, olive oil and other specialty goods for sale. It’s a very casual place, with a small, chill backyard, but the wine list and sustenance selection is a standout.
GOWANUS
Gowanus Yacht Club 323 Smith St., Gowanus
Brokesters have been known to count down the days to the annual late-spring opening of this DIY outdoor watering hole, positioned just a few blocks from the canal that bears it’s namesake. Grab your crew and settle in to a makeshift picnic table for an evening of cheap pitchers and hot dogs straight from the backyard grill. Knock back $12 pitchers of the bar’s generic GYC beers (it’s likely Coors Light, but no promises).
Bar Tano 457 Third Ave., Gowanus
In the mood for Italian? Head down to Bar Tano, a bustling eatery and drinkery in the heart of Gowanus that encourages lazy afternoons. The small patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine while you catch up with old friends at the cafe.
Dinosaur BBQ 604 Union St., Gowanus
The famed BBQ chain has come to Brooklyn, offering a slew of smoked meats and sides in addition to a vast beer menu. Picnic tables stack the sidewalk out front, where you can channel your inner southerner and enjoy comfort food with comfort brews. “An Ode to Upstate” is a Genesee and shot of Beam for just $6.
Canal Bar 270 Third Ave., Gowanus (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Canal Bar is a quintessential dive bar, complete with neighborhood regulars, free popcorn, and those adorable pony High Lifes that you can’t find anywhere else. The back patio is sunny and intimate, featuring outdoor movie nights during the summer months. Pro-tip: heading to a show at Littlefield? This little spot is just around the corner. Brokester order: $5 Bloody Mary pints on Sundays or $4 draft beers during happy hour, Monday – Friday from 5-8.
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Lowlands 543 3rd Ave., Gowanus (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Inside, this chill bar has corner tables for couples and long tables for big groups. Outside, the garden has both picnic tables and smaller tables to suit the needs of your party, plus plants, lights, and a nice big tree. Known for their refreshingly tasty cocktails, Lowlands also serves pizzas and delicious pressed sandwiches for cheap.
Threes Brewing Company 333 Douglass St., Gowanus (2017 Beer Book bar!)
The newest brewery in Brooklyn is so much more than just great beer – it’s an event space, an occasional comedy club and host to a rotating cast of Brooklyn’s finest eateries, who take turns taking up shop to serve artisanal grub to go with your brew. The outdoor space is big but bare, but don’t fret – improvements are coming soon, courtesy of the brewery’s Kickstarter, which aims to turn this previously neglected lot into a green space.
Givers and Takers 286 Third Ave., Gowanus
This relaxed neighborhood spot brings together knowledgeable bartenders, a solid beer, wine and cocktail menu, a charming backyard and a remarkably chill vibe. Spacious yet still intimate, this new-ish local favorite is a lowkey gem.
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Lavender Lake 383 Carroll Street, Gowanus (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Lavender Lake takes advantage of the relatively wide-open spaces surrounding the Gowanus Canal, inviting hoards of summer warriors into a cavernous boozery. Order a drink and a sandwich named after a musician and make your way past the bathroom line to discover a massive back patio with space to spare. Trust us, you’ll want to spend twilight on the lake.
Fourth Avenue Pub 76 Fourth Ave., Gowanus
Don’t be fooled by the dark front of this beer-centric spot: head out to the backyard for a secluded beer garden marked with high, ivy-covered walls and long picnic tables to share. You can spend a whole day here working through the extensive, ever-changing beer list. Grab some of the free popcorn and see if you can pass the Fourth Ave. Pub Challenge: opening the back screen door with a beer and a basket of popcorn in your hand.
Pig Beach 480 Union St., Gowanus
A sprawling beer-and-bbq spot, Pig Beach is an outdoor mega-space perfect for day-to-night drinking and large parties. On summer weekends, the place is packed with big groups, families and dogs, so grab a spot early and be prepared for a friendly crowd and likely a line. The famed BBQ’ers behind the spot serve an array of smoked meats (there’s also an option for a quinoa burger!) with all the fixin’s, so come hungry and plan to stay awhile.
HENRI’s Backyard 256 4th Ave., Gowanus
Henri’s Backyard is the sister (brother?) bar of Henri on Fifth. The backyard is pretty nice, with a solid deck, lots of tables and actual grass. There’s an outdoor bar, a rarity in our list, convenient after you’ve had a few. The food’s nicely done, but doesn’t have a consistent theme – bacon hotdogs share space with bahn mi. Tons of draft beer, though a limited selection of wines.
The Roof 14 3rd St., Gowanus
Found on top of Brooklyn’s ballyhooed Whole Foods, the Roof has good beer and, as you would expect, good food. It also has Whole Foods prices ($8 pints!), but $2 off at happy hour helps. You’ll be sharing sweeping views of the Superfund canal with fellow WF shoppers. We’ll let you decide if that’s a good thing.
PARK SLOPE
High Dive 243 Fifth Ave., Park Slope (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Two things you need to know about High Dive: it’s got one of the best jukeboxes in Brooklyn, and possibly the best free popcorn seasoning selection in Park Slope. This spacious bar is a favorite for big groups and parties, but look beyond the pinball machines in the back and you’ll find a small patio to sip your beer on while you make new friends with the occasional smoker. Take a dollar off all drinks during happy hour, until 8pm daily.
Cherry Tree 65 4th Ave., Park Slope
With plenty of beer on tap and slices or pies delivered to your table from South Brooklyn Pizza next door, Cherry Tree does not disappoint. Its multi-level brick backyard offers plenty of shade via porch umbrellas and overhanging trees, with sunny spots available as well for those who prefer to bask. Happy hour occurs every day of the week from 1 – 8PM and features great drink deals as well as half price Margherita pizza ($12.50) from next door.
Mission Dolores 249 Fourth Ave., Park Slope
True to its namesake, Mission Dolores is an open, casual space featuring an extensive beer menu, classic pinball and funky artwork lining the high walls. Post up on a bar stool within the atrium or enjoy the open air at an outdoor table. Bonus: this bar is dog-friendly! Can’t beat $12 pitchers on a summery afternoon.
Rock Shop 249 Fourth Ave., Park Slope
This laid back, unadorned bar doubles as an indie music venue, but the real action is on the roof deck. Head upstairs and grab a drink and a burger to enjoy on one of Brooklyn’s only rooftop spaces that won’t get you in trouble with someone’s landlord.
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Alchemy 56 Fifth Ave., Park Slope
This comfy, pub-style restaurant is a neighborhood favorite for classic cocktails and hearty plates. Take a custom-blended spicy margarita or a draft beer out to the charming back patio, where you’ll find a small table wrapped in high walls of bright greenery. A pint of Schaeffer is just $3!
The Gate 321 Fifth Ave., Park Slope
This casual corner bar boasts a solid selection of craft beers and cocktails, catching spillover from the crowded sidewalks during the summer months. The spacious, dog-friendly patio is perfect for day-drinking and people-watching, so get there early to get a spot.
Blueprint 196 Fifth Ave., Park Slope
Blueprint is a classic cocktail bar that boasts a drink menu to die for and a date-night vibe. Order up an Old-fashioned or try an Aviation to aid in unwinding in the intimate backyard. Show up for $7 happy hour cocktails, served from 4 – 7pm Monday – Friday.
Ginger’s Bar 363 5th Ave., Park Slope
The bartenders are chatty and the drinks are cheap at this no-frills gay bar. The backyard is a mishmash of old chairs, school desks with flaking paint, and potted plants, which somehow works. A pool table and great jukebox round out the neighborhood bar feel.
SOUTH PARK SLOPE
Quarter Bar 676 Fifth Ave., South Park Slope
Quarter Bar may be dark on the inside, but the big backyard brightens up any afternoon. Home to stylish South Slopers sipping craft cocktails among charming florals in addition to the occasional outdoor dance party, Quarter Bar takes refreshment seriously – and it shows. During happy hour, take $2 off draught beer, wine and well drinks, plus score a $6 beer and shot deal all day.
Commonwealth 497 Fifth Ave., South Park Slope
If you’re a jukebox junkie, Commonwealth is your spot. This neighborhood hangout has room to spread out, so enjoy a bourbon while you wiggle along to everything from the Beach Boys to Arcade Fire. The popular patio is open and spacious, featuring tables big enough for groups beneath an over-sized umbrella offering shelter from the summer sun. Enjoy $2 domestics, $3 Yuengling or $4 sangria during happy hour, 4 – 6pm daily.
South 629 Fifth Ave., South Park Slope
A neighborhood favorite where you feel like family, South embraces a low-country vibe that’s friendly and warm. The patio is spacious and simple, offering rows of picnic tables perfect for lounging in groups and the opportunity to toss bean bags in a game of cornhole. If you’re in need of a snack, there’s free popcorn available as well as an elaborate grilled cheese menu that drives regulars to rave. A beer-and-shot combo will run you just $5.
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Sea Witch 703 Fifth Ave., South Park Slope
Sea Witch is an energetic neighborhood watering hole that serves spirits and snacks to South Slope alongside fun films on movie nights, Sunday – Thursday at 9pm. The backyard is a whimsical oasis, brightly-colored and built around a rock garden and small pond that conjures funky West Coast vibes. Grab a beer and a bench and kick back. Drink PBR for $3 or Narragansett for $4.
Brookvin 381 Seventh Ave., South Park Slope
A wine bar that makes room for cheap beer and bacon mac n cheese on the menu? Count us in. Choose a glass from the extensive menu and venture out to the garden for a romantic vibe. Score $4 draft beer and $6 glasses of wine during happy hour – all day Monday, Tues – Fri until 7pm, and ’til 5pm Sat – Sun.
Freddy’s Bar 657 Fifth Ave., South Park Slope (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Freddy’s is an institution, a majestic old-school saloon that’s a bar, music venue, comedy stage and South Brooklyn staple. Order a beer and tray of tater tots and take ’em out to the small back patio, where you can enjoy sips in the sunshine at one of the borough’s oldest bars. Crush $3 PBR cans all night long to keep your budget at bay.
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j’eatjet 685 Fifth Ave., South Park Slope
Quirky mom-and-pop gastropub features a clever menu made for sampling: mac n cheese balls, deviled eggs with crispy chicken skin, fried apple pierogis and a full slate of burgers for every inkling. Cozy up at the bar or grab a seat in a backyard so inviting you might actually get through that menu. (Pro tip: j’eatjet is not actually French. It’s slang for “did you eat yet?”)
Prospect Bar & Grill 545 Fifth Ave., South Park Slope
This airy Irish bar features clean lines and cold drinks in addition to hosting packs of hungry locals at brunch-time all weekend long. You can often find a spot on the sprawling patio, so grab your friends and get ready to grub. We get down on the $8 shot and beer special, all day, every day.
Skylark 477 Fifth Ave., South Park Slope (2017 Beer Book bar!)
This 70s-themed bar is decked out like a retro basement on the inside, complete with shag tapestries and a pinball machine. Take a seat at a small sidewalk table when the weather is warm and channel your inner Steve McQueen. Catch $4 well drinks from noon – 7pm daily!
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Greenwood Park 555 Seventh Ave., South Park Slope (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Greenwood Park is a massive indoor / outdoor restaurant, bar and beer garden created out of an old gas station and mechanic shop. The enormous backyard is embraced by hipsters and young families alike, featuring an outdoor bar, bocce ball courts and plenty of seating. If you’re looking for a party patio on which to drink away the dog days of summer, you’ve found it. Happy hour runs 12-7pm on weekdays, when you’ll get $2 off all drinks.
Bar Toto 411 11th St., South Park Slope
This restaurant and bar offers a classic sandwich selection with heaping sides of fries along with brunch, lunch and dinner, but don’t be shy about posting up to drink your calories instead. Sidewalk patios typically aren’t spacious, but Bar Toto offers plenty of seating out front beneath beach umbrellas.
Barbes 376 9th St., South Park Slope
This bar and performance space is owned and operated by two Brooklynites who are also French musicians, and the atmosphere reflects that of an arts hub and community space as well as top-notch bar with affordable prices. Could it get better? Sure, but only if you get there early to take advantage of the seasonal outdoor seating until 8pm. To further entice you to come out early, you’ll get $3 off cocktails during cocktail hour, every day until 7pm.
Black Horse Pub 568 Fifth Ave., South
Park Slope’s Black Horse is a gathering place for sports fans – English football included – looking for a place to watch the game with a cold pint and traditional pub fare. Step out of the darkness onto the small front patio to absorb the British vibes over drinks. Get $3 Budweiser during happy hour, 2 – 7pm daily.
Brooklyn Bavarian Biergarten 265 Prospect Ave., South Park Slope
Thankfully, the BBB does not try to emulate the Munich Hofbrauhaus. You will find good versions of Bavarian staples like pretzels and wurst. The outdoors is a beautiful space with a shady patio and balcony. There’s a mix of German and local bottle and draft beers, with some hard-to-get Bavarian favorites. $12 Steins are a bargain, if you’re up for drinking half a six-pack in one go. Also a pretty good brunch deal.
BAY RIDGE
Lock Yard 9221 5th Ave, Bay Ridge
Lock Yard is home to craft beers, specialty hot dogs, knowledgeable bartenders, and exceptional service. This laid-back, secluded beer garden is lined with trees, picnic tables, twinkle lights and a clawfoot tub that doubles as a planter – it’s the perfect spot to keep cool during those warm summer nights. The limited beer happy hour is from 2 – 6pm on weekdays, and tasty specialty drinks pay homage to local Brooklynite Jackie Gleason and other old-school silver screen favorites.
Red White & Brew 8910 5th Ave, Bay Ridge
Red White & Brew is the newbie craft beer bar in Bay Ridge, sandwiched between two parking lots, great for playing darts and live music. The beer garden is lined with benches, tiki torches, and has a projector for Sunday summer movie nights. Hop over for weekday happy hour from 4 – 7 while feasting on bar food like mozzarella sticks and fries.
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Lone Star Bar & Grill 8703 5th Ave, Bay Ridge
This old school sports bar gem is the neighborhood go-to for playoff games, pay-per-view fights, and drunken holidays. Enjoy the game on a cool summer night in their surprisingly large outdoor patio space complete with a football field goal post, where you can enjoy the game on one of the many mini HDTVs or one of the large outdoor flat screens. Drop by during playoff season and you’ll find specials like $5 Fireball shots and $3 Coors.
The Harp 7710 3rd Ave, Bay Ridge
A classic sports bar with friendly staff where patrons can enjoy trivia night every first Thursday of the month. The snug outdoor patio is lined with cushioned benches, a handful of umbrella tables and high brick walls for an intimate gathering. Enjoy happy hour from 4 – 7 on weekdays.
Omonia Cafe 7612 3rd Ave., Bay Ridge
This Greek cafe is primarily an eatery, featuring an assortment of tasty desserts like baklava and napoleons with a small bar, limited beer selection, and an upstairs open lounge area. The enclosed candle-lit patio is an intimate hideaway with giant ivory jug decor and comfy wicker chairs perfect for a cool summer night. The Omonia specialty drinks are limited to classic staples like Peach Bellinis, Screwdrivers, and Tequila Sunrise.
Windy City Ale House 7915 3rd Ave., Bay Ridge
Chicago brothers and beer aficionados opened up this one-of-a-kind Bay Ridge hockey bar with a delicious selection of bottled and draught craft beer that changes daily. The cozy outdoor space with round steel umbrella tables and hockey memorabilia is a terrific spot to enjoy their tasty bacon cheddar sliders. Happy hour at Windy City Ale House is from 4 – 7 every night except hockey nights, when 2-for-1 drinks are offered from 4 – 6pm.
The Leif Bar 6725 5th Ave., Bay Ridge
Your classic corner Irish pub, Leif Bar is filled with locals. The backyard is quiet with a mixture of tables, benches, and stools. BBQ’s happen on the weekend and live music makes an occasional appearance.
DITMAS PARK & WINDSOR TERRACE
Sycamore Bar & Flowershop 1118 Cortelyou Rd., Ditmas Park (2017 Beer Book bar!)
Brooklyn’s only combo florist and bar, Sycamore has been a Cortelyou staple for years. The backyard is a quiet, secluded, ivy-covered deck and gravel-strewn courtyard where locals come to discuss how much the neighborhood is changing. They also host pop-up food events in the yard, inviting a variety of vendors from around Brooklyn — peep the schedule here.
Castello Plan, 1213 Cortelyou Rd. Ditmas Park
This sophisticated eating-and-sipping spot is a sexy splurge for date nights. Hake tacos, salmon crostini and an array of charcuterie choices pair well with an inventive cocktail menu best enjoyed in the sliver of a side yard where you can take in the street life when the conversation slows. If things go well, come back for brunch. Menu here.
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Bar Chord 1008 Cortelyou Rd., Ditmas Park (2017 Beer Book bar!)
As the name might suggest, this is a serious music bar. Aside from the rotating craft drafts and small-batch liquors, Bar Chord is the home to a vintage guitar collection they’ve dubbed “Underdog Guitars.” The backyard is a decent size with some small and large tables, but the clincher is it’s heated during the winter. You bet a bar like this has all types of live music (with no cover!).
The Adirondack 1241 Prospect Ave., Windsor Terrace (2017 Beer Book bar!)
While we tend to shy away from out-front seating areas, we’ll make an exception for this place. Prospect Ave. is quiet enough to enjoy the sidewalk seating with a cool beer, people-watching and catching the last rays of the day as they disappear over the low-slung houses around you. Happy hour (3 – 7pm) gets you $4 well drinks and $5-6 drafts.
PROSPECT-LEFFERTS GARDENS
Pels Pies 446 Rogers Ave., Prospect-Lefferts
This adorable, airy pie shop is a weekend afternoon’s dream and a bright spot in the neighborhood. A rotating menu of fresh pies and pastries, free Wi-Fi, and friendly service are paired with a limited selection of spirits and a big backyard. Grab a $5 beer or $6 glass of wine and a sweet snack and head outside, where you’ll find picnic tables and plenty of space to watch the garden grow.
Bluebird 504 Flatbush Ave., Prospect-Lefferts Gardens
Bluebird’s lovely backyard is decorated with fairy lights and eclectic seating options, and it’s truly an oasis in the summer. The bar and restaurant boasts a full menu and offers weekend brunch complete with $4 mimosas and $5 bloodies, but it’s also a great spot to gather with a group of friends for a casual drink. There’s a ton of space, so they’re usually able to accommodate you no matter the size of the group. They offer happy hour on weekdays from 5 – 7pm, featuring $1 off draft, bottles, cans of beer and select cocktails. Lately, they’re also hosting dance events in a downstairs space called the Nest. Cute, right?
The Westbury Inn 773 Flatbush Ave., Prospect-Lefferts Gardens
A sports bar with 7 beers on tap, a full bar, free popcorn, board games and of course, an outdoor patio wrapped in twinkle lights, glowing against an effervescent green fence. If you’re hungry, choose from savory plates including burgers, pizza and totchos (tater tot nachos!). It’s a dive with a homey feel, complete with couches and a ton of TVs. Stop in for trivia on Thursdays at 9pm or get Caribbean brunch on Sunday with $20 unlimited mimosas (for 2 hours) with Caribbean food and plenty of jerk flavor.
RED HOOK
Sunny’s 253 Conover St., Red Hook
Sunny’s has been in the Balzano family since 1890, which is a great testament to this beloved bar and its loyal clientele. Situated along the water in Red Hook, it suffered many setbacks in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, but is once again alive and kicking. Sunny’s outdoor space, while not tiny, seems like a secret hidden nook, and is a great place to enjoy the fresh sea breeze while listening to strands of bluegrass floating out from the indoor bar. There’s no beer on tap, but you’re sure to find great deals on bottles and well drinks.
The Good Fork 220 Conover St., Red Hook
The Good Fork is owned and operated by a husband and wife team; Chef Sohui Kim who is responsible for the exquisite menu, and her husband, carpenter Benjamin Schneider who built the Red Hook establishment. They’ve also taken fantastic care in designing the restaurant’s garden, which actually looks like a secret garden, with pavilion/gazebo overhung with a thicket of tree branches and faerie lights. Want a cocktail that has a taste of the sea? Try the Clam Digger, which is a Bloody Mary with salty clam juice, only $8 at brunch.
Brooklyn Ice House 318 Van Brunt St., Red Hook
The inside atmosphere is reminiscent of an Old West saloon, the beer selection boasts 50ish quaffs, and I’ve heard a bartender has been known to tell ghost stories around a fire in the backyard. The outdoor area is also excellent on summer days when there’s no campfire in sight; picnic tables, patio chairs, and an adorable/morbid mural of a pig barbecuing set the scene. Brooklyn Ice House is known for its Frito Pie, as well as its pulled pork sliders (just 2 for $5).
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Brooklyn Crab 24 Reed St., Red Hook
With cornhole, table shuffleboard, and nine holes of mini-golf, there’s no reason to complain about the potentially long wait for a table at this extremely popular spot. If you want to eat/drink outdoors, you have multiple options, too: roof deck, street-level front bar, or backyard beer garden. The backyard also has a beer tent and Adirondack chairs in which to enjoy your beer on a summer day. On Mondays and Tuesdays, enjoy $1 oysters and $3 drafts of Narragansett.
CONEY ISLAND
Margarita Island 1105 Bowery St., Coney Island
Come on, do we need to spell it out for you? Margarita Island boasts a slew of flavored ‘ritas (and a full bar, natch) served in plastic cups with a quintessentially-Coney vibe. Make your way between the carnival rides and arcade games and you’ll find a sprawling indoor + outdoor space complete with a tiki bar and unpredictable entertainment, ranging from gogo dancers to live music on any given summer’s day. Pours are pricey ($10 and up), but strong.
Ruby’s Bar & Grill 1213 Riegelmann Boardwalk, Coney Island
The oldest bar and grill on the boardwalk, Ruby’s is a spacious, welcoming Coney Island institution that’s been family-owned and operated since 1975. Stop in on your way down to the water to throw back a few cheap cold ones among locals and beachgoers alike, but don’t be surprised if you get caught up in a spontaneous boardwalk dance party.
Coney Island Brewery 1904 Surf Ave., Coney Island (2017 Beer Book bar!)
A creative variety of eight rotating taps accompany the Coney Island brand’s well-known classics at this new space outside MCU Park. Take a tour of the brewery, then kick it in the beer garden in front, where most of their seating is located.
Steeplechase Beer Garden 1904 Surf Ave., Coney Island
Steeplechase is the final rest stop before the Cyclones’ Stadium. It’s a little broey, but the outdoor seating can be pleasant (when they’re not blasting music) and the food is heart-attack good. They also have a jam-packed events calendar with lots of live music.
KENSINGTON
Hinterlands 739 Church Ave., Kensington
Hinterlands, a new neighborhood bar that opened in June, is enhancing that sweet patio life for the Church Ave. community – and so far, residents are pretty stoked. The backyard is sparse but spacious, so go check it out and help welcome them to the hood over a beer or three.
Shenanigans 802 Caton Ave., Kensington
Okay, so the outdoor space isn’t huge at this local dive, but we love the place so much that we had to include it. Cheap beer, nice bartenders, and one of the best karaoke nights this side of the park (Saturdays, 10pm – 3am). The happy hour specials (5 – 7pm every day) depend on the bartender, but are usually incredible.
Compiled and updated annually by Team Brokelyn.
Did we miss any? Tell us about your favorite patio in the comments!
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You guys are awesome for this. Thanks to you guys I’m gonna look so in the know to all my friends.
Bed-Vyne Cocktail has a nice backyard.
The Drink closed a couple months ago :(
updated, thank you!
Plan B, Flatbush farm and barn closed earlier this year
thanks! the post has been updated
Yellow Hook Grille closed last year. It is now Brooklyn Firefly.
updated, thanks!
Drink Lounge on Franklin and St Johns has a sweet hidden patio and amazing cocktails. You must visit.
you guys missed out Morgan’s BBQ which has the best happy hour in Brooklyn and awesome outside bench seating. $5 drafts, $5 wells and $2 tacos. Can’t get any better!
This list is amazingly comprehensive. Must have taken a ton of effort, great job!