Question: “Where should we meet for drinks?”
Answer: Gowanus
Beat the heat and bask in the toxic fumes of Brooklyn’s best-kept secret.
Gowanus exists right between the middle of nowhere and the middle of everything. The constant growl of the F/G train, low-to-the-ground buildings, and a general air of unfinished business has given the sprawling central Brooklyn neighborhood a bad name for long enough.
But the fewer people to fend off, the more room at the bar, making it the ideal place to meet this summer. There’s a sort of twisted appeal to the canal, the repugnant quality of water that flows through it. It’s no beach, but it’s Brooklyn. Toxic waste will have to do. So let haphazard decay amidst flashy new high-rises set the tone for your summer — quirky and unexpectedly charming.
Dirty Precious (317 3rd Ave)
Posh enough to pass for a Manhattan hot spot, this bar might be the crown jewel of Gowanus bars. An impressive cocktail list and well-dressed waiters outfit this chic establishment. It doubles as a cafe during the day, with food options that last long into the night.
Royal Palms (514 Union St)
When an activity is in order, shuffleboard is the clear winner. And what better way to engage in some friendly competition than to a live DJ under the watchful gaze of 1960s flamingo decor? Some organization is necessary, but a food truck in rotation and a myriad of drink options make this place the ultimate crowd pleaser.
Bar Tano (457 3rd Ave)
The name of the game here is a happy hour. Sure, the menu is fantastic all the time, and the ambiance doesn’t quit, but Bar Tano’s happy hour is the best of Gowanus. From 4-7pm on Monday to Thursday, you can expect criminally inexpensive cocktails and delicious small plates. Loads of seating both indoors and out, making it the ideal place to unwind post work.
Mission Dolores Bar (249 4th Ave)
Summer in New York tends to dictate outdoor space as a non-negotiable when it comes to meeting for drinks. Enter Mission Dolores Bar. Concrete and cool, plus with frozen drinks on tap, this bar is perfect for sunny skies. It’s barebones in the way all of Gowanus is — picnic tables and scrawled-on chalkboards. Plus, there are loads of beer options.
Lavender Lake Bar (383 Carroll St)
With outdoor real estate like Lavender Lake Bar, it would be acceptable, even expected for the food to be lackluster. Modern branding, a darling bar, and excellent cocktails would be enough. But it turns out, the fried Brussel sprouts and pickles are just the beginning of an impressive menu crafted for summer. Be warned. The place fills quickly on weekends.
Other Half Brewing (195 Centre St)
What appears to be a garage packed with bearded Brooklynites from the curb is actually a fantastic brewery made for meeting up. A rotating beer list, lots of table seating, and plenty of events make this the perfect place to start the night.
Freek’s Mill (285 Nevins St)
If a proper dinner out is in order, forget making the trek into Manhattan. Instead, wander into the impossibly chic Freek’s Mill and let the food do the talking. Brilliant natural wine pairings meet unexpected and playful dishes. Settle into the plentiful tablespace or opt for the chef’s counter in the back of the restaurant. Either way, expect to be impressed and find yourself wondering why you ever thought you had to leave Brooklyn in the first place.
Gowanus Yacht Club (323 Smith St)
And what summer guide would be complete without a no-frills, perfectly dive-y establishment? There are times when what you’re drinking and the font on the drink menu could matter less; When it’s all about who you’re with and being in the sun. Gowanus Yacht Club is just the place. It’s grill-out-adjacent in its appeal – terrible, endearing, and totally Gowanus.
