The best bars in Brooklyn for good drinks, great vibes and new friends

What is it? A nautical affair that's just a staircase away from Gage & Tollner. 

Why we love it: Esteemed Brooklyn hospitality pros chef Sohui Kim, Ben Schneider, and St. John Frizell revived Gage & Tollner, leading it to the status of one of the best restaurants of 2021. Sunken Harbor Club followed upstairs shortly after. Its space feels like the interior of a slightly kitschy ship and the elaborate cocktails are just perfect. 

Time Out tip: Every night, this fairweather voyage comes to an end with a simulated storm, with flashing lights, fog, and bells orchestrated by enthusiastic barkeeps. Stay til closing to catch the show.

Address: 372 Fulton St 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–11pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight

What is it? A neighborhood wine bar in Clinton Hill from the Oxalis team. 

Why we love it: Place des Fêtes certainly caused a bit of frenzy when it first debuted, with lines out the door and reservations that were damn near impossible to get. But the crowds thinned out like they tend to, allowing the bar to settle into what it always was destined to be: a bar that's serious about its wines and seasonalities. 

Time Out tip: Many of the menu items have remained since day one, for good reason. The Bangs Island Mussels en Verde is one of them. Plump meats come coated in a bright, herby sauce that requires an order of bread to sop up every last bit. Ask the somm for a wine that fits just right. 

Address: 212 Greene Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5:30pm-10pm; Fri, Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm

What is it? A rooftop find that sets a new standard as to what a hotel bar can be. 

Why we love it: Although it is only on the sixth floor of the Wythe Hotel, Bar Blondeau has one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline. See it inside from around the green tiled bar or step out onto the large terrace when the weather is pleasant. Drinks include all the regular hits, plus more zero-ABV options than most. The Le Crocodile team down below provides even better bar bites, with zippy scallops and steak frites. 

Time Out tip: Sunset Hour specials (a.k.a., happy hour) hit the 9 to 11 dollar range for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. So catch it from 5-7pm on weeknights. 

Address: 80 Wythe Ave 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat 2pm–midnight; Sun 1pm–midnight

What is it? A pre-Prohibition-style cocktail bar that's been a central fixture of Carroll Gardens for 17 years. 

Why we love it: One of the original favorites from Smith Street’s golden age, multi-bar maker Julie Reiner’s Clover Club first opened in 2008 and it’s still considered one of the city’s best bars. Venture beyond the dining room to grab a seat if you can and take a moment or twelve to peruse the lengthy cocktail menu that could more fairly be categorized as a book. Or just order a frozen drink, which they do very well here. 

Time Out tip: Jazz brunch is most certainly a thing here. Catch it every Sunday. 

Address: 210 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–midnight; Fri 4pm–1am; Sat noon–1am; Sun noon–midnight

What is it: A New Orleans-style retreat in Williamsburg.

Why we love it: Maison Premiere evokes the flavors of New Orleans from the replica of the absinthe fountain to recreations that lean on the classics. The oysters are always cold, as are the martinis, and the secret garden out back is where you will commonly find us in the springtime. 

Time Out tip: The Old King Cole Martini is made tableside if you are looking for a show and a sip. 

Address: 298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Mon–Fri noon–1am; Sat, Sun 11am–1am

What is it? A vibey, Williamsburg wine bar that doesn't have a menu (and, frankly, doesn't need one).

Why we love it: There isn't a menu at Sauced. But take a breath, you are in good hands. Talk to the bartender, let them know that your wine musings—from your lack of fondness for dry whites to your puzzlement surrounding orange wines. They'll pour a few until you find something that's sure to be a good time. If the weather is agreeable, so is a visit to the backyard with plenty of chairs and a tree for needed shade.

Time Out tip: This bar and their LES location tend to get busy with twenty-somethings in the evening, so try to arrive early to snag a nook. 

Address: 331 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu 5pm–1am; Fri 5pm–2am; Sat 2pm–2am; Sun 2pm–midnight

What is it? A neighborhood cocktail and oyster bar that always has a theme. 

Why we love it: The cocktail menu at the neighborhood-y Grand Army bar always keeps us guessing, and, well, drinking. Themes have included “CATS!” (not the musical), a full homage to the one and only Nicolas Cage and an entire menu dedicated to New York’s transit system that we love to hate: the MTA.

Time Out tip: Yes, there is a happy hour here, one that extends to the weekend. And yes, discounted oysters are a part of it. 

Address: 336 State St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Opening hours: Sun 2–10pm; Mon 5–11pm; Tues–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri 4pm–1am; Sat 2pm–1am

What is it? A chill natural wine bar in Bed-Stuy where the frog reigns supreme. 

Why we love it: Frog Wine Bar fits the bill of a solid wine bar for many reasons. The wine? Natty only, most of which you can find chilling in buckets on the bar. The space? Intimate enough for romance to blossom at one of its low-slung tables or, if a bit of rousing is needed, you can see if sparks fly over a game of pool in the back. There's also a pretty lush backyard for good times over good wines.

Time Out tip: This frog plays host to many a pop-up, from Ghanaian and West African eats from Love That I Knead Supper Club to massive plates of paella from Arroces. Keep an eye on their IG if you need a snack with your drink. 

Address: 358 Marcus Garvey Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11221

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri–Sun 3pm–midnight

What is it? A long-standing bar and restaurant now operates as a late-night cocktail bar in Cobble Hill. 

Why we love it: A bar by the same name operated in this same space for more than half a century before hospitality professionals Joel Tompkins and Toby Cecchini reopened Long Island Bar in 2013. It’s topped NYC best bars lists ever since, beloved near and far for its casual style and excellent cocktails. Go early, it gets crowded. 

Time Out tip: There's often a frozen or two here, from a very strong Cosmopolitan to a Pina Colada that hits the spot. Just order it. 

Address: 110 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat, Sun 2pm–midnight

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What is it? An energetic yet chill find in Bed-Stuy. 

Why we love it: Sister bar to Dick & Jane’s Bar and Baby Jane’s, Dick & Jane’s BarRoom is the perfect neighborhood hang. Full dinners can be had here, but so can cocktails at its bar that runs the length of the restaurant. Late-night happy hours are a thing here, best paired with whatever live music they've got going on. 

Time Out tip: Sundays after a vibe whether you stick around after brunch or close out the night with dancing.

Address: 300 Malcolm X Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11233

Opening hours: Dinner Sun–Thu 5-10pm and Fri, Sat 6-11pm; Bar service Sun–Thu 6PM–midnight and Fri, Sat 6pm–1am 

What is it? A sultry listening lounge that's a shoo-in for date night. 

Why we love it: Mr. Melo is as handsome as they come. A semi-secretive bar (just look for the neon sign), the listening lounge invites all over tunes, amber hues and couches and chairs tucked in nooks, pretty much guaranteed to get you closer to that special someone. 

Time Out tip: If you want to come off as a semi-conscious individual of the world to your date, you can order from the Compost Cocktails menu and sip on concoctions made with smoked eggplant skins and feta brine. 

Address: 61 Withers St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am

What is it? A beer bar in Prospect Heights with a very impressive vinyl collection. 

Why we love it: Come for the beer, stay for the beat at Bierwax. This Prospect Park beer bar is all about vinyl, with a dizzying selection framing the bar. With over 5,000 records strong, the music can easily range from rap to rock to soul. So grab a brew and see what's playing next.

Time Out tip: There is a covered area out back that invites patio pounding regardless of the weather. 

Address: 556 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Opening hours: Mon, Tues noon–11pm; Wed, Thu noon–midnight; Fri noon–2am; Sat 1pm-2am; Sun 2-10pm 

What is it? An old-school dive that's stood in Red Hook since the late 1800s. 

Why we love it: This address has been a bar since 1890, most famously as Sunny’s, as far as anyone seems to recall. It's in what some visitors would have referred to as remote Red Hook in the pre-rideshare times when a taxi could have gotten you there, but much less reliably back. Perhaps that's also why the classic, charming dive is as popular as ever, with people packing into its booths around the bar, in the back room and into the small but efficient backyard. Go on a weeknight to avoid the Uber crowd. 

Time Out tip: People far and wide come solely for the live music. The bar's Instagram is pretty reliable for seeing who is playing next. 

Address: 253 Conover St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 3pm-midnight; Wed, Thu 3pm-1am; Fri 2pm-1am; Sat noon-1am; Sun noon-midnight

What is it? A woman-owned brewery in Williamsburg that now pours at five locations in the city.

Why we love it: This brewery and taproom is light, bright, airy, and loft-like inside with a strip of seats outside if it’s a sky's-the-limit kind of occasion. Fruit-forward brews match the uplifted space, which you can enjoy on site and take home. There's also a full bar here if one of your crew isn't a fan of the suds-y stuff. 

Time Out tip: Is it a scorcher out there? Get a beer slushie to cool off. 

Address: 87 Richardson Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Daily 10am—10pm