Clover Club question

booey

I'm planning to get together with a small group of 8-10 on Friday night around 7 for birthday drinks. We picked Clover Club a) because we like it a lot already and b) they're pretty spacious and have room for this size of group, and on their website they state that you can make a reservation for 8 or more people.

When we called today to make a reservation, though, we were told that their website is outdated and they don't take reservations anymore. We had asked about sitting in that space opposite from the bar, a couple of tables that are separated by a short wall and up a couple of steps. The person I spoke to was not helpful at all and didn't offer any advice other than to say they couldn't seat us until everyone was there (even though we're all just meeting up for drinks) and they couldn't guarantee that we'd even get a seat.

We could just take our chances and try to get space at the bar--does anyone know what it's usually like at 7-ish at Clover Club? Think we'll have any luck finding space for all of us? We don't all have to sit, by any means--we just don't want to be crowded into a corner or crowd anyone else.

If you have any advice on this or suggestions for other places in the area (or Park Slope) I'd love to hear them! We're all mid-30s professionals, not a rowdy group at all but a group that appreciates a great atmosphere and awesome drinks.

Thanks!

flatbushave

If a restaurant is giving you that much resistance in this economy for a reservation, then I wouldnt bother with this place. They should accomadate you regardless of their website. In this economy they should be happy to have a large table to seat.
Oceans 8 Billiards located at 305 Flatbush Avenue at 7th avenue, has large tables and a great new kitchen. They even have a private seating area that accomates around 0 people in a private setting. I recently had a birthday party there and it was great. The food is great pub food, the pitchers of beers were cold and resonably priced and the staff was freindly. We later moved to the V"IP" room and we didnt have a reservation. Afterwards, we went on the floor and played ping pong and billiards all at responsable prices. The hamburgers are great. So this is my suggestion. I think the main guy to speak to is Frank. And just so you know, the bar is 40 feet long and they serve every type of drink.

kiteless

This is one of the worst shills I've seen in a while.

Clover Club is likely to be crowded at 7pm on a Friday especially if the weather is decent. Do you really want to cram into that little bar space?

booey

thanks, kiteless. i think we'll find another place--any recommendations?

and whether or not the flatbushave post was a shill, oceans 8 and clover club aren't really similar in terms of ambiance and types of drinks, so thanks anyway flatbushave.

i've never been to brooklyn social--any thoughts on that bar?

jbrklyn

Brooklyn Social gets really crowded too but might be okay if you all don't need to sit. There's a new bar on Smith between Douglass and Degraw called People's Republic that doesn't get too crowded early on in the night. They make decent drinks at a good price. Nothing is really going to match the ambiance of Clover Club though. You could contact Sample on Smith near Bergen and see if they'll hold some of those tables in the back for you. Its worth a shot and that's a pretty cool bar. Good luck and Happy Birthday!

pm

You're asking a bar to reserve an area for you on a Friday night after work? And for only eight people? Sorry, but unless you're a genuine regular or know the owner that's not gonna happen.

Their thinking is probably along the lines of, 'Well, reserving an area like that will piss off more than eight regulars, so it's not worth it.'

You probably need to think outside the box a little – or go to a place where you're known.

reggi

Black Horse Pub on 16th and 5th Avenue is really really large, has a menu
and usually has space, worth calling them. Drinks are fine and I've
enjoyed what food we have ordered from them.

flatbushave

Piquant. Flatbush Avenue between St. Marks and Bergen. Great new restaurant and very comfy. Just went there with about 5 friends for afterwork drinks. Love the atmosphere.

stacey

If you are willing to come into Prospect Heights, Cornelius may be what you are looking for
http://corneliusbrooklyn.com/

booey

thanks to everyone for your helpful suggestions. appreciate all the ideas--some great ones here. i've been to many of these places and had either forgotten about them or had not been sure they'd be right for the night.

PM, i hear you if i had been asking about manhattan. brooklyn, not so much. i've lived here for a long time, and this is definitely not too much to ask of a bar when bringing in a large-ish group and providing business to them. eight people is nothing to sniff at and since i AM a semi-regular at clover club, it's nothing that would bother me.

danielle123

Where did you end up going and how was it?