Best Bar in Park Slope

erikka

young snitch wrote: park slope's bar scene is brutal. let's be honest, the neighborhood's population of stroller-yuppies and lesbians doesn't exactly make for a guinness 'n' red bull bashment. the people who don't fit into those categories are usually nice but dorky -- i mean, why else would they be in park slope?

oh yeah, drunk guest spoke real words on this post.

Never would have figured you as a Loki type there, YS. Kind of a toolshed, don't ya think?

shinybeast

Commonwealth was the first place I hung out, so I have a soft spot for the place (and they have a great jukebox). I've just never been crazy about the bartenders or their aversion to buybacks.

Lately I've had a few nice experiences at Barbes (9th st. @6th). I quite like the joint. Bartenders have been very nice, good vibe.

I don't really get the love for Buttermilk, though I don't loathe the place. Seems kind of bleak inside (terrible lighting). Don't mind The Gate and end up their often because a friend of mine is addicted the place, but it's a long haul for me and I'm not a huge beer drinker, so it would never be my first choice.

Loki (which used to be half-way decent) & Bar 4 ... yuck. Both seem to attract a meathead crowd. Can't say I "get" Great Lakes either, but I could see it growing on me if I lived in the immediate neighborhood.

Wish someone would open a decent semi-hip bar on South 7th, but I don't know if this sleepy neighborhood could sustain it. If I'm too lazy to venture a few blocks, I normally end up just going to Steinhoff.

anonymous

Subject: Re: Park Slope bars

Anonymous wrote: Ok.. I'm a bit of a drunk so I feel I can comment accurately on this topic..

First of all,

Buttermilk - I find it hard to believe that people come from Manhattan to go there... the place has board games.. WOW. Anything else going for it? There is nothing unique there... it attracts a distinctly homogenous, dull, passive, and uninteresting clientle... the same goes double for Great Lakes.. just without the board games.. (although Jim I think you're great)

Bar 4 -- good place to get coke.. (same goes for Carriage House... same goes for Park Slope Ale House).

12th Street -- love the food.. good crowd on the weekends.

Loki -- best pool table and pool game in Park Slope.. clientele can be quite mixed... go in Friday around 8:30 and you'll find about 15-20 drunk ass teachers... midnight on Saturday you might find a bunch from Bayridge, a stray hipster gang, 3 Russians, a goat, and the usuals...
I like the place.. a lot of my friends don't..

Puppet Jazz -- good for Jazz

Lighthouse -- kind of a dork bar

Living Room -- 20th street or so... and 5th.. I like this place.. pool table, cheap drinks.. diverse crowd. The place is new and hasn't found it's calling just yet.. or perhaps that is the calling ... permanently redeveloping itself.

Commonwealth -- typical.. so typical

Catty Shack -- don't get me started on that man hating, cocaine and testostorne fueled mass of immature ladies (would be a stretch).. drinks are outrageous.. the people are even moreso

Just and FYI -- Maria's mexican resturant now has a bar...

Blue Ribbon -- mixed on this place... good margarita... good staff.. actually a decent crowd.. it tries hard and actually get's the job done.. nothing special -- just a nice place that is just a touch too cheesy to truly be called upscale...

Barbes -- that owner there is a jackass french guy.. hey, I like the french.. just not jackasses... it is a good place to get wasted on a Wed so long as the right band is in the back.

The Gate -- my lord people -- what is so damn appealing about sitting in a 40 x40 plot of concrete on the corner of 3rd st and 5th ave drinking beer with elbow to elbow with a stranger?? If you go inside it's dark, it smells,... I will say the bartenders are knowledgeable if not very attentive.. selection is good..

BBQ -- 6th ave and like 20th.. holy shit.. go here.. 30 bourbons available.. most around 6 buck.. wings, pork, beans... not exactly a bar.. but I'm sure they don't mind drunks.

Union Hall -- interesting, very interesting... it's the kind of place where everyone is looking to get laid but nobody does because they are all idiots..


What have I forgotten..

How is Flatbush Farm?

anonymous

Subject: How 'bout "Lucky 13"?

Any opinion?

drano

Subject: Re: How 'bout "Lucky 13"?

Anonymous wrote: Any opinion?

Really good.

anonymous

Subject: Re: How 'bout "Lucky 13"?

Drano wrote: [quote=Anonymous]Any opinion?

Really good.

Is it a restaurant or a bar?

capoeirabrooklyn

Both

raw

Subject: Office Elevator Ambience

I met a friend at total wine bar last night, but we left quickly because it was very small, cramped, and crowded. I didn't feel like paying $10 for a glass of wine I had to sip while standing and getting elbowed in the back.

alafairnadia

Subject: Re: Office Elevator Ambience

raw wrote: I met a friend at total wine bar last night, but we left quickly because it was very small, cramped, and crowded. I didn't feel like paying $10 for a glass of wine I had to sip while standing and getting elbowed in the back.

total is a lousy place to go on weekends - much more pleasureable on a tuesday night. where'd y'all end up?

emgoldm

Subject: Re: Office Elevator Ambience

raw wrote: I met a friend at total wine bar last night, but we left quickly because it was very small, cramped, and crowded. I didn't feel like paying $10 for a glass of wine I had to sip while standing and getting elbowed in the back.

I promised I'd give it another try after my first attempt in January (which was disasterous), but am not really motivated.

I'm still trying to find a decent wine and cheese place in the Slope.

raw

Subject: Re: Office Elevator Ambience

alafairnadia wrote: [quote=raw]I met a friend at total wine bar last night, but we left quickly because it was very small, cramped, and crowded. I didn't feel like paying $10 for a glass of wine I had to sip while standing and getting elbowed in the back.

total is a lousy place to go on weekends - much more pleasureable on a tuesday night. where'd y'all end up?

Patio. It was fine.

We got seats.

alafairnadia

Subject: Re: Office Elevator Ambience

raw wrote: [quote=alafairnadia][quote=raw]I met a friend at total wine bar last night, but we left quickly because it was very small, cramped, and crowded. I didn't feel like paying $10 for a glass of wine I had to sip while standing and getting elbowed in the back.

total is a lousy place to go on weekends - much more pleasureable on a tuesday night. where'd y'all end up?

Patio. It was fine.

We got seats.

how is Patio doing? last time I was there my friends and I were their only customers. it was kinda awkward. I also got totally outed as a complete alcoholic when the bartender helped me figure out that buying myself a half-pitcher of sangria was WAY more economical than buying myself two glasses of sangria (what I figured I might drink). so I drank the half-pitcher.

anonymous

Shinybeast wrote:
I don't really get the love for Buttermilk, though I don't loathe the place. Seems kind of bleak inside (terrible lighting). Don't mind The Gate and end up their often because a friend of mine is addicted the place, but it's a long haul for me and I'm not a huge beer drinker, so it would never be my first choice.

Loki (which used to be half-way decent) & Bar 4 ... yuck. Both seem to attract a meathead crowd. Can't say I "get" Great Lakes either, but I could see it growing on me if I lived in the immediate neighborhood.
.

I don't really understand the attraction to Buttermilk or get the love there either, but maybe for the 25 and under crowd, I can kind of see it. I still go there but not too often.

BAR 4 a meathead bar? Yeah, Loki can definitely be but BAR4 is more of a very young semi-hipsterish establishment, least that's my take. They have open mic on Sundays that can draw a crowd and at least one friendly bartender. It draws a very young crowd, not a place I frequent that much.

Black Sheep (North Slope) is good if you like to play foosball. They have an Italian tournament table (not that great) but lots of players and tournies Sundays at 6pm. Challenge the bartender to a game. Decent beer as well, but it can be sort of empty.

Great Lakes can be great on the weekends. I'd have to give it the nod as best bar in the slope. Good people, cheap drinks, the BEST music, nice dark atmosphere (unlike Buttermilk's).

O'Connors used to be good. Don't like the new(ish) bartender. He kicks everyone out early.

Barbes is OK. Better as a date place or a place to listen to live eclectic music.

The Gate is OK, seems to be a popular spot with a lot of people.

caaahyoko

We finally went to Bar4 on Saturday. Goddamn the crowd in there was boring. The music wasn't bad though. I think it would have been better if there had been seats open at the bar since the bartender seemed cool. Unfortunatly, we were on one of the couches, and the people across from us made me want to run far far away.

So we did run...back to Buttermilk. Which is much more interesting after midnight or 1am, btw. We rarely go there earlier. I was there at 10pm once and the crowd is very different.

anonymous

Subject: Election night

Which bar is the best to spend election night? I have been to commonwealth before, but was hoping not to do anything that might cause me to relive 2004 election night.

anonymous

Subject: best bar

Let me clear up a few points here on bars and such... FYI -- I am the original drunken guest..

1. Great Lakes -- it is not the best bar in Park Slope... it's just not, so get over it. It's small, dark and crowded...

2. Sheep Station (4th Ave and about sackett or so) -- is a new place. A really nice new place with limited Austrialian-esque menu. Lesbian owned and friendly to all. a bunch of beer and a big back area.

3. Brooklyn Inn...I know it's not in Park Slope. But for a $7 cab ride it's worth the money you'll save on drinks. $5 Jamesons, nuff said.

4. Patio -- pretty good place. Sangria if you like that shit... nice bartenders and a decent crowd.

5. Total Wine Bar -- first let me say Sample on Smith street is where you really wanted to go... wine, cheese, sliced meat, good prices and beer... check it out. As for Total - it can be pricey, however, being blessed with no concept of money that is not my concern. I like the 30 and over crowd for a change of pace... and the mac and cheese is amazing... and I don't even like mac and cheese..

6. The pool hall place -- A real gem. 5th ave and 13 or 14th.. opposite side of commonwealth and a little south.. narrow entrance (downstairs) with and 8 ball over the door... you really can't miss it if you actually look.... downstairs opens into a huge, HUGE pool hall... over 20 pool tables and two ping pong tables.... a ten seat full bar in front with an old school TV.... a barely dressed 18 year old Latina woman waiting the (pool) tables... great crowd, tons of seating for non pool players... the most welcoming pool hall around... Best example is when I saw a foursome of gay hispanic guys there... nobody looked twice or cared... the place leans slightly ghetto but is in no way feux ghetto fabulous.

Oh, and another time I was there with 6 people... drinking (not too too heavily).. about the 3 or 4th round of buds the bartender sets us up with 6 shots of partron... amazing.

7.

anonymous

Still no feedback on Lucky 13 or the one (I forget the name) on 5th b/w 12th and 13th on the west side of the street across from the doggy daycare?

elizgw

Anonymous wrote: Still no feedback on Lucky 13 or the one (I forget the name) on 5th b/w 12th and 13th on the west side of the street across from the doggy daycare?

I haven't been there and don't know anybody else who has either.

ranjit

I just passed Bar 4 and realized they had a blow up of their Zagat rating in their window. They got a 14 for appeal (out of 30).

I wonder why anybody would advertise the fact that their reviews came in sub-par? I see a lot of places post their ratings.....when the ratings are GOOD.

pitu

Subject: Re: best bar

The original Guest wrote: 2. Sheep Station (4th Ave and about sackett or so) -- is a new place. A really nice new place with limited Austrialian-esque menu. Lesbian owned and friendly to all. a bunch of beer and a big back area.

That must be lesbian-co-owned. That Australian guy is *not* a lesbian.

But a really nice spot, I agree. Serving Imperial pints, for those of you who are counting ounces...

drano

Subject: Re: best bar

The original Guest wrote: 1. Great Lakes -- it is not the best bar in Park Slope... it's just not, so get over it. It's small, dark and crowded...

Not to mention it sometimes smells of mold/urine. Still, I think that people forgive a lot of their shortcomings because they have one of the more interesting juke-boxes around if you like that style of music.

And whoever busted on The Gate earlier was spot on; it's certainly okay, but I don't understand the love that some people have for it.

I used to like 12th Street, but a...um...friend of mine was unjustly 86'd, so they are out of the rotation.

k8aline

The only thing appealing about the Gate is the outdoor space. I'm not even so impressed with their beer selection, which is another aspect that people praise.

pitu

The Gate is a low-key local with a better than average selection of brew. If you're really paying attention to beer, it's a good place to go in Brooklyn.
Plus the owner and bartenders are all really nice to me, in a not overly solicitous way, so I like it there. Gary, the English guy, has a great oddball rotation of music.
And the patio dog and baby scene . . . well, I think it's funny.

laura

Flexichick wrote: [quote=Anonymous]Still no feedback on Lucky 13 or the one (I forget the name) on 5th b/w 12th and 13th on the west side of the street across from the doggy daycare?

I haven't been there and don't know anybody else who has either.

Lucky 13: I live a block away, but I don't think I have enough tattoos to even set foot in the place.

5th btw 12th and 13th: That would be the Royale, which I like.

I like Commonwealth, it's comfortable and people are really friendly.

I used to live half a block away from the Gate ... after being taken there twice I avoided it thereafter.

pitu

laura wrote: I used to live half a block away from the Gate ... after being taken there twice I avoided it thereafter.

but why?
cause it's a geeky beer guy place?

gringcorp

Have I missed anyone talking about the new place opposite Cherry Tree called "4th Avenue Pub"? I went there Saturday and quite liked it, mostly because of the broad selection of ales. Sort of like a hassle-free Gate.

laura

pitu wrote: [quote=laura]I used to live half a block away from the Gate ... after being taken there twice I avoided it thereafter.

but why?
cause it's a geeky beer guy place?
Yeah, I guess that's the best way to put it. Too much normalcy for my taste.

quijibo

Gringcorp wrote: Have I missed anyone talking about the new place opposite Cherry Tree called "4th Avenue Pub"? I went there Saturday and quite liked it, mostly because of the broad selection of ales. Sort of like a hassle-free Gate.

i was there last week, the place has a butt-load of beers
quite a tasty assortment.

just don't know about the jukebox yet
if they served pickled eggs. that could cinch it [-o<

ando

I was at Fourth Ave Pub on Saturday too. I agree about the beer selection/juke box. Beer was good at a fair price with a few rare items mixed in. While it was nice that the jukebox wasn't blaring and I could actually talk without screaming, it's one of those choose anything under the sun jukeboxes. Have some pride in your music tastes mister bartender.
I haven't been to bar 13 in years but it's a hard rock/metal bar like Duff's or Siberia. Nothing to be afraid of but I don't know what their prices are like now (I fear $3 pabst cans *shiver*).
And I'll defend the Gate. If you don't feel like drinking the standard 4 or 5 drafts it's nice to have a selection (and they'll let you sample it first). No Spuyten Duyvil or Barcade but one of the better for the area.
As someone else said Great Lakes = good jukebox (if you're into that type of music, which I am).
Basically Park Slope north of say 10th st. ain't a swinging singles scene so you're not gonna find much in that way for bars. But there are good places to meet friends or small talk.
Oh and I'm partial to Jackie's Fifth on the rare occasions that I make it there. Go ahead, nay say all you want but it's pure classic, true to the roots Irish bar. The type that sends cosmo-slurping softies screaming.

pitu

Ando wrote:
As someone else said Great Lakes = good jukebox (if you're into that type of music, which I am).
Basically Park Slope north of say 10th st. ain't a swinging singles scene so you're not gonna find much in that way for bars. But there are good places to meet friends or small talk.

I heard the bartender @Great Lakes with the *really* good disc collection left, and took his mixes with him. I forget his name, but he's working some place else in Bklyn now.

And hrrrmmm, I go to bars as a ol' gay-married non-single**. So that's bound to make a difference in how I view a place.
I am sooo *not* assuming we are all 24 and heterosexual and single.
Esp not in Park Slope.