* The Woods
image via NY Press
ADDRESS: 48 South 4th Street, Brooklyn NY 11211
(between Wythe and Kent)
PHONE: No phone
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L Train to Bedford Ave
NY PRESS SAYS: Williamsburg's sweeping old spaces may have been designed for industrial work, but they were really made for bars.The Woods is tucked away in an old brick building that used to house a metal shop, but when the workers would call it quits after a backbreaking day on the job, did they look around at the high ceilings and exposed brick walls and think one day people will drink here?
Probably not. It was the new owners of the space who found some libation inspiration and spent over a year changing this former industrial site into a stylish den of drink. Concrete floors, open space and exposed ceiling beams give some flavor of the bar's former life. Even though neighboring G&G's Scrap now deals with the area's metal, the real work is going on here:The Woods is a drinking factory, and neighborhood bar goers seem ready to get the job done.
The bar is charming because it's served without trappings — it's replaced trendy design and uppity cocktails with drinking utility. A beer and a shot of whiskey goes for $5 (we call this "The Williamsburg Dinner") and for a buck more you can upgrade to Bud and Jameson. It's that kind of place.Whether you come after work on a Tuesday or on a Saturday at midnight, the space is comfortable, and you'll get your drinking done.There's even a backyard strewn with picnic tables for when you want a bit of air.
And the backyard holds the bar's hidden treasure. A mish-mosh of chairs and wooden fencing give it the feeling of being Union Pool-lite. Smoking buckets line the ground, and you can hear the traffic race by on the Williamsburg Bridge — it's kind of soothing after your third shot.While the interior invokes some awe, at first glance the outdoor space provokes a shrug. Is this just another pen for Brooklyn's pigs? Not so much.
Hidden in this bohemian backyard is a true gem of Williamsburg bar going: The Woods comes equipped with its own taco truck. $3.50 will get you a freshly made veggie, chicken or chorizo taco. And you'll need them after taking advantage of all those drink specials. If you're down to your last $5 and have to choose between another round and a tasty taco, go for the grub.
After all, owner Matt Relkin claims that he'd like The Woods to be an "end of the night" kind of place. And how do you want to end your night? Slurping down another whiskey? Sounds of bridge traffic aren't so soothing after that one.The Woods is clearly a bar that takes care of its locals, and they wouldn't send you into the night with an empty stomach.
The old metal workers might not have liked the hipsters invading their turf, but we think they'd be won over.
image via
Village Voice says
Nestled beneath the Williamsburg Bridge (a charming view) (no, really), long-rumored nightlife spot the Woods finally opened its doors Friday night to an overwhelming response. Located at 48 South 4th Street, the bar has no sign over the door; a set of stairs and swarm of people was the only indications of its existence. (Despite all the buzz, no one was sure where — or what — this place would actually be.) When we arrived at 9 p.m., a sign read "free beer 'til we run out." The crowd we had to fight through to try and get some was understandably dense.Any new place is at least initially welcome in club-friendly Williamsburg, and the Woods will be no exception, boasting a long bar with plenty of space, some casual lounge-type seating, a small stage and DJ setup, and a huge backyard lit by strings of bulbs. Most impressive is the Metropolitan Ave. taco truck they managed to relocate out back to serve up $2 tacos (they've moved in for good, we hope). DJ Rok One was on the decks for the affair — the mix of New Jack Swing and post-punk that drifted over the dull roar of idle chatter may become the norm here. "We want this to be a multi-functional space," said co-owner James Tadic. "A place where we can have bands, DJs, and other community-based events like talent shows and stuff."
The space came about when four friends (and co-owners) — Tadic (a part-owner of nearby Savalas), Jason Radich (an expert woodworker and former Portland-area clubs/booking guy), Matt Relkin (a local artist and musician), and David Rosen — saw the need for a "neighborhood bar" in the area. They handled all the construction themselves (including the bar itself) and plan to commission local artists for an outside mural that changes every few months. "I wanted this to be my place," said Relkin. "A place where I can hang out when I'm not working. We want everyone to feel that way here."
Metromix says
A rowdy, handsome and unmarked music and party venue, The Woods throws regular DJed parties in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge and serves as a multi-purpose venue for any kind of event that requires a large-ish space where drinking is permitted if not heartily encouraged. There's also a taco truck out back, which is pretty much amazing and serves $2 tacos all night long. That taco truck also lives in the party-friendly backyard, where all sorts of late-night summertime/falltime fun takes place.
