536 Driggs Ave. (between N. 7th & N. 8th)
PHONE: 718.599.4400
HOURS: Daily, 3pm-4am
CARDS: Cash Only
GAMES: Pool, Big Buckhunter 2, Ms. Pacman, MegaTouch
HAPPY HOUR: Mon-Fri, 3pm-8pm; $1 off all drafts; 2-for-1 bottled beer and house drinks; $4 wine
Sun, 3pm-8pm; $3 Stella; $8 Guiness plus shot of Jameson
Sat, 3pm-8pm; 2-for-1 Yuengling and Budwiser
DIRECTIONS: Exit the back of the train at Bedford Avenue. Make a left on Driggs, The Abbey is on your left.
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L Train to Bedford Ave
POTTY GIRL BATHROOM REPORT: Click here
WE SAY: A non-touristy staple. It has a maroon pool table, a pinball machine, and a an occasionally used DJ's booth populate the back. It is a largish space, and the air conditioning rocks in the summer. Beers start at $4 or so and the bartenders are always competent and often quite friendly. Small but solid tap selection (Guinness, Brooklyn Beers, etc.) and in general, no b.s. or hassles. Definitely worth visiting and the growing gay scene at The Abbey makes this bar even more appealing whether you are straight, gay, or undecided. Plus the jukebox will pleases fans of early 90's indie.

From City Search:

"Step in and you feel like you've entered a tunnel, with the wooden bar that runs 30 feet back, through a wall partition and into the spacious back room. As in a casino, it's difficult to keep track of the time, with the only outside light coming from a small window up front, and numerous diversions including a TV (sometimes showing Japanese anime), two pinball machines, a pool table and jukebox.
The Abbey has a solid selection of liquor and seven beers on tap, which are a buck off during happy hour (Monday through Friday, 3pm to 8pm). The clientele ranges from edgy hipsters to Hasidic men and blue-collar townies, the latter of whom pile in Monday nights for the pool tournament. Be sure to visit the bathrooms, as they're wallpapered with the visages of Leif Garrett and other teenybopper stars from the '70s. "

From Village Voice "The red lights give the Abbey a goth feel, until you see the deer hunter game, throwing counter-culture out the window. When DJs occupy the booth, the music varies from Brit pop to rock, and the jukebox caters to those who peaked during the early '90s while worshipping indie rock. The area around the pool table is often packed, so unless you arrive early, don't even think about it."

From NY Times:

"Seeking a cozy cloister on a chilly night? Take refuge in the monastic intimacy of The Abbey. Exposed brick and a red felt pool table exude warmth, while torch-like wall candles dripping big blobs of wax enhance the medieval feel. Spiffy local art adorns the walls of this space that has housed a bar since the 1930's. Within, talkative, dressed-down 20-somethings cluster in booths, perch on stools, and circle the pinball machine. The DJ turntable is used only on special occasions, but the jukebox features a pleasingly eclectic mix. The Abbey had its inauspicious opening in October 1997, when some young toughs crashed it. But as the story goes, the local mob quickly (read bodily) fought back and The Abbey hasn't looked back since."

600 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211 (near Lorimer St.)
PHONE: 718.599.4440
HOURS: Mon-Fri, 3pm-4am; Sat-Sun, 1pm-4am
CARDS: Cash Only
GAMES: Pool, Ms. Pacman, Buckhunter 2
SPECIAL EVENTS: Thurs. Karaoke, 10:00 – 3:00AM
Tues. Open Mike Comedy, 9:30PM
HAPPY HOUR: buy a drink and get a free brick oven pizza (all night)
DIRECTIONS: Exit the front of the train at Lorimer and exit. Walk one block away from the BQE on Metropolitan and Alligator Lounge will be on your right.
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: G, L at Metropolitan Ave.-Lorimer St.
WEBSITE: http://www.alligatorlounge.com
WE SAY: The dive meets frat boy decor is nothing to write home about, but the free brick over pizza (which is actually REALLY good) makes it hard to pass up.

From NYMetro Inside what was once the Galleria pizza place, this bar's turquoise walls, pink flamingoes and Romanesque details don't quite gel, yet one crucial feature remains intact: the arched, wood-burning oven. Because of the owners' sensational idea of serving free personal pizzas every night until 3:30am, this unremarkable joint has turned into a loveable hangout that's a great first or last barhop stop. Young and old Williamsburg folk congregate along the bar, in the maroon, open-angle vinyl booths, and around the red pool table. A booming rock 'n' roll jukebox and Big Buck Hunter II game in back provide entertainment. A selection of eight draft beers complements the delicious crisp-crust pies, which are on the house with every drink; toppings like pepperoni, caramelized onions and flavorful sweet sausage are available for an extra $2.-- Karen Hudes

609 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
PHONE: 718.384.9802
HOURS: Daily 5pm-4am
CARDS: All Major
GAMES: Pool, Megatouch, Ms. Pacman
HAPPY HOUR: $1 off drinks
Sun-Thur: 5:00 – 9:00PM
Fri-Sat: 3:00 – 9:00PM
EVENTS: Click Here for shows, etc
DIRECTIONS: Walk east 3 blocks on Union Ave. (Kellog's Diner will be on your right). Take a left on Grand Avenue and walk a block. Art Land will be on your left.
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L Train to Lorimer
MYSPACE: Click Here
WE SAY: We love this place. It's dark and out of the way. It has Ms Pacman and a nice pool table. And best of all, it has a real neighborhood bar vibe. Don't go, we want to keep it for ourselves.

From New York Magazine
"Is Greenpoint's Enid's totally played out for you? Well, head out to the East Williamsburg/Bushwick border! You arrive and realize... Damn it! Yours is not the only Joan Jett shag on the block! But you know what cures that bitter sting? Liquor. Just don't assume that you'll be getting a discount for schlepping all the way out to the—gasp—third Brooklyn L train stop. You will, however, get a seat in the place. Besides, being an Art Land latecomer does have its advantages. If you were the first non-local here, you'd remember why they have a "no drug dealing" sign in the bathroom. The scruffy furniture and thrift store decor? True, that probably hasn't changed much.—Ken Miller "

426 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206
between Ten Eyck and Stagg Sts.
PHONE: 718.302.5055
CARDS: Cash Only
GAMES: Pool
HAPPY HOUR: Sun, 6pm-2am; $1 off wine, beer, and well drinks
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: G, L at Metropolitan Ave.-Lorimer St.
NY MAG SAYS: In 2003, Jede Brahma (who also owns nearby Art Land) took over a struggling, almost exclusively Latino bar in a rapidly shifting neighborhood and transformed it into an amiably scruffy spot to bridge the gap between longtime residents and younger transplants. Named Balanza (Spanish for "balance"), the orange-bronze space hosts heavy metal battle-of-the-bands contests, djs and burlesque shows for half its clientele and pool league tournaments (the home team's trophies line one wall) and live Latin acts for the other. On a typical night, both sides come together to recline on beat-up couches or dangle bottles of Negra Modelo at the painted-mahogany bar. The jukebox is expansive (Marc Anthony and Lynyrd Skynyrd) while the low-priced Mexican beer reflects the idea that some tastes are universal.

388 Union Ave (Cross Street: Between Powers Street and Ainslie Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
PHONE: 718.302.6464
HOURS: Mon-Sat 5pm-4am, Sun 5pm-2am
CARDS: MasterCard, Visa
GAMES: Dozens of vintage arcade games including Asteroids, Rampage, Moon Patrol, 1943, Tempest, Tapper,
Dig Dug, Donkey Kong, Gyruss, Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, Rolling Thunder, Super Mario Bros, Crystal Castles,
Arkanoid, Out Run, Zaxxon, Smash, Gauntlet, Star Wars, Frogger, Tetris, Galaga, Ms. Pacman, Rock Field, Centipede, Berzerk, Rush 'N Attack
HAPPY HOUR: Mon-Fri, 5pm-8pm; $1 off tap beers, $1 off well drinks, $6 Fisherman's Brew and shot of Jim Bean
Mon-Thu, 2:30am-3:30am; $1 off tap beers, $1 off well drinks, $6 Fisherman's Brew and shot of Jim Bean
DIRECTIONS: Walk east 2 blocks on Union Ave. (Kellog's Diner will be on your right). Barcade will be on your left.
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L at Lorimer; G at Metropolitan
WEBSITE:: www.barcadebrooklyn.com
MYSPACE: Click Here
WE SAY: A fabulous bar with tons of classic arcade games like Moon Patrol, Centipede, Frogger, and Donkey Kong,and Zaxxon. Plus, there are a dozen beers on tap and its spacious. Barcade rules.

From CitySearch
The Scene: This industrial-sized drinking and gaming space hides on Williamsburg's still-sleepy Union Avenue. A large bar keeps more than 20 taps running, but the attraction here is the wide selection of '80s-era video games, like Asteroids, Frogger and Donkey Kong. Slim wooden counters between the games provide a place to stash your pint.

The Draw: Lest the set-up be too reminiscent of a friend's 8th birthday party, a heavy '90s alt-rock soundtrack conjures memories of high school, and the extensive beer list is comfortably grown-up. An ever-changing giant chalkboard over the bar lists the varieties, and photocopied menus detail each brew. For those with a competitive streak, a smaller blackboard on the opposite wall lists high scores. Plus, the abundance of beer and video games skews the boy-to-girl ratio. It can be a great place to meet guys--if they can be distracted from Ms. Pac-Man.

921 Broadway, near Melrose Street
PHONE: 347.529.0370
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: J, M, Z at Myrtle Ave.
NY MAG SAYS: In order to build his seventh location including outposts in L.A., Vegas, and Austin, owner Paul Devitt acquired the fixtures of a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, beauty salon for $1,500 (including the crucial dryer chairs) and hauled them back here, along with some finds from a local flea market. Devitt describes the feel of this larger space (about 1,500 square feet compared to 900 square feet in the East Village) as "more seventies soul, Super Fly." The prices, funny enough, are more in line with the 1996 ones at Beauty Bar’s original location (think $3 to $5 beers, $5 to $7 mixed drinks), and another difference is that “retro finger foods” such as pigs in a blanket are served. Also: Manicures start at 6 p.m.

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81 South 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (at Berry Street)
PHONE: 718.387.5389
HOURS: Mon-Thu, 7:30pm-4am; Fri-Sun, 7pm-4am
CARDS: Cash Only
MUSIC/EVENTS: Click Here
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: J, M, Z at Marcy Ave. ; L at Bedford Ave.
WEBSITE:: http://bembe.us/
NY Mag Review: Alongside the Williamsburg Bridge, Bembe is a world apart from its concrete, industrial environs. Inside, the bi-level lounge feels more like Miami or a steamy, fun-loving Latin American hotspot, with a tropical drinks menu—mojitos, rum punch, a tasty vodka concoction marinated in and served from an actual watermelon—and an airy, island-like décor of exposed brick and blonde wood. (The slightly exotic, accented bartenders, both male and female, lend another degree of authenticity.) But more than anything else, it's the sexy, ethnically-diverse crowd dancing (some expertly, some not) to vibrant Latin music, spun by a DJ but sometimes accompanied by live drummers, that really makes you feel like you're on vacation. Be warned: These booty shakers move with an enthusiasm and determination—sans attitude—that's contagious.

From Village Voice:
"A refreshing break from the lily-white Williamsburg hipster scene, this cozy brick-walled lounge is a relaxing place to enjoy sweet island-flavored drinks early in the evening. But Bembe heats up as the night goes on, with DJs spinning multicultural beats, often accompanied by hand percussionists as the sexiest people you'll ever see rub up against each other."

From Paper
"Even with new multimillion-dollar lofts, the southwestern edge of Williamsburg is still pretty far from paradise. This Afro-Cuban lounge has few windows, which allows little of the external world to disrupt the Brazilian fantasy inside. Everything here is authentic, from the bamboo tables and wood-planked floor to fresh cocktails. You can snag a spot on the hammocks — though trying to mount them can prove dangerous after a few glasses of rum punch. Official closing time is 4 a.m., but crowds have been known to keep the party going all night."

From City Search:
"Island soul infuses this earthy spot for live drumming and drinks. This two-level South Williamsburg lounge has the rustic air of an out-of-the-way Caribbean dance hall. Talented nightly DJs, often joined by live percussionists, spin Brazilian, Afro-Latin funk, rock and reggae tracks that saturate both floors through an excellent sound system. The main room is furnished with a long, cushioned banquette, woven-straw chairs and a festive hammock; exposed brick and richly crafted wood walls hold Cuban photos as well as nooks for candles, incense and instruments. Coasting on vibrant tunes, a lively, sociable crowd mingles at the bar and spills into the large, poured-concrete rec room below. Guava margaritas, potent rum punch and dessert-like capetas (with fresh coconut milk, sweet condensed cream or honey, fresh coconut meat, coconut rum and fragrant guarana powder) keep the buzz going strong."

366 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211
PHONE: 718.599.0243
HOURS: Daily, 6pm-4am
CARDS: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
GAMES: None
HAPPY HOUR: Daily, 6:30pm-9pm; $3 margaritas and Brooklyn lagers, $5 mojitos
EVENTS: Monday: Live Music, Tuesday: Rock Trivia Night
MENU: Click Here
DIRECTIONS: Walk beneath the BQE on Metropolitan Avenue for about 2 1/2 blocks. Black Betty will be on your left, just before Havemeyer Street.
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L Train to Lorimer
WEBSITE:: http://blackbetty.net/
PAPER MAG SAYS: "Though Black Betty doesn't look like much from the outside, once you're inside you feel transported to a dive bar in Casablanca. Pumpkin-colored walls and eclectic appointments like an I Dream of Jeannie horseshoe-shaped couch and tapestries add to the cozy environment. The vibe is carried to fruition by an adjacent restaurant that prepares 'nouvelle Middle Eastern' fare. Black Betty attracts all walks of life, making it the perfect spot to soak up booze and Brooklyn-by-way-of-Marrakech bohemia alike."

From New York Magazine
"Like a humble band, Black Betty must note that its greatest strength is its fanbase. Happily, the crowd is sans attitude, a welcome alternative to nearby Stinger Club's sweaty late-night pageantry. DJs spin an educated mix of funk and rock, but a sultry Moroccan theme and stiff drinks are often to blame for the common outbursts of dancing among would-be wallflowers. An impressive menu of Middle-Eastern fare is only a room away, and although heavy, it provides a civilized reprieve from a night of drinking, dancing, and debauchery. --Allegra Muzzillo"

From City Search
"The combination could be called "trashablanca." Cozy touches like pumpkin-colored walls adorned with henna-patterned sconces strangely complement bordello details like the beaded curtain that separates the sit-down dining area from the sexy and sofa-filled bar-lounge. Inside, find cute, friendly hipsters from the hood, devouring Middle Eastern mezze like "pitza," a crunchy, toasted pita-turned-pizza with assorted toppings. Aural pleasure can be found at the occasional live music or DJ nights—or on the jukebox."

From NY Times
"Although Black Betty is popular with locals, it's easy to miss. The only sign out front says Don Diego's (a remnant from the previous tenant, a divey nightclub). The transition from divey club to divey bar seems to have been pretty smooth. The space's new decor, with its gold arched ceilings and votive candles, seems to aim toward Moroccan but ends up more reminiscent of a Mexican bordello. You can spot a couple of tough characters from the Don Diego days among the boys and girls with bike messenger bags dancing to the jukebox, tunes which lurch unpredictably from Bratmobile to Barry White to tango. The bartender serves strong mixed drinks for $3.75 a pop, and by two in the morning the crowd emits a happily drunken hum. The whole effect is more sleazy than anything else, but not unpleasantly so. Black Betty features live performances most of the week (jazz, funk and lounge on Mondays; "Garbage Night" on Tuesdays [see below]; rotating DJ's on Wednesdays). Call for details. - Maya Kremen."

ADDRESS: 1089 Broadway, Williamsburg Brooklyn
CALENDAR: Click Here
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: JMZ to Myrtle
WEBSITE: www.chiefbodega.com/
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/bodegabk
WE SAY: New bars and venues open constantly in this neighborhood--it almost feels like the community board consists of a solitary robot with a giant rubber "Approved" stamp for liquor license applications. To which I say "Huzzah!" because papa needs his sweet, sweet booze. Anyway, today we take a look at a new music venue in Bushwick called Bodega (1089 Broadway), which is run by those hip souls over at Chiefmag. The space holds 300 people and used to be an actual bodega--one which used to sell crack I am told, which goes great with beef patties and Boar's Head turkey sandwiches. Most bands they host are of the Todd P variety, including Japanther, The Death Set, Ninjasonik, etc. Shows are usually in the $5-$6 range, perfect for the club's young, eight-people-to-a-loft crowd. [review by Keith Wagstaff]

579 Meeker Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11222
between N. Henry St. and Monitor Ave.
PHONE: 718.389.3252
HOURS: Daily, 3:30pm-4am
CARDS: Discover, MasterCard, Visa
GAMES: pool
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: G to Nassau Ave.
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/boulevardtavern
NY MAG SAYS: Despite the fresh paint and free wi-fi, this pub is in truth a Greenpoint relic. Opened in 1928, the bar weathered most of the last century as J & D's before giving up the ghosts (more than one owner has died on the premises) just after the new millennium. A few years later, the owners of East Village bohemian bar Raven pried off the boards to find a diamond in the rough: To the original high tin ceilings and extra-long, dark wood bar, they've added high-backed wooden booths, a pool table, a jukebox and a majestic 12-beer tap that makes it clear that—neon signs and reasonable prices notwithstanding—this is not a dive. When rock bands aren't throwing after-parties, bemused retirees who still call the joint by its former name make neighborly conversation with the latest 24-year-old graphic designer who thinks he knows better. The bar's owner, Harold David Kramer, is himself a slice of NYC history, since he's the grandson of the owners of the Thunderbolt, the beloved, vine-covered Coney Island rollercoaster that was torn down in 2000.

image c/o Eater

20 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (nr. Kent Ave)
PHONE: 718.384.2800
HOURS: Wed-Sun, noon-midnight; Mon-Tue, closed
MENU: Click Here
CUISINE: mainly a wine bar but Italian & Spanish Tapas are available
SUBWAY: J, M, Z at Marcy Ave.; L at Bedford Ave.
MAP: Click Here
WEBSITE: http://www.bridgevineyards.com
WINE PRICES: $6-$12
CARDS: American Express, MasterCard, Visa
BOOZE: Beer and Wine Only
RESERVATIONS: Not Accepted
NY TIMES SAYS: Greg Sandor and Paul Wegimont, the owners, have opened Bridge Vineyards Urban Winery and Tasting Room, an industrial, brick-walled space nudging the Williamsburg Bridge. Their wines and others are available for tasting with small plates of wine-friendly food ($4 to $10). Come fall, they hope to start using the stainless steel tank on the premises for blending wines and bottling, too.

103 Berry St. (between N. 7th & N. 8th
PHONE: 718.302.9811
HOURS: Mon-Fri, 3pm-4am; Sat-Sun, noon-4am
CARDS: All Major
GAMES: Pool, Darts
HAPPY HOUR: Mon-Fri, 3pm-9pm; $2 domestic bottled beer, $4 imported bottled beer, $3 well drinks, $4 20oz drafts
EVENTS: click here
DIRECTIONS: Walk on north Bedford Ave. to North 8th Street. Take a left on North 8th and walk another
block. Brooklyn Ale House is on the left corner.
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L Train to Bedford Ave.
WEBSITE:: Click Here
MYSPACE: click here
WE SAY: One of our favorite Bedford-stop bars. Brooklyn Ale House is completely lacking in pretense and attracts a surprisingly hipster-free and tourist-free crowd. The beer selection is great and the vibe reminds us of the neighborhood circa 1995. Dog lovers especially like Brooklyn Ale House since the bar is dog-friendly.

From New York Magazine:
"Yes, the name is generic, almost to the point of complete mental irretrievability. And, being a jukebox-with-billiards spot in Williamsburg, it faces fierce local competition: The Sweetwater siphons the punks, the Abbey the mods; Mug's has greater beer variety, plus food and televised sports. So what nevertheless makes B.A.H. the Northside's choice watering hole? One word: acoustics. You can talk here. You can speak low and still make yourself heard over the Pixies or the Stones. And since it happens to be a favorite of both dog owners and motorcycle owners, it's the best place in town to spot a dog on a motorcycle. And that's pretty cool, right? -Matt Kelly"

From City Guide:
When this small bar opened across from Teddy's you could see the immediate depletion of the regular Teddy's stock. No TV, much dimmer lighting and one long jutting, rustic bench seat with its twin tables make for more intimate conversations -- and more focused sight lines each time the door opens. Teddy's still serves its purpose and has survived just fine, but the Ale House has carved out a niche with a late-20s crowd more interested in the big drunken talk than the big drunken game. While the early influx of models has mostly left the Ale House for Black Betty, the dogs scurrying through your legs, the handsome men brooding over beers, and the diva women intoxicating themselves and others, all remain loyal to their new house of ale repute.

79 North 11th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (between Wythe & Berry)
PHONE: 718.486.7422
HOURS: Fri, 6pm-11pm; Sat, noon-5pm
CARDS: American Express, MasterCard, Visa
HAPPY HOUR: Fri, 6pm-11pm; $3 beers
EVENTS: Tours every Saturday from 12-5pm on the hour. For more events Click Here.
DIRECTIONS: From Bedford L Train, walk north on Bedford Avenue four blocks and
take a left on North 11th Street. Walk a block and a half. Brooklyn Brewery will be on your right between Berry and
Wythe Avenues.
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L Train to Bedford Avenue
WEBSITE:: www.brooklynbrewery.com
CITY SEARCH SAYS: In a neighborhood that once housed a pre-Prohibition "Brewers Row," this big-name beer company founded in 1987 does right by its craft and community. Friday nights, the brewery opens up its 300-seat tasting room for happy hour, pouring Brooklyn Lager, Pilsner and up to 10 other varieties, including such seasonal brews as Blanche De Brooklyn. On Saturday's free tours, visitors learn about the company, walk through the brewhouse and receive a free beer.

From NY Mag: It seems like it should've been here for decades, but the now-famous Brooklyn Brewery has only been around since 1988, setting up shop in this ivy-colored, yellow-brick warehouse in 1996. The brewery opens its doors to the public on Friday nights, allowing visitors to imbibe surrounded by enormous vats of prized brews like Monster Ale and Brooklyn Brown. For hops aficionados, there are free hourly tours of the brewery on Saturdays between noon-5pm. In the spring, check out the brewery's annual Pigfest barbecue in the Tobacco Warehouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park

618 Grand St. Brooklyn, NY 11211
(Cross Street: Between Leonard Street and Lorimer Street)
PHONE: 718.388.2114
HOURS: Mon-Fri 5pm-4am, Sat-Sun 4pm-4am
CARDS: Visa & MasterCard
GAMES: Makeshift miniature golf
HAPPY HOUR: During the daily happy hour (until 8pm), it's buy one, get one free on pitchers. Pitchers of beer, from PBR to Red Tail, run $15 to $17.
EVENTS: Click here
DIRECTIONS: Take the Metropolitan exit and walk 4 blocks down Lorimar to Grand Street, make a left on Grand Street and we're across the street on the corner of Grand and Leonard.
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L to Lorimer, G to Metropolitan
WEBSITE:: www.bushwickcountryclub.com
WE SAY: A beautiful addition to the new Grand Avenue bar scene. The restored oak bar will make you feel like you should wear a smoking jacket. The tiny makeshift miniature golf course in the backyard will make you wish you had worn your Seersucker. Several beers are on tap and a full liquor bar is available. Definitely worth a visit.

From CitySearch: Bushwick Country Club ups the ante on Grand Street's burgeoning bar scene. A mellow neighborhood crowd mixes in the kitschy bar, with shabby chandeliers, a photo booth and ironically hip action figures and pop culture lunchboxes. In the back yard, pickup games of mini-golf are played for free on a DIY course, with obstacles such as a windmill made of flattened PBR cans and a rudimentary hobo mannequin. BCC carries a range of lowbrow and high-quality beers, wines, bourbons and tequilas guaranteed to improve the putt. Try Delirium: a full-bodied Belgian beer with nine percent alcohol by volume, available for only $6, a relative bargain. Members of the Country Club get that fuzzy feeling of fitting in, with additional perks such as special discounts. The jukebox keeps it all going with everything from Men Without Hats to the Descendants.

[From NYPress] Like peanut butter and jelly, like cops moonlighting as Mafia hit men, some things go great together. To this list let's add miniature golf and beer, Williamsburg's newest get-you-in-the-door gimmick.

The lowbrow combo is trafficked at Bushwick Country Club, the latest entry on Grand Street's gritty booze row. In the last several years, this sorta-Williamsburg stretch of bodegas and taquerias has welcomed Art Land, Stain and Grand Central. For locals, Bedford Avenue bar-hopping is as superfluous as a third nipple. Detractors may say the same about drunken miniature golf. Yet in a bar scene embracing bocce ball, mini-golf is no more asinine.

So hopes John Roberts, who bet his life savings on the putter's power. Last August, the actor and opera librettist signed a lease on a former florist shop with a backyard the size of a studio apartment. As mini-golf took form, "I was busier than a one-legged man in a Georgia butt-kicking contest," Roberts says. Predictably, money bled and patience frayed like a thrift-store sweater.

Over the next 10 months, the spry, bright-eyed Roberts dropped 20 pounds, wasting into a 120-pound ruin. His sister in Florida was aghast. "John," she said, sending him some money, "eat a hamburger." With much-needed capital, he completed the CC in mid-June, unleashing its motto: "It's craptacular," Roberts says proudly. "Klass with a capital K."

Uh-huh. The gray tin ceiling and brick walls are nicely refurbished, lending an airy, skuzzy-classy feel. Then the kitsch hits: Above CC's mirrored bar sit a Smurf, Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man and Hulk Hogan lunchbox. They're joined by a bowling trophy, Elvis tapestry and wobbly chandelier. A liquor glass large enough to transport a newborn has a sign reading, "The $40 martini�for lushes only."

This lush prefers beer: Dentergens and Red Tail Ale (both $5) are tempting, as is the puzzling "19th Hole." "I'm not quite sure what it is," the iPod-playing bartender says, "but it looks like Budweiser and costs $4." Hardly reassuring, so I snag a three-dollar New Amsterdam Amber poured from a tap shaped like the Empire State Building. Several men in Chucks and women with shoulder tattoos wisely follow suit.

"Sweet," says one when informed of the buy-one, get-one-free happy hour (until 8). I concur: A brew for a de facto buck-fifty is scarcer than a rent-controlled apartment. Cradling my beer, I shuffle past dusty golf clubs and a three-dollar photo booth. It's ideal for R-rated pics, but licentiousness must wait. For now, while summer light shines, I'm propelled outside for mini-golf as envisioned by a self-described MacGyver disciple.

Roberts graded the six-hole course himself, unearthing ancient bottles (on display above the bar) and hypodermic needles. Fittingly, the Astroturf putting green is the tint of heroin track marks. One hole is defended by a PBR can-covered windmill; another features a Styrofoam dummy in a drunken stupor. Plastic ice cream cones and shields serve as obstacles. The pinnacle: On the final hole, putters must blast a ball into a silver icemaker recreated as a robot. The head is an empty polyurethane can with a painted-on face, while arms are silver coils. Shortly, the robot will be decorated with smokes and bottles of booze.

"Most robots are ornery drunks," Roberts says, matter-of-factly.

I play several rounds of golf by sunlight, then several rounds by the Christmas lights surrounding the course. It looks pre-school simple, but beer has stolen, not steeled, my nerves: After flubbing the robot-belly shot, I score a 20.

"Par should be, oh, about 10," Roberts says.

Bullshit.

"Well, that might be Tiger Woods�ing it a bit," he admits. That's right. Better yet are plans for free weekend weenies and mini-golf tournaments. "I already have my referee jersey," Roberts says. The party's name? Links and Links. "Get it?" he asks.

I happily say I do. Sure, Bushwick Country Club is as polished as a cubic zirconia wedding ring, but that's the charm. Who cares if the bathroom door is accordion plastic? Who cares that the backyard contains rusty steel girders reaching heavenward like God's tetanus goalposts? Like a loyal boyfriend with a finger-sniffing fixation, the positives outweigh the flaws. Brooklyn has miniature golf, and that's reason enough to drink.

174 Bedford Ave (Cross Street: Between N 7th Street and N 8th Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
PHONE: 718.782.8717
HOURS: Mon-Sat 3:30pm-2am
HAPPY HOUR: No, but $1.75 slices of pizza available
DIRECTIONS: From Bedford Ave take a right of Bedford Ave. The bar will be on your right between North 7 & 8th Streets.
MAP: Click Here
SUBWAY: L Train to Bedford Ave
CITY SEARCH SAYS: The Charleston is a tackily appealing, dimly lit room. The ancient bar stretches down the side, and is usually manned by Benny, the proprietor for uncounted decades. A room in the back is cozy, with semicircular booths and soft red lighting. Music from Sinatra's day through the '70s is covered on a jukebox whose seriously old speakers make everything sound a little bit better for being a little bit worse. Benny owns the pizza kitchen next door as well, in case you need something with your beer. Even as Bedford Avenue has become the new Champs-Elysees, the Charleston still holds onto an interesting mix of hip kids and some of the neighborhood's old guard, by which we mean, like, 70-year-old Polish guys. A stage in the back room also plays home to local bands, who have made the Charleston something of a hip venue for up-and-coming art rockers.