Bar Akariba

77 1/2 North 6th Street
Brooklyn NY, 11211
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718.388.6160

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Hours: Wed-Sun 6pm-Midnight
Price: $$$
Subway: L to Lorimer St.
Food/Menu: Japanese/Oysters
Booze: Full bar (specialized in sake)
Happy Hour: No
Menu: Click Here
Grub Street says:

Shaul Margulies and Motoko Watanabe, the couple that owns Zenkichi, have converted their Williamsburg izakaya’s backyard into Akariba, a 40-seat lounge specializing in what Margulies calls “the deadly combo of sake and oysters.” Once it opens next Thursday, it’ll feature a seasonally rotating ten-item menu of oysters (everything from Blue Points to Kumamotos), small bites such as grilled toro, and within the next weeks, sashimi prepared by Zenkichi’s chef Tetsuya Akikawa, who honed his sushi skills at Jewel Bako. Desserts will come form Zenkichi.

Most of the dishes (excluding the sashimi) will be priced from $5 to $10, and cocktails made from beer, wine, and sake (which will also rotate seasonally) will cost $8 to $11. We’re told Akariba translates to “the glow of a lantern in the dark,” and as you can see in our slideshow, the interior (capped by a glass ceiling) is every bit as sultry as its sister establishment. Reservations won’t be accepted — just find Zenkichi’s hidden door and Akariba’s is a little bit to your right. Listen for the jazz …

Time Out says

Husband-and-wife restaurateurs Shaul Margulies and Motoko Watanabe have added this izakaya-style bar in the backyard of their Williamsburg Japanese restaurant, Zenkichi. The glass-enclosed patio is outfitted with marble tables, cast-iron lanterns and an abundance of leafy plants. The cocktail list will have a Japanese bent, with hand-chipped ice and concoctions like a lavender lychee-tini, made with pureed lychee and shochu. The selection of 10 to 20 seasonally changing sakes, meanwhile, is meant to be paired with oysters, which are offered raw, grilled or sautéed, along with a limited selection of other small bites.

c/o Eater

131 Grand St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
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718.384.7273

Cuisine: American
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★
Price: $$
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Cards: All Major
Booze: BYOB
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Menu: Click Here
Delivery: Yes
Time Out New York says:

Williamsburg night owls in search ofa 3am breakfast have a new option with the arrival of this 24-hour diner. In addition to the standard omelettes, there are a few wacky creations, like BBQ-shrimp pancakes and the Machete plate (mac and cheese with eggs). The massive menu is also vegan- and vegetarian-friendly—look for meatless burgers and meatballs made with spiced beets.

Dram

177 s 4th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211
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718.486.3726

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major Credit Cards
Hours: Mon-Fri, 5pm-4am; Fri-Sun, 4pm-4am
Subway: J,M,Z to Marcy Ave.
Food/Menu: Bar Snacks
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: None
Metromix says:

On a quiet block in Williamsburg, this cozy new cocktail spot serves carefully crafted drinks and fancified versions of bar snack favorites. Highlights of their bar menu include swanky concoctions such as the Gin Daisy ($9, cointreau, gin, lemon,syrup and Vichy water) and the “Knuck If you Buck” Buck ($9, rye, homemade ginger beer, lemon and lime). Or throw decision to the wind with the Bartender’s Choice: just name your spirit and style of preparation and the bartender will create a special cocktail just for you.

Time Out New York says:

Williamsburg has long been a stronghold of the old-timey fad—witness the 19th-century-style saloons crowding the neighborhood’s noisy avenues. So it’s unexpected that the area is the site of a watershed moment in the most durable arm of the retro trend: the speakeasy. The opening of Dram signals a paradigm shift in the world of thoughtful boozing: Here we have New York’s first truly progressive cocktail joint—a casual mixology haven with stools to spare for drinkers of all persuasions. It’s instantly apparent that there are no clandestine conceits at Dram: Giant windows lined with deep benches open onto the street, and while the music can be heard from a block away, it’s reggae and indie rock spilling onto the sidewalk—not ragtime. And then there’s the list of summery cocktails that changes according to the whims of Dram’s precocious barkeeps. Lighthearted but exquisitely executed, the menu is an antidote to the seriousness that defines the haute cocktail scene. Rust-colored with Angostura, the tiki-leaning Behind God’s Back gets its warm, nutty flavor from aged rum, cane syrup, pineapple, cinnamon and milky house-made orgeat (a syrup made with almonds and orange flower-water). The Mighty Tux is a botanical balancing act, with crisp gin, bittersweet maraschino liqueur, bitters, and both dry and sweet vermouth lending body and depth. There are classics, too—a beautifully integrated Sazerac; a bitter Negroni bobbing with a giant spiral of orange zest. The cocktail geeks swishing jenever at the bar share real estate with neighborhood dudes draining $4 Porkslap ales and couples sipping from a smart collection of international wines (one of Dram’s barkeeps, Frank Cisneros, is also a sommelier). It’s this egalitarian tack that will keep the place packed, whether or not its patrons appreciate Italian bitters and Kold-Draft ice cubes. And though the bar currently offers no food, its proximity to fried chicken joint Pies ’n’ Thighs makes it an easy place to while away an evening, hopping back and forth across South 4th Street. While some cocktail aesthetes may still be clinging to speakeasy culture, for the rest of us, accessible Dram is a giant step forward.

Good Co.

10 Hope St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
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718.218.7191

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Price: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-4am; Sat-Sun 1pm-4am
Subway: L to Bedford Ave. or Lorimer St.
Food/Menu: Bar Snacks
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Mon-Sun 4pm-10pm.  $1 off ALL Beers.  $4 Well Drinks. $5 PBR + Shot of Whiskey.  $6 Sangria.  $6 Frozen Drinks. $10 Pitchers of Coors Light.
Time Out New York says:

The massive back patio at recently shuttered Hope Lounge was one of its most attractive features. Luckily, it’s open again just in time for summer under new ownership. The previous tenant’s loungey setup has been replaced with Good Company’s more casual look, including salvaged wood paneling from an old pier in the Rockaways. The 2,600-square-foot outdoor space, meanwhile, now features picnic tables and games like darts. Eight taps pour beers ranging from Peak Organic IPA to Guinness and Stella. For stiffer drinks, look to the collection of brown liquors and blender concoctions. No-nonsense foods—like lobster rolls and pulled-pork sandwiches—will soon be introduced.

Citysearch says:

Looking to be the ultimate summertime bar, Good Co.’s got one of the biggest patios in Williamsburg packed with picnic tables, games like ping pong, cornhole and darts, plus a grill for the barbecue they give away with drinks on the weekends. Inside, Unlike most bars in the Burg, there’s no theme, and no uppity mixologists to ruin the fun: we’re talking beers and shots, often served by bartenders as blasted as you are. Expect hip-hop, rock and electro from the DJ, who’s as likely as not to be a member of a well-known local band like the Black Lips

House Of Small Wonder

20 Skillman Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
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718.383.2703

Cuisine: Coffeeshop/Cafe
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Price: $
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm; Sat-Sun 8am-7pm
Booze: None
Subway: L to Lorimer St.
Menu: Click Here
Delivery: Yes
The Village Voice says:

We told you about House of Small Wonder, the new café by the owners of late-night delivery service Anytime Café, back in May, which at the time was expected to open within the month. It’s come a little late, but has now been soft open for a couple of weeks. It isn’t serving Anytime’s signature tater tots, but is offering espresso drinks, homemade croissants and other pastries, sandwiches, and fresh juices.

New York Mag says:

The owners of Williamsburg’s delivery-only Anytime Cafe launch a spot where you can actually dine in. House of Small Wonder will serve brunch, sandwiches, pastries, and coffee

Le Comptoir

51 Grand St
Brooklyn, New York 11211
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718.486.3300

Cuisine: French
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Price: $$
Hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-12am; Fri 5pm-1am; Sat 11am-1am; Sun 11am-12am
Cards: Cash Only
Booze: None
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Menu: Click Here
Delivery: No
Time Out New York says:

Williamsburg’s bistro scene gets a boost with this comely newcomer from chef Sebastien Chamaret (La Goulue). The restaurant—opening for brunch this week, with dinner service planned for later this month—boasts an open kitchen inside and a leafy garden out back. As for the food, Chamaret turns out locally sourced American fare with a Franco bent: A “bacon-cheeseburger” sausage from local butcher the Meat Hook is paired with lentils and frisée, while French toast is torched on top like crème brûlée.

Metromix says:

The word “comptoir” means counter, which isn’t a surprise considering this Grand Street spot contains a long counter that curves around the central open kitchen. Nice—especially given that the space was renovated with 90 percent recycled materials, meaning you can be eco-conscious while noshing here. In that on-display kitchen, chef Sebastien Chamaret (La Goulue) cooks up seasonal fare that draws on his French training. To start out, the menu promises to serve brunch every day while they wait for their liquor license. It’s not clear which part of the chef’s French schooling inspired a dish that uses a bacon-cheeseburger sausage, but purists are the only ones who will be disappointed by such juicy innovation. If you don’t want to sit counter-side and smile at the chef, you can check out their dinging room or backyard garden. The restaurant will open for dinner when the booze starts to flow, which looks to be sometime in September.

c/o NY Mag

93 N 6th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
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718.302.1180

Cuisine: Coffee Shop/American
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★
Price: $$
Hours: Mon-Thu, 6pm-2am; Fri, 6pm-4am; Sat, 11:30am-4am; Sun, 11:30am-2am
Cards: All Major
Booze: Full Bar
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Menu: Click Here
Delivery: Yes
NY Mag says:

The Lovin’ Cup Café serves comfort food well into the night, following suit with the space’s previous inhabitant, Anytime Café. The name, borrowed from a Rolling Stones song, is appropriate, with classic rock coming out of the speakers, “rockumentaries” projected on the wall in front, and a connected local music/art venue, called the Cameo Gallery. Wooden booths line one wall, a long bar on the other; tables for larger groups are in back. Updated family recipes result in gourmet home cooking, like a mound of flavorfully breaded (and chaotically shaped) Spicy Chicken Zingers with bourbon barbecue sauce. A similar sauce covers the mild, meaty wings. Well-made classics include the grass-fed gorgonzola burger and the Art Mac ’n’ Cheese, a twist on the usual, blended with artichoke and spinach. The old-fashioned oatmeal cookie sundae is enough to share, with soft cookies surrounding a healthy scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped by a caramel drizzle.

Metromix says:

With a welcoming façade on North 6th Street, Lovin’ Cup is a go-to destination for straightforward comfort food. As the name implies (taken from The Rolling Stones’ album Exile on Main Street), the Lovin’ Cup feeds local musicians and artists. The space also hosts almost nightly acoustic shows of some of Brooklyn’s best young talent at The Cameo, a gallery and performance space attached to Lovin’ Cup.

Miller's Tavern

2 Hope Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
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Cuisine: American Nouveau
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★
Price: $$
Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-2am
Cards: All Major
Booze: Full Bar
Subway: L to Bedford Ave. or L to Lorimer St.
Delivery: No
Metromix says:

Before he made his mark on American letters with classic works like “Tropic of Cancer” and “Tropic of Capricorn,” young Henry Miller roamed the streets of Williamsburg near his Driggs Avenue boyhood home. Fast-forward a century, and a new cocktail lounge meets coffee shop meets American bistro is honoring the great author’s legacy with Miller’s Tavern. Don’t let the name fool you—this is no beer and pretzel joint, but a café with a serious coffee program during the day, and a cocktail-focused bar/restaurant at night. Owners Jeffrey Flagg and Gavin Compton (of Sel de Mer and Variety Cafe respectively), are serving early morning coffee, brunch every day (eggs benedict, brioche french toast) and hearty dinner fare like burgers and pork chops. Specials will focus on game meats like rabbit and daily fresh fish and seafood options. As befits a restaurant with coffee shop roots, Stumptown espresso and a pour bar for single cup brewing offer coffee snobs a reason to stop by, too.

Momo Sushi Shack

43 Bogart Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206
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718.418.6666

Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Price: $$$
Hours: Sun-Thurs 6p-11pm; Fri-Sat 6pm-Midnight
Booze: None
Subway: L to Morgan Ave.
Menu: Click Here
Delivery: Yes
NBC New York says:

The owners of Bozu in Williamsburg—chef Makoto Suzuki, Chance Johnston, and Phillip Gilmour – opened a second location at 43 Bogart Street next to Roberta’s in Bushwick called, Momo Sushi Shack.

To clarify, the Bozu sequel will specialize in Japanese food and sushi. No pork buns for starving artists, for now; the menu will echo Bozu’s and evolve depending on demand. Momo Shack will be much smaller than its Williamsburg predecessor, with black walnut communal tables, beer, wine, and a special selection of sake.  The Bozu crew chose the spot since they’re friends with the Roberta’s group.

Time Out New York says:

The team behind Williamsburg’s Bozu expands with this laid-back sushi spot, outfitted with communal tables and rustic tin ceilings. In addition to the usual maki and Japanese small plates (Asian short ribs, sushi-rice croquettes), Momo also offers sushi “bombs”—round scoops of rice topped with fish.

The Whiskey Brooklyn

44 Berry Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.387.8444
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Rating: ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Mon-Sun Noon-4am
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Food/Menu: Bar Snacks
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri Noon-8pm
Thrillist says:

The brohams behind Whiskey Town and Whiskey Tavern have teamed up with another set of bros (origin: Tulsa) to turn a former tonic water factory into a massive adult rec room/rathskeller time machine, with concrete floors, old brick walls, dark wooden booths, and a central U-shaped bar (“for eye [sexing] across”) dimly cast in an orange glow alongside modern touches like seven huge LCDs, and a DJ booth siding an elevated stripper pole (though whether your pole’s elevated depends on who’s on it). For gamesmanship, a pair of hand-built shuffleboard tables nestle in one corner, while an adjacent room’s filled with foosball, Buck Hunter, mini-basketball, and an Arcade Legends machine housing 100 classics from Rampage to Street Fighter II, so you don’t get Shunned Li by your Guile-less friends for Blanka-ing out. Suiting the vibe’re gratifyingly manly beer options — domestic cans, Hi-Life bottles, and McSorley’s-esque “light” and “dark” drafts — but it’s the brown that steals the spotlight, showing up in Pickle Backs, ‘tails made from family made Tom Lawless American whiskey, and straight pours from a 50-plus-strong collection broken down by provenance, including America (Colorado, Michter’s…), Japan (Suntory Yamakazi), and Scotland, whose Famous Grouse is just upset it can’t get into Canadian clubs.

Sustenance need not require braving the light of day, as the kitchen’s handling variously topped mini dogs called Coneys, deep fried bacon w/ blue cheese, a Bowl of Meatballs, and gravy-cheese smothered tots — smart kids, as absent love, it’s nice to be smothered in something.

Shecky’s says:

At first glance, Whiskey Brooklyn seems to have all the ingredients of your typical hipster’s paradise—whiskey cocktails, Pac-man, Miller High Life-logoed light fixtures, and shuffle board tables so revered, they were bestowed their own room. But spend a few minutes at the bar nursing an Grandpa Tom’s Lemonade (Lawless whiskey, lemon, sour, soda, $9) and some interesting additions catch your eye—a camouflaged DJ booth, deep corner booths hidden in dark lighting, and, wait for it, handlebars attached to the ceiling whose only conceivable purpose is for grabbing onto while dancing atop the bar. Now we’re talking! Okay, okay, so over half the bar patrons have beards (bar owners included), but even residents of the ‘burg need to get wasted and take their tops off every now and then. With dozens of whiskeys and scotches available for your sipping pleasure, ending the night on top of the bar seems a more-than-likely outcome. Luckily, Whiskey Brooklyn’s team has done this before  and they know exactly what you need when you’ve been, ahem, over-served—a Bag O’ Bacon ($5), of course.