The Levee
The Levee
212 Berry St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
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718.218.8787
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Daily Noon-4am
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Food/Menu: Bar Snacks
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Daily 5pm -8pm: $1.00 off all drinks & beer, Sportsman Special – $4.00 Evan Williams shot with PBR chaser, The Texas Two-Step- $5.00 A bottle of Lone Star & a shot of Tequila, The Frat Boy -$5.00 A bottle of Budwiser & a shot of Jagermeister
NY Mag says:
Formerly Antique Lounge (and before that, rumor has it, a cocaine bar called Kokie’s), this well-apportioned space has finally been put to good use by The Levee, an old-fashioned bar with Southern roots and a comfortable, homey atmosphere. High-gravity microbrews and melted cheese are now the drugs of choice here: From behind the bar, Texan owner Howard serves up white-trash staples like Frito pie and chili dogs, which are best washed down with a Beam Cream (Jim Beam and cream soda–two great tastes that really do taste great together) or any of the 35 bottled or six tap beers. The clean, lamplit back room has pool, pinball, cozy couches, and the kind of inclusive, no-bullshit vibe that attracts dedicated regulars. Given the changes this space has seen, it’s almost eerie how much The Levee feels like a tried-and-true local. Notable specials include the Sportsman (Carling Black Label and Evan Williams shot, $4) and the Texas 2-Step (Lone Star and tequila shot, $5).
The Village Voice says:
TAGS: Bars, Bedford, Billiards, Dive, Good for Groups, Happy Hour, Hipster Spottings, Notable Beer, Notable Whiskey, Open Late, Ping Pong, Recommended, Video Games, ★★★★ GreatIf the cool kids with asymmetrical haircuts have been keeping you from making Billyburg a drinking destination, then the Levee will convince you to give the neighborhood a chance. The owners of this unpretentious bar welcome everyone with their famous Texan hospitality. On a recent visit, hard-drinking middle-aged men sang along to an Iron Maiden song from the jukebox near the dark wood bar, while a crowd of locals in black-rimmed glasses and hooded sweatshirts played Battleship on the thrift store sofas in the other room. Under a sign declaring “Beware Pickpockets & Loose Women,” the friendly bartender chatted with diverse patrons, suggesting beers from the long list of unusual brands ($4 to $7) that includes options like Chimay Blue and Delirium Tremens, or one of the delicious specialty drinks ($6), like a Creamsicle (Stoli Vanil and Sunkist orange soda) or a Beam Cream (Jim Beam and cream soda). Food was proffered, and though the menu is simple, cheap (under $5), and decidedly Texan, everything–from the chili-soaked Frito pie to the hot dogs–can be made vegetarian. This is a bar where PBR swillers sit side by side with Hefeweisen sippers while the jukebox plays Modest Mouse songs and Dio rockers. So drive your Chevy to this Levee (or just hop on the L train)–it never runs dry.
