Anchorred Inn

57 Waterbury Street
(between Meserole St & Scholes St)
Brooklyn, NY 11206
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347.881.9095

Rating: ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Price: $$
Subway: L Train to Montrose
Hours: Mon–Fri 1pm–4am; Sat, Sun noon–4am
Food and Drink Menu: Click Here (pdf)
Booze: Full bar
Website: www.theanchoredinn.com
NY Post says:

The new watering hole signals comfort after a long day or night for the world-weary rockers and other tattooed, skinny-jeanswearing locals who people the bar, which mashes up a maritime theme with a dive bar vibe.

Co-owners Adrienne Dowd and Carmen Mello dreamed up the nauticaldive fusion while working together as bartenders at The Half King, and opened the doors to their Brooklyn joint in February. A golden mermaid and a wood sign emblazoned with an ornate anchor and the bar’s old-timey logo (which Dowd, who’s an artist, created) mark the entrance. Inside, Mello’s collection of kitschy velvet paintings lines the walls, and true to the bar’s seafaring focus, one depicting a whale and a giant squid in a oceanic death match hangs over the bar, while a vintage deep-sea diving suit suspended from the ceiling hovers nearby. Cushioned red vinyl booths, salvaged from a pizza parlor Dowd frequented in her youth, offer spots to kick back and enjoy the suds and tipples on hand.

On a recent night, the beer selection was ample and reasonably priced enough to meet the needs of those with only a little cash to spare as well as those with money to burn, and happy hour brought a $1 discount for all drafts. Six taps rotate seasonally, and recent drafts included a standard low-priced lager, Yuengling ($4) and craft brews from local breweries, such as Sixpoint’s Brownstone ($6) and Bluepoint’s Toasted Lager ($6), as well as some further afield, including Left Hand Milk Stout ($6) from Colorado. The cans and bottles covered a wide range, from the ever-popular, low-budget drink of the effortlessly cool, Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can ($3), to the bottled microbrew Dreamweaver Wheat ($7) from Tregs Brewery in Pennsylvania.

The Anchored Inn’s cocktail list steered away from the oceangoing theme and into the realm of divey rock ‘n’ roll with a menu of drinks inspired by the local bands that tend to make up the majority of The Anchored Inn’s crowd. The Mutante Supremo ($9), named after the death metal band Mutant Supremacy, was a Tecate Michelada with a shot of chipotleinfused mezcal, and The Bad Dream ($7), created in honor of the grime metal band Bad Dream, mixed stout with Stoli Vanil. Simpler well cocktails go for $6, and several fine liquors, including Woodford Reserve bourbon ($9), Whistlepig Rye whiskey ($10) and Ron Zacapa rum ($9) were available. And cheap shot possibilities abounded. Any canned beer paired with any well shot costs $5, and the ubiquitous pickle back shot, with well whiskey and pickle juice, was also a mere $5.

But despite all its welcoming qualities, The Anchored Inn’s intense noise level sometimes made it hard to relax. On a recent night, the sound of the hardcore band playing at The Acheron next door was so loud that The Anchored Inn’s bartender had to blast the Black Sabbath blaring from the bar’s speakers just to make it audible above the din.

TimeOut says:

Adrienne Dowd and Carmen Mello, longtime bartenders at the Half King, break out on their own with a nautically themed drinkery in Williamsburg. The bar features a golden mermaid bust outside and a hanging Russian metal diving suit indoors, plus 20 black-velvet paintings, including a squid-versus-whale rendering. Tip back one of six draft beers (Left Hand Milk Stout, Sixpoint Sweet Action) or opt for a sipping liquor (Woodford Reserve bourbon, Flor de Cana rum). Overboard boozers can counteract the night’s tippling with salty bar snacks, including nachos, boiled peanuts and an intriguing combo of pickles with whipped pork fat.

Arancini Bros.

940 Flushing Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11206
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718.418.6347

Cuisine: Italian
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Price: $
Cards: Cash Only
Booze: None
Subway: L to Morgan Ave.
Menu: Click Here
Delivery: No
Time Out New York says:

Boozehounds at the Bushwick bar the Wreck Room can quell drunk hunger pangs at this adjacent arancini counter. The tiny, late-night storefront is run by former music techs David Campaniello and Will Levatino; the pair met on tour, bonded over fried risotto balls and gained local fame for their crispy, creamy orbs at the Hester Street Fair. Their first brick-and-mortar shop offers a rotating selection of six Sicilian-style rice balls in traditional (meat ragù), creative (mushroom and Taleggio) and sweet (Nutella) varieties.

Beauty Bar

921 Broadway
Brooklyn NY 11206
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347.529.0370

Rating: ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: 6pm-4am Daily
Subway: J,M,Z to Myrtle Ave.
Food/Menu: Small Bar Snacks
Booze: Full Bar
Happy Hour: Martini and Manicure Happy Hour ($10) is offered Wed-Fri 7pm-11PM & Sat 9-12.
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.

Metromix says:

The divey and much-loved booze-and-parties-and-manicures chain extends its family tree to Brooklyn, planting a Beauty Bar branch deep in the heart of Bushwick. Larger than its East Village sister, the Brooklyn branch has a ’70s vibe, plenty of beauty-parlor fixtures, super-low drink prices and lovable, old-school bar bites—as well as, duh, dirt-cheap manicures and martinis at happy hour (6-11 p.m., same as always).

image c/o BrooklynVegan
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]

Don Pedro's

90 Manhattan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11206
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347.689.3163

Cuisine: Classic Bar Fare
Our Rating: ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Price: $
Hours: Mon-Wed 4pm-2:30am; Fri-Sun 4pm-4am
Booze: Full Bar
Happy Hour: Daily 4pm-9pm, $1 off everything, $2 select drafts
Subway: L to Montrose Ave., J,M to Lorimer, G to Union Ave.
Delivery: No
NY Mag says:

Shrunken jeans and bug-eyed sunglasses have made their inevitable migration to the hinterland of East Williamsburg, but this local Ecuadorian standout has yet to change its menu to accommodate persnickety hipster taste buds. On weekdays you’ll find mostly locals bellying up to the table for one of the neighborhood’s best deals–$6 multicourse lunches that consist of spicy seafood soups, goat-meat stew, or whatever traditional fare the chefs whip up that day. Platos typicos such as stuffed greens plantains, hen stew, and fried pork beef with rice are heavy enough to require an afternoon nap, but Don Pedro’s lightens things up significantly with their outstanding seviches: Unlike the ultrarare, citrus-cured varieties presented a martini glass across the river, these seafood “cocktails” are served in bowls stuffed-to-overflowing with meaty shrimp and tender fish chunks marinated with red peppers, onion, cilantro, vinegar, and olive oil. Pre-meal, dawdling diners can check out prerecorded concerts with famous Latin musicians on the projection screen behind the bar, but those with a hearty appetite would do well to get eatin’: On weeknights the kitchen closes at 7 p.m. On some nights, Don Pedro’s dining room turns into a DIY venue for an eclectic bevy of Todd P-booked shows; check the restaurant’s Website for details.

Duckduck

161 Montrose Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11206
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No Phone

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-4am; Sat 5pm-4am; Sun 5pm-2am
Subway: L to Montrose Ave., J,M to Lorimer St.
Food/Menu: No food available
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 5 pm- 8 pm: $1 off bar; 2-for-1 Rolling Rock; 2-for-1 well drinks
Metromix says:

Though it resembles a garage sale, don’t look for any price tags on the mismatched, second-hand chairs and couches at this off-the-beaten-path East Williamsburg destination, where locals are drawn in by cheap shot-and-beer combos (and which was a former garage, incedentially). The namesake waterfowl—in rubber ducky, wooden mallard, stuffed and hand-drawn varieties—litter shelves behind the small bar, while a stairwell that ends halfway from the ceiling to the floor and other works from local artists add to the colorful vibe. DJs and occasional live bands lay down the soundtrack to a cast of regulars in attendance.

Metromix says:

Safely east of the Williamsburg bar scene circus, this local dive features $2 beers and a lack of attitude.

Duff's

168 Marcy Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
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718.599.2092

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Hours: Daily 6pm-4am
Subway: J,M,Z to Marcy Ave.
Food/Menu: No food available (except for free hot dogs from time to time)
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Daily 6pm-9pm: $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon
NY Mag says:

When the Misfits sang about a “hybrid moment,” they might have been referring to the perfect combination of Bellevue Bar’s seedy Hell’s Kitchen ambiance and Williamsburg’s gritty waterfront that has resulted in the birth of Duff’s. Bellevue Bar was a dirty, red-lit den with pin-up murals and dusty horror artifacts sharing shelf space with the bottles. Owner Jimmy Duff has moved his collection of baby skulls and taxidermy, along with his staff of inebriation specialists, to a former check cashing store on the other side of the river. He’s also added a nice big patio with built-in grill, and kept the metal-heavy jukebox and cheap drink specials that made Bellevue a dive cum laude. Patron hygiene ranges from “fashionably unkempt” to “possibly homeless”–yet another sign that Jimmy Duff hasn’t left Port Authority too far behind–but the bar and its bathroom are surprisingly clean. And though Bellevue regular Dancing Dominick won’t be frequenting the new space (he passed away after a full life of shimmying for drinks), he won’t be forgotten: A cut-out photo of his manic grin adorns CDs in the jukebox. Look out for free hot dogs in warmer weather when Duff’s occasionally fires up their outdoor grill.

CitySearch Says

Remember that kid you used to know in high school–the one who liked hard rock–who plastered his bedroom with whatever he picked up off the street? Well, he’s opened a bar in Williamsburg and covered every inch of the space (including the ceiling) with street signs, random posters, an Elvis bust, disembodied doll heads, red lights, a Gorilla suit and pin-up shots. Longtime fans of Bellevue Bar in Hell’s Kitchen may recognize the memorabilia; distinctive owner Jimmy Duff packed his stuff out of that space and into this one. In warm weather, the patio promises to be a raucous ode to cheap beer, crop tops and egregious facial hair. But you can find that inside, too. A laundry list of beer from Coors in a can to Guinness in a glass is served ice-cold, but it seems very wrong not to order a shot of whiskey on the side.

C/O Bushwick BK

50 Starr Street
Brooklyn, NY 11221
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Cuisine: Spanish/Tapas
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Price: $$
Hours: Mon-Sun Noon-11pm
Booze: Full Bar
Subway: L to Jefferson St.
Delivery: No
Bushwick BK says:

“Authentic Cuisine from Spain Comes to Brooklyn,” proclaims El Mio Cid’s menu, which features dozens of hot and cold tapas, salads, meats, and shellfish.  Inside, the sponge-painted walls, mural of the Spanish countryside, and posters of namesake El Cid were reminiscent of an Olive Garden, though classic Spanish restaurants often do sport some element of kitsch. A hulking glass dispenser of sangria bobs with apple chunks. The big-screen television above the bar playing soccer matches on a Latin American sports channel is unfortunate, but the wines lined up in front of a back-lit frosted-glass wall is a nice touch. Decor aside, the menu is a range of Spanish standards prepared with differing levels of success.

Pulpo al Mio Cid brings a bubbling cazuela, thin slices of octopus in a garlicky tomato broth, laced with wine and slivers of onion. The flavor is wonderful, punchy, the octopus a chewy tender. Gambas a la plancha, huge, meaty, flavorful heads-on prawns are a little sweet, smoky, spicy, and overall delicious. More solidly prepared tapas are the gambas al ajillo, shrimp in a robust garlic sauce, and sliced chorizo, just warmed through in a smoked red pepper broth. With lots of bread to soak up the remnants and juices, you might eek out a flashback of that one summer you spent in Galicia.

Escalibada was less successful. A healthy portion of roasted eggplant, peppers, onions, zucchini, and codfish was a wet mess that could have been saved with lots of salt and acid. Juicy almejas rellenas, stuffed baked clams, were blanketed in canned breadcrumbs; the bacalao a la viscaina, salt cod in a strangely fluorescent red pepper sauce, was middling.

The Paella valenciana, a meaty cocktail party of chicken, veal, shrimp, sausage, monkfish, mussels, and clams in saffron rice with peas and onions, is emblematic of the El Mio Cid experience — somewhat tasty, with plump shrimp but stringy lobster meat.

So pick around. The wine is cheap, and the menu is large — among some mediocre offerings are plenty of gems.

Il Passatore

14 Bushwick Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
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718.963.3100

Cuisine: Italian
Our Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Price: $$
Hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm
Booze: Beer and Wine Only
Subway: L to Graham Ave.
Menu: Click Here
Delivery: Yes
NY Mag says:

Two former waiters from La Piadina in the West Village opened this Roman flatbread haven in 2007 and named it for an Italian version of Robin Hood. Menu items hover under $10, with piadina, an unleavened bread cooked on a special tile over charcoal, served hot and filled with cheese or salami (or both) and hand-cut pastas like strozzapreti (short, thin strips) and pappardelle made fresh, daily. Yellow and red beets are paired with sliced oranges under a pile of baby spinach leaves, and the arugula salad with pears and huge shavings of Parmesan cheese is classic and refreshing. The dining room is cozy, with candles, exposed brick, and dark wooden floors. During summer months, doors in the back give way to a quiet wooden patio decked out with tiny electric lights and red-and-white umbrellas. Listen to the specials recited with a heavy Italian accent out here, and you might just forget you’re dining locally.

Metromix says:

All of the pasta is handmade in this charming and romantic Italian trattoria, which focuses on cuisine from the owner’s native Romagna and is named after a famous ferryman legend from the region. There are not many choices and the portions are fairly small, but with strozzapreti, tagliolini and spinach-and-ricotta gnocchi (also known as malfatti) this light and sumptuous, you won’t mind. The busy, intimate Williamsburg trattoria is everything you want in a neighborhood gem, with exposed brick and dark hardwood floors and prices reasonable enough to make weekly trips possible.

c/o Flickr

286 Seigel St
Brooklyn, NY 11206
view map
718.418.8823

Rating: ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Daily 4pm-4am
Subway: L to Morgan Ave.
Food/Menu: No food available
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Daily 4pm-8pm: $3 drafts and $5 Buds with shot of Jack Daniels
The Village Voice says:

Best Bar In Brooklyn For Great Whisk(e)ys At Reasonable Prices – Kings County
Tourists: They are the bane of New Yorkers’ existence, clogging the sidewalks and subways, babbling at top volume about some Broadway behemoth no true city dweller (native or longtime transplant) would ever want to see. But not all visitors to our fair island are so oblivious to what makes New York truly fab. Recently a music industry pal visiting from London wanted to meet up in a “real New York bar” as he’d grown weary of the usual Manhattan hipster showplaces. So I took him to Kings County, the pride of bright young Bushwick. Tucked away behind a door of artfully rusted metal, this tiny, gorgeous neighborhood bar offers a connoisseur’s selection of Scotch and Irish imports, high-end domestic bourbons ($5- $7 a shot), as well as a great selection of beers (Chimay Blue, Bud, and Guinness). Add to this a tasty mixed crowd of attractive locals, a respectable jukebox, and Chops–the tattooed and bewhiskered biker-esque artist-proprietor who designed and built his bar as an oasis of love and culture in the post-industrial wasteland of East Nowhere—and you’re home free.

NY Mag says:

Aside from the crown that was forged from a sheet of iron then pegged onto the heavy door, there’s nothing regal about this whisky bar, although the sturdy stools and the thick wood tables do lend the former welding studio, now painted black, a bit of the feel of a medieval tavern. Like the bar, the furniture was built by the owner himself: His DIY aesthetic is also seen in the T-shirts and haircuts of the patrons, who tend to cluster in the brick-lined smoking alley out back rather than navigate the tight quarters where subtly ironic MFA art hangs asymmetrically on the walls. As the iPod behind the bar blasts the latest anthem of alienation and the bourbon flows generously, an unspoken agreement looms: Better to be out here, where the buildings may be ugly but the people are young and beautiful, than in any of those celebrated Manhasbeen nightlife strips.