image c/o Flickr

600 Metropolitan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
view map
718.599.4440

Rating: ★ ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Hours: Mon-Fri, 3pm-4am; Sat-Sun, 1pm-4am
Price: $
Subway: G, L at Metropolitan Ave.-Lorimer St.
Food/Menu: Free pizza when you buy a pint
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: No, but they have free pizza!
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.

NY Mag says:

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 3:30 a.m., 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 green pool table. A booming jukebox and Big Buck Hunter Pro game in back provide entertainment. A selection of 10 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.

c/o NY Mag

104 S. 4th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
view map
718.237.7828

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Tue-Thu, Sun, 6pm-midnight; Fri-Sat, 6pm-2am
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Food/Menu: Tapas
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Tue-Thurs 6-pm buy one cocktail, get one free
NY Mag says:

Every so often, an establishment lands in a certain neighborhood like a flying saucer — and what Kurve was to the East Village, the tapas bar Bar Celona undoubtedly is to Williamsburg’s South Side. Cynthia Diaz, the 27-year-old owner, has worked with her mother (a designer) to turn a former glue factory into something vaguely akin to the meatpacking’s APT. What really shines here are the drinks by Tad Carducci and Paul Tanguay of the Tippling Bros., who also put together the list at Mercadito Cantina. There are two commendable savory options: savory options: a “gazpacho” spiked with Akvavit, sherry, and yellow Chartreuse; and a Paellarhinha that contains cachaça and sherry, but tastes mostly like a fresh pepper thanks to red-pepper saffron syrup. Also interesting, if you don’t mind a bitter take on the old fashioned: a version of the drink made with grapefruit and non-aged whiskey (if you haven’t tried whiskey before it has been aged in the barrel, it’s as clear as white tequila and tastes vaguely like oyster).

Blackbook Mag says:

Owner and former fashionista Cynthia Diaz’s stylistic prowess informs unabashed, swanky décor. Crystal chandeliers, benches suspended from gold chains, animal print lounge chairs, glittery marble bar, and fireplace. Artisanal cocktails complement Spanish tapas with a Latin twist. Ideal spot to impress a first date or spice up a long-standing relationship. Ultra sexy drinks Muy Sucio, Missionary’s Position, and Murcielago sure to ignite fiery passion. Romance over delectables like shrimp al ajillo, braised oxtail, and mushroom and morcilla tostones.

Dram

177 s 4th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211
view map
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.

Maracuja

279 Grand St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
view map
718.302.9023

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Mon-Thurs 6pm-Midnight; Fri-Sat 6pm-4am; Sun 5pm-Midnight
Subway: L to Bedford Ave., Lorimer St., J,M,Z to Marcy Ave.
Food/Menu: Bar Snacks
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 6pm-8pm: $4 well drinks and $4 drafts
The Village Voice says:

A classic, comfy pub that takes its name from the Brazilian word for passion fruit (maracuja), the bar features a house drink of, naturally, the Brazilian rum Cachaca with passion-fruit juice, alongside a reliable bar menu of cheap cheese fries and meaty sandwiches. The outdoor garden and the pool table in back beckon a bit more than the digital jukebox, stocked with as many misses (Evanescence) as hits (Blondie).

NY Mag says:

After lying dormant for over thirty years this Lithuanian bar was restored to its 1950s less-than-splendor by a Brazilian-born city inspector, Charles Kaim. In the kitchen, his Colombian wife Connie Ruiz, whose paintings of nudes adorn the mahogany walls, prepares empanadas and tostones in addition to the usual bar-and-grill fare. If a snack is all you need, Kaim will hook you up with free Slim Jims or toasted Pop Tarts, and if he has any passion fruit (i.e. maracuja’) juice behind the 100-year-old mahogany bar, he’ll mix it with cachaca for a drink that, as far as sweetness and potency go, beats the many offerings from Brooklyn Brewery on tap. Although old cameras, phonographs, apothecary bottles, an upright piano salvaged from a Bronx basement, and a wooden rotary phone booth loosen up the stiff look of the circular tables, the best place to unwind is the backyard: With its trellises, an array of cooking herbs growing in marble sinks, and the branches of a decades-old rose bush sweeping over the tables, it can rightly be called a garden.

c/o NY Mag

263 N. 6th Street
Brooklyn NY, 11211
view map
718.782.7171

Rating: ★★★★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Tues-Sun 5pm-2am
Subway: L to Bedford Ave. or Lorimer St.
Food/Menu: Bar Snacks (Cheese Plate + Olives)
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: One Red Wine, One White Wine, and One Bottled Beer on special for 1/2 price
We say:

Pinkerton is our favorite new wine bar in Williamsburg. Serving New World wines by the glass as well as a half-dozen local and West Coast microbrews, owner Thomas Hudson is concentrating on “interesting, fun, good wines that are affordable,” with a focus on wines from Washington, Oregon, California, and Australia. The space is cozy and is great for a date, or a large group of friends-you can actually hear each other speak, which is a welcome change to most places in Williamsburg.

Metromix says:

When Weezer released their second album, could they have guessed it would inspire this Williamsburg wine bar? Does Rivers Cuomo even drink wine? Formerly N. 6, Pinkerton is now dishing out new world wines by the glass. The list is small, there’s around a dozen options for $7 – 10 a glass. The drink menu also contains a selection of microbrews, like the Riverhorse Tripel ($8) from a small brew house in New Jersey. A menu of small plates is promised, the owner is consulting with chefs to bring in goodies like cheese and hummus platters. The bar may have a new rock ‘n roll-inspired name, but most of the easygoing bistro décor was kept intact. Expect a crowd of writerly types, drawn by the journalist who decided to open the spot. They can discuss the tomes of the day at the cushy orange bar stools, or debate the merits of this week’s New Yorker as they sip a Californian craft beer at one of the outdoor tables. With an alt-rock inspired name, the discussions will no doubt trend to the stuff of the glory days: songs about sweaters.

Public Assembly

70 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
view map
718.384.4586

Rating: ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Sun-Thurs 7 pm -2am; Fri-Sat 7pm-4am
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Food/Menu: No food available
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Various Drink Specials Nightly
Calendar: Click Here
Metromix says:

This decade-old industrial art and performace space, formerly known as Galapagos, has established itself as a nucleus of culture in the area, hosting everything from theater, cabaret and burlesque acts, to local bands, DJs and art installations.

The Village Voice says:

North 6 St. in Williamsburg is the hub for dance parties, from the electro-friendly booking at Music Hall of Wburg to Public Assembly, a double-room venue that hosts DJs, cabaret, rock, pop, and the infrequent Mustache Championships. The wide rooms are excellent for movement; shy types need not apply at one of the artsiest clubs around.

Rose Live Music

345 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
view map
718.599.0069

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Mon-Fri 6 pm-4am; Sat-Sun 11am-4am
Subway: L to Lorimer St., J,M,Z to Marcy Ave.
Food/Menu: Bar Snacks/Brunch
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: None
Citysearch says:

Follow the pink neon light to find Rose, the first live music venue to land on Williamsburg’s Grand Street stretch. The owner has personalized the space with familial touches–his grandmother’s patterned chintz and sepia-toned wallpaper, shipped from Europe, dresses up a dark wood room filled with the usual booths. The mostly admission-free performances pull from the world over–see Latin jazz, tango and Afro-beat shows, and sometimes a set from a local DJ.

NY Mag says:

The nook carved below Rose Live Music feeds bohemian-type rockers Mediterranean plates in a setting reminiscent of an Italian vintner’s secret cellar. A cubby-hole bar and backlit wine cabinets made of splintering wood and chicken wire line the back wall. Exposed stone, mismatched oak chairs pulled up to weather-worn pine tables, and votives encased in glass lanterns lend to the rustic setting. It’s transporting at first, but the bare concrete floor and exposed piping overhead betray that this is just an old Brooklyn basement. The menu is similarly inconsistent. Lightly dressed starters like mixed roasted vegetables served with goat cheese slathered crostini highlight organic produce. Entrées, though, are inexpertly prepared: A veal cutlet comes out dry and brittle as jerky and Grandma’s Spicy Meatballs are unsubstantial and lacking discernable spice. The warm brownie infused with cayenne pepper packs more heat, and its citrus-spiked vanilla custard does make a fitting coolant, but it’s clear you’ll only want to pop down for a bite before or after a show. In fact, it’s best that you’re enthused about whatever’s going on upstairs to enjoy your meal—any performance above is sure to drown out the mellow jazz trying to set the mood down below.

c/o NY Mag

285 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
view map
718.599.5565

Rating: ★ ★ ★
Cards: All Major
Hours: Daily 5pm-4am
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Food/Menu: No food available
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: Daily 5pm-8pm: $1 off drafts, $5 PBR and a shot of whiskey
NY Mag says:

Big, round, shiny tables line the walls at Savalas, echoing the shapes of the owner cousins’ bald pates. (The name is a nod to the celebrity they most resemble.) Also round and shiny are the new wave and indie rock records spun by an impressive roster of DJs with the help of a cutting-edge sound system. Groovy tiled walls, hand blown-glass emitting red light, and plenty of open floor space make this smallish room feel like a miniature club: In the early evening, it can feel a bit too petite, but late at night, the cheery, not-aggressively-hip crowd most certainly gets down, at which point an awning-protected front porch provides refuge. At the bar, vodkas flavored with seasonal ingredients along with the occasional experimental touch are an enticing alternative to the solid selection of tap beer, except when the infusions are ill-conceived: Oreo-infused martini, anyone?

Citysearch says:

This hand-built Bedford newcomer, decorated with wooden tiles, a cork ceiling and diamond-patterned pendant lights, soothes the eye and spirit with its neat, cohesive design. It attracts the creative residents of Williamsburg’s South Side, a crowd that’s big enough to energize the place but small enough to keep the mood light, allowing room for everyone to grab a barstool or sink into curved black banquettes. The name, inspired by the shiny head of its artist owner, is indeed a reference to Telly. House-infused vodkas in fresh strawberry, blood orange and pomegranate flavors bring a special touch to cocktails, while rare brews from Fuller’s ESB to citrusy Pranqster distinguish the selection of 12 beers on tap. Exceptional DJs complete the tight vibe, organically mixing Latin and R&B with James Bond tracks; Miami booty bass takes over the second Saturday of each month

Soft Spot

128 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
view map
718.384.7768

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-4am; Sat 2pm-4am; Sun 4pm-2am
Subway: L to Bedford Ave.
Food/Menu: No food available
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 draft and well drinks until 8pm except on Tuesdays when it is 2 for 1 Draft and well drinks until 2AM. Pint sized Margaritas for $6 and $7 Mojitos anytime. Set Specials: Mini Bud and a Jameson Shot OR a Coronita and Cuervo Shot for $5 all night every night
Calendar/Events: Trivia first Tuesday of Every Month. Special Monthly events. See Bar’s Event Calendar. (Examples: Metal Mondays, “Beat The Gunman” Movie Trivia, Drunken Spelling Bee, Weekend Barbecues, and more
Gothamist says:

The beautifully lit storefront bar comes from a longtime New Yorker and bartender Matt Webber (most recently of The Cutting Room). Because Webber isn’t Chris Noth, he hasn’t brought beautiful blondes behind the bar (yet) and is doing everything himself, from fresh juices to choosing the art (hint: look carefully at the provenance of the reclining nude near the front door).Okay. While his candor is refreshing, on one side of us was a cute, skinny guy showing off his star tattoo and on another a girl who looked like a Scarlett Johansson circa her mullet fascination. We wonder what these cute kids could be called disparagingly instead of hipsters. Soft Spot is close to the Bedford L train stop but unlike many of the bars and restaurants that price drinks like they are really still in Manhattan, the cocktails here top out around $7. With fresh pomegranate juice and orange slices, the pomegranate margarita was a good choice, especially for sipping in the beautiful back garden, and strong and our friend opted for a house special, the Soft Peach. The bar was offering two options- one for $6 or 2 for $10, clearly working on a similar principle of the 4-8pm happy hour (2 for 1 on all beer, most $4). And the Soft Peach, with Absolute Peach, Triple Sec and a “secret” lemon lime sour mix does go down easy, so much that we wonder if the 2 for $10 should be changed to give us a twenty and we’ll give you a pitcher, though you won’t be able to walk far when it’s empty. Our friend thought the special tasted like “like homemade peach ice cream but not sweet” but it just tasted like summer to us. The place can serve a good drink under good lighting and employs a good piano player (though billing him a starving artist and actually having the tip jar foisted upon everyone at the bar is a little much). Check it out while there is still prime garden drinking time and enjoy the drinks, however they were conceived.

Metromix says:

Soft Spot is an unassuming, low-lit piano bar that’s half hip watering hole, half grandma’s living room, complete with a fringed lampshade. Piano karaoke and jazz bump from the joint almost every night, so you can sing (or sip) Olivia Newton-John on their dainty patio—the namesake beverage includes sugar-free Red Bull, vodka and triple sec. In a city of pricey potables, Soft Spot offers one of the ultimate deals: free booze on your birthday, all night. All you need is ID and a buddy to carry your drunk ass home. Drafts and well drinks are two-for-one every weeknight from 5–8 p.m. and weekends from 2–8 p.m.

c/o NY Mag

44 Berry Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
view map
718.388.8087

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Cards: Cash Only
Hours: Mon-Sat Noon-9pm; Sun Noon-8pm
Subway: L to Bedford Ave., G to Nassau Ave.
Food/Menu: Bar Snacks/Coffee
Booze: Full bar
Happy Hour: $2 PBR all the time
Calendar: Click Here
Metromix says:

Local Williamsburg coffee shop and cafe turns to a lounge at night, with a full bar and themed events.

NY Mag says:

The original Sound Fix opened in late April 2004 on the northern, somewhat forgotten edge of Williamsburg, and quickly become a hub for music-obsessed locals and minor musical celebrities. In 2009 the venue moved to a renovated 90-year-old factory one block over with more space to house its listening booths, vinyl rarities, and terrifically edited CD selection of local bands, soul, and electronica. The owner keeps new CD prices at about $14 and sells tickets to local shows.