The choice of bar can make or break your New Year's Eve. Here are a few ideas of great bars from dives to fancier haunts where the New Year's spirit is sure to keep the drinks flowing well into morning.
This former Italian Social Club has class from floor to top. If you are looking to step back in time this New Year's Eve, Brooklyn Social Club mixes great cocktails and calls to mind a secret speakeasy in a time when men wore hats. There are billards in the back and the bar itself is gorgeous. Be forewarned, it's not a huge space, so on NYE you may want to make this the first rather than last stop of the evening.More »
Just down the street from Brooklyn Social, you'll find the Jakewalk, similarly fancy but stepping it up a notch with wine & cheese. If that sounds too tame, there are also over 130 liquors to choose from, so that should keep you busy. Though Jakewalk has the feel of a trendy speakeasy, the staff and crowd are unprentious and nice.More »
242 Dekalb Ave, at Vanderbilt
If dive bar is what you're after this NYE, look no further than Alibi and their $1 mugs of Budweiser. There's Big Buck Hunter, an outdoor area for smokers, and no pretentious attitudes whatsoever. It's obvious that things could get pretty rowdy and fun after the ball has dropped on 2010.
660 Fulton St, b/w Rockwell Pl. and Ashland Pl.
Though you may run into a cover charge here on New Year's, it's well worth it. Frank's is a perfect Fort Greene Bar, filled with all different kinds of people from different walks of life. There are frequently live musicians and if not, talented DJs spinning Rap or R&B. Regulars consistently rate Frank's one of the best bars in Brooklyn - a perfect place to welcome a new year and a new beginning with friends.
This sexy, tiny, European style bar is a not only a neighborhood favorite, but Brooklynites in general flock to Barbes for its romantic atmosphere and great music. There is always a band in the back playing jazz, and the soft amber lighting in here makes everyone look good. The bar is fully stocked whether you're a wino or just want a beer. The narrow space could get filled to capacity on New Year's, so have a back up plan just in case you can't get in.More »
The Levee is sure to be hoppin' on New Year's, as it is every other night of every week all the time. The cheap drink specials and chili dogs will keep you fueled for fun and mayhem. Play Buck Hunter with friends, shoot some pool, or squeeze next to the bar with your sweetheart. The Levee is a feel good, party down kind of place. But if you are anti-Williamsburg, this place is not for you.More »
667 Lorimer Street, at Meeker Ave
Relatively new to the nightlife scene, Night of Joy is a fairly large bar right underneath the BQE. It's lace curtains and flourescent sign evoke a sort of Twin Peaks-y vibe, and the bartenders here are nice. There's a pool table, house cocktails, and roof access to keep you happy, along with a full bar, wine, and beers. If you're looking for a place that won't be jammed packed to the brim, Night of Joy is a good option - check it out before the rest of Brooklyn discovers its charms.
This spacious bar in Greenpoint caters to North Brooklyn beer drinkers and laid-back hipsters that want to avoid the Bedford Avenue madhouse. The casual coolness of this old building and the exposed wood and brick is sure to calm your nerves as well. Impress your Manhattanite friends with a choice of bar that's whatever you want it to be.More »
1. Brooklyn Social Club
This former Italian Social Club has class from floor to top. If you are looking to step back in time this New Year's Eve, Brooklyn Social Club mixes great cocktails and calls to mind a secret speakeasy in a time when men wore hats. There are billards in the back and the bar itself is gorgeous. Be forewarned, it's not a huge space, so on NYE you may want to make this the first rather than last stop of the evening.More »
2. Jakewalk - Carroll Gardens
Just down the street from Brooklyn Social, you'll find the Jakewalk, similarly fancy but stepping it up a notch with wine & cheese. If that sounds too tame, there are also over 130 liquors to choose from, so that should keep you busy. Though Jakewalk has the feel of a trendy speakeasy, the staff and crowd are unprentious and nice.More »
3. The Alibi - Fort Greene
242 Dekalb Ave, at Vanderbilt
If dive bar is what you're after this NYE, look no further than Alibi and their $1 mugs of Budweiser. There's Big Buck Hunter, an outdoor area for smokers, and no pretentious attitudes whatsoever. It's obvious that things could get pretty rowdy and fun after the ball has dropped on 2010.
4. Frank's Lounge - Fort Greene
660 Fulton St, b/w Rockwell Pl. and Ashland Pl.
Though you may run into a cover charge here on New Year's, it's well worth it. Frank's is a perfect Fort Greene Bar, filled with all different kinds of people from different walks of life. There are frequently live musicians and if not, talented DJs spinning Rap or R&B. Regulars consistently rate Frank's one of the best bars in Brooklyn - a perfect place to welcome a new year and a new beginning with friends.
5. Barbes - Park Slope
This sexy, tiny, European style bar is a not only a neighborhood favorite, but Brooklynites in general flock to Barbes for its romantic atmosphere and great music. There is always a band in the back playing jazz, and the soft amber lighting in here makes everyone look good. The bar is fully stocked whether you're a wino or just want a beer. The narrow space could get filled to capacity on New Year's, so have a back up plan just in case you can't get in.More »
6. The Levee - Williamsburg
The Levee is sure to be hoppin' on New Year's, as it is every other night of every week all the time. The cheap drink specials and chili dogs will keep you fueled for fun and mayhem. Play Buck Hunter with friends, shoot some pool, or squeeze next to the bar with your sweetheart. The Levee is a feel good, party down kind of place. But if you are anti-Williamsburg, this place is not for you.More »
7. Night of Joy - Williamsburg
667 Lorimer Street, at Meeker Ave
Relatively new to the nightlife scene, Night of Joy is a fairly large bar right underneath the BQE. It's lace curtains and flourescent sign evoke a sort of Twin Peaks-y vibe, and the bartenders here are nice. There's a pool table, house cocktails, and roof access to keep you happy, along with a full bar, wine, and beers. If you're looking for a place that won't be jammed packed to the brim, Night of Joy is a good option - check it out before the rest of Brooklyn discovers its charms.
8. Pencil Factory - Greenpoint
This spacious bar in Greenpoint caters to North Brooklyn beer drinkers and laid-back hipsters that want to avoid the Bedford Avenue madhouse. The casual coolness of this old building and the exposed wood and brick is sure to calm your nerves as well. Impress your Manhattanite friends with a choice of bar that's whatever you want it to be.More »