The best bars in Brooklyn

Even though the name stems from a piece of Philadelphia history, Clover Club is now considered one of the best places to drink in NYC. It’s been around since 2008, and any bar that’s lasted that long must be really good. Occupying a brick building on otherwise quiet Smith Street, it’s expanded beyond its beloved Carroll Gardens to rank as one of the World’s Best Bars.

Despite the big name, it still feels like a neighborhood gem. It’s unpretentious in decor, with exposed brick, vintage sofas, and a mahogany bar, eliciting the elegance of bygone NYC bars. A working winter fireplace and a jazz soundtrack keep things cozy. To drink, try its namesake Clover Club, a gin and vermouth-based cocktail with a raspberry twist. There’s an extensive menu, with unique spirits, punch bowls, and beer & wine. On the weekends, stop in for brunch.

The Parlor, a private room with a bar, can be rented for up to 45 people. A full buyout will accommodate 100.

We don’t know who Janice is, but she sure knows a great bar. Hidden behind Upside Pizza (so New York) is this nostalgic speakeasy-style cocktail spot. Half listening bar, half cool kid hotspot, the sleek decor features low lighting, checkered details, and a cassette jukebox. It’s from the same people behind Greenpoint listening bar Eavesdrop, which, according to AFJ’s Instagram bio, is their “evil twin”.

It’s definitely intimate, with a full buyout option for up to 25, but you’ll want to gatekeep this spot anyway. Unique cocktails are made with small batch bourbon, olive oil gin, or Earl Grey & nectarine syrup, and you can choose from a short but sweet beer and wine menu. For food, there’s an Italian-American-inspired snack menu with calzones and stracciatella, or you can pop back through Upside Pizza for an iconic late-night slice.

While Talea Beer Co. has a few locations across the city, its flagship is in Williamsburg. You can explore 20+ rotating draft beers brewed on-site, as well as cocktails, wine, and sharable snack plates. The Williamsburg location is the largest, boasting airy, Bauhaus-inspired industrial design as well as an outdoor space. You can rent the entire space for up to 170 guests, or just the 50-person courtyard for a summer soirée.

The beers are self-described as “beers for people who think they don’t like beer”. A big and somewhat self-effacing claim, but with their menu of fruity sours and unique IPAs with flavors like watermelon and pineapple, there’s a good chance you’ll change your mind. This will make you someone who likes beer, which means… Anyway, accompany your drink with snacks like spicy nuts, Bavarian pretzels, and a Greek olive mix.

On the 10th floor of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, Harriet’s Rooftop offers panoramic views of the Manhattan Skyline, Liberty Island, and the East River. With 2,800 sq. ft. of flexible event space, including a stylish indoor lounge, you can host up to 350 guests (min. 30). The rooftop space is open seasonally and includes a pool so you can take a dip city-side.

The fare is Asian-inspired, with sharable dishes like lemongrass gyoza, wagyu sliders, and ponzu oysters. Harriet’s Rooftop is dedicated to supporting local farmers and providing responsibly sourced ingredients. Cocktails include classics and unique signatures: try a shishito pepper margarita, a Sakura martini, or a Dumbo old-fashioned. If you’re feeling fancy, bottle service is available for wines, spirits, and champagne.

If we’re not including a natural wine bar in a list of Brooklyn bars, is it a list of Brooklyn bars at all? We don’t think so either. Pips, from the owners of Colonie, serves Italian-inspired wines, aperitifs, and appetizers in a spirited, sophisticated setting. Textured walls, brass fixtures, and a marble backsplash at the bar make for an elegant atmosphere, paired with warm candlelit lighting.

Choose from an extensive low-intervention wine list, or try something different from their unique cocktail menu. Custom-made amari liquor is exclusive to Pips via the Long Island distillery Matchbook – something you quite literally can’t find anywhere else. Sharing, small, and large plates include eggplant pomodoro, oysters, and duck fat fries.

The venue is available for private rent and can accommodate up to 50 guests standing or 20 seated, with options for a prix-fixe seated dinner or passed canapés for a cocktail event.