BEST LOUNGE
DELIA’S LOUNGE
9224 3rd Ave Brooklyn
(718) 745-7999 www.deliaslounge.com
Delia’s Lounge is the perfect spot for a casual
evening out in Bay Ridge. The borough’s favorite
lounge is located right next to the Verrazano
Bridge, but counters its hectic rush with an
extremely relaxing vibe. Come relax on Delia’s
Lounge’s cushy couches and candle-lit atmosphere.
Its eclectic, cozy mix of decor from around the
world is sure to make you feel like you are sitting in
your own living room. Call ahead for reservations
so your table is waiting when you arrive. Delia’s
Lounge offers a three hour party package that
includes flavorsome drinks and tasty selections
from their menu. There’s no better place to party in
the borough than Delia’s, bringing liquid relaxation
to patrons since 1999!
BEST MARGARITA
CHELA
408 5th Ave Brooklyn
(718) 701-1894 www.chelaparkslope.com
We all know what happens when life gives you
lemons, but sometimes, it gives you limes and
all you can do is make a nice margarita — and at
Chela, you’ll find the best margarita around. This
warm and welcoming Mexican restaurant is located
in the heart of Park Slope, and its drink menu is as
innovative and expansive as its food menu. Indulge
in an array of margarita choices, from classic to
jalapeno, chipotle and habanero. Each margarita is
handcrafted to perfection, is bound to hit the spot,
and is the perfect drink to wash down a plate of
overflowing nachos or a mouthwatering burrito!
BEST MARTINI (TIE)
ALCHEMY
56th 5th Ave Brooklyn
(718) 636-4385 www.alchemybrooklyn.com
American essayist H. L. Mencken once referred
to the martini as “the only American invention as
perfect as the sonnet.” And, according to countless
Brooklynites, the martini at Alchemy certainly
tastes like poetry. At this low-key, comfortable,
pub-style restaurant on the North end of Fifth
Avenue in Park Slope, you can indulge in its awardwinning
martini, or order just about anything else
from the quaint but creative menu. Alchemy’s
watering hole offers an outstanding selection of
tap beer, wine and cocktails to wet your whistle,
but you must try the martini (trust us on this one).
Come for date night, girls night, drinks with the
co-workers, or all of the above!
BEST MARTINI (TIE)
BROOKLYN SOCIAL
335 Smith St Brooklyn
(718) 858-7758 www.brooklynsocialbar.com
Brooklyn Social is the original Smith Street cocktail
bar. Located in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn,
this once-members-only watering hole has been
serving up classic drinks and a cintage vibe to
the discerning denizens of Carroll Gardens, The
establishment prides itself on celebrating South
Brooklyn history and honoring its Italian-American
roots. So, it should come as no surprise that
Brooklyn Social has taken the prize for at least
one of their staple cocktails. In this case, it’s their
unbeatably delicious martini! Stirred with the
highest quality gin and vermouth, and garnished
with an olive and a lemon twist, Brooklyn Social’s
martini brings a classic flavor and the perfect buzz
to take a load off from the work week!
BEST MOJITO
BOGOTA LATIN BISTRO
141 5th Ave Brooklyn
(718) 230-3805 www.bogotabistro.com
Sip on the best mojito in Brooklyn while enjoying
award-winning Colombian & Latin fare at what’s
often called “Brooklyn’s Hottest Latin Restaurant.”
Bogota Latin Bistro is open every day for lunch
and dinner and serves an awesome brunch on
weekends. The eatery serves delicious mojitos in
a variety of flavors like lulo, guava, coconut, and
more — eachc guaranteed to refresh and give you
a much-needed buzz. Bogota Latin Bistro y is
dedicated to elevating the status and awareness of
Latin food— particularly Colombian cuisine—and
culture via its food, drinks, music and hospitality.
Hospitality, professionalism, pride, fanatical
attention to detail, teamwork and respect for
diversity are the core values that guide its efforts.
Stroll in after work or with friends on the weekend
and get a round of mojitos for the table!
BEST MUSIC VENUE
UNION HALL
702 Union St Brooklyn
(718) 638-4400 www.unionhallny.com
Union Hall has become the place to hear some of
the best music in Brooklyn. The music venue is
located below the main bar and game area where
guests frequently pass the time playing bocce and
sit in a library-like setting. On any given night,
you’ll get to hear rising indie rock, hip-hop and pop
artists from around the city and beyond. Union
Hall features multiple rooms, all of which provide
an intimate setting to allow you to enjoy some of
the most diverse art you’ll find, not just in Brooklyn
but throughout New York City. Enjoy your evening
in style and arrive early to avoid long lines and soak
in the liveliness of Brooklyn’s music scene.
BEST NIGHT CLUB
UNION POOL
484 Union Ave Brooklyn
(718) 609-0484 union-pool.com
It’s Saturday night and you and your friends are
looking for the next great Brooklyn hot spot. Skip
the other clubs and make your way over to Union
Pool! Though there is no actual pool (or billiards) at
Union Pool, this club has grown from your average
neighborhood bar to becoming the go-to nightlife
spot for Brooklynites since it first opened in 2000.
Union Pool has offered something for everyone
who walks in the door, including live music, a taco
truck that lives on the patio and stays open all
night, a black & white analog photo booth and a
pinball machine — just a few reasons to visit. The
bar makes the best place for a night out!
BEST OPEN MIC
PETE’S CANDY STORE
709 Lorimer St Brooklyn
(718) 302-3770 www.petescandystore.com
Come for the drinks, stay for the open mic! For
over two decades, the iconic Pete’s Candy Store in
Williamsburg has been a hot spot for live music,
poetry slams and comedy. On Sunday evenings,
Pete’s Candy Store transforms into Pete’s Open Mic
— an intimate space filled with aspiring performers
looking to make their mark on the city hosted by
Bruce Martin. At Pete’s Candy Store, anything goes
as patrons could one day be looking at the next
14 DIME BEST OF BROOKLYN 2021 • WINNERS GUIDE • BESTOFBK.COM
breakout star while casually sipping on a cocktail
and the next day catch a rare, intimate show from
established acts like Norah Jones, Sufjan Stevens
and Puss N’ Boots. The venue’s long standing
reputation of fostering talent is what continues to
attract Brooklyn locals and beyond!
BEST OUTDOOR
ATMOSPHERE BAR/
RESTAURANT
LOCK YARD
9221 5th Ave Brooklyn
(718) 333-5282 www.lockyard.biz
Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “Some people
wanted champagne and caviar when they should
have had beer and hot dogs.” At Lock Yard, beer
and hot dogs is what you’ll get — and looking at its
expansive and creative menu, we can guarantee you
it’s all you’ll want. This “homey” pub is a hidden
gem of Bay Ridge. It comes with year-round heated
beer garden seating out back and serves up craft
brews, sausages and the comfiest of comfort food.
Whether you want to build your own hot dog, or
trust in one of Lock Yard’s genius creations (from
the Bartman to the Bridgeview and more), there’s
something for everyone at this treasure of a local
eatery and watering hole.
BEST ROOFTOP BAR
WESTLIGHT
111 N 12th St 22nd Fl Brooklyn
(718) 307-7100 www.westlightnyc.com
Nothing sets the mood quite like a rooftop bar. The
best rooftop bar in the borough, Westlight, is found
atop the William Vale and has sweeping views of
New York City that you can take in while sipping on
a cocktail. The bar has a variety of wines and spirits
to choose from while enjoying the incredible views.
The menu of bites is perfect for sharing with friends
or a date, plus there is an outdoor seating area with
comfy couches that are perfect for lounging in the
warmer weather. The indoor section of the bar is
available for year-round enjoyment, so Westlight is
the perfect destination any night of the year.
BEST SINGLES BAR
THE WHISKEY BROOKLYN
44 Berry St Brooklyn
(718) 387-8444 www.whiskeybrooklyn.com
For those who are single and ready to mingle, the
Whiskey Brooklyn is the place to be. This bar has it
all: top-notch drinks, a delectable food menu, and a
comfortable atmosphere that is perfect for meeting
other Brooklyn singles. As the name suggests,
the Whiskey Brooklyn has a variety of whiskeys
that you can sip on all night long, and chances are
you’ll find others who’d love to join you for a drink.
As the night goes on, you are more than likely to
meet another single that might make you consider
leaving the single life behind, and you can always
go back for your first date over a pair of whiskeys
and an appetizer!
BEST SPEAKEASY
CLOVER CLUB
210 Smith St Brooklyn
(718) 855-7939 www.cloverclubny.com
It’s no secret that Clover Club is the premiere
cocktail bar in Brooklyn, but they’re also the
borough’s best speakeasy. With its classic cocktail
vibe, you can enjoy an evening of true hospitality,
including live jazz and a cozy back room with
a fireplace. Clover Club has an excuisite menu
of original drinks to help you wet your whistle,
including its namesake cocktail (Gin, raspberry, dry
vermouth, lemon, egg white) and the Rye Reaper
(Rye, Jamaican rum, lemon, amaro dell’erborista,
orgeat and cardamom) and the Fools Gold (Mezcal,
guava, ancho pepper, lime, rhubarb and mole
bitters). The staff and management at the Clover
Club want you to have a memorable night with the
people who matter most.
BEST SPORTS BAR
BEAN POST PUB
7525 5th Ave Brooklyn
(718) 745-9413 www.beanpostpub.com
Not sure where to watch the game? You can’t
go wrong at The Bean Post Pub. Brooklyn is in
agreement that this Bay Ridge staple knocks other
bars and restaurants out of the water in a bevy of
different categories. Best Sports Bar is just one
of them. This cornerstone watering hole offers 21
beers on draft, more than 50 types of bottled beer,
150-plus types of liquor, an expansive menu and —
the most important part of watching any big game
at a local bar or pub — a slate of big screen TVs to
catch all the action. What more could you ask for
on Game Day?
BEST WINE BAR
THE OWL’S HEAD
479 74th St Brooklyn
(718) 680-2436 www.theowlshead.com
Since 2011, The Owl’s Head has poured Bay Ridge
an eclectic, distinct, and affordable selection of
global wines, paired with everevolving menu of
savory and sweet artisanal bites. The offerings are
carefully selected from small producers by owner
John Avelluto and served in a rustic setting that
pays homage to the original design of the 1904
building. A handcrafted bar top rough hewn from
a single maple tree complements the restored tin
ceilings and brick walls of the dining room. The
Owl’s Head provides an intimate atmosphere
to enjoy some great wine, tasty bites and good
conversation with friends and family. With critical
acclaim and a stable of loyal customers, The Owl’s
Head remains one of Brooklyn’s most eclectic
places to drink.
BARS & NIGHTLIFE
/www.chelaparkslope.com
/www.chelaparkslope.com
/www.alchemybrooklyn.com
/www.brooklynsocialbar.com
/www.bogotabistro.com
/www.unionhallny.com
/www.petescandystore.com
/www.lockyard.biz
/www.westlightnyc.com
/www.whiskeybrooklyn.com
/www.cloverclubny.com
/www.beanpostpub.com
/www.theowlshead.com
/www.deliaslounge.com
/www.deliaslounge.com
/www.alchemybrooklyn.com
/www.brooklynsocialbar.com
/www.bogotabistro.com
/www.unionhallny.com
/union-pool.com
/www.petescandystore.com
/BESTOFBK.COM
/www.lockyard.biz
/www.westlightnyc.com
/www.whiskeybrooklyn.com
/www.cloverclubny.com
/www.beanpostpub.com
/www.theowlshead.com