The Best Bars In Greenpoint

In terms of bars, Greenpoint has a little bit of everything. There are places where you can stay out until 3am and dance with people you'll never see again, and there are also plenty of spots that are perfect for solo outings and low-key dates. If all you want is a quality jello shot, you can find that as well. Whatever you're looking for, it's on this guide.

THE SPOTS

Bar Americano is a cool, interesting place. This small, candlelit spot was inspired by the aperitivo bars of Spain and Northern Italy, and they serve a variety of European snacks and wines—but you can also get a messy fried chicken sandwich and a fantastic appletini here. There are a handful of tables (which you can reserve) that are perfect for first dates, and there are plenty of seats at the quartz-topped bar.

At this Japanese-inspired cocktail bar, they take their music seriously. There are acoustic panels and turntables spread throughout the warmly lit space, and you might spot a Japanese edition of Kurtis Blow’s debut album, Kurtis Blow, hanging out behind the bar. If you’re a music nerd, come here, and bring a date. There’s no standing room, so be sure to make a reservation.

Twins Lounge is like a pool hall and a disco bar rolled into one. In other words, it’s got all of the elements of a great birthday drinking spot. The bottom floor has a few pool tables and several big booths, and upstairs you’ll find a much brighter area with another bar counter, a disco ball, and floor-to-ceiling windows facing Manhattan Avenue. This is a fun place, and it gets busy on weekends.

Do you want to grab a drink and catch up with a friend? That's what The Esters is for. This isn't a place for shots and tequila-fueled dance moves—it's more of a grown-up spot where you can sit on an outdoor patio and drink a well-made cocktail. The space is filled with plants, the staff is friendly, and the Detroit-style pizzas are surprisingly great. Order at least one.

Tørst is Brooklyn’s best beer bar, and it looks like that cabin upstate you keep thinking about renting for a weekend. Save yourself $1200 and just come here instead. Whether or not you’re super into craft beer, you’ll appreciate the Scandinavian-ish space that makes you feel like you’re sitting in an extremely well-appointed sauna (minus the sweaty people). This is also a very under-utilized day drinking option.

Hidden Pearl is a nice little cocktail bar behind a door in the back of a ramen place called Wanpaku, and it serves some very good Japanese-inspired cocktails. It’s a great spot for an impressive first date or a drink with someone who claims to know every good bar in Greenpoint, and there are small plates like pork buns and crispy rice with tuna for when you get hungry.

The original Threes is the best brewery, outdoor hangout, and baby convention in South Brooklyn. This Greenpoint location is similar—minus the outdoor space (although they do have a bit of sidewalk seating). It’s a great place for a laid-back group hang, and while you don’t need to eat a full meal here, there is plenty of stuff to snack on over the course of your many good beers.

Goldie’s feels like an off-the-strip Vegas bar from the 1970s. Except instead of a crowd wearing skintight leather and five-inch platforms, it’s filled with Greenpoint people drinking beer-and-shot combos and eating free Goldfish. There are big leather booths for your group, plus a U-shaped bar for your solo drinking needs and a pool table for making new friends.

When you walk into Capri Social Club, you’ll feel like you might be in Kansas City in 1978. This is a plain, old bar with relatively cheap drinks and a jukebox, and it's a certified classic. If you just want a beer or a well drink, come here. There's room for groups, and there are usually jello shots available.

Away from most of the foot traffic in central Greenpoint, Achilles Heel feels like a locals-only spot. This bar is from the same people behind some of Brooklyn’s best restaurants—like Diner and Marlow & Sons—so in addition to cocktails and interesting wines by the glass, they serve a small but excellent rotating food menu. The space looks like an old, charming tavern, and there's a fully functional fireplace near the entrance.

If you want to have an outdoor group hang in Greenpoint but don’t want to deal with massive crowds, try The Springs. Inside, this place is vaguely Palm Springs-themed, with globe lights and giant round booths. But you’re really here for the huge backyard, which somehow never feels too busy.

Wrangling a big group that might involve dogs, children, or people who act like children? Spritzenhaus is an excellent meetup spot. With garage-style doors that open up in the warmer months, this giant indoor/outdoor space is perfect for all kinds of groups and has enough beer and food (mostly sausages and sausage-adjacent things) to keep everyone happy.

If you love craft beer, you’ve probably been to Tørst. But you probably haven’t been to Brouwerij Lane, a tiny craft beer shop and bar with a little back patio. Come here to drink something you haven't had before, or swing by to pick up something to bring in a paper bag down to Transmitter Park.

Hanging by yourself in Greenpoint? Grab a seat at The Brew Inn and order the burger, which is infinitely better than you’d expect from a place that looks like it’s straight out of Central Casting for “average neighborhood pub.” If you need to watch a game, you can do that here, too.

If you want to get a relatively quiet drink or read a book in a bar without feeling weird, go to Diamond Lil. It’s a little neighborhood spot where you can get a great cocktail and hang out on a velvet barstool with whatever novel you’re currently trying to finish. There are a few big booths in the back, and there are snacks like oysters, tinned fish, and shrimp cocktail.

Keg & Lantern has won our title for Best Greenpoint Sports Bar for a few reasons. They brew their own beer, the bar menu is surprisingly big, there are plenty of TVs, and—most importantly—you can watch sports outside on their back patio.