Brooklyn bars near Prospect Park: Where to go for summer drinks
We would never condone brown-bagging it in Prospect Park. Show some self-control and enjoy a summer drink before or after at these Brooklyn bars.
Tue Jun 5 2012
Whether you’ve seen a Celebrate Brooklyn! show at the Prospect Park Bandshell, picnicked in the Long Meadow or hit up the food trucks at Grand Army Plaza, you’ll want to end on a refreshing summer drink. Try these Brooklyn bars in the immediate vicinity of the park for craft brews in outdoor spaces.
Beer Table
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Hit this snug beer bar for its affordable weekend brunch (Sat, Sun 11am–4pm): Dishes like the baked eggs, served with tomato and greens ($12), are hearty enough to line your stomach for a bit of pregaming. But you can’t go wrong with a snifter ($7) or two of the Beer Table Table Beer, a commissioned beer crafted by rotating brewers. The refreshing beverage is also low alcohol (4.7 percent ABV), so you can indulge before walking a couple blocks over to the park. 7-minute walk
- 427B Seventh Ave, (between 14th and 15th Sts)
Brook-vin
- Price band: 2/4
If you’ve spent the day hanging outdoors with a few friends, you’ll want to start your evening at this intimate bar. Owned by Aaron Hans (who also runs Big Nose Full Body just across the avenue), the spot features a selection of international and domestic wines by the glass. Choose from six varieties on tap, such as the Gotham Project riesling ($8)—as well as a menu of shareable small plates, which, if you're a party of four, you can taste from a table in the small backyard. 6-minute walk
- 381 Seventh Ave, (between 11th and 12th Sts)
Bearded Lady
- Price band: 1/4
This cheerful Prospect Heights bar, which was opened by alums of Gowanus Yacht Club and Bar Great Harry last year, is kitted out with fun, slightly kitschy touches, such as bright neon chairs and turquoise walls. There are eight beers on tap (including local brew Rodenbach, $6), along with a creative cocktail list featuring quaffs such as the Joy Ride ($10), a mix of bourbon, basil, black grape, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and egg white. The drinks are best enjoyed at a table near one of the massive front windows kept open during warm weather. 13-minute walk
- 686A Washington Ave, (at St. Marks Ave), 11238
Franklin Park
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Calling this spot a “beer garden” is something of a misnomer, since the outdoor space—a few picnic and wrought-iron tables scattered on a concrete patio—speaks more to its former life as an auto garage. But the unpretentious atmosphere and reliable beer list (brews from Coney Island and Sixpoint, $5, are staples) make this an ideal locale for group drinking, especially if you grab a table early in the afternoon. (Pro tip: The bar recently installed a kitchen and now serves food should you need a midafternon snack.) 15-minute walk
- 618 St. Johns Pl, (between Classon and Franklin Aves)
The Gate
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Alfresco drinking doesn’t get much better than at this Park Slope watering hole, an area favorite thanks to its rotating list of 24 draft beers (we sampled Peak Organic’s light Summer Session Ale on a recent visit, $6) and its spacious outdoor patio. Fair warning: Neighborhood denizens (and their dogs) crowd the deck as soon as it opens on weekends—arrive before 3pm and you shouldn’t have trouble staking out a table. 11-minute walk
- 321 Fifth Ave, (at 3rd St), 11215
Hot Bird
- Price band: 2/4
The picnic-table–cluttered front garden of this auto garage turned bar is a perfect day-drinking spot, especially if you’re rolling with a group. Two things make that even easier: the weekday happy-hour special (all beers are $4 until 8pm), and grub from Little Brother BBQ’s adjacent takeout window, which will help sop up all that booze. 15-minute walk
- 546 Clinton Ave, (at Atlantic Ave)
Bierkraft
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
It’s entirely possible to visit this hops emporium several times without sampling the same beer twice. In addition to a selection of more than 200 domestic and international bottles, the shop also offers 16 rotating draft beers. A summery quaff (such as Brooklyn Brewery’s Radius, an easy-drinking saison that was recently on tap; $5) will taste even better at one of the picnic tables in the cozy backyard. 12-minute walk
- 191 Fifth Ave, (between Berkeley Pl and Union St)
Sea Witch
- Price band: 1/4
Though the dimly lit interior of this Sunset Park newcomer may seem inviting after a day spent reclining in the sun, claim a table in its large backyard instead. The adorable space is lined with wooden benches, all of which are big enough to accommodate groups, and two pretty, koi-filled ponds. Pair a beer from the 20-strong tap list with a succulent clam roll ($11) from the bar menu. 19-minute walk
- 703 Fifth Ave, (between 21st and 22nd Sts)
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