The best new Brooklyn spots: Where to find cool new venues in Brooklyn

RECOMMENDED: What's new and what's best in Brooklyn

These Brooklyn business owners opened their venues for various reasons: Helen Williams-Nurse of TracyChambers Vintage wants to celebrate the culture of Bed-Stuy, while Alec Duffy of Jack saw a need for a cultural space in Clinton Hill. Learn more about these new Brooklyn spots and find out why the owners chose to put down roots in Kings County.

Red Hook cocktail bar Botanica

RECOMMENDED: What's new and what's best in Brooklyn

What it is: This bespoke drinkery completely revamps its food and drink menus every year, giving those who make their way to the window-walled establishment something new to look forward to come springtime. (It’s open from April through shortly after Labor Day.)

What to expect: Daniel Preston founded Botanica in 2008, soon after selling his aerospace-engineering firm. This past season, he brought in Michelin-starred chef Saul Bolton (Saul Restaurant, the Vanderbilt) to create the menu, which featured affordable small plates, as well as cocktails like the Antilles straight (Ron Cubaney anejo, blackstrap molasses, house-made cola syrup and lime). Even though the bar recently shuttered for fall and winter, a trip to its Conover Street space is warranted: Preston also owns and operates the neighboring Cacao Prieto, an organic-chocolate factory and liquor distillery that uses ingredients sourced from a family farm in the Dominican Republic.

What’s happening: Stop by on October 19, when Preston will reopen for the day to host an outdoor block party that doubles as the launch of Cacao Prieto’s Widow Jane bourbon. “All of the water used to make it comes from the Widow Jane limestone mine upstate,” he explains. 220 Conover St at Coffey St, Red Hook, Brooklyn (347-225-0148)—Leah Faye Cooper