The best of Brooklyn: Bloggers' favorite local spots

Nitehawk Cinema Photograph: Jolie Ruben

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

Nicole Davis, founder and publisher of Brooklyn Based (brooklynbased.net)

“I’ve spent most of my time in Brooklyn in Clinton Hill, and the Pratt Sculpture Garden Park is one of my favorite places in the neighborhood. It feels like such an escape, and the art is always in flux. Even if a sculpture has been there for years, one day it might just disappear to make way for new work. So far they haven’t taken away my favorite piece—it’s by Takashi Soga, a steel beam that appears to move up and down on its own.” Pratt Institute, 200 Willoughby Ave between Classon Ave and Hall St, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (718-636-3600, pratt.edu)

“After 11 years in Clinton Hill I’ve moved to Greenpoint, and I am loving this part of town. I’m a fan of the new farmers’ market at McGolrick Park (Russell St between Nassau and Driggs Aves, nyc.gov/parks), the brand-new WNYC Transmitter Park (West St between Greenpoint Ave and Kent St, nyc.gov/parks), breakfasts at Coffee Friends (1035 Manhattan Ave between Green and Freeman Sts, 718-349-0033)—the name helps—chiles rellenos at Vamos Al Tequila (162 Franklin St between India and Java Sts, 718-383-0808), the Lobster Claw Bloody Mary at the Lobster Joint (1073 Manhattan Ave between Dupont and Eagle Sts, 718-389-8990, lobsterjoint.com), treats at Ovenly (31 Greenpoint Ave at West St, 347-689-3608, oven.ly) and shop-within-a-shack the Perfect Nothing Catalog (216 India St between McGuinness Blvd and Provost St; 218-240-9350, theperfectnothingcatalog.com).”

“Seeing movies out feels like a treat now, because it seems so ludicrous to pay for a sitter and pay to see a movie when you can rent one for far less on your couch. But Nitehawk is the perfect rebuttal to Netflix. You get good food and cocktails delivered to you while watching a first-run film in an intimate theater. I also love that they screen short films and clips that are tailored for each movie, and they don’t take themselves too seriously.” Nitehawk Cinema, 136 Metropolitan Ave between Berry St and Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-384-3980, nitehawkcinema.com)

“I love the feel of Manhattan Inn, especially in winter. The interior is classy in an 1890s-Brooklyn way, and they have a piano in back that Joe McGinty of the Psychedelic Furs and Loser’s Lounge plays most Tuesdays during live-piano karaoke. The singers are mostly great, the song list is select (no Journey here!) and after a few stiff old-Fashioneds, I feel brave enough to attempt Joni Mitchell or Madonna. Manhattan Inn, 632 Manhattan Ave between Bedford and Nassau Aves, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-383-0885, manhattaninn.blogspot.com)