Best nightlife in Park Slope: The hottest after-dark hangouts

This cozy French bar in Park Slope hosts one of the city's liveliest, most diverse music scenes in its cramped but friendly back room. Separated from the well-stocked front bar by a humble curtain, you might encounter indie rock, progressive jazz, classical chamber music, West African funk, French musette…you name it.

This salon-turned-saloon salutes bygone glamour days—the decor ranges from Aqua Net to helmet-style hair dryers. Nightly DJs provide a loud punk-to-funk soundtrack that makes the pretty young things shake their shags and toss back the free Blue Rinse margarita (tequila, curaçao, lime juice) that comes with a $10 manicure (Wed–Sun). A Brooklyn branch marks the second in New York City, and the seventh in the U.S.

A couple of Irish carpenters-turned-bar-owners hit the 99-cent store to decorate their intentionally kitschy yet plush bar. The lads exposed gorgeous brick walls and appointed the room with leopard-print wallpaper, red-and-black tile floors and plastic palms. Friendly bartenders, weekend DJs, a good m-to-f ratio and funky surroundings elevate this place above the usual local hang.

Upstairs in this bi-level bar, boozers chomp miniburgers and nip at microbrews like Sixpoint in the gentlemen’s-club–style anteroom (decorated with Soviet-era globes, paintings of fez-capped men, fireplaces)—before battling it out on the clay bocce courts. Downstairs, spectators are treated to a rotating roster of live talent, such as blaring bands, comedians and a monthly science night.