Recommendations for bar or lounge in williamsburg/bushwick/ridgewood

September 10, 2014 9:57 AM

attention nyc mefi - i am looking for recommendations for a place to meet up with work folks in brooklyn, but to fit our particular needs.

attention nyc mefi - i am looking for recommendations for a place to meet up with work folks in brooklyn for a going away event, but need it to fit our particular needs which are below.

i don't know where to go because i don't drink and rarely go out to bars unless it's a noteworthy occasion.

we would like something:

-in williamsburg, bushwick or ridgewood; everyone is coming from all over and the ease of getting home is maintained as long as we're not too far from the 495/the BQE. people live in brooklyn, queens, manhattan, the bronx, and nassau cty in this group. our ages range from 23 to mid fifties.
-not very loud/crowded or full of hipster crazy on a friday night; we're not looking to party like hipsters of course.
-can accommodate 5-15 people coming and going at various points, decent amount of seating
-would be nice if there was a backyard but not a dealbreaker
-happy hour or decently cheap drinks
-food or snacks available as well as drinks

i was thinking the drink, which is by graham ave...or maybe union pool depending on how it is on friday nights...please, mefites who actually go to bars and drink, lend me your wisdom.

posted by anonymous to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

I don't live in NYC but visit every year, and my favorite "hey everyone I know, come hang out with me!" joint is Diamond in Greenpoint. They have a backyard and decent communal seating, tasty snacks, plus awesome and not too pricey drinks.
posted by torridly at 10:04 AM on September 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

Union Pool is literally the opposite of everything you want, it will be teeming with hipsters looking to mate with other hipsters on a Friday night.
posted by good day merlock at 10:21 AM on September 10, 2014 [2 favorites]

Yeah, we recently had a meetup at Keg and Lantern on a Friday night and it worked great! Backyard, food including veggie options, and I got a $4 craft beer.
posted by ferret branca at 11:42 AM on September 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

You might try The Exely.
posted by functionequalsform at 1:10 PM on September 10, 2014

I really liked Berry Park, which has a big upstairs patio with a great sunset view. I was there on a Wednesday and it was super, super relaxed and un-crowded. Others here could probably advise you on the Friday scene.
posted by ourobouros at 1:45 PM on September 10, 2014

I think it depends a lot on when you decide to meet up. If you are planning on meeting at 6, there's a good chance you could get a table/space at some places. The later you meet, the worse the chances of getting space and avoiding a loud crowd.
posted by greta simone at 5:57 PM on September 10, 2014

Also would recommend against Berry Park for the same reasons, super crowded on Fridays
posted by good day merlock at 11:00 AM on September 11, 2014

Mod note: Final update from the OP:

harefield road was great. thanks everyone!

posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 12:22 PM on October 2, 2020