On the Waterfront: Greenpoint Drinking Guide
Yes, we know it was filmed in Hoboken, but Greenpoint matches the film's gritty neighborhood look and has the same hopeless, new-to-the-country, Eastern European thing going on with its Polish population. It's also a great place to go on a stumbling bar crawl alternating between the old & gritty and the new & pretending to be old and gritty. Bad behavior is still tolerated by most of the bar staff, and the khaki-wearing d-bags are still relatively few and far between. Aside from the smell, Greenpoint sports plenty of places to hear great tunes or throw a few games of skee-ball.
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Zebulon
258 Wythe Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
One third French bistro, one third old-time saloon, and one third free live music venue. Any one of these parts can make a place unbearable, but somehow Zebulon pulls it … off. The bartender also offered us a shot out of a bottle that contained a snake in an advanced stage of decomposition. [link]
Warsaw
261 Driggs Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222
One of our favorite places to check out live music in Brooklyn. Warsaw has all the ambience of a high school gymnasium but books consistently great live acts. $4 Polish … beer and great cheap Polish food don't hurt either. [link]
Studio B
259 Banker St
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Studio B has been getting better and better shows, with Rakim and Chuck D of Public Enemy performing recently. The music leans towards electronic and DJs generally and … the whole place has a 1980s vibe. Studio B is one of the few places in Brooklyn that has more of a clubby feeling rather than a bar or concert venue. [link]
Matchless
557 Manhattan Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Matchless takes the cake over Enid's in our book, though we know it's always less packed. Matchless is unpretentious, comfortable, and dark enough to hide your blemishes. … It's also a great bar to go to if you want to hook up with someone that rides a motorcycle; try "Moto Mondays," 5-7 p.m. [link]
Lost and Found
113 Franklin St
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Despite being an unmarked scenester bar, Lost and Found has got a lot of great things going for it: cheap pitchers of good beer, circus posters, skee-ball, a bunch of … weird levels and rooms, and a photo booth. Best experienced on a slower weeknight, as weekends tend to include performances by very loud but not very talented bands. [link]
