Monday, November 22nd, 2010—Bar 316

Day 316—Sunday, November 21st, 2010
The Brooklyneer

Okay, so some people opened up  a Brooklyn-styled bar in Manhattan. Basically the idea was to sell some food and drink that are somewhat unique to Brooklyn. And part of the bar is constructed using wood made from Coney Island’s boardwalk. I like that, especially since the nimrods in charge out there are going to rip it up and replace it with cement. So this didn’t seem like a big deal to me when I read about it on Grub Street. But then I read a comment someone left that said: “This is extremely ridiculous. If people want products from Brooklyn why can't they take the subway there?” I didn’t really understand that train of thought, no pun intended. It’s like saying, “If you want to eat Chinese food, why don’t you take a plane ride to China.”

Well since then, there’s been all kinds of things written about the Brooklyneer. Most of it is nicely summed up at this post at Grub Street: Brooklyneer at Grub Street. Most of the comments (mine included) didn’t really understand what the uproar is all about. I mean it’s locally owned and they’re serving food and drink from Brooklyn vendors in Manhattan. Is that so horrible? It’s a hell of a lot better than a T.G.I. Friday’s moving in to that space. The owner chimed in with a comment on Grub Street and I think it speaks volumes, here’s the part of his comment I like the best: “It's a bar people. Let's not over think this one.”

My comment is right below and I wrote: “I like pickles, I like beer, I like hot dogs, I'm going to go check it out and give it a chance.” So that’s exactly what I’m going to do right now.

I think this is the place, but there's no sign outside.

Okay, this gives it away, let's go have a look inside.

Wow, very nice inside, let's snag a seat at the bar.

They have Little Kings in here! I haven't had one of these since high school. I ordered two so bartender Dylan wouldn't have to keep running to get me another one so often.

A double-dose of Little Kings. Cheers!

The bottles are lit up behind the bar.

Lamps hang over the bar and illuminate it. Notice the wooden ceiling, I think this is the first bar I've been to that's had a wooden ceiling.

Billy, one of the owners of the bar came up to say hello. He said the opening's been going great.

And here's Aron, another owner of the Brooklyneer.

A shot of the bar from my perch.

There's a candle lit wooden railing and stools up front with a nice view of Houston Street.

There's a painting of the Brooklyn Bridge on the wall opposite the bar.

There's a woodsy nook in the back with tables and a seating area. Even the wallpaper is imported from Brooklyn. It's from Flavor Paper.

A shot from the other end of the bar.

The wood used to build the bar is from the Coney Island boardwalk.

And here's the man responsible for all the wood in the bar, Brian. He built a good chunk of this place and you can check out his company here: Gotham Forest Products.

Dylan is busy back at the bar.

This couple just came in and sat down, let's go say hi.

It's Kevin and Mirabel, really nice people and they were very supportive of the 365 bar crawl idea. Okay, at this point I was starvin' like Marvin, but sadly for now, The Brooklyneer's kitchen is closed on Sunday. But luckily...

There's a King Wok right around the corner.

And look, I'm welcome here. Hot damn.

Obligatory shot of me waiting for my food in a Chinese restaurant mirror.

Chicken wings and an egg roll doused in hot sauce. An almost perfect Sunday dinner, but sadly they don't serve beer here.

Burp. Goodnight, everybody!

Review
The Brooklyneer brings a taste of Brooklyn to Manhattan. The bar is dark and candle lit and the emphasis is on wood in here. In fact the long, wooden bar is made from wood from the Coney Island boardwalk, which is a nice touch. The bartenders and cliental are friendly and it’s a nice, cozy place to sit and enjoy some Brooklyn beers and food.

There’s a full bar available and plenty of local brews available. Some of the drafts include: Brookyn Lager, Brooklyn East India Pale Ale, Coney Island Lager and The Brooklyneer Lager. They also have a good selection of bottles as well some of them offered are: Little Kings Cream Ale, Session Premium Lager, Abita Turbo Dog and Victory Hop Devil.

The menu isn’t huge, but what they offer looks mighty tasty. Some items offered include: Ovenly Old Bay Peanuts, Ovenly Bacon Carmel Corn, a pulled pork slider, a pastrami style portobello slider and The Brooklyneer Dog, which is made from bacon-cheeseburger sausage from Brooklyn butcher, The Meat Hook and topped with DPCC’s sweet tomato chutney, My Friends jalapeno IPA mustard, organic bacon and shredded lettuce on a potato roll. They also offer deviled eggs and three styles of pickle platters. (Just remember, that for now, the kitchen is open six days a week and closed on Sundays.)

If the idea of a Brooklyn bar in Manhattan disgusts you, there’s one simple solution, it’s called the subway. As one of the owners said, “It’s a bar people. Let’s not over think this one.”

The Brooklyneer
220 W. Houston St. (Between Sixth Ave. and Varick)
646-692-4916