Westlight Williamsburg — Image Courtesy The William Vale

Post Overview: Best bars in Williamsburg

The reason I could never live in Williamsburg is the same reason I visit so often; the nightlife knows no limits. It very might well be the liveliest neighborhood in New York City.

There’s no shortage of great bars in Williamsburg for you to spend your weekends (or weekdays — we don’t judge) sipping on some fine wine or cracking open a cold one. With hundreds of tempting options scattered throughout the 23 acres that make up Williamsburg, there is a lot of ground to cover and not everyone has the time.

This guide was created to help narrow down the best of the best so you can spend your time enjoying yourself instead of regretting paying an arm and a leg for a half-decent cocktail. So without further ado, here are the best bars in Williamsburg that are well worth the trek.

Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +2 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

Best Bars in Williamsburg

#24. Westlight

What better backdrop for a photo than the sweeping views of New York City? Westlight is one of the best rooftop bars in Williamsburg located on the 22nd floor of The William Vale hotel in Williamsburg.

The well-curated drinks and delicious small bites are just one of the many reasons why making to trip to Westlight is well worth the trek.

The Williamsburg rooftop bar has floor to ceiling glass panels that offer a 360° view of the city. I’ve come both during the day and at night and can’t decide which offers the better view, I’ll let you decide that one on your own. 😉

This is my go-to bars in Williamsburg and after every visit I fall more in love with the NYC skyline. I highly recommend ordering the fries here, I dream about them often!

Address: 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

#21. Spuyten Duyvil

Spuyten Duyvil is what every craft brew pub should be. Friendly and warm and with a beer list that’ll rock your socks.

The Williamsburg bar has four types of beer: canned, bottled, draft and rare. The brews come from all over the U.S. as well as a few international destinations like Belgium and Germany.

But Spuyten Duyvil doesn’t only have foamy ales on tap. There’s also a selection of wine, vermouth, amaro and sherry on tap to keep you on your toes.

If you like to enjoy a bite in between sips Spuyten Duyvil has a few small items and shareables to keep you satiated. Charcuterie and conservas (tinned-fish) are available and a pleasant addition to the table.

Address: 359 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#20. The Charleston

The Charleston is a lively, casual bar featuring an affordable menu, games, and live music. It’s one of the best bars in Williamsburg for folks who don’t take life too seriously and are looking to have a good time.

This grimy Williamsburg dive bar was established in 1933 and offers a wide variety of music in its simplistic basement, as well as games like skee-ball.

The real highlight of this gem? The free pizza you get when you order a drink. And I’m not just talking about a slice — a whole personal pie!

During happy hour (which runs daily from 12 – 7PM) folks receive a small free cheese pizza (extra toppings are a $1 more) with the purchase of a drink.

You’ll have a hard time finding a better deal when searching for the best bars in Williamsburg.

Address: 174 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#19. We Got Company

Sleek and intimate, We Got Company is a small Williamsburg Bar that punches well above its weight. It’s a great place to end a night out, chatting over a late night drink.

The size can be both a positive and a negative. It’s small so it’s never empty, giving the bar a cozy vibe but if you arrive and there’s no tables you’ll wish it was bigger.

It’s also a slightly upscale joint – but not in price just in vibe. Unique cocktails and a solid wide selection are sure to impress whoever you’re with, but fortunately its pricetag is on par with most other bars in Williamsburg.

Address: 441 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#18. Horses and Divorces

Horses and Divorces is one of the best dive bars in Williamsburg. The grungy 70’s vibe decor paired with the dimly lit atmosphere illuminated by neon lights adds a layer of nostalgia.

The odds of finding this place empty is slim to none. Crowds get drawn in daily and the bar fills with folks looking to drink some cheap beer and play a round of pool.

Speaking of pool, this is one of the only bars in Williamsburg that has a pool table (and it’s free to play). Expect to find locals making new friends as they play alongside strangers cheersing between turns.

Don’t expect to have a peaceful night out at Horses and Divorces, between the jukebox and the rowdy crowd you’re in for a memorable night.

Address: 285 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#17. George & Jacks

A great joint for draft beer and a good time, George & Jack’s cuts the frivolous theme and decor of trendy bars and instead opts to keep things simple.

The Williamsburg bar has a cool, concrete floor and a few tables litterd throughout the joint. There’s a room with a pool table and giant windows that’ll make you crave summer even if you’re in the middle of it.

All in all George & Jack’s feels homey. You can enjoy drinks with your pooch (at their outdoor seating), there’s a jukebox and free popcorn (woo-hoo!).

Address:

#16. Turkey’s Nest

A friendly neighborhood dive, through and through, Turkey’s Nest is one of the best bars in Williamsburg for the days when you just want a cold beer.

Canned beer is under $4, frozen margaritas are always a hit and pool tables are available for your entertainment, it’s a small town bar in the big city.

And as an added bonus the Turkey’s Nest is rarely empty, but it’s also rarely swamped. It’s a great joint to visit with friends or even make some.

Address: 94 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

#15. Midnights

Dim lit and cozy, Midnights is an intimate Williamsburg bar that makes tasty cocktails.

Surprisingly Midnights’ cocktails come in at a lower price tag than other popular bars in Williamsburg. None of their drinks are more than $15, which might seem normal in small towns but in NYC that’s a bargain.

And on the weekends they’re open until 4AM, making it one of the best late-night bars in Williamsburg for those nights where you don’t want to go home just yet.

Address: 149 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

#14. St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club

One of the most romantic bars in Williamsburg, St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club is the perfect spot for a date-night.

There’s live jazz daily, which will impress your date or friends and set the tone for a fun night. Mix in a few glasses of wine or St. Mazie’s original cocktails and you won’t want the night to end.

There is a full food menu too, so you don’t need to make separate dinner reservations elsewhere.

The only thing to note is that the jazz bar will require tickets to get into, just check the schedule and book online.

The Supper Club on the other hand is downstairs from the jazz bar, and those are available with just a regular reservation. You can still hear the jazz upstairs, but it’s a bit more muffled and you can’t see the musicians.

Address: 345 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#13. Night of Joy

Sometimes you want to visit rooftop bars in Williamsburg strictly for the vibe, not necessarily the view. Since most New Yorkers don’t have backyards, there’sa summer itch for open-air drinks and sunsets.

Luckily Night of Joy, one of the best rooftop bars Williamsburg has to offer, is open and ready to host. If there was ever such a thing as a dive rooftop bar, it’d be Night of Joy.

You won’t get jaw-dropping skyline views or feel the sway of the wind atop a skyscraper but Night of Joy is memorable nonetheless. The upstairs patio feels like a backyard where you’d lose track of time chatting with friends. And odds are you probably will.

The atmosphere is unpretentious and laid back.

And the staff is made up of friendly folks who seem to enjoy their job and make for a pleasant experience. The drinks are also a step above what you’d expect from a dive bar. So it’s easy to have a few before you realize you need to slow down.

Address 667 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#12. Barcade

Ever played arcade games, buzzed? It’s one of my favorite rainy day activities for adults in New York City. Barcade is a laid-back, relaxed spot to enjoy after work brews and blow off some steam on arcade games.

Tokens are 25 cents and can be used on over 70 arcade & pinball games. There’s plenty of classics, most of the machines are from the 1980’s.

And if you get hungry while chasing that high-score no need to head out. There’s classic bar food like burgers & tater tots. In sum, spending the day at Barcade, one of the best bars in Williamsburg, leaves little room for disappointment.

Address: 388 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Barcade Rainy Day NYC — Image Courtesy New York Magazine | Barcade is one of the best bars in Williamsburg

#10. The Richardson

Just inside the Williamsburg border, The Richardson would be just as at home on a list of the best bars in Greenpoint.

The bar is full of wood tones and patterned wallpaper which gives it a slight, upscale vibe but it also has a pool table which keeps it down to earth.

The drinks an assortment of seasonal cocktails that are well curated and expertly made. If you have flexibility though I’d suggest stopping by before 6PM because they have a $10 martini happy hour that’s too good to pass up!

The Richardson doesn’t have much in the way of meals, just shareable appetizers that can hold you over in-between rounds. With that said the smokey pigs in a blanket are a fun adult take on a childhood staple.

Address: 451 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

#9. Fresh Kills Bar

A bona-fide cocktail bar, Fresh Kills Bar is a stellar introduction point to the world of mixology and craft cocktails. For starters, this Williamsburg bar has no menu.

Instead you have to talk to your bartender, explaining your likes and your dislikes. Then this talented artiste will make a drink, special for you.

Fresh Kills Bar hand cuts their own ice, uses house-made syrups and garnishes their drinks with ingredients so fresh you can actually taste them. Indeed, they’re not just decoration like at some other bars in Williamsburg.

My wife and I have made Fresh Kills Bar one of our top date-night bars in Williamsburg. We don’t have to scan any QR codes to get the menu, so we leave our phones at home. Between the conversation with the staff and each other it’s a nice way to unwind and unplug for a few hours.

Address: 161 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

#8. Hotel Delmano

Charming like a bistro in Paris, Hotel Delmano is one of the best date-night bars in Williamsburg. The bistro chairs and plush leather booths will give you a comfy place to sit as you clink glasses with your sweetheart.

They also boasts a wine list comprised of more than 100 bottles, most from small artisanal winemakers.

And if you want something stiffer no need to fret, Hotel Delmano has a specialty cocktail list that can go toe to toe with the best bars in Williamsburg.

But word to the wise, Hotel Delmano doesn’t have much in the way of food. There are small bites and a raw-bar to serve as snacks in between sips, but if you want a hearty meal I’d line up dinner reservations before your visit.

Address: 82 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#7. Lucky Dog

One of the best bars in Williamsburg has to be Lucky Dog, a bar that actually welcomes our furry four-pawed roommates.

It’s a great after-work watering hole, with a few noteworthy beers on tap. It is more of a dive, so don’t expect any five star cocktails but the friendly bartenders can still whip you up a decent margarita.

Lucky Dog is also one of the best bars in Williamsburg during the summer because it has a back patio that can give you and your canine a sunny place to hang.

Plus shuffleboard is always a plus in my book, and Lucky Dog has a table to keep you well entertained. My only complaint is that the dogs will often pee right at the door, but hey – it comes with the territory, right?

Address: 303 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#6. Banter Bar

Not all the bars in Williamsburg are night-time only escapades, some, like Banter Bar, can be full by noon. It all depends on which teams are playing though. 😉

The popular Williamsburg bar is a football (soccer) lovers paradise. Banter Bar plays Premier League, MLS, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga and Serie A matches and the atmosphere is electric. I like to keep an eye on their Instagram to make sure they’re playing all the big matches that interest me.

Even the national media agrees, CNN recently ranked Banter Bar one of the 10 best sports bars in America, so it’s position among the best in Williamsburg is on firm footing.

And with a refreshing 24 beers on tap, Banter Bar manages to keep their tables full well into the evening. It’s main appeal is definitely the football, but the world can’t revolve around the beautiful game, can it?

Address: 132 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#5. Skinny Dennis

The Concrete Jungle is home to more than one cowboy (and cowgirl, of course), and they meet at Skinny Dennis every night for drinks. The honky-tonk is a little taste of small-town life.

18 beers on tap are served amid non-stop serenading by the likes of Alan Jackson, George Strait and Johnny Cash on the speakers.

It’s also one of the best bars in Williamsburg for live music so long as your into country, of course. There’s live performers nearly every day of the week, just take a look at their calendar and see for yourself.

Address: 152 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#4. Duff’s

If you have a leather vest you’ve been itching to wear Duff’s is the best bar in Williamsburg for you. The Brooklyn watering hole is a metal bar where you’d expect rough riders to show up on Harley Davidson’s.

There’s also a recurring horror theme. The bar is adorned with things of the occult and the dim, red lighting give it a foreboding atmosphere.

As you might expect Duff’s a destination for fans of metal music, it’s even played host to some of the genres biggest names. The guys from Pantera, Iron Maiden and Slayer (among others) have been patrons.

And Duff’s is unapologetic about who they are. It’s one of the best bars in Williamsburg and has become so by being authentically grungy.

Duff’s wasn’t built for mass appeal – it’s not for everyone – either ya get it, or ya don’t.
Duff’s Website

Address: 168 Marcy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#3. Radegast Hall & Biergarten

Radegast Hall & Biergarten is a fun and unique experience. The bar feels like a old-timey European feast hall, except instead of folks in lederhosen you have a trendy Williamsburg crowd.

With brick lined walls, communal tables and a sun-drenching skylight it’s the best bars in Williamsburg to experience year-round.

And as one of the premier bars in Williamsburg, Radegast has an extensive tap list. German brews are aplenty and served in steins to fit the vibe.

Looking for food? Radegast has you covered. Bratwurst and kielbasa will satisfy the most carnivorous of teeth and you’ll find traditional bar fare too, like chicken wings and pretzels.

Maybe I’m biased, but Radegast is one of the best bars in Williamsburg thanks to the high-flying atmosphere. I’ve visited with coworkers and had not-so-serious business meetings just as much as I’ve come here with college buddies for a crisp brew and live music.

And speaking of live music, Radegast Hall has performers (and doesn’t charge a cover!) almost every weekend. For a full schedule visit their website.

Address: 113 N 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

#2. Union Pool

Union Pool has been open for 23 years, a time during which it’s established itself as one of the most popular bars in Williamsburg.

You’ll find it inside a former pool store, but leave your swimsuits at home. They have a patio that feels like your childhood friend’s backyard and a few different interior rooms that vary in lighting, seating and vibes.

But if there’s one thing about Union Pool is that it’s never empty. It can be both a positive and a negative, you might not be able to get a table but after a few rounds you might walk away with a new bestie.

Address: 484 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

#1. Rocka Rolla

A blast from the past, Rocka Rolla transports you to the days when the smell of Aqua-Net and cigarettes permeated throughout a bar, the haze illuminated by neon lights advertising American beer.

Okay cue the lights, the reality is much less dingy. I’m just trying to say that Rocka Rolla is an old-school, neighborhood dive reminiscent of the ones you’d find off the side of the highway.

Cold beer and a jukebox full of classic rock welcome you one of the best bars in Williamsburg which lies in the shadow of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

If you show up early enough you might be able to get a few rounds of shuffleboard or ping-pong, but Rocka Rolla is one of the most popular bars in Williamsburg so it won’t take long before you’re shoulder to shoulder with revelers.

Address: 486 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Quick recap of the best bars in Williamsburg NYC

Rocka Rolla
Union Pool
Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Duff’s
Skinny Dennis
Banter Bar
Lucky Dog
Hotel Delmano
Fresh Kills Bar
The Richardson
Barcade
Night of Joy
St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club
Midnights
Turkey’s Nest
George & Jacks
Horses and Divorces
We Got Company
The Charleston
Spuyten Duyvil
Westlight
Brooklyn Brewery