The 5 Best Bars In Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Blackout
916 Manhattan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 383-0254
blackoutbar.com
This unassuming nightclub sits next to a Polish meat store, and once you're inside, the interior lives up to its name--black leather banquettes, black mirrored tables and bartenders dressed in--you guessed it--black. To further go with the theme, the crowd skews goth and comes to dance to nightly DJs. With hot spiked rum cider on the drink list here, this bar screams Halloween destination.
Five Leaves
18 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 383-5345
fiveleavesny.com
Located on the outskirts of Williamsburg, this nautical-themed Australian-tinged bar and cafe is often crowded, perhaps because Heath Ledger's estate helped fund the opening. Seasonal cocktails such as the Ft. Knox (bourbon, maple syrup, lemon juice, orange juice and cinnamon bitters) pair well with the American Noveau menu, or choose from several German and American beers on tap.
Enid's
560 Manhattan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 349-3859
enids.net
Another bar on the cusp of Williamsburg, Enid's is a popular meeting spot for indie rock types who wear threadbare t-shirts and paint-splattered jeans. Five dollars will get you a beer and shot while you catch a regular rotation of DJs. More of a bar than a restaurant, brunch is the meal of choice here, where hearty classics such as huevos rancheros and biscuits and gravy are gulped down with bloody marys every weekend.
The Diamond
43 Franklin St.
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 383-5030
thediamondbrooklyn.com
Specialty beer is the focus at this Greenpoint bar featuring a half-circle bar, shuffleboard and rubber-ring quoits (a horseshoe-like game) in the backyard. Sip from a selection of mostly Belgians and domestics on draft and pair brews with cheese and charcuterie or bowls of chili. Expect to hear lots of Van Halen on the jukebox here, as the owner is such a big fan, the bar is named for "Diamond" David Lee Roth.
The Pencil Factory
142 Franklin St.
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 609-5858
pencilfactorybar.com
Named for the former pencil factory across the street, this charming classic bar was once the watering hole of choice for the area's longshoremen. Locals flock here for the relaxed atmosphere among dark wood, exposed brick, tin ceilings and outdoor seating. Choose from 10 beers on tap and a decent selection of wine and whiskey.