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Abilene
Categories: Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Restaurants American (Traditional) Dive Bars, American (Traditional) [Edit]
442 Court St(between 2nd Pl & 3rd Pl)
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Neighborhood: Carroll Gardens
(718) 522-6900
- Nearest Transit:
-
Carroll St (F, G)
Smith - 9 Sts (F, G)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 4 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night, Brunch
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
94 reviews for Abilene
Review Highlights
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"...points for serving cans of Genessee Cream Ale for $2.50." In 3 reviews -
"come here for drinks and board games." In 9 reviews -
"I went here for brunch and the atmosphere was great." In 21 reviews
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94 reviews in English
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Review from rommel h.
3/19/2012
Molotov beno...I'm sorry I'm being told that's not what I think it means. I any case, this place is great! This isn't just your run of the mill "bar that also happens to serve food" bar kinda bar, but instead could be mistaken for a "food establishment that allows your to get drunk on their property" kinda place.
Thus far, my choices have run the gamut. I've been mystified by the brunch biscuits and gravy, tantalized by the burrito, and fullified by the crazy burger with the cheese in it (no, not just the cheeseburger you bimbo. It's a loosy or something). And def try the raspberry vodka lemonade. Really tasty during this "cold winter" we've been having here recently. And all at a price your wallet won't get mad at you about. -
Review from DanYelp T.
New York, NY
3/11/2012
*based on food/dining experience only: pretty disappointing. in my 25 years of living, I've learned that its really hard to fuck up nachos. Throw some crappy cheese on a plate of chips, nuke it and voila! However, abilenes managed to serve what i can only describe as a cold pile of unmelted mexican ingredients. maybe they forgot to cook it? but i also got a grilled cheese, which is another item thats pretty hard to get wrong. but yeah, it was also cold and not melty. (i think we can all agree that the quality of grilled cheese and of nachos that makes them so appealing is the melty-gooey cheesiness. both lacked. yuck.)
also, the bartender wasn't even a little bit nice. but i generally don't hold that against the establishment itself- but its worth mentioning.
this place gets a +1 for serving Pimms Cup and Sweet Tea vodka. but definitely not going back for a meal. -
Review from anna p.
New York, NY
2/9/2012
Love this bar. It's almost never too crowded, they have a great happy hour, reasonably priced drinks, and yummy bar food. They also have a nice little selection of board games in the back, which is nice.
Small outdoor space. A+
Great crowd, close to the subway, and a pretty laid-back atmosphere. This is my standard go-to bar. -
Review from Shu Jin S.
New York, NY
3/24/2012
Not too crowded, great service and relaxed, laid back atmosphere. Once the weather really warms up, it'll be a great spot to sit, people-watch and soak up some sun!
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Review from Stephen U.
Providence, RI
4/8/2012
Great local bar. Fantastic food, genuinely helpful staff, and a fun environment. It's refreshing to meet staff that aren't perfect, but actually feel bad if they make a mistake (which is rare, but having sat here doing work a few times, I've seen a few hiccups and have been extremely impressed by their attitude in handling it).
The food is fantastic. The drinks are reasonably priced. It's perfect for people watching.
Go here. -
Review from sasha y.
Brooklyn, NY
12/7/2011
God this place is so gross! I swear, every table is sticky with wet rings and debris, the outside tables are NEVER wiped down, and I just don't trust the cleanliness of that kitchen.
That being said, I find myself here ALL the time! I live nearby and this is the one place where everyone can agree to just meet at and have a drink, whether it's a quick one between lunch and dinner, or while you're doing your laundry across the street or a pre dinner one. I like the outside tables and the cheese fries but the deep fried veggie burger was disappointing (as well as dangerous, i didn't realize how hot it was and as I bit into it, a piece got stuck on my lip and left a burn mark for 2 days!).
Abilene, to me, is that ex that you don't want to get back together with, but you're not above a drunken hook up with. -
Review from Joi B.
10/21/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Dive bar? Uh hardly. I've said before that this label is thrown around with abandon these days and here is a perfect example. I'm sorry, dive bars don't serve brunch. That's just for starters. Nor do they typically attract shiny happy young families. I mean, you sometimes have to climb over strollers in this place! So. Yeah. You want to experience a real dive bar? Come to Missouri. Or Kansas, where you need to be a member. Just saying.
Now that that's out of the way... I love this place! The not-a-dive brunch menu offers up a good variety of options (chicken and waffles, grits, eggs galore), but I keep it simple and keep it to a bowl of grits and the piéce de resistance: the bloody mary. Which is possibly in the top 5 I've ever had (and I've had many a bloody mary, I assure you). I daresay all you need at brunch is a good bloody. Abilene's is of the dark, salty and rich variety and is well garnished. And they are not shy with the celery salt. I detest tangy "bright" bloodies, so if this is your thing, know that Abilene's is the very opposite of that.
In warm weather, try and grab a table outside. Better yet, find a dog that needs a brunch date.Listed in: Brooklyn Bars, NYC-Must Not Miss When in Town
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Review from Kathleen A.
Brooklyn, NY
1/19/2012
They serve Bonnie's Grill wings!
And their Fried Chicken Sandwich is amazing.
And their drinks are fairly priced and generously portioned. We enjoyed the Bloody Mary and Margarita. Happy Hour is a plus.
I was very satisfied. I'm still thinking about that chicken sandwich. So happy to find this place. I will be back, it will be great. Well-done! -
Review from Paul D.
Brooklyn, NY
1/30/2012
Happy Hour Bloody Mary is top notch, im addicted, great atmosphere, very clean bar, the bartender who served me both times was on point. It was not crowded at all the times I went so the vibe was relaxed and intimate. Plus they serve Bonnies Grill wings so if you are not going here you should start. I wish I had the money to drink bloody marys here everyday...
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Review from Mary P.
9/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Oh dive bar with your patio always occupied by people hanging out and drinking beer. Who would have thought that you had Southern inspired brunch and it was actually pretty decent?
I had me some biscuits and gravy here the other day. Aside from the random chunks of sausage (not a fan, must be diced in my meal like usual) I enjoyed the homage to my old southern favorite and totally scarfed it down. The Abilene scramble was also good per my counterpart.
The music playing that saturday morning was odd and hard to place. Not exactly dive bar or saturday brunch music. Still the patio with its rickety chairs (beware, dangerous for coffee spillage) and the fall breeze made up for any of the oddities. -
Review from Peter D.
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Abilene was one of the best brunch decisions I've ever made, if only because that is a DAMN good Bloody Mary. Thick. Spicy. Hearty. Like meat in a glass, if meat in a glass didn't sound gross (to you; I think it sounds delightful). They might need to step up their olive game, but seriously, this Bloody is what's good.
Oh, and there was food at brunch, too. It wasn't exactly stand-out, but nothing to sneeze at either. (Although, as a rule, I never sneeze at brunch.)
She went with the "regular" which is two eggs that they properly cooked over-easy, grits and a biscuit. Nothing surprising there, other than the fact that there were easily three to four hundred more grits than necessary. A veritable mountain of grits.
I opted for the Western Omelette, which is not a Western Omelette in any way. Unless Mexico is west of here, and we all forget the thing that everyone in the Western world has come to accept as the Western Omelette. But I liked the avocado, jalapeno, tomato and jack cheese combo all the same. The potatoes could use a little more work, but the cornbread was surprisingly good.
All in all, a solid brunch, the highlight of which was the Bloody Mary that postponed my hangover for several more hours. And even though Abilene doesn't really deserve the credit for the cute dog sitting next to us named Hennessy, I'm going to give it to them all the same. -
Review from Gina G.
Trenton, NJ
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Carroll Gardens...what a nice area.
Great view from the windows, which were all opened. We had breakfast and it was great! The people who worked there were really nice, as well. -
Review from Bruce A.
Brooklyn, NY
4/17/2012
Great 50's feel. Comfortable. Nice and friendly staff. Basic brunch food done fine. Good selection of liquor and some interesting drinks.
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Review from Alaina W.
Brooklyn, NY
9/20/2011 2 photos
My GOD, the bloody Mary's. They come in a PINT GLASS, y'all. And cost less than your average beer. That is enough to get them four stars from me, but maybe I'm just an alcoholic.
When someone recommended this place to me for brunch, I was not expecting a dive, but it absolutely did not disappoint. I dragged my ritzy aunt and suburban mother for a Sunday meal, and all of us were impressed. I had the best biscuit I've had in ages (and I'm from the South), and although they ignored my request to put the eggs on the side of my biscuits & gravy, I still inhaled it.
When we got the check, my aunt literally asked the waiter to make sure that he had charged us for everything -- that's how cheap it was. We all rolled out of there sufficiently sated for a Sunday. Abilene, I'm coming back for you. Perfect winter nosh spot. -
Review from Becca C.
Brooklyn, NY
8/29/2011
I have quickly become obsessed with Abilene!
It's perfect for everything...relaxing weekday evenings, hungover sundays, hurricanes! The bloody mary's are so good, maybe it's the splash of guinness at the end? I am a fan of the food too - jalapeno poppers....throw back to college! On nice days you can sit outside and watch the nabe walk by - and it's pretty cozy (think 1970's living room) on not so nice days. -
Review from Amber B.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 4/9/2011
Stay. Away. For. Brunch.
Who messes up French Toast? Oh, Abilene.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/17/2010
I needed this place- no frills, dark, uncrowded, excellent music.
Even at 9:30pm on a Saturday, we… Read more »
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Review from Bekah S.
9/11/2011
This is literally one of my top two favorite brunches in the city.
You probably wouldn't expect the food to be incredible, because it is literally a dive bar with a patio. The mimosas are $7 and come in a huge water glass with a straw. There is Scrabble and board games, and the women's bathroom has a note written on the door- something to the extent of "Hey LADIES, get funky!"
My roommate and I both ordered the Western omelette, and the only qualm was that she felt it had too much cheese. Which is a complaint that will probably never escape my lips. Otherwise, it was to. die. for. I just made grits because I'm fantasizing about it and am tempted to walk down the street and sit outside by myself with a book and knock back a massive mimosa or two. The grits were PERFECT- exactly how they're supposed to be done. Perfect consistency, perfectly seasoned, it made me proud, add some of their delicious hot sauce and you're golden.
But then pair that with the cornbread, and a cheesy omelette with avocado and jalapenos and you are going to lick your plate then pass out on the Scrabble board. I'm so bummed we're first trying Abilene at the end of the summer, but now we have a perfect place to nosh and day booze indoors during the winter! -
Review from Carter P.
Brooklyn, NY
6/17/2011
I'm sorry Abilene. Your vibe is so great, and I like the people that go there, but in the end you serve food and drinks, so you get two stars on those.
For a place named after a Texas town, it's surprising I had the worst margarita in New York (and that's a feat) here. Take rose's lime, mix it with tequila, serve. I'll try to drink anything I'm served, but with that mixture, impossible.
Beers are okay, food is pretty lame. Again, maybe I got overexcited about the Texas roots of this place (even if they are a little indirect), and ordered the Tex-style breakfasts a couple of times, and they're pretty meh. Big bummer 'cause I would kill for a proper breakfast burrito in this town. -
Review from Jules D.
Brooklyn, NY
Great prices on drinks, good happy hour too. Bar staff is friendly and attentive
A good fair bit of outside seating and is in a really good location on Court St. not too busy.
However, the food has become absolutely inedible. Made the mistake of going with a group for brunch, friend ordered 2 eggs, and that's exactly what she got, 2 fried eggs on a plate, with nothing else, and I mean nothing else.
It's too bad but by and large the food quality has slid down to low rate 24 hour diner style.
As for the bar part, I do go there a lot as it's got great seating outside and the drinks are reasonably priced with good service.
Great place to go just for drinks, avoid eating there. -
Review from caitlin o.
Brooklyn, NY
1/24/2011
I kinda love this place.
I can't vouch for the food, but the vibe is incredibly laid back with very chill bartenders. The space is kinda a dive bar-diner combo with a nice assortment of table sizes and nice big swivel bar stools (with seat backs! AND coat hooks!)
AND! they have a great selection of board games and a solid happy hour deal. -
Review from Lisa A.
Updated - 6/9/2009
The happy hour can't be beat. Hello, I had whiskey sours for $4.
And no, I didn't flaunt that it was my birthday either.
ps- their nachos looked yummy and I can personally vouch for the fried okra (gasp!!), which was crisp to perfection and not oily at all, served with (of course) chipotle mayo.
Yum.
Score.
Happy Lisa.Listed in: Eat, Drink, Man, Woman...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/8/2009
[Note, this review is based on drinks only, not the food menu]
I've walked by this bar at least a… Read more »
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Review from Matteo R.
3/10/2010 2 photos
Stumbled upon this neighborhood dive by chance: while waiting for a table at Lucali's, my gf and I started walking South along Court St. looking for a place where to kill half an hour in front of a beer.
We definitely got lucky: cozy, unpretentious place, dimly lit, lots of space, good music (Radiohead and the likes). And some unexpected interior design touches, like the lights hanging from the ceiling made with electrical joints. Pretty cool.
Even the exterior is interesting, with a life-size statue of St. Lucy at the corner.
I had a Six Point IPA, while VH had a Blue Moon. They also have Genesee Cream Ale in can. Sweet!
Happy hour 5-7 pm daily, and then midnight to 1 am Sunday through Thursday, with $4 well drinks and drafts.
A good option if you want to avoid the more crowded bars on the North side of the neighborhood.Listed in: Meet me at Marshall Stack.
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Review from Abigail S.
Miami, FL
8/12/2007
I dig the vibe at Abilene. The seating is spacious and comfortable, and I love the Sixties throwback decor and furniture. The bartenders are on their game and everyone always seems to be having a good time. The music is either great or terrible, but it's always amusing.
My only complaint is that the kitchen closes at 11:00. That just seems kind of early for a bar that caters to such a young crowd.
Still, it's a classic neighborhood staple and our first destination when we're doing the Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill thing. -
Review from David P.
5/9/2009
Nice, chill bar that opens to the street. You can sit outside or inside on an assortment of what looks like picnic and backyard deck furniture. Extra points for serving cans of Genessee Cream Ale for $2.50. GCA is actually pretty damn good for cheap American beer. $5.00 gets you a GCA and a shot of bottom-shelf booze. Nice!
Note: I wasn't expecting as many baby strollers, however. -
Review from Marisa A.
Brooklyn, NY
1/8/2012
I went there with a couple of good friends to celebrate my birthday. We work in the area and just wanted a quick drink after work. We chose Abilene because we had never been there and they offered food. As soon as we walked in I had this feeling that we should have left right then and there. The staff were not thrilled to see us and it was freezing in there. We sat down and checked out the menu. It was pretty lame, greasy spoon kind of a place. The wine was terrible! It tasted like a fermented over poured glass of sour raisins, bleh.. The food was greasy, and the service was ok. I'm a stickler when it comes to service, so they have to be attentive and courteous. But they were neither. I wasn't expecting a top of the line establishment, but I thought it would at least be fun. Thank god I was with amazing company! I would maybe go back in the summer when they have the outdoor seating. But I won't be running back any time soon. Sorry :(...
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Review from Felix D.
3/7/2011
Does what it says on the tin. Keep things simple.
Good place to stop and have a jar and a shot.
Chilled out atmosphere and the music doesn't make you head for the door.
I can't say anything for the food apart from the selection is the expected array of fried stuff/quesadillas/burgers etc. That said, it is so dark in here that I don't know if you could see what you're eating (which might be a good thing in my opinion). -
Review from Toby S.
1/7/2009 1 Check-in Here
Guess what? Abilene sucks.
The drinks are totally over priced and that douche bag bartender (the dude that is there week nights) is a total tool. Oh.. sorry I have to bother your interesting conversation at the end of the bar to order a drink Mr. Bartender... hate to trouble you.
They recently changed their $4 burger to a new $8 burger that is awful. Usually overcooked and not really digestible. What ever happened to those cute jalapeno poppers? We want bar food not some culinary experience. Eating there is like eating in a high school cafeteria. The floors are totally dirty and the tables are lopsided.
The beer tubes need a good cleaning. Anything on tap tastes old and flat. Be ready to pay $6 (happy hour prices) for a flat, uninteresting lager.
They do have a nice bloody mary and it's fun to sit outside.
Last time I was there I got a table outside and suddenly it was as if I invited everyone else to share the table with me including this total Mary and her loud yapping dog. I'm a fellow dog owner. If your dog can't shut the f*ck up, leave it at home. It was totally barking at EVERYONE that passed (not the bar's fault but that's what you can expect of the clientele).
They do have occasional DJ nights that are fun but they aren't really consistent as to when those nights are. -
Review from Jin Y.
12/8/2010
If you got nothing to do or need a place to go and just hang out, this place is the perfect place ;D
There's lots of space, none of the furniture matches, sort of a vintage feel, which makes it more unique. The bartender made the drink we requested and their appetizers were really good. We had their buffalo wings plus sliders & fries.
It's really dark here, luckily my night vision is pretty good and huge glass windows surround this establishment located on the corner. -
Review from Austin A.
Brooklyn, NY
10/23/2010
So my personal experience in Abilene earns them 4 stars. Food is excellent. Unbelievable biscuits and gravy, and the hangover special is just ridiculous (in a good way). The ambience and service are also 4-star worthy. Personality and attentiveness.
My girlfriend's experience, notsomuch. Her omelette on two separate occasions had hair in it. And not just one, but several, and it definitely wasn't hers or mine. This was buried deep. Without making a big fuss, we quietly mentioned it to the waitress on the first occasion. She was apologetic, but then it happened on our next visit again.
I regret that I will not be coming back here because in all reality, this is hers and my kind of place but they really need to take care to ensure the chef's hair doesn't end up in food. -
Review from Joe I.
New York, NY
12/28/2008
Dear Abilene,
Oh, how I adore you. What, with your boardgames and your reasonably priced hooch and your lovely staff and your amazing music selection and your ample seating space. You really know how to get to me.
Many nights have I spent in your warm embrace, drinking Guinness or bourbon and playing rummy or Trivial Pursuit. Feels like home. But, y'know, with beers on draught.
In fact, now that I think of it.... if no one else has asked you yet, Abilene... would you go to prom with me? -
Review from Polly H.
8/28/2011
I had their huevos rancheros, and I have to say that I'm a fan. First of all, fried egg on anything is delicious. Second of all, I love brunch items. Third of all, the meal came with beans and salsa and sour cream. It was really tasty! I came after realizing Buttermilk Channel had almost 1.5 hour wait to get inside. After waiting for half an hour, my stomach was growling loudly enough to persuade to find another place to fill it with some food. Thank you Abilene for being there, when my tummy needed something yummy! The decor was retro, like I felt like it was a game trivia events occurred there or that it was like open for bar at night. There is ample seating inside and outside. My friend claims that the bloody mary here is excellent. I'm not sure, since I didn't have any.
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Review from Victor L.
Brooklyn, NY
3/16/2009
With a bartender from Union Hall and the 5 dollar Genessee Cream Ale plus house shot (any bar that has that gets plus one star auto) and concise menu of bar food that smelled terrific (I'm going back to eat it as soon as possible) and hot cider and low lighting, this is my new favorite spot.
Yes it's less condusive as a bar because while the bar is nice and long the outline is more of a lounge with mismatched but very comfortable furniture and blinds like some gumshoe's office. Friendly and filled with conversation and great tunes, I'm really digging it quite a bit. Great place to have some conversations while bopping your head to music.
I mean, where else are you going to get Cream Ale? Goes down smooth, and reminds me of the fact that my mom drinks Genessee beer. Which is totally awkward.
"Genessee Cream Ale? Dude my MOM drinks Genny!"
"That's awkward man." -
Review from Lindsey C.
Brooklyn, NY
6/26/2011
I'm confused. Are we going to the same place? I've never had a bad time at Abilene, the beer is cold, and the food has always been good to me, be it late night or at brunch. The burritos are great and the hangover helper is two of my favorite things rolled into one: brunch and cheese fries. The bloody marys could be a drink *or* an appetizer, which I like because then i don't feel like as much of a staggering alcoholic. Dive bar Win, I say.
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Review from Anita B.
Brooklyn, NY
9/26/2007
Scrabble, happy hour, funky furnishings, friendly patrons.
It's a match made in heaven!
This has become the default destination in the hood, and not because there are no other options. There are plenty but why would you go elsewhere?
Happy hour prices are GREAT - $3 for beer and well drinks (the Irish pub down the road has the same beer during their version of HR at $6!). They have a selection of board games, which obviously get used a lot (we have started bringing our own Scrabble set in). Even saw a table the other day playing Connect 4 while one person was listening to his iPod and another was doing homework. It's that sort of place. Casual.
Dogs and kids are welcome on the very comfy outdoor/front area set-up. Groups have some couches in the corner to spread across on. Couples have an option of everywhere and the solo man can sit up at the bar, while a patient bartender listens to what he has to dribble on about.
Perfect. -
Review from katie s.
Brooklyn, NY
7/3/2008
I used to live by this place, and let me tell you, I am a fan. I am such a fan that my longtime drinking companion began to completely refuse to go out with me because he knew we would end up at this bar again. One of the bartenders (and I guess I won't name names either) is a super cool guy who will not shame you for ordering the "blight of the homeless" as he calls it after a couple of whiskey shots and stiff drinks. The selection is nothing special but it gets the job done.
They also serve food here now and while it's pretty typical bar food you no longer have to leave or order in in the midst of your drinking. Good music and good selection of board games, if that is your kinda thing.Listed in: Fine Drinking Establishments
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Review from morecawfee M.
Brooklyn, NY
5/3/2010
If I understood at all how it actually promoted establishments, Abilene is a business I'd click the pointless "like" button for over and over.
I'm not sure it gets better than cheap, strong drinks, plenty of space to spread out, zero attitude, and cheese fries that, quite simply, will make you happy to be alive if you aren't already.
But if all that doesn't do it for you, I'm not sure what will. -
Review from Arthur O.
Greenwich Village, New York, NY
11/3/2007
It really depends on who's behind the bar at Abilene and what your drink of choice is.
The vibe is always chill and casual, music is tasteful, the bar food is better than decent, happy hour is a bargain, and Trivia Nights are fun.
But if it's some grouch 'tending (let's not name any names for now), the drinks are miserly poured and trying to get service is like trying to score on the bull's eye.
Not to mention a poor scotch selection.
One of those bars that can really be great - more staff and scotch, man! - but for now, it's just a starter-bar for me, stopping by for happy hour and then moving on. -
Review from Judy C.
6/10/2009
Lisa...you forgot to mention the shot of jameson, it was actually 2 shots in one....so I like this place!
Good food, the nachos were freshly made, and so good.
So good happy hour, good food and good bartender! -
Review from James H.
Brooklyn, NY
6/16/2011
Probably has the best Friday night bartending crew in town. Good music, strong drinks, ok food equals excellent times.
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Review from aitsu i.
Brooklyn, NY
5/3/2007
Neighborhood bars don't get any better. Killer bartenders, good taps, and a comfy atmosphere. Weekends a little hectic, but always a nice crowd. Owners are hella nice folks, too.
If you like going bars AT ALL, then there is no reason not to make Abilene one of your top spots.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
