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Graham Ave (L)
Metropolitan Ave-Lorimer St (G, L)
They have a great revolving selection of beers on tap and in bottles. It is hard to find cask ales and they constantly have two different casks that change about every 2 weeks or so. The fact that they usually have a good mix of types of beer rather than 10 different brands of lagers says a lot. The price points of different drinks are extremely diverse and uncommonly fair; another bold statement.
Their cocktails are fairly standard, definitely not their selling point like The Richardson, or Hotel Delmano or anything, but they serve the purpose.
The music is too loud usually, but the DJ's can be pretty good. The DJ who posted below me is definitely one of the best I have heard in the neighborhood. He spins with his friend every 2nd Friday.
It is a pretty mixed crowd on weekends of both regulars and different faces. I have always managed to have a great time and talk to interesting people (and have rather interesting experiences) out on their small sidewalk area. A lot of people dance, some people stand around, some people come in huge groups and have conversations. All in all it is a solid bar with a variety of different people with different stories to tell.
Don't bring an umbrella. It will get stolen. Trust me.
Get past the annoying (but sometimes fun) music, crowds of 21 year olds and the occasional obnoxious bartender and you (honestly) will have a good time. The beer + wine selection is pretty good and their scotch + whiskey selection is surprisingly stellar. Legion is a great place to let loose and dance or take your drinks outside, find a lil spot and camp out for some good chats.
Try it at least once - if you do not like the crowd, just run across the street to harefield for an older, more private crowd.
Legion is a very solid bar, mixing dive/club/lounge perfectly. They have $3 Atomic Lagers at all time, which is awesome, and they have a very cool atmosphere across two different rooms. So chances are if you don't like the first room, you'll dig the second.
Also, they have DJ's but they don't get too dancy (if that's a word... which it's not). So I def enjoy my times there.
Have to say, I'm NOT a hipster and I had a great time here!
The drinks are super reasonable, there's a place to smoke outside or just get a breath of fresh air, and there's dancing, and seating. I mean, come on. The bathroom lines are usually long however, and they smell...you know what I mean.
I've gotten realllly good at holding it.
You can get a shot of tequila and a Tecate for 5 bucks total, and they even provide lime and salt to help it go down.
Fun place to get smashed!
It's probably my favorite selection of beer of any bar. That's right. I can't believe it either. More than a few intriguing taps plus 2 ever changing cask ales. Love that cask stuff. Always a wild ride. Now, you can obviously go to Spuyten Duyvil and get more of a variety, but the selection here is strong. Very strong. And more concise. I like concise.
2 rooms. The front gets crowded and when walking the bar's length, a trip to the back room is sometimes hampered by stillness. Utter stillness. That privacy can get depressing when people are only dotting the corners if at all and a different DJ's dance music is playing.
The bartenders are nice. The visitors are not annoyingly young and dumb like that of BCC. How come no one makes me want to throw up here? Is it the lighting? Most people still wear black, and there's still sideways caps and people from the midwest, but the pretense isn't as prevalent here.
That being said, I have yet to have a "conversation" with anyone there. It seems like people come with groups and stay with their groups. Check that, I talked to some idiot who was telling me that I looked like a writer and he had a cartoon about the most perfect weed that was too beautiful to smoke. Seriously annoying idiot. I asked him if he came here alone and if he lived in the neighborhood, and just when I realized these were the questions of a pickup artist, I got up and left him dry. or wet. Ugh, that's nasty.
Sometimes a lack of a jukebox is frustrating, but I dig the DJs most of the time. I like 90 percent of the music, with 80 percent recognizable to me. Which, at my elder age, when I no longer care about new music, is appreciated. I'm sorry!
Getting back to the alcohol, there are some cheap options, but also high marks beer and liquor. It's the breadth of beer and liquor makes this a beerdrinker's bar. The space and music make it a bar for hanging out. The combination makes it a bar I always say Yes to.
I like legion - the bar itself is nice, there's a good amount of seating as far as bar's go. The outside area is a bit tight but its better than having no outside area to bring your drinks.
The music is pretty good most of the time and I generally have a good time when I go but, a couple of the bartenders are kind of assholes. I get it, drunk people are annoying when you're trying to work but if a girl gets a beer in a broken glass - just replace the damn beer. Is it that hard? If another girl asks for water twice because it seems like you didn't hear/weren't listening the first time... don't shoot her nasty looks for it.
When I used to bartend, I got really good at the fake smile. It made me more money.
On the other side, I did have a guy bartender tell me he liked my top once, so that was nice.
Lastly, white castle is a REALLY good idea at 3am. white castle is a REALLY bad idea at 11am the next day. Beware.
3.75
I am on a quest. For the Holy Grail of bars. The scrolls have outlined the destination I seek...
Not too crowded, but not too empty
Good music (This is relative, but I'm pretty easy going. Put on some new wave, some old dance hitz, The Clash..you feel me)
People that aren't begging for me to projectile vomit all over their bodz
*Fairly* priced drinks
Lacks the scent of urine
Many places fit this bill on the weekdays, but I have yet to find a bar that can measure up on my time off. I spoke to Jeff O. of my quest and the other day I received a message with the recommendation of Legion. If you know the legendary Jeff O., you know he generally speaks the truth.
I made the journey to Graham Avenue (a taxing couple of stops on the L train) and walked to Humboldt. The view from Legion's doors is exhilarating. My eyes fell upon a giant ivory and blue castle. Perhaps my quest was complete.
Walking in my eyes were met with a sight that is rarely seen in these parts....EMPTY BOOTHS! There were three of them. I wondered if someone had defecated or regurgitated upon them, but that was not the case. They were pristine in condition and very comfortable.
The apothecary (you call these...bartenders?) was clothed in black, with dark lined eyes and a scowl. Much like I imagined the famed sorceress Morgan le Fay. He poured stiff drinks and refreshing ales. The music, while very loud (difficult to have a conversation at times), was a pleasant surprise. "New Order" and some serious "disco" were blasting in front, while the awkward dance party in back was fueled by the melodies of "Blondie". Most everyone at this bar seemed to live in the neighborhood, but wasn't as menacing as many of the other bars I had been to.
A feeling in my gut told me that I had not arrived at the Grail, but I was definitely heading in the right direction.
Drink Specials - Beer + Shot Combos
$3.00 can Schlitz
$5.00 Beer & Well Shot combos
$6.00 Beer & JD, Jameson, or Sauza combos
Pretty good selection of bourbons and scotch and wine for the area.
Do it.
I just started a monthly here on 2nd Fridays of the month with my Boy DJ Alain D...and I must say:
* huge selection of beers
* party room in the back
* outdoors seating
* cheap drink specials
* free champagne for bday parties
* live shows
+ and awesome bartenders Friday night (lovely Femi and badass Erika) makes this bar one of the sweetest spots right off the Graham L train :)
Come by 2nd Fridays of the month and party with us...Me and Alain D go head to head with my house party jams vs. his new wave indie sounds :)
and we also have a seperate party room in the back to host your Bday Parties and other events...email me for details ( djfulltimefun@gmail.com)
I went here with a friend last night. I had a Beer, which was Three Dollars. we sat at a Table, with a Red Light on it. It was Fine.
ATM inside bar.
Happy Hour -- $5 absoluts (great deal)
Outdoor patio/ smoking area-- holds only like 6-8 people though.
Individual Party rooms in back-- has AC.
Didnt feel too overwhelmingly hipster-y.
I was here recently for a party and had a great time! Beware, it gets really crowded on the weekends, and there's always a hipsterchick with stringy hair and emotionally dead eyes who is playing bartender on one end while the other bartender is making all the drinks. Retarded but true....
Still, good space for good times, rain or shine, cold or fine!
my friend annie and i have a new addiction. the http://freeicecream.net sundays at bushwick country club.
those makers mark milkshakes just make us tremble, though this is not a revised review of bushwick country club.
after enjoying our milkshakes, we headed over to legion because...well just because (actually it was because a cute southern guy was macking on my friend and he wanted to go there).
beers...reasonable.
free burgers...nice touch.
crowd...with the exception of a few superdrunks (ourselves not included) nice and varied.
so. yes. i do declare that i like legion. also...right across from white castle! if that's not makings for a great night, i don't know what is.
Did you know I've lived here 3 months and have never ventured up the street in the direction of White Castle? I only live a block away. For some reason, I've restricted my travels on Metropolitan to anything south of Graham. How limiting.
Indeed, when I have a) a very cool bar just up the street with an extensive beer menu and b) a fast food legend (ie, the East Coast version of In and Out). Okay, maybe I'm giving b) too much credit (it's not like the In and Out has its own frozen food line, but there's never been a movie made about it -- other than honorable mention in the Big Lebowski).
Sorry, what were we talking about? Ah yes, Legion. Good bar and atmosphere, although the music does hurt granny's ears from time to time, and stumbling distance from my house. I don't really know what else to say about it.
Had a great time last night, no real complaints here. Ample varied space at the bar, on the dance floor, on the few couches and in the few booths, and in the back room with pool table. Staff was not the fastest or friendliest but I'd happily go back again regardless. Loved working it out to the great music - very upbeat - very fun - and even the tiny little bathroom the opened up onto the dance floor (eek!) didn't bother.
After walking through the 20 degree cold following the questionable directions, "It's to the left, to the left, to the right and then next to the white castle" I was very happy to arrive, and hours later, sad to leave.
pretty nice
pretty cool crowd
pretty cheap
pretty spacious
pretty good music
pretty decent neighborhood bar
all pretty eh
I remember coming here when it was the Pour house...now I think the bourbon/liquors are a bit overpriced at $10. But of course you are going to get the beer and a shot special if you are on a budget anyway. When May (sp?) and her boy DJ there is a lot of metal going on and that makes me happy! I really like the area of Williamsburg right around Graham and Metropolitan...brings back memories of time spent here long ago.
It's my local.
They have cheap beer.
The music is too loud, though sometimes fun.
There's a little outside area, so you can take your drink with while you smoke.
Good vibes.
Hoorah!
They have a pretty good beer selection. But for a typically better bar experience, I would suggest Harefield Road across the street. If, however, you need to mingle with hipsters, Legion would probably be the place for you.
Went here the other night finally. It opened maybe 2-3 weeks ago making Harefield (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) the only choice around these parts since taking out the Pour House. Beer selection is trying too hard. They've got some good breweries on tap, but their worst brews or nothing too special. The crowd is young (maybe too young? or maybe I'm getting old, sigh). The music is WAY loud (I must be getting old), and the bar seems to suffer the LES identity crisis-syndrome: Punk bartenders, 70s DJ sampled music (poorly at that), classic decor with fireplace and sidewalk benches for smokers, and a not so known unlevel $1 pool table in the back. The pool table will make for some interesting games since it is not level, on a tile floor, and slides. Oh well. I think I may have liked the smoke-hazed video game room of Pour House better.
Nevertheless, at least it's something else when Harefield Rd. is too crowded or too "classy."
I heart Legion. I have never had a bad time here. Its never horribly packed and usually there is always a seat or booth open, so you can atleast converse with the friends you went with. They have a great selection of beers and make a stiff drink for less then average nyc bars. On weekends there is a DJ, and usually they play really good new wave, and other interesting genres,Ive never hated the music while im here. Oh and the doorman is actually friendly, we love him! Holla Worm!!
You can get shlitz in a can or a real, grown-up beer if you prefer. On saturday they had a dj who was rocking the oldies, big-chill soundtrack music. I love dancing to that shit, A LOT. Best of all, I'm pretty sure no one was dancing in an ironic way, which you cannot take for granted in billyburg.
Expensive, full of rich bitches. They have a pool table.
A stone's throw from my house, well-priced and just hip enough for a low-key drinks outing, so I like the place. They tend to play good music which is always a plus in my book. Late night, say after 11, the icky crowds come out - e.g., posturing manhattanites "slumming it" burg style. That's ok. Legion still gets a thumbs up as an excellent neighborhood bar.
If you've lived in this hood long enough, you'll remember that everyone's favorite shithole, The Pour House used to be here. Legion has certainly classed up this little corner. I dig the availability of good beers (ahem, Chimay), and the classy half-moon banquette booth seats but it seems like everyone's doing that these days, aren't they? This bar's best feature is the back room. Go back, to the left. You'll pretty much be in pitch black for about 30 seconds and you might chest-bump someone (but if they're hot, who cares?). Keep going and you'll end up in the pool table room where all the action happens. Every time I've been here, the music is slightly too loud to talk, which can be annoying if you just want to go in and chill out with a friend. This place is nice, and you will probably have a good time. But in some ways I miss that trashy ol' Pour House.
My de rigeur stop at a Williamsburg watering hole during my CMJ sojurn. It wasn't too hipster, which, frankly, was a bit of a dissapoint. They had a good selection of high end bourbon, but the beer selection didn't really do it for me. Bartender was friendly- even gave me a free drink per their "the fifth drink is a buy back" policy. I don't think I've EVER gotten a buy back in Southern California. EVER.
Not a destination bar (although it is only 10 mins from Union Square on the L and the private feeling back pool room makes you want to reserve it for a party like a rockstar Bday or the like...hmmm....) but if you're in the hood it's one of the few places I'd recommend for a drink- comfy, dark, nice bourbon selection and the bouncer and bartenders are really pleasant... cheers!
have to quote the other reviewer... fucking perfect bar. these guys nailed it. music is sometimes a bit too loud but not too bad.
so, i don't remember the pour house. so comparison's are totally beyond me on this place. well, at least comparison's with its former self. supposedly legion is a hop-skip-and-a-step above what it once was under the former moniker. what i can guarantee is a pretty clean place, nice and open, with good beers, a pool table, and dim lighting. basically, the people who run legion saw that secret equation that makes up a good bar, paid attention, and applied it to this fairly new place.
we went on a wednesday night and it was pretty damn empty. i think there were about five other people there. normally, that's my cue to seek out more entertaining joints, but on this night it was what we were looking for. this is a beer-in-the-bottle sort of place, not so much for beers on tap. we played a game or two of pool and then stumbled out, on our way to other adventures. on a crowded night, i'm sure legion would be extremely difficult to get around in, the place is pretty small.
my favorite thing about this bar: the small, white neon sign placed high up in the front window.
fucking perfect bar.
Decent little bar with affordable prices. Not bad for a neighborhood place.
the bartenders are friendly and the drinks are ok. 5 dollars buy you a can of tecate and a shot of tequilla or whatever. the beer selection is also just ok. the music can be bad at times but it really depends on the night. my girlfriend lives a block away so i am there often. Last night, they stole our bags with my ipod, our cell phones, id's etc.. so you have to be careful where you leave your sh*t at this place.
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