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T.b.d.
- Nearest Transit:
-
Greenpoint Av (G)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 3 pm - 2 am
Fri 3 pm - 4 am
Sat 12 pm - 4 am
Sun 12 pm - 2 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
49 reviews for T.b.d.
Review Highlights
"There are tons of picnic tables (literally, about 20 picnic..."
(in 8 reviews)
"And I want to try their mac & cheese next time."
(in 4 reviews)
"...have really comfortable chairs, ping pong, TVs tuned to..."
(in 6 reviews)
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Kassy M.
Brooklyn, NY
- TVs
- largest beer garden in Brooklyn
- Awesome GREENPOINT mural outside
- Lots of seating
- PING PONT TABLE
- Decent beer selection
- Kind of in the middle of nowhere, in the desolate are of Greenpoint. But at the same time, Franklin St is a nice street to walk down...especially compared to Manhattan Ave -
Review from Ryan B.
9/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
The backyard at T.b.d. is one of the coolest outdoor spaces in NYC. There are tons of picnic tables (literally, about 20 picnic tables). A big stretch of grass of frolic in, and a big ol' grill serving up burgers and dogs. If you've been cooped up in your tiny apartment or office all day, the backyard at T.b.d. may be just what you need. Get a beer in hand, revel in the wide open space, and you'll forget that you are even in New York City. I love the "Greetings from Greenpoint" mural, can I somehow get this in my home?
However, the interior is a totally different story. It's hard to believe that this is even the same establishment. Super posh, super modern. The inside of this place looks like all it needs is a techno dj and the cast of the jersey shore bumpin' and grindin' on each other. A bit of an odd contrast. But I suppose that high-brow/low-brow intersection is what we strive for here in northern Brooklyn.
All things considered- this place rules. Great beer selection, great happy hour, $10 minimum on credit cards (huge plus for me), ping pong table, grill, amazing back yard. Bottoms up y'all. -
Review from Chris S.
Brooklyn, NY
8/5/2011
T.b.d. is one of those complicated places that makes living in North Brooklyn so, well, complicated. It's a great backyard with a great grill that you have to walk through douche central to get to. The problem with great spaces is that they often attract horrific people, and it seems like T.b.d. attracts people who really wish that Greenpoint were more like the Financial District.
If you want to go there to enjoy the good beer selection and great back yard, you have to be prepared to see bros. For long periods of time. For some reason, T.b.d. will not hire enough bartenders to serve the crowds, so you'll be at the bar waiting to get noticed for anywhere from fifteen minutes to half an hour. I am not lying or exaggerating. It would go faster, but most people at the bar are ordering ridiculous shooters, so even if you just want a quick pint pulled, you're s.o.l.
The bathrooms are clean, such as they are, but there aren't enough of them for the crowd. Also, when I last waited for the bathroom, the door opened up and two dudes walked out. I went in, used the bathroom, and left, and when I left, two other dudes walked into my recently vacated bathroom.
I'm not saying this out of some gay-panic thing or anything like that. That's not what I'm saying at all. I'm saying that these bros really like to use the bathrooms at T.b.d. to do coke in.
It's that type of bar. -
Review from Brian B.
Brooklyn, NY
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Can't say much about t.b.d. since I only popped in for a veggie hot dog after a long day of craving one walking around Coney Island.
That being said, it was a great treat with a choice of sauerkraut or pineapple relish for only $4. The guy on the grill was friendly and I'd definitely head back in for a drink and some more treats off the grill. -
Review from Jenna M.
5/8/2011
I have been to t.b.d. twice in the past few weeks: once on a weeknight, for a reading, and then again on a Saturday afternoon. Both times, I had a really great experience -- it made me wish I lived in the neighborhood so that I could come back more often! The bar is huge, and even when there are a ton of people inside, it never feels overly crowded. They have really comfortable chairs, ping pong, TVs tuned to just about anything you want, and, of course, the backyard. OH, THE BACKYARD!
When I first saw the backyard, I was totally charmed: it is enormous, with dozens of picnic tables and smaller, square tables that are going to be just to die for when the weather gets nice. On weekends, they have the grill going, and I recently had one of their veggie dogs slathered in pineapple-garlic relish. YUM. The prices are really reasonable, and everyone I've ever encountered there has been friendly and accommodating. And, again, there's so much space, that even on a relatively busy day, we still found room for eight of us to sit and hang out, both in- and outside.
The space is really clean, the drink selection is fantastic, and did I mention they have a huge backyard?! If it didn't take me four trains and 90 minutes to get here from Harlem, I'd be camped out every weekend from now until December. Seriously. -
Review from Ben L.
Brooklyn, NY
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this place. The garden really is what makes this place special.
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Review from Jon L.
Brooklyn, NY
3/14/2011
Most amazing place to have drink, so modern.
Service leaves a lot to be desired..., -
Review from Chris V.
Brooklyn, NY
4/26/2011
Friday night around 10pm. A few patrons who looked like they were in a bar for the first time. Ever.
Bartender was cool enough to take back my beer (there's no way the one she served me was actually a Saranac Ale, and if it was they need to get a refund for that keg).
We left after one beer for Mark Bar and the night got much better from there. -
Review from J B.
Bronx, NY
9/20/2010
Greatly disappointed.
Came here last Saturday evening (10pm) with my wife and 8-month-old daughter for a drink and we were not allowed in by the bouncer. First time in these 8 months that we have not been allowed to go somewhere because of the baby. And I mean bars with live music in the Village, restaurants uptown, other bars in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, everywhere. The sleeping baby bothers no one, especially in a great big garden on a lovely summer evening. Even worse, this bar is in the heart of Greenpoint, which is full of families with little children. Thankfully the Gordon Bar in Williamsburg had no problem letting us in right after this bad episode.
JB -
Review from Tara L.
11/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
Went here to meet with several friends from work. The backyard was great, the beer was priced really well and I love that you can get food delivered. The backyard was much bigger than I expected, there really felt like there was a billion picnic tables.
It was a great place to meet a large group of people but I'd probably go back with just my husband too.
I brought my 13-year-old daughter and a friend brought her toddler and we had no problems getting in but it was a weekday evening and there were few other people there. I think that places that serve only drinks and no food are actually required by law not to let kids in after a certain time. -
Review from Cobra K.
Colorado Springs, CO
9/12/2010
Interior space reminds me of a nightclub in a more posh and pretentious part of the city and have to agree with previous reviewers that it may not fit the the neighborhood, however, been a part of Greenpoint for almost a decade and can say that it's a welcome change.
Favorite part of this place is the backyard area that has plenty of seating and even a small area of grass that you can 'picnic' on with your burgers. Can't see myself coming here during the cold winter months as the interior has a cold feeling to it too.
The grill isn't open until 5pm though. -
Review from Briana M.
9/8/2009
MOVE, BITCH, GET OUT THE WAY!
This is how I felt when I was trying to leave t.b.d. and there were 4 waif-y hipster girls milling around the path, staring at nothing.
The ping pong table, however wonderful it is at luring boyfriends away so that girlfriends can gab with one another, makes leaving the bar pretty difficult. Unfortunately, t.b.d's awesomeness can also make leaving a problem.
I had walked by this bar a million times, but thought the inside was tacky. The art? Horrendous. Finally, we decided to be adventurous and WOWIE. I love it. The beer might be a dollar too expensive, but the place is huge. The backyard is even MORE huge! There must be 20+ picnic tables just waiting for you and your friends. We drank pitchers of Old Speckled hen and I polluted my friends breathing area with my second hand smoke.
The crowd at t.b.d is a great representation of the neighborhood. There are all kinds of people enjoying their booze, hipsters, Poles, parents, hasidic jews and hispanics alike. There's a grill in the corner of the backyard that'll serve you up some delicious burgers or hot dogs.
The best part about t.b.d? Mondays! Forget Bob Geldof's immortal words. I now like Mondays! Half priced everything until midnight! Can I get a HELL YES?Listed in: I am a drunk., The Greenpoint Chapter
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Review from Matthew S.
Brooklyn, NY
9/21/2009
evening: large bar. HUGE outside area out back. they call it a "garden" but this thing's the size of an NFL practice field.
sunday during the day: speaking of NFL they have Sunday Ticket and 3 flatscreens. facing the flatscreens are huge, comfy couches on which to sit and drink yuenglingor guiness and watch FOOTBALL. it feels like you're hanging out in some really rich dude's garage. pretty great.Listed in: Greenpoint, SPORTZ!!!!!!!!!!!
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Review from Sarah H.
Brooklyn, NY
3/16/2008
t.b.d is a brand new, out of character spot in Greenpoint. And when I say out of character, I don't mean that in a negative way. It's a very sleek lounge situated next door to the Queen's Hideaway and catty corner from the Greenpoint Coffee House. While most nightspots in the neighborhood have a lived-in feel, t.b.d. is shiny and modern. The paint smell still lingers in the air. This place is characterized by high ceilings, bare lightbulbs hanging over the bar, and lots of big loungey seating, plus a couple flat screen tv's, which were showing The Triplets of Belleville last night when I was there.
The staff was really friendly, and the beer selection was good. I started off with a glass of syrah, served in one of those stemless wine glasses, which I love. One thing I particularly appreciated about this place was the music level - it really served as background music so that you could actually talk to your friends without screaming, unlike some other local places (Coco 66, anyone?).
I was pretty impressed with the number of people present at this bar's first Saturday night (it just opened earlier this week). t.b.d. was busy but not packed. It wasn't one of those awkward brand-new places where you and the bartender and owner are the only ones there. There was even a completely wasted guy who'd been sucking down cosmos and started drunkenly trying to talk to everyone there - at the request of a partron, this guy got kicked out for being too out of control. He sure was having too good of a time. Also, a friend of the owner's stopped in for a drink, gave a nice little speech, and bought a round of drinks for everyone in the bar.
I'd definitely go back. And I want to try their mac & cheese next time. :)Listed in: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
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Review from Toby S.
6/15/2009 2 photos
The "beer garden" during a Friday afternoon is the best ever. The place is clean and slick. Bathrooms are clean and private. Takes a little while to get a drink but they just opened and it was laid back so I dealt with it. Not a big deal.
GREAT happy hour. $3 beers on weekdays until 8.
Good beer selection (a lot of local beers). Cool use of lights and candles outside and lots of buckets for smokers (awesome). Go early and get a table with chairs (not the picnic tables) and you will be happy you got there early.
The down: Why do people bring children to bars? More importantly, why can't bars say "no kids" and not get totally bashed for it. -
Review from Dana G.
Astoria, NY
9/16/2009
Ok, beer garden review 2 of 4
As beer gardens go this was my least favorite. Based solely on the price. $22. for a pitcher took a bit of my soul.
That being said, I got a bit of my soul back eating their grilled corn on the cob with apple butter and sea salt. YUM, oh my god yum. I dont even know what apple butter is but I want to drink it. -
Review from Anna T.
Brooklyn, NY
6/18/2011
I went here for the first time tonight with four people. What makes it is its spacious backyard with tons of places to sit, so it's great for large groups and meeting people. They have a grill that's a nice touch, but my the hotdogs were $3 and hamburgers $8 which seemed a little much. The inside of the bar is pretty average. On our way out they were getting ready for live music. We'll definitely be back.
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Review from Andrzrej K.
Brooklyn, NY
3/12/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Last night there were t.b.d (twelve big dudes) in this place, and only 2 girls. (sad face emoticon).
I parked my truck nearby, and as I walked by the wall shared by the bar and Green st. I heard music BUMPIN- "all right, gonna be crowded" - no just 12 dudes and 2 girls chillen MAD hard- but its aight- they had the Ping Pong table set up.
So its time for me to dominate, wait, that looks like t.b.d (ten bigstreaks of discharge) on the table- i wonder what it is, oh well lets play.
I also came here during Obamas state of the Union address to find people cheering and clapping, sigh,
This place has some good space, and has a backyard reminiscent of a post- armageddon, Kevin Costner in the postman/ cool hand Luke feel to it- you dont like that description? ok you try to explain why its so big and should be so cool, but comes off wak and lacks substance.Listed in: Teetotalism anti-fun
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Review from Juan T.
Brooklyn, NY
7/6/2011
The patio's great, the inside's minimalist design is slightly impersonal, but the real kicker is that the beer seems to be consistently flat, warm, or both.
Sort out the kep/tap situation and give the interior a bit more of a comfortable vibe and I'd jump two stars in my rating. -
Review from Reana K.
1/9/2010
Went here to watch the Wildcard game with some friends and was really underwhelmed. They have a decent selection of beers but not anything for cheap. They apparently only "selectively" carry food, which should have warned me. I tried the Mac n Cheese anyway and it was definitely reheated, it had no cheese that I could taste, was dry, burnt, and generally crappy. Also NOT worth $8. The heat is pretty fucked up too. There is one giant heating duct that is either boiling you to death or periodically shutting off leaving you to freeze. They have a lot of tv's but they are all standard def, which is just about as good as watching it on your laptop.
Not to mention the fat jets fan SCREAMING non-stop in our ears, that was lovely.
2 stars because my beer was tasty if not overpriced, the bartender was cute and nice, and I liked the couches. -
Review from rachel b.
New York, NY
8/16/2010
The garden is great - so it gets 4 stars, but you can only go to the garden in the summer...the rest of the year you are left with nothing but a shell of a bar.
t.b.d. is too cold for the neighborhood. I feel like the vibe they are trying to create with the interior is incongruous with the neighborhood.
Please install something made of cloth to absorb sound. It is a giant cavernous cold space with high ceilings so the sound just bounces around. It's loud even when empty.
The crowd is a mix. It was great during world cup and the summer months - but it definitely transforms during the winter months.
I want it to succeed because the area needs a fun bar - but lower the prices and bring back the ping pong table - maybe a pool table and a couple other toys to amuse us...because it's starting to get chilly, and once that garden closes...what are you gonna do? -
Review from David P.
7/5/2008
First impressions are very important. Sometimes, however, first impressions lie. When I first stumbled across TBD, I thought, "oh man, I hope they aren't trying to turn this awesome down-to-earth neighborhood into SoHo or the West Village." So, I walked by a few more times before I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did.
It's a huge space and there is a garage door on the side, so it may be a converted auto repair shop, or something. Not sure. It feels a little sterile. I'm not sure how to improve it -- maybe change the lighting, add artwork on the walls, or install a giant lava lamp (kidding!).
There are a few TVs in the wall playing old movies. The music was loud and the sound was off on the TVs, so I'm guessing they are only there for decoration. I wish I could've heard the dialogue in the campy sci-fi movie -- I bet it would've been funny.
There was a jet-engine howl from the air conditioner. The bartender said that they were working on fixing it. Like everyone else has mentioned, the bartender was very friendly and they have a fun drink menu -- "bucket of crap" is 6 cans of American beer for $15. My martini was $9 and very good. My girlfriend's Jack and ginger ale suffered from ginger ale that lacked fizz.
All in all, this seems like an interesting and welcome addition to my funky hood. It would be especially good for large groups, I think. -
Review from Jesse K.
Brooklyn, NY
8/15/2010
Too expensive. For example, a giant Weinstephan + personal pizza at Lulu's (down the street) is the same price as a smaller Weinstephan at tbd.
Best thing about tbd is the great outdoor space. -
Review from Andy S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/4/2008
Perhaps t.b.d. just needs some time to find itself.
It wants to be a fashionable lounge: drinks are at the pricey end for Greenpoint ($5 drafts), flat screen TVs line one wall, space age chic furniture everywhere, smooth concrete floor and white walls.
But that all stands in contrast to the real feel: local bar. I think the other reviews have said this in their own way. The staff was nice and friendly, the space is a good size. Lots of good people just hanging with friends, no meat market in sight. They serve food although I didn't try it. I think the music was coming from an iPod, rock standards through the 90s if I remember right.
Its not a destination bar but fine if you're in the area. I can see it being nice in the summer. -
Review from ira c.
Brooklyn, NY
5/19/2011
Nice outdoor space but I was expecting banh mi and the like, and the grill just had regular grill food.
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Review from Kate G.
Brooklyn, NY
6/4/2010
I've never gone to TBD in the cold months because I can't quite figure out the vibe in the inside of the bar. Is it rave-y? Is it a sports bar? I'm confused.
But, the backyard!
-- Billions of picnic tables
-- Quiet, relaxing atmosphere
-- Delicious bbq options
-- Many interesting beers on tap, which are all $3 for happy hour
love. love. love. -
Review from tashi s.
Austin, TX
8/17/2009
The outdoor area is a huge gem in this neighborhood. So much space, so many tables!
I'm sure some people find it annoying, but I love that it's kid friendly too. I'd never drag my kid to a bar at night, but for a pint with friends at 5pm on a Tuesday, you can't ask for a much better spot! -
Review from Liz S.
Brooklyn, NY
3/1/2009
I've been here a couple of times, but had a surprise birthday party there for my sister over the weekend. These people were awesome and accommodating! The owners are super nice and the bartenders were great (almost too great...my end of the night memories are spotty at best)!
It is minimalist, but that's fine with me. There are a ton of dark pub-type places...this is different. It's refreshing, actually. The prices vary and are completely reasonable for any budget.
If I'm not 86ed from there (which I do not believe is the case), I'd totally go back. -
Review from Michelle M.
Brooklyn, NY
5/1/2008
I'll agree with what others before me have said - nice to have another bar option in the neighborhood, but TBD needs a little more time to figure out its vibe. I'm confident they'll hit their stride eventually, though.
We stopped in roughly 5 minutes after happy hour ended (not even noticing the time) and the very sweet bartender gave us happy hour prices on our pints anyway. It's like she knew the way to my heart was through cheap beer! -
Review from Adam B.
Brooklyn, NY
4/30/2010
Yeah, yeah, you all know about the sick backyard. You all know about that ridiculous bbq. And the bartenders are cool, and the ping pong table is kinda neat. But, yeah, there's something really wannabe at this spot. Like, what's with all the slick surfaces and fancy teevees and stuff? Those hand towel things freak me out. Nonetheless, I like this bar. i can't even articulate my misgivings about it, so in this case, i can go fuck myself.
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Review from rupert s.
Austin, TX
4/24/2010
Well, this is the perfect example of the midwest meets Brooklyn....Everything that is wrong with the new New York rolled into one bar. I stood at the bar for 12 minutes waiting to get a beer, sure it was busy but not one of the three amateur bartenders (cited before as negligent bartenders) would give me the time of day. Sure it was busy, but three bartenders all at one end of a twenty foot bar? Rupert sez, Don't waste your time, there are many great bars in Greenpoint (Pencil Factory).....unless of course you miss the Midwest....
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Review from Daniel K.
Brooklyn, NY
10/9/2010
This place is weird. It doesn't really have a vibe or a theme, live bands play though, sometimes they are ok.
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Review from Beatrice W.
New York, NY
2/24/2009
Love the place, it is different from all the other bars in the area. The staff is sweet and always looking for new ideas to make it a destination. I have had many fun nights here, including a fun Karaoke session which is rare for someone who usually does not enjoy those! Thank you for stocking my favorite Cognac in Greenpoint.
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Review from Joseph G.
Brooklyn, NY
1/9/2009
I can't say I'm such a fan of this place, after only two visits when it was newly opened. Overshooting for the neighborhood (Meat Packing District we are not, nor do we want to be) and missing due to it's cold, sterile feel and poor music selections. Because of it's size, and lack of patrons (on the two occasions I was there) I had to speak in a whisper because I felt like the few other people there could hear everything I was saying, but then again, this could change over time. I remember liking a poster in the bathroom, was it Bauhaus possibly? If so, they should put some of that on the player and I might give it another try. I should add that they did have a good drink selection.
Listed in: Greenpoint: The Good, The Bad…
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Review from Ken Z.
New York, NY
12/24/2009
As you can see from every other review - the Beer Garden is key. I've found that most beer gardens have their flavor and feel, and this is no different. It's got plenty of room, tables and picnic benches. It's a nice quiet vibe. I've noticed that there is RARELY an intermingling of crowds. In most case you stay with the people you came with and if there happens to be the odd man out at the bar, he stays the odd man out at the bar.
They seem to TRY to have a distinct selection of beers, and sometimes they do. The mixed drinks are creative and depending on whose mixing them, they're "great" or "eh".
The insides industrial feel (it clearly used to be a mechanic garage), is loud, echo-ey and hollow. If the crowd doesn't make you feel cold and alone, the hollow-ness will.
The real winner here is the summer grill. They have a small menu, but what they make - they make incredibly well.
The mac and cheese is some of the best I've had in the city.
The burgers are big juicy and prepared just right.
The corn on the cob with apple butter - delectable.
Another great surprise - during this most recent snowstorm, out and about looking for a snowy drink, and this place had Hot toddy. That's right. Hot Toddy. And it was great! -
Review from Brian R.
Manhattan, NY
3/10/2009 2 photos
I really dug this place. Cool atmosphere, roomy, complete with inviting couches and original art. Bathrooms were clean. Had a few strong Manhattans and left with a nice little buzz. I really love the fact that they're getting into the culture of things, ie. the upcoming macaroni and cheese bar crawl. Keep it up TBD.
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Review from Megan R.
11/17/2009
Had a nice selection of beers, but all the hard edges made it super loud inside.
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Review from Derrill H.
Brooklyn, NY
3/21/2010
This place is great! The space is HUGE!!! both in door and out door. Drinks are reasonable and you can bring your own food. A great space to hang out with friends in the outdoor garden and soak up some sun! hanging in the garden reminds you of being in a beach bar somewhere outside the city.
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Review from Mike B.
New York, NY
6/4/2008 1 photo
Pretty Hip hangout for Greenpoint Brooklyn, but I'm not surprised that a club like this moved in to such a thriving neighborhood with its metallic feel. The staff are great and seem to be open to new ideas. They appear to be a bit unfocused on the theme but Greenpoint isn't picky. There isn't a sign out front which gives it that exclusive word of mouth type reputation. Thurs nights feature great singer songwriters and various live music events. With only one train rolling through town, it makes it hard to commute to and from manhattan at night. The convenience of manhattan style nightlife in a hard to reach area is a big plus.
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Review from Chelsea H.
Chicago, IL
10/28/2008
A much needed alternative to watering holes in North Greenpoint, I have enjoyed a pint or three at this unique concrete bar. Glad to stay out of the seedier spots in the hood, it is beyond comforting to know I'm going into a clean environment with good service.
Ang, Mike, Allen and Diane never leave you with an empty pint, or an empty stomach. They have commissioned Cody Utzman owner of Papacitos (formerly of Brooklyn Label) to handle their magnificent Mac N' Cheese menu. Dishing up three choices of traditional, bacon, spinach and mushroom, and a jalepeno.... deeeeelish. This beats any mac he made a the Label, hands down.
Open for about 8 months now, they've already claimed various crowds. Full house on any debate night, or election day, soccer on saturdays, stitch n' bitch on Sundays and always an awesome jazz band on Sunday afternoons.
