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The Hideout

3.5 star rating
based on 31 reviews

Category: Lounges  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Fort Greene
266 Adelphi St
(between Dekalb Ave & Willoughby Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 855-3010
Nearest Transit:

Clinton-Washington Aves (G)

Lafayette Ave (C)

Parking:
Street
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$$$
Good for Groups:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Music:
DJ
Best Nights:
Wed, Thu, Fri
Happy Hour:
No
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No

31 reviews for The Hideout

Review Highlights   

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"Also the cocktails are awesome (especially the Snow Mosquito." (in 18 reviews)
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"The cocktail list is complex without being pretentious." (in 4 reviews)
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"The atmosphere is dark, intimate and comfortable." (in 6 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Leighann F.

Elite '09

1160

633

Leighann F.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
9/14/2009

Clearly, the person who created the concept behind The Hideout had a very similar childhood to me and my friends. You know what we did? We didn't play video games. We didn't watch a lot of TV. We were creative. We built forts.

Sometimes out of sticks and plywood and tarp, sometimes out of pillows and blankets if it was raining outside. We'd stock up with provisions like Kraft cheese slices, juice boxes and books. We'd spend hours tucked away in our private forts, hidden (but so close) from the world, doing nothing but being mischievous.

The Hideout is a fort for adults. Adults who like to drink good cocktails. It's hard to find, yet right there. It's far enough away from things, yet a short walk to the subway. It has provisions: a bartender, awesome (new and old) friends to chat with and a bar full of delicious, hand-made ingredients for the making of libations.

Sometimes, as a kid, you snuck away to the fort to plot or just get into some plain old trouble. That's kind of how I felt at The Hideout. Here I am, sitting in a dark, cozy, small bar with some people I hardly know, drinking some certifiable cocktails, watching the bartender, (between his stints on the microphone) pour cup after cup of Hendricks and Chartreuse into a giant pitcher to make a cocktail that'd knock King Kong on his ass. We all got a taste and watched as he lit other drinks ablaze, while quietly kept sneaking glances at the door half-expecting the fuzz to bust in, our worse--our parents!

For the comradery, the escape, the amusement and the taste, I'd set foot in The Hideout again any day.

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Photo of David L.

Elite '09

251

415

David L.

New York, NY

4 star rating
7/23/2009

After a long day of walking around (Upper West Side to Chinatown to Hells Kitchen to Murray Hill) my friend and I stopped in around 11PM.

Even though I'm taking two weeks off drinking (recharging my battery, just for the heck of it), my friend and I spent about three hours here, leaving around 2AM... I love the small, dark, intimate, cozy space -- and the bartenders are extremely knowledgable and gregarious and generous (at one point "the house" bought everybody a round, even me, which, of course, I gave to my friend)...

I enjoyed an extremely intricate "mock-tail" of my own devising -- fresh ginger and fresh grapefruit muddled, mixed with agave nectar and fig preserves, shaken, strained, and topped with soda water -- it took a good few minutes of devoted attention, and never once did I hear a single groan or sigh of complaint or annoyance... It was delicious and well-worth the wait... Through the course of the evening I had a few other non-alcoholic beverages but don't really remember everything in detail... What I remember most, however, is the super friendly service (thank you, Amanda).

My friend sampled some Absinthe, some Scotch (Ardbeg -- one of my favorites, which I recommended), some old-fashioned Gin (Anchor's Genevieve -- one of my favorites, which I recommended), some Poire William, and had a couple complicated and complex cocktails -- but I was honestly paying more attention to the bar's unique and incredibly interesting liquor collection than I was in what my friend was having (also, I was trying to distract myself, avoiding temptation).

We both left really happy and satisfied... After a long walk home (across the Williamsburg Bridge -- Hell's Kitchen for him, and Upper West Side for me), I slept like a baby... I'll definitely be back -- perhaps I'll try walking _to_ here next time (hopefully it's less scary on the bridge in the day time)!

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Photo of Carlie D.

 

10

39

Carlie D.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
6/29/2009

The cocktails are great!

We ordered the Snow Mosquito, The Hideout, and a Bartender's Choice. We also tried the Pisco Punch that was pretty great also. In total we ordered 6 drinks. When the check came we were confused because one glass of punch the bartender said was on him, yet it was on our check. He also had put a cup of punch in front of my friend when she didn't order it and then put that one on our check too. Then there was a fourth cup on there and when we questioned the check he said that we ordered five and he gave us one for free. We never ordered five because we only had a total of three, two of which should have not been on the tab according to the bartender.

I would have gone back. I probably won't now. I will stick to Weather Up in Prospect Heights.

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Photo of Laurie K.

 

1

1

Laurie K.

Northampton, PA

4 star rating
11/1/2009

There are so many reasons to visit The Hideout. The atmosphere is dark, intimate and comfortable. The drinks are among some of the best I've had anywhere - creative and carefully crafted. The best thing is that it delivers the experience without the pretense. Deep down it's really just a friendly little neighborhood joint where you can drop by and enjoy a truly lovely cocktail.

Photo of Gordon H.

 

3

3

Gordon H.

New York, NY

5 star rating
10/31/2009

It's small, it's cozy and dark. It is the man cave I wish I had. The Hideout is my favorite bar in Brooklyn.

I can't tell you if the fruity drinks (elderberries and lychee nuts and rose water, etc.) are as good or better than other craft cocktail places. I can say that their classic cocktails, e.g., Manhattan, Sidecar, etc. taste better than other high-end cocktail spots in Brooklyn that people seem wont to compare the Hideout to.

Ultimately, I measure a cocktail joint by how well it makes a Sazerac and the Hideout's is one of the best around.

Photo of Jisoo H.

 

5

15

Jisoo H.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
7/9/2009

This review for the Hideout is not based on its merits as a speakeasy cocktail bar, but as an actual hideout in the event of a pandemic zombie takeover. Its dark, anonymous facade and overall architectural structure are obviously the strongest arguments for why shacking up in there with two or three (maximum) of your closest friends would be a safe bet when the legion of undead come slowly storming the streets of Fort Greene. While others less fortunate than you are having their eyeballs eaten by ravenous, moaning crowds of decaying assholes, you'll be drinking martinis and feeling pretty jazzy. At first.

There's no food, just Goldfish and M&M's. So you've got a square meal of salty and sweet, and enough alcohol to kill yourself happy with. Worst case scenario, 100 proof vodka may be used as torch fuel to burn the shit out of Satan's Army. If the hunger situation gets really dire, one of you will have to sneak across the street to Chez Oskar and forage for lamb burgers and coconut pudding. But, as we all know, you can pretty much kiss that unlucky fucker goodbye because their ass is guaranteed toast. Even if they make it inside safe, there will be a rogue zombie or two waiting for them in the cellar, and they will be very hungry for soft tissue.

Unless: You've got guns.

That changes everything.

The Hideout's ground level carriage house structure may seem less than ideal, but is actually perfect for zombie murdering. The roof is just high enough to keep one safe from the crowd below's festering reach and fetid odor of death, but low enough to blast the brains out of their clammy foreheads. Even if you're an amateur marksman, you are guaranteed to score a few hits, and you will feel pretty good about yourself. Just don't get too carried away shouting things like, "Yeah what's up, eat THIS you shitty zombies!!!" etc. because as Greek mythology warns, hubris and schoolyard braggadocio are the quickest path to a faceplant downfall. What's more important than your sense of self-worth in the face of adversity is your ability to distract dozens of mentally retarded corpses long enough to keep them from noticing, chasing after, and eating your friend while you watch. So don't fuck it up, and focus on the now, which is to just STAY ALIVE and get some Chez Oskar delivery.

If your friend is able to procure some French provisions, escape the gaping mouths of those clumsy bastards waiting in the cellar, and make it back alive, good job, but depending on how much they were able to carry, that cache of nutrients is probably not going to last for very long. Best case scenario: Government scientists develop an airborne serum (like DDT!) to make the undead dead again, and after hearing the good news on their ham radios, the weary masses slowly emerge out of hiding, blinking their fear-ravaged, sunken eyes in disbelief at the strange, glorious sunshine. But that shit only happens in Roland Emmerich movies, and Bill Pullman is not our President, okay?

So back to the Hideout: after about two weeks of Goldfish, M&M's, booze, and a pain au chocolat split three ways, group morale has dropped, at least one of you has developed an unattractive physical tick, and you all smell like utter fucking shit. Decisions will have to be made, and the end draws near, but at least for a while you were able to keep a glimmer of hope alive, thanks in part to the structural and alcoholic integrity of the Hideout.

As for reviewing it as a speakeasy cocktail bar: claustrophobic, kinda corny, and overpriced. Eh. 2 stars.

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Photo of Arthur O.

Elite '09

176

386

Arthur O.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
3/27/2009

Frank Obvio says,

"Hard to knock on The Hideout despite the stiff prices."

"I mean, if you want to get hammered on the cheap, head up DeKalb a block-point-five to alibi.  That's a real classy joint.  You may catch more than you are fishing for."

"But if you want to sip some finely crafted cocktails in chilled glasses - the tiny details! - and DJ or listen to one of the most eclectic iPods in the neighborhood, duck into The Hideout with that gal of yours."

"Hit it on slower nights, make friends with John the Bartender and the chilled-out patrons."

"Stop crying; appreciate the limited but varied imbibing venues Fort Greene and Clinton Hill has to offer."

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Photo of Becca S.

Elite '09

280

280

Becca S.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
9/2/2008

It seems that the Hideout has given up on its own premise.  No longer is it necessary to buzz at the unmarked carriage house door, be checked out by a pair of scrutinizing eyes through a peephole, and breathe a sigh of relief as you're granted entrance into the tiny but nicely-appointed cocktail den.  Now, a bouncer sits on a stool outside the door, though he doesn't check IDs.  Or at least, he didn't check mine.  I'M OLD!!!!!

While this may be an acknowledgment that the whole Speakeasy phenom has jumped the shark somewhat, one thing that apparently hasn't is $14 cocktails.  Which, as my fellow reviewers also note, is way too much, especially for Fort Greene.  Don't get me wrong--Fort Greene's great and all, but if Little Branch can give me first-rate cocktails with table service for $12 in the West Village, then a Brooklyn bar where you have to retrieve your drinks from the bar yourself should be charging $10, tops.  

And the drinks...well, they're hit-or-miss. The Poisoned Rose, garnished with an actual rose petal, was delicious--complex and perfectly balanced.  However, their signature drink, The Hideout, was little more than a glorified strawberry daquiri--too sweet and just plain uninteresting.

All that said though, the Hideout still has a few things going for it, not the least of which is that it's pretty much the only high-end cocktail bar in the area.   It's lovely inside, and as long as it doesn't get too crowded (which, if the fact that we had no trouble getting seats on a Saturday at midnight is any indication, it doesn't) it's a very pleasant and romantic place to have a nightcap.  Plus, they have goldfish crackers!  I love goldfish crackers!

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Photo of Ryan M.

 

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35

Ryan M.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
2/5/2009

Hit or miss. Since it's so small and there's only one person working at any given time the quality of your experience largely depends on the bartender serving that night. If there's a good bartender working the place is great; but the opposite holds true as well.

We stopped in for a drink tonight and the smoke detector was loudly and obnoxiously chirping every 30 seconds because it was running out of batteries. The bartender didn't seem to care. His solution? Turn up the music on the stereo to try and drown it out. I was about to offer to change the damn thing myself but in the end we just went to another bar.

A place like The Hideout is all about atmosphere. An ear-piercing chirp every half-minute spoils the experience, just a little. How many bartenders does it take to change a smoke detector?

Photo of Irene F.

Elite '09

443

1605

Irene F.

Long Island City, NY

5 star rating
11/18/2008

Lovely little speakeasy that you have to search for, and that's part of the charm! We swung by on a rainy Thursday to meet some friends and sample the delights, and we were definitely not disappointed! The Blood and Sand is my favorite now (I love sweet vermouth in cocktails, and the scotch added an interesting complement). All of the other cocktails (which of course I cannot remember, can you blame me?) were fantastic as well.

Go by, if you can find it, and if Martin's working, send him a kiss from me!

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Photo of Trevaughn w.

 

52

52

Trevaughn w.

NY

3 star rating
3/20/2009

I understand that this is a tiny shoe box, wont hold more than 25 people. Trust me u wont find this place if ur not looking for it, no signs just a bouncer out side. Pretty fancy lounge for that neighborhood, im wandering y they charge $14-$16 a pop for the cocktails??? the experience isn't worth the price

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Photo of evan d.

 

17

119

evan d.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
10/4/2008

What a bummer. Such exciting cocktails so it seemed on the menu. I was THRILLED to try and bunch of them. Fresh ingredients, interesting combinations, YUM right?

Nope.
Everything was sickly sweet. There was no subtlety to the drinks. It was something a kid might have liked. They need to refine their menu and flavors a bit more. One of the drinks we had tasted like what Xmas potpourri smells like.

The decor was kinda cheesy and mildly "cool" hotel lounge. I was expecting a lot more. The bartender was extremely nice though and I enjoyed the gold fish.

For better drinks and atmosphere in the area go to Weather Up. Infinitely superior.

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6

marcella g.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
10/3/2008

Lovely cocktails, everyone agrees. But goodness...it's impossible to make it a pre or post dinner spot lest you spend the equivalent of one months rent. It's such a nice treat, but seriously I can only afford to go once a month...on payday.

'recession cocktails' anyone?

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Photo of Furyk C.

Elite '09

300

216

Furyk C.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
4/28/2008

While my experience seems to be a little more positive than many i will say that i can see how some people could have taken issue with the size, the service, the locals-only feel etc but frankly i thought the drinks made up for it....

The drinks menu is much like those at "milk and honey" and "The Campbell Apt" etc but frankly i think the imagination and actualization of the drinks here makes it special....

The menu is like a chef's trip to rock-candy mountain with boozy concoctions with all of the imagination and complexity of a top NYC restaurant...amazing

i had the "fig fizz" with Jameson, fig preserves, lime juice, aromatic bitters and egg whites is absolutely amazing.  What should be a bizarre mix is actually complex, rich, tasty and smooth! the Snow Mosquito was also very nice (basically a mojito with raspberry) but not as dumb-founding as the fizz

NOTE: the bartender went out of his way to say that he did not do any of the creations on the menu but was changing them all soon which is not encouraging "if it ain't broke..."

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Photo of Jen Y.

Elite '09

68

121

Jen Y.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
8/4/2008

The cocktails here are so delicious that you can't help but think why you would ever go to a regular bar and pay good money for a drink you could easily make yourself at home/in the alley/at the bathroom at work?  The four of us got different drinks and all loved them.  Dare I say the cocktails are better than at other fancy cocktail establishments Little Branch and Hotel Delmano?  The menu is definitely more expansive so you can always find something you're in the mood for.

The room is on the small side but is so adorable.  Kind of reminds me of the upstairs of APT when it first opened but smaller and fancier.  The crowd was stylish and chill.

Despite the fancy digs, we caught no attitude whatsoever.  Door guy was nice and did not give us any trouble even though my boyfriend and I had a 10 minute catfight on the sidewalk before deciding to finally go in.  The bartenders were friendly and professional as well.  Well worth a visit if you're in the neighborhood or want to try something new.

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Elite '09

17

128

Jesse S.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
1/23/2008

*Critical Eye Review*

You might walk past The Hideout if you didn't know what you were looking for.  Just keep your eyes peeled for the row of carriage doors, as The Hideout is located in a former stable house.  Ring the bell, and before you know it, a doorman will open a slot through which to assess whether or not to let you in.  I wonder what the criteria were, because inside, we found a much more varied crowd than I'm used to in places like this, ranging from middle-aged couples sipping wine all the way to pork-pie 'n plaid wearing Brooklyn hipsters.

The place itself is extremely small, with maybe 10 chairs along the bar, a few bar stools along a shelf on the side wall, and a handful of tables in the back.  The dcor was dim and romantic, recalling the very pleasant ambiance of PDT or Milk & Honey.  I was impressed with the exposed brick and green velvet floral wallpaper on one wall, and the wall of mirrors along the back and behind the bar.  I also noticed a pull-down screen on the back wall, perhaps for intimate film screenings?  The details here are cool, from the gold beaded coasters to the personalised M&Ms and goldfish crackers available at the bar.

Detracting from the ambiance was the incompetently selected music, ranging from contemporary rock to R&B hits.  Seriously, in a place like this, just put "Kind of Blue" on repeat and you'd be much better off.  The result was a slightly higher noise level than I prefer in a speakeasy, but it's not so excessive that you can't have a normal conversation without raising your voice.

But, of course, the real test of the cocktail nerd bar is in the tasting.  To start, we ordered a Poisoned Rose and an American Beauty.  The Poisoned Rose was beautiful (garnished with a rose petal) and extremely tasty, although a bit less subtle than I like.  The American Beauty was tasty, blending the flavour of bourbon with fruit in a way that allowed all the ingredients a very subtle, complimentary expression.  Following that, I had a Redwood Snap, which was a nice egg white bourbon drink that was savoury and sharp, with a hint of ginger.  All three of these experimental drinks worked for me, although I suspect they could be refined a bit.

The drawbacks of The Hideout, as I see things, are several.  Perhaps most obviously, the prices need to come down.  This is Brooklyn, so it's somewhat out of place to be charging Milk & Honey prices; all the speciality cocktails will run you $14.  Secondly, they need some kind of crowd control method, either a reservations policy, a secret number, or a stricter doorman.  As it is, it's just too small to let people in as they come.  There isn't anywhere to wait for a table, so people sometimes crowd around the bar, which really isn't what you want to do (or see) when you're paying as much as you are.  Thirdly, they need a server or more than one bartender.  The entire place was served by one bartender, with the doorman coming around to take orders when his services were not needed at the door.

In spite of these things, however, The Hideout is a decent place.  Good if you're going to be in the area, but not really worth a trip across the East River.

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Photo of Daniel F.

 

7

7

Daniel F.

Brooklyn, NY

1 star rating
4/20/2008

Several friends and I went to this bar last night and found it easy to get past the two doormen. Inside we found an attractive, yet rather small, bar with tasteful decor and lighting. The crowd, though, was small and kind of tacky: a few women in leopard prints, a few men who weren't friendly or chatty, and oddly no white people at all.

However, after we sat around a small table we were quickly approached by a brusque waiter who accused two of us of being intoxicated (none of us were), angrily discouraged one of us from placing our orders at the bar, and insisted we place all our drink orders at the same time to him directly. He seemed visibly upset that one of us wasn't going to drink (but the other five were).  Another member of our group scooted around him and went directly to the bar, where she found the bartender friendly and quick. For the waiter who took our orders, he gave us the check with our drinks -- a clear sign we were expected to leave thereafter.

Kasim, the owner, was actually our waiter.  Maybe you could have a different experience, but none of us are going back. Overly expensive drinks compared with similar, and better, offerings from Weather Up and Milk & Honey and flat-out hostile treatment from the owner garner Hideout the lowest rating.

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Oliver H.

Brooklyn, NY

1 star rating
1/10/2009

Pros: Cool interior and delicious drinks.

Cons: Bartender is an unbearable jerk.

A real bummer since this place has great potential. But it seems to me that if you're hoping folks will trek to Fort Greene to buy $14 cocktails, you could at least not treat them like dirt.

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Alicia K.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
6/12/2008

I absolutely loved this place. The bartender, Drew, was actually quite possibly the best bartender I have ever had. He was informative and helpful. Despite the cool atmosphere and purposeful design, it was not a pretentious feel.

He was sooooo excited about the drinks, asking about what kinds of liquor we preferred and telling us about each drink. Everything was so carefully done. Tops, there were only about 8 people in the place at a time, so it was relaxed and uncrowded. Each drink may take longer than opening a beer, but it didn't take LONG. I will be back!

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Justin G.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
3/16/2009

calm cool and collected little jewel box  sized joint in the heart of Ft. Greene...i thought the drinks may be on the edge of  being overpriced  ( you can get 3 slices of Di Fara'a pizza for cost of one cocktail by my warped style of math) but a nice sultry place to stare into another persons eyes. or just stare into your glass as you prefer. A grade

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Nicole D.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
1/5/2008

I love fancy cocktails and am so desperate for more bars on par with Pegu Club to open in BK. So... I went to hideout with high expectations. The decor is great--I came at 7:30 and it struck me that this was a place you would probably want to check out much later in the eve. It's tiny with black curtains covering the windows, candles flickering everywhere, tin ceilings, a nice wood back bar, and some funky floral wallpaper thrown in. Not bad for Fort Greene.

The cocktail list though, is quite another thing. The special drinks are all $14, save for a few $12 cocktails. I'm sorry, but that is just way too overpriced for this hood. $10-$12 drinks, with one or two $14s thrown in would have been way more palatable. Plus, they have bottle service. Yes, bottle service, so that if you are too lazy to get up from your seat, two feet from the bar, you can pay $200+ for a bottle of whatever within arms' reach.

Now, the drinks: I got the margarita with elderflower liqueur, and it was super smooth, sweet, and refreshing. Me likey. My friend got a redwood snap--some kind of bourbon drink finished with red wine on top, and it was really, truly awful. She told the bartender--a real gem--that it wasn't very good, and the bartender took a sip, and admitted that it was heavy on the wine, but that was more or less what it was supposed to taste like. Still, she comped us the drink--so bonus points there.

Ok, last critiques: the door to the bar is unmarked, and there is a doorbell beside it despite the fact that the door was open. So people were constantly ringing the very loud doorbell when they could have just walked in, which was totally annoying and somewhat comical. The music was also really bad--it went from hip hop (which was fine)  to commerical rock junk (which was not ok) back to hip hop--and the phone rang loudly often. You notice all of these things because the space is like 250 square feet--smaller than smooch I think.

Overall, I think the cocktail menu is a little too complicated and overpriced, and the doorbell/music situation needs to be worked out. But since there is such a lack of bars in this area, I'm sure I'll be back--especially when it's warm enough to sit outside for a drink.

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Emily B.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
2/11/2008

It's a good idea.  I liked the decor, the music and the crowd.  Also the cocktails are awesome (especially the Snow Mosquito).  But!  There was only one bartender working when I was there on a Saturday night.  The drinks are pretty labor-intensive, so we ended up waiting a looong time to get served.  We weren't the only ones either; as we looked around the (tiny) bar, we noticed that nearly everyone was anxiously looking for the bartender.
It's worth checking out, but I think it would be much much better if they hired another bartender or two for busy shifts.

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Sarah C.

New York, NY

4 star rating
12/16/2008

Chill lounge with delicious, creative drinks. My martini came on a pedestal and had rose petals in it.

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J C.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
5/29/2009

Lovely jewel of a place, fantastic cocktails, great music, cold bartender (but who cares: he made best drinks we have had in a long time), pretty expensive (but worth the price if you can afford). Wish, though, that they wouldn't pull out the Windex 5 minutes after announcing last call: why even serve last drinks if you are going to make the experience unpleasant.

Photo of Brent B.

 

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Brent B.

New York, NY

5 star rating
12/8/2007

I waited for what seemed like an eternity for this place to open. The owner claimed it was going to be a high end cocktail lounge for the fort green locals. A ten minute bike ride, was all it would take to get me to cocktail nirvana. I was psyched. That was before it all changed and I moved out of Brooklyn for good. Now I was forced to ride all the way out to Fort Green from Hell's Kitchen. When I arrived at the Hideout I couldn't have been happier. The room is dark and sultry, with beautiful dark wood fixtures and a great looking bar. The owners clearly invested a ton of money into the sound system, I could feel the thump of the bass line in my chest and I had no choice but to start moving to the rhythm, it was a good thing too, I was a long cold ride from Lucifer's Kitchenette. I overheard the owner explaining that he was excited for the weather to start cooperating so he could open the doors to the front of the place and have an outdoor seating area.  
I bellied up to the bar and tried the Poisoned Rose, several Maker's Mark and soda, and some other drinks off the list who's names I can't remember, and I wasn't disappointed by any of them. The cocktail list is complex without being pretentious. Its got a nice selection of spirits and it's not vodka heavy. The mixologists have to really have their acts together in order to successfully make these cocktails, and the night in question, the woman behind the stick was on top of her game.
Now that the Hideout is finally open, don't be like me and wait an eternity to pay them a visit. You won't be disappointed.

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Dan G.

Williston Park, NY

1 star rating
6/4/2008

Yelp, or someone associated with the Hideout is actively deleting bad reviews of this establish from this website.

The Hideout is the worst bar I've ever been to in Brooklyn. The drinks are not worth half the price you will pay for them, the interior is tiny with hardly a place to sit, and the management is abrasive.

Better bars in the area I can recommend are Moe's and Mullane's on Lafayette or Stone Home also on Lafayette if you're into wine.

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Jasmine M.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
5/10/2008

meh. this cocktail bar could be so brilliant but mismanagement and attitude squash it into mediocrity.

good: an innovative cocktail list with fresh ingredients (blackberries, what!), scientific tending practices (strainers, jiggers & hot ice) that make watching the bartender a chemistry lesson on well-measured inebriation, pretty pretty decor of metallics and earth tones.

bad: drinks that cost more than my daily food ration.

ugly: waiting thirty minutes for a drink.  the owner had cozied himself up to me and a friend and took our order ... our drinks only came after we repeatedly bugged the hostess and the bartender, who unapologetically admitted that my credit card had been "hiding."

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Cody J.

Brooklyn, NY

2 star rating
12/6/2008

Douche Chills! So this temperamental 18 year bartender strolls in with a paul frank umbrella (seems like he is about 2 hours late) to relieve a seemingly nice and seasoned bartender around 9:30 on a  saturday night.  He pours weak 1 oz. cocktails and spills more liquor on the bar than he serves.  Don't dare order a drink with ice if he is around-- He will hand crush ice for ten minutes until there is five times more ice than drink in your cup.  TERRIBLE bartender, amazing bar.  It makes me quite sad that such a cool bar would hire such an obviously unskilled teenager to serve on a  SATURDAY night.  Surely with the economy the way it is, there are many other skilled people happy to take over for this kid.  Two stars, probably five if I wasn't ripped off by this child.

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jason b.

Los Angeles, CA

2 star rating
1/18/2008

The bartender didn't warn me that the "special" cocktail he was making me would be $18 each. My friend had 3 drinks and was charged $48 AFTER being told one of them was "comped." Cool, PDT/Milk&Honey-ish atmosphere, but those are ridiculous prices, even by Pegu Club standards.

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Non c.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
1/12/2008

yes, the name says it all.  we walked past it a couple times before we noticed it. then after we found the address, we rang the bell like 3 times, without any answer. we could here music coming from the inside, but the door was locked and the windows were sealed. We wondered if it was actually someone's home, but then someone answered the door.

The crowd was small but the people were very friendly! one man gave me a recommendation of a place to get custom made hats. however, I was a little turned off when the owner got me a glass ( i told him i was fine with tap) and insisted that I pay $5 because it was bottled (i didnt drink it until he agreed to buy it for me). yes, the drinks are expensive, but the whole cocktail menu sounded yummy (be forwarned that this a cocktail bar and there are only a couple types of beers). this music was lots of funky oldies and soul that i have caught myself singing in the shower to. totally a good place to go by yourself if u wanna to just chill with a good drink, or to take a date or a small group of friends after a good dinner.

As this place is only a couple months old, i really think that this place is going to grow into something even more spectacular as time goes on. I am definitely going to come back sometime.

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marina c.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
1/29/2008

the hideout is awesome. such a great space in a place that really needed it. i am a little biased as my best friend and her husband are the owners but they really did an awesome job and i am proud of what they accomplished.
we were there this weekend and there is just this great vibe. the feeling i get as if we were hanging out at their house. they make people feel welcomed for sure. plus the drinks are very tasty, especially the poison rose. its so refreshing, not too sweet and by time you finish it you're feeling nice. and yeah, it may seem pricey but this is top quality stuff they are using plus they make their own bitters. its worth it . so, go check it out, you won't be disspointed!
i wish we would get a place like this in sunset park. maybe i will talk them in to a hideout 2...

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