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The Richardson will open at 8pm on Thanksgiving Thursday. Bring your tryptophan-fueled self down for a Mulled Wine or Hot Applejack Cider.
Announced 4 days agoGraham Ave (L)
Mon-Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.
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This is one classy joint.
With $9 cocktails that could knock out a hippopotamus, helpful tattooed bartenders in vests and shirtsleeves, beautiful vintage wallpaper, moody lighting, thoughtfully designed and sparkling clean bathrooms, and a cool, slightly older crowd, I'm going to go ahead and say that The Richardson is my favorite bar in Brooklyn. The prices scare my somewhat-employed-former-art-student-self, but you get serious bang for your buck, and anyway...every time I've come here I've been taken care of. I think the warm, late-1950s interior has something to do with this rash of generosity, as our bartender also brought over two free drinks for the big spenders in our group. If you go (and you must), get your inner Don Draper or Joan Holloway on. Wear something snappy, order a glass of aged Whiskey or an Old-Fashioned, and it'll be a night to remember.
I didn't need to get to know this place. I liked it immediately. But it wined and dined me anyway. Gorgeous decor, nice beer and wine selection (including my favorite, beaujolais), great service, delicious snacks, everything a classy broad could dream.
The Richardson is retro-fashionable without being cheesy. And despite the fact that I was disheveled and donning tattered jeans, I was transformed to chic. Essentially, this bar is like the boyfriend that tells you you're gorgeous when you look like you got hit by a truck. What an old-fashioned gentleman Mr. Richardson is.
Ok ok ok ok, we were here at some strange wee hour on a Tuesday about 10 seconds before the kitchen closed when there were about 3 other people there, so this is a non-peak-hours review, and I'm not sure if I would've been as charmed and dazzled if I was elbow to elbow with 50 unwashed twats in ironic hats and ballhugging girl-pants.
That said, I'd be cool if this was the only bar I could ever go to ever. Yes, it's definitely not cheap and it's definitely on the fancy schmancy side of things, BUT! it also reminds me of that bar in the Shining, and the disarming friendliness of the staff and cockpunchingly amazing deliciousness of the food sort of canceled out the pretension factor for me. No, before we go any further, let's just talk about how they make a fancy-ass grilled cheese that has pickles on it, and this makes me completely willing to join whatever cult they want me to because I've been putting pickles on my grilled cheese since I was about 4 and finally I have met my elegant sandwich destiny.
In conclusion, this is the only place to go when it's crazy late on a Tuesday night and you want to feel like a fancy grownup and have a magic sandwich with nice people.
Delicious drinks, great music, awesome location, and flawless and streamlined design for the actual space itself. This place is really quite great!
I've only been to this place once but thoroughly enjoyed my first time. I had the French 75 cocktail (times 2) and it was really delicious and quite potent so worth the $9 price tag. Their drink menu looks like it could please anyone and they have a really nice selection of foods to snack on. Homemade pretzels and various meat and cheese plates which I hope to partake in the next time I go!
Just the type of classy joint this side of Graham Ave needs. You'll hear old jazz, rhythm and blues, rockabilly, old country - anything pre 1960 for the most part that rocked our forebears' boots off. No cheesy taps with wacky tap labels or pbr here (no offense pbr). They got jiving gin, whiskey, rum and ginger beer concoctions, Superb Manhattans and my favorite ginger beer and Jamaican (me crazy) rum cocktails. Cheese plates, paninis, olives & pickles -yum yum.
Everyone has described the decor here well - this bar is gorgeous. It makes me wish I dressed better and smoked cigarettes.
The first time I came here was with a guy I had been hanging out with. He knew it was the type of place that a girl like me would enjoy. The drinks here are very strong so we actually shared whatever it was I ordered because he drove that night. We sat in a corner sipping our drink and eventually I was rather drunk. When we decided to leave he had his arm around me, probably to make sure I would walk straight. That night was the first time we kissed. Nothing more, because I am a lady worthy of classy places like the Richardson.
The last time I came here I was with the same guy, by this time my ex. He had a beer and I had a Jack Rose. Once again I was fairly drunk from just one cocktail. One very delicious cocktail. I eventually finished my Jack Rose, and my ex had finished his beer a while before that. We weren't all cozy in a dark corner like the first time, but we were enjoying ourselves. After we left we walked back to his car to go home. This time we didn't just kiss.
I really love the Richardson - it's a great place with great drinks. My only thing against it is apparently after just one of their drinks I cannot control my behavior. Next time I'll have to try some of their food and maybe that'll help. I want to remain classy enough to come back.
I don't know what it is about this place, but I know I was somewhat sober when I arrived and totally trashed when I left! This is not the first time this has happened too... I'm so glad I live nearby, I don't think my boyfriend and I would have made it home if we lived further away! I keep trying to go and not get drunk there, but the drinks are so good I can't help myself!
Cool atmosphere and brings a little bit of class to the dregs of Williamsburg... and that's about it. It's not so much my style, but I'm not going to penalize it for that. It's definitely got a good vibe, the bartenders are classic mixologists, and cool. But I just don't feel like getting dressed up to go out in Williamsburg. This definitely fits in a little better in Manhattan.
Fabulous cocktails with a great patio and yummy bar food. I recomend a classic Singapore Sling with a plate of any of the toasts after work.
I was continually impressed by how absolutely beautiful and sophisticated all of the bars in Brooklyn were on my recent visit. Or maybe it's just that my trusty tour guide hand selected only the classiest joints for our Brooklyn bar crawl - no matter, The Richardson was a winner.
Swank and brooding, it's got an elegant decor, sharply dressed servers behind the bar and an authentic vibe that makes you feel welcome.
I hate that I'm not the first review... because I want to be the review that brings everyone here. But I love the great reviews, it makes me happy to know that others have the same warm, fuzzy feeling too for this place.
Walking in, I notice the dark wood floors, the classy wallpaper and the comfortably spaced tables. For a Tuesday evening, the place was fairly busy. Not so much so that the owner, Joel (he's mentioned here quite a bit), didn't take the time to talk to us. Great conversationalist and entertaining - made us laugh!!!
Decent scotch collection and glad to hear that it'll be expanding soon. Love the idea of possible outdoor seating soon as well. The cocktails were great - I had the Old Fashion and the French 75... loved both and will try the rest soon!
I liked that they placed books at the end of the shelves. I don't know why, but put a book next to alcohol and I'm like "classy joint". (It really doesn't take much for me...)
Just go - it's a great place for a date. They also serve food - we didn't have any but will be going back soon to try their brunch menu.
I really don't have anything bad to say except maybe the music was a tad too loud but other than that... amazing bar.
Any bar that labels my bar tab "Ladies" gets the love.
(See photo)
Not only can I fall out of my front door into this bar, I plan on falling out of it. A lot. And… Read more »
I had heard tons of great things about this bar and had been avoiding a visit in fear that I'd be sorely disappointed. Finally, the chance arose to start a drunken pilgrimage to Graham and Richardson from Pete's Candy Store. We stumbled over with a wonderful crew, and it was history.
As Mo has said, these drinks are STRONG. You are definitely getting your $9.00 worth at this joint. The $9.00 also pays for the ambiance. It's a classy, beautiful bar and the staff follow that route as well. They are dressed in white shirts and black vests, sleeves rolled up to show off their very Williamsburg tattoos.
When I went I tried the Brooklyn and the Old Fashioned, of which I preferred the Old Fashioned. I think it was the Dry Vermouth in the Brooklyn that kind of turned me off. These drinks were made with such care. I hadn't seen such devoted bartenders in a long while. The man and I scored a free shot of some very fine whiskey as he knew one of the bartenders. It was after that shot, which came after the Brooklyn, where things get fuzzy.
You know you had a good time when your boyfriend tells you that you were requesting that people touch your bum, and that you were discovered passed out half on the bed. I remember having a great time, but it's what I don't remember that seals the deal. Thanks you, Richardson!
Not to steal Ethan C's review, but this place did kind of make me want to rock a fedora, smoke a Lucky Strike, and degrade women. I have a fedora... now I just need to take up smoking and learn to dis' the lassies.
The Richardson does have a great interior--- it falls somewhere in the middle of classy midtown bar and a speakeasy. Love the wallpaper (I hear it's making a comeback)!
Sipped an Old Fashioned and it was stuhhh-rong. The type of drink you nurse while immersed in good conversation... and don't expect to be interrupted... this was not a rub-elbows-with-your-neighbors bar, so bring your own date, your own conversation, and your own fedora.
I love bourbon.
Came here with a small group. Best company I could ask for. I drank some top notch whiskeys and had a fantastic cheese plate, which i believe was compliments of Murray's cheese shop?
I then proceeded to get too drunk and embarrass all my friends. It was a great night. This place is all class, i have none and they let me stay. God bless you Richardson's.
Cant wait to go back and get hugged up with another bottle of bourbon.
Beautiful old-timey joint. The cozy vibe transports you back to the 60's, with the dim lighting, wood paneling, and paisley wall paper. I always feel all Don Draper-ish, sippin' on my legit hand muddled Old Fashioned, served by a dude in a vest and a handlebar mustache. To be honest, the place makes me want to rock a fedora, smoke a Lucky Strike, and degrade women.
A bit pricey, and a bit pretentious. But definitely recommended for a nightcap with a date, or to kick it old school with your latest bromance.
Without explaining everything, I just want to start this review by saying that I had no where to go on Christmas eve -- except The Richardson, which was open until 4am with snacks, martinis, and lots of Christmas love & affection.
Joey, my bartender for the evening, served me up too-many-to-count Hendrick's martinis, one after the next, until I forgot what day it was (it was Christmas by that point, I'm sure). Each one was quite perfect, with the right twists (cucumber once, lemon next, maybe an olive for good spirit the third time around) and the right attitude. I'm lucky to live down the block from this place. I just wish they had more seating -- Fridays and Saturdays tend to be overwhelmingly hectic, and usually with standing room only. Can't deduct a full star for that tinyissue, though.
The barstaff and selection were excellent--lots of whiskey, lots of rye, impeccably poured and garnished beverages served up lickety-split. Our cocktails were top-notch, the pickles & pretzels were pleasant, and we left there wanting to try a wide selection of things we hadn't ordered. We left, though, after just one round because the crowd was so oddly...Manhattan...or something. The place was bright and noisy and just not the scene we were looking for at all. I'm casting my bets that it wasn't a representative evening--most of the millers-about were wearing nametags and our Morrissey-esque bartender told us that it was a school reunion--so I'll give it another shot on a weeknight and see if it better suits my fancy.
The area behind the bar is surprisingly spacious--probably because of the substantial support beams smack in the middle of the room--so our dapper bartender could've pirouetted should he have felt so inclined.
If I could give it 20 stars, I would.
Class. That's what The Richardson has. Man, I was impressed. Firstly, it's a smart-looking bar,… Read more »
This charming and comfortable bar offers a cozy counter or table to pass the night away. The dapperly dressed bartenders (like Jon) work hard to create fine cocktails but also leave you with a bottle of water (lifesaver!) The damask, dark wood, and chandeliers has all been done before, but I still love it. The tables come with wait service, which would be annoying if the waitresses weren't so prompt and friendly.
They serve simple foods and have a pleasing cheese and olive toast on the menu (Super-nice Alex is often back there making it for me... whoops good bye Alex we hardly knew ye).
My only complaint is the actual cocktail menu - everything sounds good but includes at lease one of my no-no ingredients (gin, brandy, whiskey...) I've been pushing for a little more diversity on the menu... its called a Violet and it will be a hit, I swear!
I'm a fan of this place too. The new patio has a fairly stable railing which is nice for tethering pets or, in this case, my daughter. I like to know she can't run off and jump onto meeker or the bqe just because I want a decent cocktail.
Great drinks. Beautiful bar. Great service. What more can I say?
What I like about this place is that when you walk in, you don't get checked out by everybody in the place. It's neighborhoody enough to have a chill, local vibe but grown up enough that people check the pretension at the door and just want to enjoy some fine brews, original cocktails, and company.
On a late Saturday night it wasn't too crowded, my group of about 8-10 had no problem sitting together, nice! I had the Southern Tier IPA ($5) all night, I love finding a place with some interesting ipa's on tap. The next time was a Friday night and it was pretty busy, 3 of us just got a seat at the window and I had the Geary's Pale, okay, but nothing special, we ended up leaving for Harefield Road and enjoying the scene there better, and Lagunitas Pils for $4 :-D
I honestly think they could do without the beer menu and go ahead and label the taps, but they pull off the look they're going for and next time I'm definitely trying the seasonal offering, Goose Island Stout ($8/11% abv)
I love this bar. The bartenders are nice, not stuffy, but know so much about mixing it's ridiculous. I've discovered five new favorite drinks in the five times I've been here. If you go early, it's dead empty, and kind of depressing. But at night it's pretty busy and a sight to see the bartenders whipping up so many fancy drinks so quickly. I sat at their outside tables yesterday, which you enter through the back doorway. It may be a little hot for that now, but I can imagine how nice it will be in September if we don't end up having an indian summer.
I've been here a few times and I appreciate what they are trying to do especially since it makes my investment in the hood go up. However, I just feel like it's nothing special. I felt like I walked into a bar in L.A. and this "want to be cool like those guys and bars in the Swingers movie."
With that said, I AM a fan of their cocktails. Those things are properly made. Me likey proper cocktails. They also have a good beer selection. The bartenders are cool, really cool but the overall crowd is eh. Everyone is there with their own groups. Maybe that's what I don't care for, the clique-ish vibe. I left that back in CA.
I'm not hatin' but no mad love to give except to the tenders. Big ups to them.
The Richardson is the bar that every neighborhood needs.
Imagine a bar in the spirit (ugh, pun not intended) of the recent prohibition-era speakeasy explosion, but without all the fuss. The Richardson is not a speakeasy--it has a sign on the door, and big windows you can see through from the street. To get in, you're not required to make a reservation using an unlisted number, pass through a phone booth, or troll a subterranean alleyway. You just go! How novel!
And once you're there, you're in for a truly lovely evening. While not as plush and detailed as its local competitor Hotel Delmano, the Richardson is well-appointed with Damask-patterned wallpaper, dark mahogany paneling and frosty vintage-style (though I think not actual vintage) light fixtures. Our server was super friendly and nice (a sad rarity in high-end cocktail bars), and very helpful in recommending drinks from the balanced cocktail list.
And the drinks!! Really excellent, easily rivaling their fancier contemporaries, even without hand-chiseled ice. I loved my Scottish Dew, a refreshing cucumber-y Scotch-based cocktail, as well as the signature drink, the Richardson Aperitif, made with Campari and grapefruit juice. Now, ladies and gentlemen, here's the kicker--all of these expertly-made and delicious-tasting drinks will run you just NINE DOLLARS. You heard me. No, you did not just step back in time to 1998--one Alexander Hamilton (with change!) is all it takes.
I feel like somebody finally got it right, here. Quality drinks, nice people and a pleasant environment, without forcing you to eat ramen for the rest of the month. I'm super jealous of Kaelea A and her proximity to the Richardson--if I lived around the corner, I'd be here four nights a week, minimum.
I like that the Richardson is a beautiful space but has a laid back neighborhood bar feel to it.
I like that it is big enough that when it inevitably catches on fully, that there will be enough room for everyone.
I like that Joel and Jeff are totally fantastic bartenders and really nice guys.
I like that the crowd consists of mature, attractive hipsters, not the obnoxious, just graduated from college and moved to Williamsburg kind.
I like the cocktails (that are priced reasonably at $9) and I especially like that when I knocked mine over - accidentally not drunkenly- that Jeff made me a new one on the house. And I like that he put the new one in a flat bottom glass. In case I spilled it again.
Accidentally, not drunkenly.
Went here last night to celebrate after putting down a deposit on an apartment around the corner. I can see this becoming the type of place that I will bring friends to when I show off the new apartment and neighborhood.
I had the HB lager, which was crisp and delicious; my boyfriend had the wheat beer, which was also very good. It was a sleek, modern bar with an old-timey vibe; I loved the brown and gold paisley wallpaper!
And kudos to the super friendly bartender!
It's a nice space but that's where it ends. 3/4 filled martinis is not my thing. The bartenders don't really seem to be on the ball here. They also seem to not have enough of them on duty... whenever I am there anyway. It literally took us 15 minutes to get two martinis with 6 customers total in the bar and the guy was frazzled and a dick. When we were finally settled in at a table someone from the back came out and slapped a bunch of RESERVED plates on the tables (including ours) and told us we needed to vacate at such and such a time. This place tries to disguise their ameture-ness with velvet wallpaper and brass old-timey details but I am not falling for it. Not going back. It sucks.
Great speakeasy style place. Excellent decor. Sometimes they go a little crazy with overcomplicated the cocktails, which makes them....well...taste overcomplicated, but the beers are well-priced and well-chosen. Sometimes it gets insanely crowded on the weekends, but what bar worth it's weight in booze doesn't in this neighborhood?
A really good new bar with inventive, old-fashioned cocktails and a cool, retro atmosphere. My personal favorite in the neighborhood (and one of my favorites in the city--the best, I think is Little Branch on 7th ave s--but you never know if they're going to be open or answer the buzzer...)
I really enjoyed the Richardson...wonderful bartender (friendly and makes a good cocktail), nice beer selection, and great atmosphere. Check out my full review here:
http://criticalreviews...
Classic, dark, slick, suave, roomy.... interior.
Swift, perfect, no nonsense, no attitude.... service.
Brand new bar, brand new smell, now if only they had a few oddity's and weird shit in bell jars, maybe some joel peter witkin photos on the wall and it would be the place to find me if you were stalking me.
Reminds me a little of the Pencil Factory but not as busy and cuter.
Love it.
the richardson is so boss. i get cranked every time i decide to come here. the efficacious cocktails are on the pricier side, but not in an obscene way. besides, i don't mind dropping a lot of bread on French 75's or a classic Old Fashioned at the richardson, because they're always mixed well, strong, delicious, and served in a chilled glass with beads of moisture dripping off the sides- that's something that makes summertime inebriation so worth it. not to mention the drinks are poured by some very cherry looking bartenders who really know how to razz my berries. the crowd is low key, friendly, and unassuming- no clowns hang out here as far as i can tell. it's a pleasure to go out with girlfriends and not get hassled by any freams who need to be told to d.d.t. i usually sit at the bar if there are seats available, but sometimes for kicks my girls and i sit in a back booth for hours sharing illuminations and laughs. when i come to the richardson, i have it made in the shade. it's absolutely my favorite bar in brooklyn. and that's the word from the bird.
this new bar is classy. the atmosphere is warm and inviting with low key background music, a great place for great conversation. The tenders are swift, kind, and happy.
stop by for a drink, or two.
Hands down the best Negroni I have ever had in my entire life. Amazing.
In addition to the bartender's astounding cirque-de-soleil-esqe limberness, the Richardson is just a generally classy establishment. The music harkens back to better days (the ones before we were born), the entire staff is charming, friendly and on top of their shit in a major way. I feel comfortable coming here on a tuesday night in the rain with little traffic, and can also have a blast on a hopping friday.
Great neighborhood spot to grab a real cocktail. Friendly, helpful staff. Good atmosphere, no tvs!, so def not a sports bar, think more old timey real drink style. I will continue to go back.
I've been coming here since it's opened. Easily my favorite bar in New York. Joel makes great drinks and takes care of me when I come in.
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