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The Wing Bar
Rating Details »
Categories: Bars, Chicken Wings, Burgers [Edit]
Neighborhood: Gowanus275 Smith St
(between Degraw St & Sackett St)
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 237-2728
- Nearest Transit:
-
Carroll St (F, G)
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
14 reviews for The Wing Bar
4.5 stars.....
This is my new favorite place, if there ever was a place where I could be a regular this might be it. Brian, a very cool younger guy from Florida and bassist for a local indie rock band opened the Wing Bar this past July. He seems to have made all the right decisions as far as the menu, drinks, layout, and vibe of the place. Unfortunately they only have 3 beers on tap but one of them includes Coors Light, which normally is pretty blah, but when it's $3 pint or $7.50 a pitcher it becomes a much more attractive choice. They also have Bar Harbor blueberry ale in bottles which is an amazing beer if you've never tried it.
As far as the food goes it's typical bar grub done right. The bartender who was as sweet as could be was from Buffalo and fashioned herself a wing connoisseur. She said that the wings there was one of the only good wings she's had in NYC so I can't wait to go back and try them. I'm not a Buffalo sauce fan so I'm excited to try their BBQ wings (10 wings is $7.50 so not dirt cheap but very reasonable). When I went I had their special (which I hear is available often) of 1/2 rack of baby back ribs with fresh cut french fries. Although there was no smokey crust like you might get at Georgia BBQ in the LES, the ribs were dam near perfect and was the first time (outside of the Annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party) I've had ribs perfectly cooked where it wasn't fatty and was super meaty and tender but still stays on the bone enough so you can pick them up to eat them. The fries were also amazing and tasted home made.
It's great to have someplace in the neighborhood that isn't too fancy or expensive while still being clean, having a great vibe, and providing good food and drinks, I think this may be the only place that fits that bill in the Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens area. FYI, they also have a couple good sized LCDs for sports games and a sizeable outdoor patio for the warmer months.
The only things that would make The Wing Bar a dream come true would be darts and one of those electronic gaming machines, frosted pint glasses, a bigger tap selection, pulled pork sandwiches, and wing specials (like .35 cent wings on Tuesdays or something like that), but even without those things I think 5 stars is still in order.
UPDATE: Taking 1/2 star off and rounding down because sadly I just went back and the food wasn't close to how good it was the first time, just wish they were more consistent. Just had to notice the owner was the one cooking and overseeing the food when it was awesome and when he wasn't there the ribs weren't as good, and the fries were limp and greasy (a sign that the oil probably wasn't hot enough). I still love 'em and will give them the benefit of the doubt this time.
I'm not a real man. I know this, because in between nuzzling each others' necks, and gently brushing each others' cheeks with the backs of their hands, Kyle and Andy berated me for getting medium wings, as opposed to hot.*
And you know what? It's true.
So for the next batch we got hot, and I have to say the difference was negligible. Andy, however, was POURING sweat as we ate them, but as he claimed, "I'm not sweating because the wings are hot, I'm sweating because I'm a creep."
And you know what? It's true.
It also might be because this place is freaking tiny, and if you're cooking a lot of food in a small room filled with people, it gets hot. My apartment is like a sauna, so I know this.
In any case, this place is aptly named. They make a good wing, although the flats were disproportionately superior to the drumsticks. The prices are standard, even if they seem high because I patronize a lot of the $.10, $.20, and $.25 wing joints. But there are $7.50 pitchers of Coors Light, which is a pretty good deal.
Seriously, though? No wet wipes? What kind of operation is this?
_________
*In my defense, some places get overzealous with the hot, to the point where they are no longer enjoyable. The Wing Bar is not one of these places.
There was no Sox game that day, nor a Patriots game. These are usually my only reasons for going to hole-in-the-wall sports bars in NYC (besides for cheap drinks).
So, when my boyfriend suggested (strongly) that we go here, I put on my "best girlfriend ever" smile, and agreed. Begrudgingly.
The place was packed, and we were lucky enough to snag a seat at a table after a few minutes at the bar. The service was great, and our waiter was super attentive.
1. Best steak sandwich I've ever had. No lie. The steak was seasoned to the max, the bread was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and the cheese was everywhere. Gobs and Gobs of melty, greasy, delicious cheese.
2. Onion rings? Yes please. These were a bit too greasy when paired with my sandwich, but they definitely weren't your freezer-burned-bagged onion rings dumped into a fryer; they were thin and clearly just made at the bar.
3. I hear the wings are good, too.
4. $7.50 pitchers of Coors.
I'm disappointed I never gave this place a shot when it was warm enough outside for patio seating- they have a huge outdoor space complete with white lights. I'll definitely be back for all that is greasy-melty-goodness at WingBar.
I kind of don't want to write about this place because I'm afraid a ton of people will come and then it will get lame and crowded... but they're good so I feel I owe it to them.
The wings are amongst the best I've had. The pitchers of beer are cheap. The wait staff is very nice and accommodating (I asked for only the "wing" parts, no "drums" and they not only gave me them but told me the correct term for them is "flats" - yeah, i know... im a douche for asking in the first place.)
The backyard area is great - spacious and uncrowded on the weekdays. Haven't sat inside yet because its too nice out and I am squeezing every last inch of summer I can - but they have lots of TVs for football watching and when it gets cold i'll be in there a-watchin'
Great wings. I got the hot. They were cooked just right and had just the right amount of heat (totally eat-able, followed by a really solid kick). I had some really good micro-brewery beer (Lawrence something or other?). The service was great. However, took a little while to cook the wings.
Update:
Two months ago I wrote how this place had NYC's best wings, save for one crucial aspect: the horrific blue cheese! Well, I'm happy to report that the blue cheese problem has been solved, they certainly now make their own, and it is delicious!!! Big chunks of real cheese swimming in a homemade combo of mayo and sour cream. Simple and classic, yes!!!
However, the quality of the wings seems to have suffered somehow!!!! The last time I went the wings were soggy, and there was not enough sauce, we had to ask for more. If this place can get all of the things they sometimes do right all of the time, it will actually become the city's wing king, but until then, the SEARCH CONTINUES!!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/25/2009
Wow. I've been searching the city for a solid decade now, on a quest for a truly great Buffalo wing.… Read more »
I know I should start the review of a place called "Wing Bar" by talking about the wings, but it's the burger here that is epically good. Like, what is that amazing blend of spices they've marinated it in. Like, they screwed up and cooked it too medium and yet it was still so good that I passed it across the table saying "Holy crap, this burger is great". The decision was unanimous.
The wings are totally fine. Nothing special, but totally fine.
The fried brussel sprouts are the kind that could make even the most committed meatatarian love vegetables.
The staff seems to be working the kinks out. And the prices are totally reasonable ($40 including tax for 2 mains, 2 apps, 2 drinks). May they stay in business for a long time.
These are seriously amongst the best wings I've ever had. Crispy, saucy-but-not-too-saucy, just the right amount of heat to make your mouth feel like it's on fire, but not enough to make you want to stop.
The service could use some improvement, as could the beers on tap -- everyone loves a $7.50 pitcher, but not if it's Coors Light... and the place is tiny, weirdly configured for a "sports bar" and kind of odd for the neighborhood, but damn those wings are good. $7 for 10, $14 for 20... win.
I ate some of the best wings i have EVER had here!!!!! I am 40 years old and love my wings and have tried EVERYBODYS. The fact that it is a family run business makes this place even better. i LOVE the bourbon and beer special too :)
For someone who cares about neither wings nor sports, this place is entirely forgettable. For those who love both, enjoy
I'm happy to have a dirty beer bar that serves food late into the night in my neighborhood. I went there around midnight on a Friday looking for a bite to eat - I skipped the wings and had a great grilled cheese, fries and a beer. Great music and atmosphere. I'll have to go back and try the wings, even though this will make about the 3rd wings place on smith and I think we've reached saturation on that style menu.
First off I'm not a sports bar fan but this one was pretty cool. I wanted to watch the US Open and they had it on so I can't really complain. The music wasn't very "sports bar" it was more hipster cool guy but it worked. I'm kinda a beer snob so the Miller, Coors, and Bud on tap kinda weirded me out a bit but I get it, its what you would get at a sports game, right? They have some better beer in bottles but its not really the place to go if you're looking for fancy beer. I was impressed with the food menu, it was all the good junk food you would expect to find on a bar menu. I had the wings and they were pretty good, not amazing but they worked. I did like the blue cheese dressing. The husband got a veggie burger and he seemed to really like it. There were lots of fried goodies that I can't wait to try out.
I am absolutely loving The Wing Bar in Brooklyn! It recently opened and I've already been there a number of times. Being from Buffalo, I know wings and these are the best I've had anywhere outside of Buffalo. They are crispy and plump with the perfect amount of sauce. Fried brussel sprouts are a winner too. I can't wait to try the other items on the menu as well. The bar is run by a small family who are always there giving you a warm welcome. Their number one priority is making sure you have a good time! All around a great spot to hang out at with friends, drinks, and definitely the wings!
I think the wings are AMAZING here...but definitely agree with the Blue Cheese.
Some other blog also wrote something about the blue cheese being bad
http://wingsandthecity...
