Montero's Bar & Grill

Lmao at Yelp putting 'Ambiance' as one of the buzzwords to go along with this review. I love this place, but it is not where you go for the traditional thought behind dining or imbibing 'ambiance'. It's a real, amazing dive that also happens to have karaoke and a pool table in the back. If I lived back in BK Heights, it would definitely be a go-to. Also the bartenders and owner are super nice!!

I want to start off by saying three things -- One, I love this bar (the bartenders, except for the one described below, are all amazing)! Two, I'm not usually a "Yelper" but only do so when I feel the need to. DO NOT COME HERE WHEN THE BARTENDER DESCRIBED BELOW IS WORKING.

I live around the corner and have been coming to this bar for a few years now. I came here on Wednesday night (7/12) to meet some friends, grab some drinks, and play pool. From the second I walked in, the bartender ( girl with short brown bob) was already glaring at me. She essentially ignored me for a few minutes while she happily chatted and laughed with other patrons (who me and my friend actually ended up knowing) So far, nothing out of the ordinary. I get it, you're tired and busy and this is New York, so I was willing to let this go.

After more time of being ignored, she barks out from behind the bar "IDS." It was almost as if she thought I was trying to trick her or be sneaky?? I would've showed her the second I walked in but she had no interest. Again, I get it, but I don't like being not only stared at and ignored but now BARKED at? I hand her my ID and try to lighten the mood by saying "haha the picture is so bad, bad hair day" to which she continues to glare at me and slams the card back on the table and walks away. Maybe I wanted a drink...? But she couldn't have cared less. Off she goes to smile and chat and laugh with her friends. Finally, my friend orders a corona light, to which she snarkily replies, "we don't have that." so we ask for the regular, we get the drink, and pay.

Which leads me to tipping. My friend leaves a nice tip and OBVIOUSLY I always tip at bars, restaurants, coffee places, etc. As someone who has worked in the food service industry for 6+ years. I GET IT! But I would not have given this woman an extra CENT. I think that staff deserves to know when they aren't doing a great job -- why would I tip this woman who is actively making me feel bad for just being in her space?

For the rest of the night, she was, again, glaring, rolling her eyes as she moved about the space, and just setting a horrible tone and ambience for the bar that she is supposed to be representing.

Finally, at the end of the night, she walks over to the pool table asking for last call and then grumbles "and this is your last game of pool." AGAIN, she is not actively doing anything wrong here but the way in which she is talking to people who are spending money there and putting money in her pocket is completely unacceptable.

I refuse to come somewhere where I'm afraid or nervous to ask for something as simple as water. Meanwhile, my friend finally asked for a cup and got a sippy cup, barely halfway full, at room temp. There is no reason why she couldn't have tried just a LITTTTTLEEEE bit harder. Oh well, I shouldn't have expected anything more from her at this point.

I have never EVER felt less than at a spot in this neighborhood like this. This bartender is a HORRIBLE example of an employee and NOT someone I would want working for me in any capacity. If I were in charge, she either needs to get her shit together and treat people with basic respect or decency, or she needs to leave and come back when she is able to do so.

Again, I love love LOVE this bar, but if I come back and she is working I will most certainly NOT be tipping her.

I hope she is taken care of and finds someone to help her get the stick out of her ass.

Great place but every time I do karoake here they're fine when a dude grabs my mic but not fine when the reverse happens. When I informed them of this I was called a "bitch" in front of the crowd.

One of the bartender's was bizarrely rude. Slamming boxes into people and hip checking others. She seemed miserable but it didn't really justify taking it out on others. Feel bad for her.

I really love this bar! So cozy and the karaoke aspect makes it so much fun and laidback. Bartenders are really sweet folk. Please note the hours on google or yelp might not be updated. As of Jan 2022 they are open every single day from 2pm - 2am! 10/10 recommend to come here to chill and have a good drink :) Thanks Montero for being my favorite neighborhood bar after moving to Brooklyn!

Montero's! Karaoke with AMETHYST (lovely host with killer vocals). Need I say more.

A friend of ours was having a birthday and we had to trek it do some hidden bar in Brooklyn Heights. My friend described this place as "aquatic themed" and a "dive". Two of my favorite words when combined together. I salivate at the thought of an old man bar and then you put karaoke in the mix like the cherry on top.

We arrived around 9pm. Turns out this was the smartest move. Later I saw groups of people and even birthday people get turned away by the charming door guy "Pepe" while "Matthew" tried to woo me.

The karaoke is done in the tiniest part of the bar. I suggest you'd stand in an angle to let people go to the bathroom but also leave room for "Sonya" to bus tables and get to the bar and still see the karaoke list.

Back to Amethyst. You gotta write down the song you want to sing. If it's not in the computer then Amethyst will call you back to put in a new song. You get a song with every drink you order. If you are doing a duet then you hand the mic to the person who's being invited to sing. This is the rule. The name on the slip is the person that hands the mic. Don't forget. The main mic has the red tape. DON'T PUT DRINKS DOWN ON AMETHYST'S TABLE.

At the bar, Kaddy is slinging drinks but will take a quick break to sing some Alanis Morisette. Everyone here is down for the wild ride!

The beers are $4 for pbr and with a tequila shot it's $11. So pick your liquid courage wisely.

This place is over 80 years old. The staff was really the best part, followed by the decor. The crowd is a young, finance, fresh out of grad school types and some older regulars sprinkled in. Maybe they come on the non-karaoke nights.

It's CASH ONLY. Almost $3 for the ATM.

This one star is simply for the bartender with the black bob. Had a fantastic night with my friends sitting at the bar until she accused us of not tipping. We were being served all night by another bartender, and tipping on every order. I have zero reason to lie about that as i've grown up in the service industry and know that bartenders and servers rely on tips. She was talking about us behind the bar and refusing to serve us. Incredibly unfortunate as we were having a great time up until this point.

Montero's is a dive that comes fully equipped with a pool table, surly bartenders and surprisingly fun karaoke nights, so please allow me to sing this review to you in the style of Bohemian Rhapsody:

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a dive bar, to escape from reality.
Open your beer, look at that weird guy, smell peeeee...
I'm just a poor boy, I need some buybacks please.*
Because I'm kinda drunk, OK sloshed. Little high? Maybe so.
Anything the 'tender pours, doesn't really matter to me, to me...

Oh man, just sang a song.
Put my mouth up on the mic, yelled my chorus, now they left.
To think, the night had just begun.
But now I've gone and chased them all away...
My bad, ooh, didn't mean to make you leave,
If I'm here back again this time tomorrow,
Get me help, the AA kind, 'cause I definitely have a problem.

Too late, my drink has come.
Sent shots all down my throat, think I should've got my coat.
Goodbye, everybody, I've got to go.
Gotta leave you all behind and eat some food,**
Really, ooh, (anything that tastes good)
I don't want to leave,
But sometimes I wish I'd never come in at all.

[Guitar solo fades out because I think this has run its course.]
_____________

*The prices are definitely a little higher than they should be, considering the smell and the man sleeping in the corner that you might think is homeless, but is actually just waiting for karaoke to start (he has a lovely voice).
**They don't serve any, but Table 87 is quite close and delicious.

Montero's is a neighborhood staple. It's as old school as it gets - like something out of Last Exit to Brooklyn.

Come here for the karaoke machine, stay for the cheap beers.

Cash only!

Oh, and if you and your bros decide to sing Wagon Wheel, I'm going to throw something at you.

Went to this bar for the first time on Wednesday and had the best time! Iconic decor , old school dive and all around great energy. Bartender was fantastic and attentive ! Both crowd and music was lively! Will definitely be going back and telling anyone that wants to have a good time to join hehe