Dick Jane's - City of New York

We had a late dinner reservation not too far away, so I looked up bars in the area to grab a drink beforehand. Dick and Jane's had great reviews, and surprisingly, there aren't many other bars nearby. Approaching the entrance, the vibe was clearly a laid-back neighborhood hangout, which was evident for some patrons. The venue offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and on pleasant days, the windows in the indoor bar space open up for an open-air feel. Outside, we noticed groups engaged in activities like playing cards and reading tarot, while the indoor area felt more intimate with dim lighting and good music. However, we experienced some issues related to staffing. It seemed there was only one server tending to the outdoor patrons, along with just one bartender. He appeared very calm, which either suggests he's incredibly skilled at managing stress or something else entirely. There was a line to order drinks, and while he was trying to handle orders methodically, the high volume of requests caused significant delays. A couple sitting next to us pointed out how much potential revenue the business could be missing out on due to its current setup, which seemed like a fair observation. When we finally got to place our drink orders, we were disappointed to learn that the bartender was out of both drinks we requested, even though it was only around 8 or 8:30. The two drinks we did end up getting were just average; I ordered a freezer martini, which was underwhelming due to ice chips floating on top—definitely not something I want to see in my martini. My partner opted for a highball, which was fine but nothing memorable. I can't help but think this experience might have been a fluke, but I feel it’s important to share my honest review of the night.

This is one of the best bars in the area! I really enjoy the dimly lit, seductive dive bar ambiance. The drinks are fantastic and elevate the typical cocktail experience. The service is incredibly warm, friendly, and enjoyable. You can tell that the staff genuinely love working there and appreciate their regular customers. I give it a 4.8 out of 5!

I visited this restaurant after a day at Fort Greene Park. The bar had great music playing, and the atmosphere was incredibly inviting. However, we started with a couple of margaritas and were quite disappointed. The balance between sweet and sour was off, making the drinks very bitter.

Nice cocktail bar with a ton of outdoor seating, both covered and uncovered. The menu is only cocktails at typical NYC prices $15).

This is just a good bar. The crowd, and the staff are all friendly. The music is good. It's small, and comfortable. The cocktail list is also small, and the two I've tried off it are excellent, but the bartenders will also make you a perfect negroni, or old fashioned, or any classic you're interested in. They can also pour a very strong vodka soda, and I watched them make a gorgeous espresso martini, if you're into that sort of thing. This is the bar I wish I had a little closer to my apartment. However, I'm glad it's here, because it's the perfect spot for a pre or post dinner drink at any one of the excellent restaurants within spitting distance (Miss Ada, Evelina, Walter's, Olea, Colonia Verde, etc. . I'll be back to do just that.