Bars by
Ken Switzer
Escape From Bedford and Head to an Oasis in Williamsburg July
12th, 2004 1:35 PM
A
bridge over the East River Bar
(photo: Cary Conover)
East River Bar
97 South 6th Street
Brooklyn
718.302.0511
ven
Williamsburg hipsters need a break from the daily faux-hawk and
vintage-T-shirt parade on Bedford Avenue once in a while. Luckily, they
don't have to travel too far off the beaten path for some respite. As soon
as you enter East River Bar, you're reminded of why Billyburg was so
appealing in the first place: Within its gigantic, warehouse-sized space,
you could get a football (or more appropriately, kickball) game going if
you wanted to. Its old, chipped brick walls and not-even-half-redone
interior provide just enough grit, and with the Dead Kennedys' "Too Drunk
to Fuck" blasting through the jukebox, "yuptight" folks are sure to be
scared away. Regulars pass knowing glances, from the guys shooting pool on
the bar's elevated level to the couples lounging in the many booths and
couches below. Of course, this is all likely to change once those
overpriced condos around the corner in the Gretsch Building are completed.
But until then, suck down a refreshing pint of Blanche de Brooklyn ($4),
or knock back a few Coronas ($4) on the River's sprawling outdoor patio.
The hodgepodge of furniture suggests a suburban yard sale about to happen,
but it's cozy and down-to-earth, and there are almost always a few seats
available. Plus, the traffic from the Williamsburg Bridge sounds like
waves breaking, if you use your imagination.
ven
Williamsburg hipsters need a break from the daily faux-hawk and
vintage-T-shirt parade on Bedford Avenue once in a while. Luckily, they
don't have to travel too far off the beaten path for some respite. As soon
as you enter East River Bar, you're reminded of why Billyburg was so
appealing in the first place: Within its gigantic, warehouse-sized space,
you could get a football (or more appropriately, kickball) game going if
you wanted to. Its old, chipped brick walls and not-even-half-redone
interior provide just enough grit, and with the Dead Kennedys' "Too Drunk
to Fuck" blasting through the jukebox, "yuptight" folks are sure to be
scared away. Regulars pass knowing glances, from the guys shooting pool on
the bar's elevated level to the couples lounging in the many booths and
couches below. Of course, this is all likely to change once those
overpriced condos around the corner in the Gretsch Building are completed.
But until then, suck down a refreshing pint of Blanche de Brooklyn ($4),
or knock back a few Coronas ($4) on the River's sprawling outdoor patio.
The hodgepodge of furniture suggests a suburban yard sale about to happen,
but it's cozy and down-to-earth, and there are almost always a few seats
available. Plus, the traffic from the Williamsburg Bridge sounds like
waves breaking, if you use your imagination.