Pretty elusive and mysterious vintage bar located across from Carroll Park. It's dim-lit with candles and simple decor, which makes for a perfect date night spot. The service was also great as the bartender was quick and got us our next drinks as soon as he saw we finished our first one. During our visit, we tried the Matt's Ginger Old Fashioned, Brooklyn, Vulcano, and Palermo Fix. All cocktails were $14 each, which were all nicely made. The Brooklyn was very strong and the Old Fashioned is a nice classic with a hint of ginger flavor. The other two were lighter with twists of sour. They also offer some paninis, plus a toasted lard bread ($5) that we ordered. The lard bread is from Mazzola, which is absolutely delicious, but kind of sad that they only offer 4 pieces. Cool bar in the neighborhood with tasty drinks. It's such a simple, yet sophisticated bar. There's also a pool table in the back to enjoy. read more

See all

A terrific old school social club turned bar. The space is dark and intimate with not a ton of seating. Their drink menu isn't very large but it's good especially the cocktails. The Neapolitan is my favorite. The only food items they have are a few panini's so don't come here expecting a full food menu. They have a pool table in the back and outdoor seating. The service is always quick and the bartenders know how to make a cocktail. Love coming here whenever I'm out and about in Caroll Gardens. read more

See all

Cozy bar with good drinks and knowledgeable/kind staff! Been back often and it's consistently a good time.

I came here with a friend for drinks on a Thursday night. It was pretty busy, but we managed to get a seat. They have mostly cocktails and a few draft beer options. I tried the amalfi (vodka, muddled lemon, limoncello, and fresh rosemary). Drinks weren't horrendously overpriced, and it was a cute bar. I'd venture back if I were in the area. read more

Cool local dive bar with a pool table, classic decor, and popping crowd on a Saturday hh time. My spicy margarita was so tasty too! read more

Brooklyn Social - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Cute neighborhood bar with a great house playlist, indoor seating, a pool table, and a spacious yard with more seating options and a thoughtfully placed can of OFF (bug spray) on each table. My boyfriend had been talking about this bar for a while, as he said he used to frequent it when he used to live nearby, and we finally got the chance to visit together last night. The crowd nowadays skews 30's/40's 9-to-5ers, the type to pair a black spaghetti strap dress with white tennis shoes and a fanny pack (read: not really my kind of people), so do what you will with that information, but I dig the bar itself. read more

We really loved that they kept all of the antique photos of the families that were originally part of the social club. The drinks were good and served quickly. The prices were also reasonable too. read more

See all

Came for an after dinner cocktail. Cute quaint place with good service. If I'm in the area, I would return. They have a pool table in the back which seems to be popular. Shout out to gender neutral bathrooms because it certainly made the potty line move faster. read more

Brooklyn Social - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

This place is okay, nothing to rave about. As a transplanted manhattan nite I love Brooklyn but its sports bars can't compare to the cities bars. This place is quaint the food, the service the ambiance is okay. Hole they price out like the city it's not the city. If anyone knows a great sports bar in Brooklyn please share. read more

An old speak easy with a great selection of cocktails and beer ! Friendly service and clean restrooms ! Great place to stop for a drink before or after eating a pizza at one of the great shops in the area ! read more

Brooklyn Social - Cocktail menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Really great hole in the wall bar with an open pool table. Everything is cash but the chase and td bank is right down the street. I had amazing whiskey drinks here and think this place deserves more than the 4 stars. I guess when I went the service has gotten a lot better. read more

Brooklyn Social - Manhattan + bar seating ambiance - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Bar in Brooklyn. There's a pool table and nice backyard it's great spot to hang out with friends. They have draft beer and some nice cocktails. Panini is also available. read more

See all

Brooklyn Social is my favorite Carroll Gardens bar! The drinks are top notch and so affordably priced. The bartenders are super friendly and make drinks impressively fast. I'm always looking for an excuse to stop by! read more

I am wondering how is it possible for a cocktail bar where drinks are $12 to be cash only? Perhaps for this reason alone, I shaved off a star. A former social club, Brooklyn Social has been around since 2004 (yes, I'm late in reviewing it) and upon entrance, the walls are adorned with mobster pictures & those of the rat pack. Dark, unassuming, loud and hipster ridden, it's also a cozy neighborhood bar. Think of a speakeasy type of atmosphere. On the other hand, there are several cocktail bars along Smith Street with similar vibes. Does the fact that this was a former Sicilian social club add a unique factor? Maybe, maybe not. But many would argue that it's inviting. The main bar area contains some seating which means on a given night, it could be roomy or quite packed. As it gets later into the evening, it becomes more populated. You could find most people standing and chatting. The middle section is where you'll find a pool table which is situated in a awkward manner. Try to play a game and risk hitting the cue stick on the wall. The space is that tight. There's also a lovely backyard patio. When I was a semi regular back in the day, I would flock outside. Through the years, I introduced several friends to Brooklyn Social as well as some first dates. Brooklyn Social can accommodate. Drinks are pretty good--with names such as the Riposto (the name of the former said social club) and Palermo fix. They also serve pressed sandwiches--a variety of three which I'm sure is much appreciated when seeking some food to complement the drinks or stave off hunger. A recent visit reminded me to review it since I never did It brought back some cool memories and I wouldn't hesitate to return again. Worth a visit. read more

Excellent and reliable neighborhood bar. Good cocktails and beers (ok on wine, but, really you should get beers and mixed drinks here!). There is a pool table in the back room and the front room's dim lighting creates a cool atmosphere. read more

See all

Who doesn't love a good urban dive bar with a touch of class?! Hidden gem off of smith street with unique cocktails and cool, friendly staff! Great spot for a first date drink or to meet a group of friends on a weeknight. read more

Had a drink at Brooklyn Social on Friday night. A bar that lets you step back in time, but I was not super excited about the drink options. Quality: I think the history behind Brooklyn Social is the coolest part of this bar. The space used to be an exclusive social club, but they have now opened up to serve cocktails, beers, and paninis. The walls are covered with old photos of the former members looking dapper and handling business. I had sips of two cocktails on the menu, the Amalfi, with vodka, limoncello, lemon, and rosemary, and the Pinky Fizz, with gin, lemon, aperol, and egg white. Neither were for me, but the folks that ordered them seemed to like them. I ended up with an Other Half IPA, one of just four draft beers on the menu. The highlight of the visit was the order of Toasted Lard Bread, a fun option to snack on with your drink. Quantity: Simple, but strong cocktails, and fair beer pours. Value: $5 for Toasted Lard Bread. $13 for Cocktails. $7-$8 for Draft Beers. Ambiance: Brooklyn Social is located along Smith Street in Gowanus, across the street from the park. The bar is more of a cocktail bar, but because it has preserved that old school feel, it is better classified as a dive. The paint job, the portraits, the bar style, and the light fixtures all seem from a different era. They have a long bar and a few tables in the main room, then a side room made for cards. I think there may have been an outdoor area as well, but the door was closed. The rain did not make that a good option on this evening. Crowd: The bar was empty when we visited on Saturday night. It was rainy out, but this seemed like the kind of place that would get busy with less than ideal weather. Service: They were a little over-the-top about COVID precautions, not that it was problematic, but it was strange to see at this point. Parking: Some street parking in the nearby area. read more

CASH ONLY. I wish I had read that before I came here with $40 in my pocket. They have an ATM in the back, and there's a Chase and a TD Bank a block away on Court St, so you're not totally SOL. Anyway, all cocktails are $12. The negroni is good. I also had the Palermo Fix (a rye drink that was pretty weak). I wasn't too enthralled by the other options, so I ended up sticking to the basics. Also, some cocktails are served in martini glasses, which is always a terrible idea when you're walking around a dark bar that has a pool table and stairs to the backyard. So yeah, they have a pool table that's in a room that's way too tiny for a pool table. Also right by the bathrooms. They have a yard in the back with a smoking section. Good amount of space, but it's residential, so they'll herd you in, and then it'll be too packed inside, and that's when you know to move onto a different bar. read more

Brooklyn Social - Cocktail menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Super cute! Great drinks. Vibey low key date night spot. And no phone policy (not sure if it's enforced but I still great).

This was a great stop one night with a few work friends. There was a fairly traditional dimly lit cocktail bar as you enter from the front door. Lots of little candles. House cocktail list menu plus they can and will make all the classics. We drank bourbon smashes that were similar to old fashioneds all night. Happy to see that there was a coin op pool table in the middle room, and then a back Door out into a courtyard. If you are looking for some top notch cocktails, a good atmosphere to hang with friends or maybe shoot some pool in Brooklyn, make it a stop! read more

The whole vibe of this place was really weird and also the drinks were expensive. I was here with two other people and they did last call around 1:25am, made people leave but didn't make my group go, then locked the door but said we could stay. The two staff behind the bar were also bickering. It was strange. I won't go back. read more

I walked into Brooklyn Social looking for an after-dinner drink. Dimly lit, simply decorated, largely empty...it seemed ideal for my purposes. We sat at the bar and ordered a couple of martinis. The bartender did a very decent job, and they were cold and refreshing. If they weren't the worst olives I've ever had, I would be completely pleased. As I sipped mine, I glanced around and saw a pool table peeking out of the back room, and my pants suddenly felt tight. I quickly ascertained that a game cost a dollar in quarters, and downed half my martini so that I could walk to the back without spilling any precious liquid happiness.** I gleefully inserted quarters and racked the balls. I readied myself to break, and *THUNK*. That was the sound of my cue striking the wall. They need about two more feet in the back room, and then I would never leave. (Perhaps that's why they built it that size.) They do have a nifty sign forbidding disrespectful language though. However, no one enforces this rule: when I asked the bartender to throw my girlfriend out for calling me a worthless slob, he ignored me. ______ **Why are martini glasses so stupid? They are impossible to drink out of, difficult to carry without spilling, and if you've ever been a waiter, carrying them precariously across a room is often the bane of your existence. Especially considering how easily breakable they are. I hate martini glasses. But I love martinis. Sigh. Isn't life hard? read more

Terrific old fashioned for $10! Dimly lit bar. Chill speakeasy vibe. Pool table. Candle lit. Cocktail love in Brooklyn. Seems like a cozy and intimate kind of place with speakeasy-like cocktails. At only $10 a drink it's also much cheaper than their Manhattan counterparts. Limited cocktail menu though, but I'm sure if asked the bartenders can come up with many different concoctions. Not a lot of seating but some nooks and crannies to sit at with a few booths and tables. A solid spot for a proper cocktail for sure if looking for a more civilized spot to enjoy a libation among the many loud and crazy bars along Smith Street. Just be aware that this place is cash only which is a real fail for a cocktail bar. Don't accept credit cards? Really? read more

Great little hole in the wall bar! The cocktails here are pretty good and you've got pretty good options. The bar is dimly lit and very simple. Nothing extravagant, just an old fashion bar serving good cocktails. They've got a pool table in the back and a small backyard seating area which is great in the summer. Of note, they also serve food here. Just a few paninis on the menu that are made to order and handed to you wrapped in foil and you go on your way. read more

Keep your eyes open, because you might miss it. And believe me, you won't want to. To get your cocktail or beverage fix in a dimly lit, yet inviting, bar, look out for Brooklyn Social in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. At 335 Smith Street, you'll find an all black facade, tiny slits for windows and an unassuming, recessed door. What started out years ago as a Sicilian men's social club, is now open to "non-members", serving up some really great, potent drinks. Through the first room, toward the back, you'll walk into another smaller room with a private couch and pool table. Just past that, walk out and enjoy the outdoor patio on a nice night. How amazing do all of these things sound?  For my drink, I ordered the Neapolitan (citron vodka, lemon, Italian triple sec, pomegranate juice). This was great. The drink is a little sweet, with a great citrusy quality and nice subtle tartness from the pomegranate. You won't even notice how pleasantly strong it is until you're about half way through. Cheers. read more

See all

Happened to be in the area, it was raining, really needed to find a bathroom, and after checking out their menu--became instantly thirsty for cocktails. We tried the Fellini, Sicilian Fizz, and Palermo Fix (all pictured above). Dimly lit and we found a cozy corner to chill. Very tasty and a nice surprise treat for a bathroom break. read more

Brooklyn Social - Fellini & Sicilian Fizz - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Went to Bk Social for first time in a long time ie pre Covid. Service was horrible. Arrogant bartender gave us attitude from the moment we arrived. Nothing like the warm neighborhood'y vibe from the past. Ivan in particular. This guy made us never want to return. Well done ahole! read more

This place has been a favorite of mine for years and I was so happy to see that they are open during COVID and handing the situation so responsibly and safely. Having a handmade cocktail in their lovely quiet back yard was the highlight of my week. Edgar created a mezcal basil margarita for us that was not on the menu- but should be- it's amazing! Service and drinks were impeccable. Go now before it gets too cold! The backyard is better than cocktail hour on the sidewalk any day! They are very very careful about masks and distancing and they also take great care with making cocktails and treating everyone like a special guest. Going to Brooklyn Social felt like a rare treat in these crazy times. read more

Perfectly named as it's housed in a former social club, Brooklyn Social makes you feel like you've stepped into a simpler time...except with $12 cocktails. Brooklyn Social is dark, warm, and charming with old photos, an old register and a pool table in the back. The cocktails are also very good. My only real gripe is that it's cash only. They do have an ATM, but I happened to be caught out without my debit card. read more

When I first discovered Brooklyn Social I thought I had found my perfect watering hole--roots blues on the stereo, seemingly-seasonally concocted cocktails, traditional bartender garb behind the stick. Really, what more do I need? I inquired to the owner about working part-time. I fell in lust immediately. Well, as with so many of my pecker-driven fantasies the patina of this paradise soon wore off. A few visits later and I easily made some stark realizations. 1. The drinks are not made well. Not even their own drinks, for Christ's sake. Inconsistent, undependable, and imbalanced. The worst of it was when I ordered one of their drinks--rosemary, lemon, gin I think, muddled--and it came with an orange in it. I inquired--donde esta la lemon, senior? "Oh, well, we're out of lemons so I made it with an orange." WHAT?! Say it ain't so! The lemons ran out?! No, seriously folks, who gives a shit if lemons run out. (Though, it was like 10 PM.) But, if you are a real bartender hawking traditional cocktails behind the stick at an establishment with a persona like Brooklyn Social--you are, right? Ok.--than how hard is it to come up with a new drink, using oranges? You don't replace limes with lemons in a mojito. 2. The crowd sucks. Late at night this place has a serious dbag-saturation problem. Stay clear. 3. It's all for show. They don't revel in the art of making cocktails, calling to the muses of the past post-prohibition revivals. They make drinks, and found out that being a schticky old-style bar worked. On the up side, the decor isn't offensive. The pool table sucks, and the crowd, well...see point numero dos above. The music, when they play pre-60's era blues and jazz, is the best thing this place has going for it. read more

Want a place where the bartenders are not called bartenders but 'mixologist'? where seating is limited? Where drinks are set on fire? Well, then friend, this is the place for you. It's a cute, dimly lit spot with not too many barstools, only 3 areas for table seating (get there early to grab one) and jazzy/loungy music. My issue was how damn long it took me to get the stinking drink, maybe I was just really, unbelievably thirsty but 10 minutes to make a 'Felini'? I understand if he had to lit the drink on fire like the cocktail called, 'Brooklyn' but not the case it was simple. I hate slow bartenders, oh sorry I mean mixologist. My favorite part was when someone ordered a drink that required a egg white from an organic egg... to which my friend leaned in and dubbed the drink 'the pretentious asshole.' The crowd is mixed, it kept changing but for the most part seemed to be locals, you know the cool locals that pay way too much in rent. Bathroom was cramped and was lacking a mirror, I hate that. I'd probably come here again if I was in the area but wouldn't go out of my way. read more

I really like the Brooklyn Social. Maybe it's the lack of hipness and the infusion of affluence that makes it appeal to my 26-year old self. I liked hanging out with my friends here. The space is great, not too small, not so big either. There are about 6 nooks where you can sit comfortably undisturbed, but you can take the front of the bar area where you're more likely to be cramped and bump into people(if that's your thing). The guys that frequent are generally tall and not affronting. The women are pleasing to the eyes. Personalities I cannot attest to, as barriers aren't as easily broken with straight girls. Not their fault. I dont think people come here to meet people so much as to have a good time with great drinks and their friends. The music is generally unidentifiable but sits comfortably in the background. I like that a lot. (UPDATE: the music is really good if you listen) I saw the mint leaves on the bar, so of course I ordered a mint julep. I never pass up the opportunity. You can't have a bad time with a mint julep in your hand. It's tested and true. I was impressed by the drinks and the acumen of the bartenders. After reading the other reviews, I see my observations legitimized. I am usually a beer person. 95 percent of the time. For some reason, the mixeds flow easily here. It's good to see people who know what they are doing creating the drinks. Why get the standard Guinness? Those ties look like they can fix me something good. read more

I do not understand the persistent assertion that Brooklyn Social recalls the 1930s. Nor do I understand the impulsive association of swanky glamor with that desperate and miserable decade. The old patrons of the Julius Bar or the Stork Club would likely be confused and enraged by Brooklyn Social between the Peroni, The Cardigans on the jukebox and the slummy yuppies sprawled everywhere. The real people of the 1930s, the Okies and the Bowery five cent haircut bums, would be appalled, too, by the prices and the juice and herb muddles. In other words, this review of Brooklyn Social serves as a surrogate for my total gathered incomprehension of the new cocktail craze. If, in fact, you like a nice drink, leave it at that. Then, be advised that Brooklyn Social serves small drinks at large prices, and that these drinks are only made to a minimal standard of acceptability. I like a rye Manhattan on the rocks and fail to understand why the gentleman who makes me these drinks must wear a goofy necktie and why his making of the basic cocktail seems to require the exertions and warmups of a decathlete. read more

Cool looks, cool location, cool drinks, cool bartenders, cool bar. Don't let the old crooners on the jukebox and bowties on the bartenders fool you--this place is casual as hell (although glamming it could be fun too). The drinks are expertly mixed and if you're feeling adventurous, have the bartender surprise you. I did last night and he made some awesome orange-flavored champagne cocktail that, now that I've typed it up, sounds really gross but was actually kind of amazing. There's a pool table in back and supposedly a patio (though I didn't see one). The Deco decor and votives everywhere are perfect. The scene is friendly and relaxed and not hip at all, which can be refreshing sometimes. All told, this is one of my favorite Brooklyn bars and a great place to bring out-of-towners of all ages. read more

Fairly decent drinks (I'll drink anything with lemon, ginger and gin) but not terribly well-executed. The crowd is a bit dbaggy and YOUNG. Or I'm just getting OLD. read more

As anyone can see from my minimal bar entries, I am not a barfly. However, ever since this old Italian social club re-opened as a n'hood bar (albeit rather trendy), I can be found there once in a while after a particularly ugly day at work... or even a good day. It's like being in the back room of a Scorsese flick set in the 1950s, but you're not afraid because the clientele have hipster strollers parked at the curb. Oh, and there's a cozy patio out back, past the pool table room, for summer months! Only minor problem: all those Manhattanites who used to poo-poo Brooklyn are now making the joint sorta crowded ;) read more

Brooklyn Social - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I have certain requirements to really like a bar and they can never be compromised.* 1. Relatively low volume of accompanying music and patrons. I have to be able to hear myself talk and hate nodding my head like I heard something when I didn't hear anything other than the extra volume from the jukebox or iPod through speakers and the extremely witty banter of the drunk patrons surrounding me. 2. Dim to low lighting. I don't want this because I am hiding something horrific about my appearance, I just don't see the need for excessive light in a drinking and relaxing situation. 3. Low percentage of douchebags. This is a tenuous proposition, but I mean the kind of dbags who act like they own the place because they have been there twice in the last year and because they have four or more dbags with them so they all find themselves and their accompanying drunken behavior, funny. Brooklyn Social met all of these without question. Requirements 1 and 3 mean I don't go to my favorite places on the weekend. I tried Brooklyn Social for the first time on a Thursday night around 7:30. The interior is welcoming and uncluttered and lit in a bar-friendly type of way. There are two tables in the nooks up front which are great if you can get one, however, don't wait for someone to come to you, just go to the bar and order and retrieve. The bartenders were both friendly and accessible. Although the bar was full, I stood right behind the first line and while he continued to work on drinks, he acknowledged that I was there and that he would be with me in a second. There was only one bartender so this was appreciated, nothing worse than going ignored at a bar. I had two of Matt's Old-Fashioned (bourbon, ginger, sugar, cherries, orange, bitters and soda). They were made well and they were real drinks, replete with a heavy alcohol content. The drinks run $9 and they are well worth it. After spending more than a couple hours here I saw the place grow more crowded with a younger** crowd than expected and the volume of the music went up and down, but it was not bothersome and really fit the place. This is definitely a place I will come back to soon. _____________________ * except as part of a drunken night where memory is diminished. At these times, the aforementioned list becomes obsolete and any place serving alcohol becomes A-OK. ** all relative depending on how old you are. It looked younger to me, meaning mid 20's. read more

It's all about the cocktail and the old school vibe. The all male bar staff is clothed in little vintage numbers with bow ties. When I want a martini, that's exactly whom i want serving me. Most importantly this place isn't pretentious. The crowd seems fair and you will always find a guy that's been hanging in there for sixty years amongst the obnoxious youngins. Tis a good first date spot too. It's dimly lit and there's a pool table in the back which is helpful if you are hopelessly bored and don't want to have to talk to the person with you are with and/or are not attracted to them whatsoever and but you are trying to be nice and not blow them off in the first half hour. As most bars on Smith, I would avoid going here on the weekend when it turns into a small, crowded meat market. read more

These days Brooklyn seems to be having a veritable speakeasy explosion, but as far as I can tell, Brooklyn Social was the first. It's not nearly as laid back and cozy as its cocktail-centric contemporaries like Little Branch, East Side Co or the newly-opened Wburg den Hotel Delmano, BUT you can get really delicious old-timey drinks for under $10, and you can play pool! If there are two things I love that are not in the same bar enough, it's fancy cocktails and pool tables. And hmm...I'm re-thinking my cozy comment, remembering now that last Friday, after a couple of ginger thingies and a flamingo whatsit or two, three of us decided that it was possible to all fit on the setee in the little setee nook. SO cozy! read more

I just don't get it. Everyone told me to come here instead of Clover Club--better atmosphere, they said; cheap drinks. Um...neither. I realized when I walked in that I'd been here before, and thought the atmosphere nondescript. Speakeasy? Maybe, but only because its exterior is unmarked gray. Rather, it seems more like a dive bar that's been painted black. There are a few cute touches (icebox, flowers, bartender outfits) but these are overwhelmed by the rather boring nature of the bar. It's also quite small--fewer than six tables. Most of the seats are at the bar. The drinks are stronger than Clover Club's, yes, I'll give you that. But this isn't always a good thing. $9 gets you any of their specialty drinks. Yes, there are ingredients like egg whites and muddled grapes. Yes, the bartender knows what he's doing--but he's hardly a mixologist. But, again, I don't see what all the fuss is about. read more