Only Child has entered the chat as BedStuy's newest cocktail lounge. Opening just this past Friday…read more(6/26/26), my friend and I had the privilege of being their first customers. If first impressions are lasting impressions, then consider me a fan forever.
We walked in at 5pm. The lighting inside was a stark contrast to the bright evening sun on the street corner. Stevie Wonder's "As" played through the speakers as we walked through the beaded entry way. Instantly, we knew this place was something special. The low lighting and dark furnishings signal that Only Child is a place to relax. There's bar seating and several low couches with tables that invite friends and conversation. On the walls, large portraits of BedStuy's youngest residents - fitting for the name of the bar. On the back wall, a childhood portrait of the owner hangs, "the onliest of only children." The wall sconces are dramatically draped with white cloths to turn the temperature of the lights down.
Once you've chosen your seats, the menu is yours to peruse. There are 6 cocktails, several natural wines, beer, and N/A options. There's also a menu of snacky foods at the back. Be sure to arrive before 10 if you're planning to have any bites.
On opening night, my friend and I made it more than halfway through the cocktail menu. I think my favorite cocktail is the Bramble, with cachaça, lemon, and a blackberry liqueur called mure. The three ingredient cocktail is deceivingly complex and so nice to sip while talking. As a martini lover, the classic gin martini was excellent. The option of a sidecar is a nice touch and feels like an acknowledgement that sometimes you just don't want the moment to end. My friend loved the signature cocktail, the Only Child, which features gin, cognac, ginger, and cucumber. It's an unusual combination but somehow it really does work. I should also mention the very solid Boulevardier.
On snacks, the options could be considered intercontinental. We ordered the Basque nachos and some bread. The nachos do not include tortilla chips, so don't go in expecting that. In a delightful twist, the nachos are actually very crispy potato chips. They're served topped with iberico ham, manchego cheese, and these vinegar brinded anchovies. This was so good. The mountain of crispy (!!!) potato chips, the ham. I was expecting a smaller and saltier anchovy but this was a pleasant surprise. We wanted to order to mazcal tajin popcorn, it wasn't available at the time.
Having gone back the next day, I can confirm that the magic of Only Child wasn't just a one off. The group of friends I brought thoroughly enjoyed our time there and are already looking forward to this as a new cocktail bar for us. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. Shoutout to Niko, Manny, and Bobby. Once the neighborhood gets word about Only Child, I think it'll become a local favorite.