The Hollow Nickel is the quintessential dive bar. The atmosphere is cozy, the drinks are reasonably priced, and the vibes are almost always good. Located on Atlantic Avenue, the space itself is deceptively large. Upon entry, you are greeted by an L shaped bar, with high tops on the left, a booth in the front, and then several booths and tables in the back. There is a TV, but rather than sports like you'd see at most dive bars, there is usually a movie on. There is also a backyard to the bar, which is lovely in the summertime. As you'd expect, you order everything at the bar, food included, and there is no waiter service aside from the staff running your food to your table. There is a reasonable collection of draft beers, focusing on somewhat higher end beers rather the standard collection of macro brews. Additionally there are a handful of cocktails, and a few drink specials (I often take advantage of the shot and beer combo). The drink selection is nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. There's also a food menu, including burgers, a hot dog, chicken wings and other bar staples. Overall the food is surprisingly good. I'm quite fond of the spicy smash burger, and the wings are pretty good as well. So far I don't think I've had anything that is poorly made, and they seem to put a bit more effort in to the food than other bars. What really sets the Hollow Nickel apart to me is the service. The bartenders are friendly, and help foster a community feeling in the bar. If you find yourself a regular, a nod and a smile will have your usual drink prepared quickly. The other patrons are usually pretty friendly, and it's not uncommon for me to find myself chatting with other people at the bar when I come for a drink on my own. I'm not quite sure what they've done, but the Hollow Nickel is just a nice place to be filled with generally nice people. If you want a drink and maybe some food, the Hollow Nickel won't do you wrong. It's exactly the type of bar you like to know is an option. read more

Hollow Nickel - Grilled cheese with bacon and fries - Pubs Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Only for drinks Great outside seating in a chill backyard Good craft beer selection Would return Inside is small read more

It's a solid upscale dive bar, but with Brooklyn priced food and drinks. Regulars get MUCH better service than visitors. When I'm there with a regular, I'm a welcome guest. When I'm there on my own I feel like an annoyance. The burgers are solid, the popcorn chicken is bush league. read more

Such a cozy dive bar in Brooklyn! I enjoyed the drinks and food here. All items had great prices. The bartenders are extremely chill too. It's such a nice resting spot after a long day of work down the street. They have a movie playing on a projector in the back and good music playing. read more

Hollow Nickel - Outside - Pubs Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This place is a gem of a dive bar. They had several nonalcoholic options, which I appreciated. The food was fantastic--the popcorn chicken almost had a wing-like coating and went perfectly with the buffalo sauce. The bartender was friendly and the place had a cozy divey vibe. If I lived around here, this would be a regular place for me. read more

Hollow Nickel - Popcorn chicken - Pubs Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Little hole in the wall pub that I absolutely adored. Bartender (whom I think was an owner) was a delight! Made great conversation with us. His staff was attentive. And the food was quite tasty. Got popcorn chicken and fries covered in caramelized onions and cheese sauce- all quite tasty. Good selection of beers on tap. read more

Solid grilled cheese with bacon. Quite good mixed drinks. Sadly no table service but it is kind of a dive. Gets loud.

Great place for a cocktail before a show! It was a fun little spot with excellent service considering how busy it was!

Had an unpleasant experience with a female bartender with an Australian accent. She had an unpleasant time cutting a patron off-- which i witnessed-- and when i went to order another drink, stumbling on the difference between a Manhattan and a Old Fashioned, she apparently took her frustration out on me-- it was extremely disrespectful and untoward. I enjoy going here because it's a good vibe almost always, unfortunately I don't think I will be back. read more

Eh the 2 stars comes from my coworker who really enjoyed her bacon wrapped dog. The french fries were good, positives end there, BLT was SO bad :( Super burnt and fatty, overall inedible and disappointing. I was conflicted between ordering the burger and blt- and the bartender told me the bacon was freshly cooked to order. Mine came w bacon that was super burnt and gross. Very disappointed. The "sourdough" tastes like white bread also LOL l The sprite was good but diet coke syrup needed to be changed. The waitstaff were VERY nice- but idk why they have to YELL. The bus boy was YELLING when he delivered the food, so loudly I had to keep covering my ears :( he was super nice though. But If your staff have to yell that loudly, maybe turn down the volume? Idk it wasnt that loud even he just was.., read more

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I've been coming here sporadically over the years but this is the best dive bar option in a neighborhood filled with fancy schmancies. Don't get me wrong, as much as I love me my fancy cocktails, the unassuming dive bar (with a backyard space and ample seating) is an underrated staple for those days where you don't want to get trussed up and just want a low key hang out with friends. Nice staff, great prices and a good happy hour. Some easy food options too, if you're in the mood for actual nourishment. Solid choice for all those reasons. read more

Bartender was an asshole. Didn't even order and our group of 8 left. Will never be back or recommend this place to anyone. If this was my business, the guy serving tonight wouldn't be an employee anymore. read more

Service was great! The Hollow Nickel was more than I expected and just what I was looking for. Whoever recommended the Penicillin was on point. The pub fare was tasty. I had expected their spicy burger to be more than a slow after-burn, but the jalapeno sauce had flavor. The fried pickles were good, but would recommend a different side. Although I visited solo and enjoyed the atmosphere, I recommend going with friends to enjoy the drinks and company. read more

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Stopped by for a late night beer off the plane. Seems like a nice neighborhood bar though sadly the kitchen was already closed. Liked my pilsner though. read more

What can I say about this place? I came here to kill time and had a beer, I met with my daughters near by and told them they should go into this place to use the bathroom, which I thought should have been easy considering I was just there, well no, the guy their was rude to my girls, asked them what they wanted and that they shouldn't be there and continued to be rude to them. I will definitely NOT be going back, it's not what you say but how you say it, you can give an answer without being rude and disrespectful. read more

This place has such a vibe. Their food is fresh and drinks are served cold. Their staff is great too. Great place to drink. read more

While I was waiting for my apple store appointment, I stumbled into this bar and I'm really glad I did. The bartender, Terry, was really friendly and personable. I noticed as each person walked in, they greeted him by name, as well as everyone else in the bar. It felt so homey. I ordered the beer and burger combo. The burger was made perfectly and was very juicy. I definitely got my money's worth by coming here and will be back again, anytime I'm in the area. read more

Nice place to grab a cold one- cool back yard Service was all good We enjoyed ourselves read more

Hollow Nickel - Runnin with the Homie - Pubs Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We are your stereotypical tourists and we were planning on spending big $$ at this place - but when we arrived we were not acknowledged and the place was not tourist friendly. No idea what to do, wait or seat yourself? No idea how to order food (unless you're sitting at the bar because the bar tender was the only employee we saw). read more

This has become a favorite bar lately, and the reasons for that are fivefold: 1. It happens to be located almost exactly halfway between me and a friend of mine, who also happens to have a moderate alcohol problem (in that we need it sometimes) and likes to meet up to solve it. 2. The fried pickles. Whether or not you'd like to refer to these as "frickles," the ones at Hollow Nickel are nothing short of outstanding. 3. The rest of the food. They really fry everything well (like sweet potato fries), but it's all been pretty solid. 4. A solid happy hour, staffed by great bartenders. I'm not going to elaborate on this because it's self-explanatory. 5. The space is good, and the backyard is GREAT. So much more spacious and comfortable than you might imagine. read more

Really cute dive bar with a cute backyard. The food isn't great but you're not coming here for food. It's typical burgers, fries and greasy things to mop up the sweet sweet alcohol. Beers, divey bar ambience, good service and good prices. read more

We found this spot thanks to the trusty Yelp app while staying nearby for an upcoming wedding. Inside is more spacious than it appears in photos plus it has a nice patio area. We scored two seats at the bar right away and the friendly bartender got us some ice cold beers. The food menu is pretty basic and what they do have is tasty and hits the spot. We split the popcorn chicken and fries and both were good. Typical pub food. They definitely have a local crowd that the bartender seems to know but we still felt very welcome. read more

Stumbled in here after the Q swept me into BKN directly after Canal St (go figure...I won't ask the MTA to explain their absurdities anymore ) Alas, I digress! Hollow Nickel's got an awesomely rustic aura...almost like a Pirate Ship. Friggin' Sweet. The bartenders behind the Helm, Mark and Sancho, were laid back and amicable dudes, who made me feel right at home and ensured my glass was full. I didn't have the chance to try the food, because I was stuffed from a big, late lunch...so can't comment there. That being said, the Victory Pale Ale and Jame-o (or several, if I'm being truthful...) was all I needed to smooth out the 20 year ol' chip that lays atop my shoulder! Oh ... and Karate Kid on the Tube; Tom Petty on the Sonos ... Yep, this place is a Nickel plated with pure , 30-Karat Gold! read more

Been here like 100 times and the wings are still some of the best in nyc! If not the best?! Recently had an insanely good smashed burger here. Did i mention the chicken nuggets are dark meat? One of the best bars. read more

Nickle is one of my favorite bars in Brooklyn, and hands down my favorite on Atlantic So many memories have taken place here over the years: *Meeting new friends *Atlantic antic hideout spot *The "secret" men's bathroom *Backyard beer and shots for days *Thomas breaking Mikes's leg* Yep, we have sure been through a lot Nickle, thanks for being a constant in the ever-changing mess that is Atlantic Ave/ Downtown Brooklyn. The food has always been good, the staff remains stellar to this day, and the chill mood is always on. I really can't think of a better place to hang with old friends than the backyard here, and honestly, I can't wait until things are normal enough to do so again soon. _____________ *Yes this happened, yes it was awful...but what a great story. read more

Hollow Nickel - Should I be concerned that there is air freshener in the men's urinal only bathroom, because I am. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ - Pubs Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The absolute best wings in the area!! So juicy and flavorful! The staff is welcoming and inviting. Great air flow on a hot summer day/night. The tin ceilings eliminates with the soft chill lighting. I'll visit again, Best, Nadine Azoulay read more

This is a cozy, friendly place with great beer & tasty food. Try the burgers! Check it out.

Was here on March 10 . My friend and I sat inside in the back by the door to the backyard. We ordered a beer each to accompany our food order. We ordered a small fries and 1 ordered of chicken wings . Both were right on spot. The Small order of fries feed the both of us and the wings too. Never been here before and the place is a good bar too .. wings were cooked right and for the price is was cheap for about $30 for 2 people. Like to try other things on the menu too . Will be back for sure ... read more

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Whoever said they reheat frozen food is absolutely out of their mind. I mean damn, the kitchen is right there next to the bar! You can watch if you're so damn paranoid. Anyway, it's a no frills bar, straight up to the point, and you should come in expecting that. Wish people wouldn't crowd the front so much on busier nights, or maybe they could move the tables against the wall. Love this place, and always a go to when I'm in the area. read more

Went to a show at Barclays Center Friday Night... walked a few blocks down for the YUMMIEST burgers. PICKLES- SESAME SEEDS- 2 PATTIES OMG ... Burgers are AMAZING!! We ordered a round and they were so good we split another. Place is mighty small so grab a spot, a couple of drinks and keep it moving. (THE FRIES WERE ALSOSOOOO GOOD!!!!) read more

This dive bar is close to Barclays Center so it is a great place to grab some food and drinks before or even after a game. You can sit wherever you want and order from the bar. They have a lot of awesome specials During happy hour like the $12 burger and beer. Perfect bar to eat and drink right before a game. read more

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A great find in the area. Good beer, good food, good staff, great atmosphere. Spots like these are the ones you want near you. A perfect little spot to grab some good bar food and a drink on a Friday night. Lively but not too crowded. Will return again! read more

Stumbled into a wonderful place. Such friendliness. Emily in Paris on the tv??? Beer and a shot, the ambiance is dive vibes I love it in here read more

This was one of a handful of places near our hotel that was open late and still serving food. Bartenders were pretty friendly and accommodating and let us know we could sit anywhere but needed to come up to the bar to put in any drink or food orders. Fair enough. Overall vibe... hipsterish. Cheap drinks, decently priced food, low lit, a bit of a grungy vibe to it, but I was diggin' it. Fellow patrons were pretty friendly as well as I recall a guy recommending a beer to me and said if I ordered it he'd get the next one on him. That was nice of him, but didn't take him up on the offer as I just was looking for a late night dinner and beer and planned to head out. Overall a decent sized bar with a good amount of folks on a late wednesday night watching the Lakers game. Kind of felt like I was back in LA for a bit (whoop whoop). Anyways, for food I was quite impressed with the burger. Hard to say if it was actually as good as I remember or if I was just starving having flown in late and not eaten yet. But for $14 will get ya a burger and beer combo. Not much to it, just a special juicy blend, cooked to your liking and served with lettuce, tomato, and onion. They patty was perfectly cooked medium as I requested and definite a unique spice blend they use on it but delicious. Also shared an order of the chicken tenders which were uniquely battered with panko for extra crispiness and the honey mustard and bbq sauces tasted homemade and were great as well. Glad we lucked out on this spot so late at night as it was just what we were looking for. 'Til next time, cheers! read more

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Cute bar but the food seems average. On a Sunday night not too crowded. Came here for a friends birthday and it was just our group occupying the back of the place for a while which was nice. They have a really cool gas fire place on the back, adds to the cozyness. I like the layout of the tables also. Lots of big tables and booths and circle booths too. Got the chicken fingers because the menu said hand battered. And I always love chicken fingers from scratch. But they over fried them. They were way to dark almost burnt. They gave 4 for $9. One was chewy and inedible so really 3. My friends liked their hotdog, fries and hamburger though. Maybe if I come here again I will try the hamburger. Wait staff and bar staff where nice too. But overall just an average spot, nothing standout. read more

Nice find! Great food and music. Came back twice in one night. Definitely visit if you are in the area.

Horrible food! Couldn't believe how bad the food was and I had to replace it several times and even then they couldn't get it right and was told that it was fresh and made it on the spot. I would not recommend this place for food. Drinks were good so I have to give them the credit for that. Overall a good neighborhood spot read more

Great little bar with cute outdoor space. It has become our place while I worked in Brooklyn. We used to go there frequently (even though I now work in the Bronx I still make it out there once in a while). The tap list is small but decent. Drinks are good and strong. They have delicious sweet potato fries and wings and the chicken tenders are pretty good for a bar. Good happy hour specials. We love to take over one of the tables outside and just hang out for hours. read more

Hollow Nickel - Menj - Pubs Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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If you want to mingle with fruit flies, discriminating servers, terrible service, and enjoy reheated frozen food, then this is the place for you! Cheers! read more

Hollow Nickel - Pubs Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Nice chill spot that I went to after a night at the comedy club across the st. Dark and kinda dingy like a brooklyn bar frim 20 yrs ago, and I loved it. Bartender was extremely pleasant, we got a booth and ordered some chicken Fingers, Fries and several margaritas, all of them were good. When I closed my check, I asked the bartender if he was Sure it was my bill, he laughed and said, this is Brooklyn , not Manhattan. Bill was way lower that I expected & we caught the last orders from the kitchen & it was still fresh and tasted good. Definitely a spot to try out. read more