According to the Internet, this is the #1 bar in Ridgewood, so I decided to check it out with BF…read moreafter dinner at Rolo's. The bar is a bit on the smaller side in terms of seating, but it has a TON of personality. I loved the eclectic decorations and knickknacks around the seating areas and the bar. The bartender had the TV tuned in to Jeopardy, so my inner (or extremely obvious?) nerd was beaming. In terms of the drinks themselves, I tried the cocoa orange whiskey (?) infusion on the rocks, and my BF had the chipotle paloma. We would both say they were solid, definitely not at "craft cocktail" level, but decent. This bar has a fun + dive-y feel - the kind of place where you get a beer, a plate of chicken nuggets, and watch trash tv with your neighborhood crew (I think they actually do have people who have a weekly Bachelorette viewing during the week). Definitely worth checking out if you're already in the area and looking for ~vibes.~

I've spent a decent amount of time in Ridgewood and unsurprisingly, much of that time has been here…read moreat The Bad Old Days. I've had a number of drinks here and it's been a great meeting spot for late night occasions, especially ones that revolve around a good drink. No doubt it's one of the more underrated nightlife venues in the borough. The setup feels like something out of a Brooklyn type bar - pseudo hipster vibe, casual environment with the whole board games and stacks of books all within a space that is well divided to give a different feel in each corner of the small'ish interior. Like a living room extension but with adult company. Of course, the bar is the most prominent thing in the room and it's a great place to chill as a solo patron. Groups can congregate in the lounge-y areas but the feel is remarkably different depending on where one choses to hang. On a beverage front, there is no shortage of quality drinks to be had. The cocktails are well made and not expensive; the bartenders do a good job of making sure each drink carries a certain kind of potency before leaving the bar. The happy hours are lovely as well, combined with a good deals ($5 shot + beer special, $5 cocktails, etc.) and even better hours (2-8pm!). Lastly, I appreciate a good name. Bad Old Days can be interpreted in many facets, but I think this establishment prides itself on good company and somehow rewards us with simple, good drinks. Bring a friend or three, enjoy the random movies that get projected onto the wall, and enjoy a late night capper in a quiet part of an emerging part of Queens.

My friend had a holiday party here since they offer open bar packages. The drinks were amazing and…read morehand-crafted. The food was incredible, especially the sliders. The two people taking care of us did a great job. Such a fun vibe here with live jazz followed by a DJ later on.

The atmosphere here is definitely 10/10. Incredible dreamlike back patio with lots of seating,…read moreinside feels like a cafe during the day with lots of light, good music and it looks like fun events. We opted for snacks over drinks but obviously I'll be coming back for a cocktail. The butter bean salad was really yummy, with a nice diversity of mix-ins and some briny and fresh flavors adding brightness. The mushroom sliders were a skip, not very flavorful or well prepared, but we met the chef and they were very kind and earnest about feedback. I bet everything else is really good, that dish just needs a little love! It's clearly an artsy communal hub in Ridgewood, definitely check it out.

Such a cute spot, the cocktails were delicious (especially close to to bone) and there was an alt…read morerock concert in the stage area. I chilled at the bar because I was only there for a quick drink. It was pretty small in a cozy way. Definitely a grungy lil spot. Will be back.

This used to be the best bar in Ridgewood, but they got rid of the outdoor seating and started to…read moreemphasize shows downstairs. Nothing wrong with that in theory, but their space is way too small to be a venue. None of the Ridgewood cognoscenti hang out here anymore. They're all at Cozy now. RIP

This place is always packed for brunch and for a good reason. The food is delicious, I try…read moresomething new each time and my picky self loves it. The cocktails are crafted well and the staff is kind.

Came in for Sunday Brunch at 1:30 we were able to sit at the bar within 15 minutes. Great service…read moreand very friendly staff. Started off with the Apple fennel salad and toasted goat so yummy but I am partial to goat cheese. We then moved on to the arepas con huevos and the pigs in a pillow, both were yummy but I'd lean more towards the pillows next time. Would definitely come back!

Some of their dishes are worth the hype! We made reservation for brunch at 11:30am on a Sunday and…read moreit was completely full. (don't attempt to walk in, place is small and PACKED!) We tried a bunch of stuff and the star was definitely the soft scrambled egg tostada, the masa pancakes and coffee tres leches cake. These are a must try! Good to try was also the fried oaxacan cheese but at $14 for 3 pieces, it's not worth a repeat order for me. These were skippable to be honest: mega thick bacon (just ok) home fries (meh) The chilaquiles (pork chorizo, salsa ranchera, crema, queso fresco, sunny up eggs) lacked flavor for a dish with so much going on. Service was pretty quick.

Veryyyy easy to understand the hype around Hellbender (and for the record, worth walking in to see…read moreif you can snag something without a res, if you're a party of 2). Came specifically for their famous masa pancakes and YES, you must get them. Crispy exterior, fluffy and soft inside. Soaks up the delicious syrup perfectly and the slab of cold cinnamon butter on top is the most delicious touch (if you're like me and love butter). I'm also a huge chilaquiles fan (California natives, stand up) so had to try that as well - very, very good. Chips were the perfect balance of crispy and soft, pork chorizo was balanced in flavor. We also got a side of their mega thick cut bacon, home fries, and eggs. All wonderfully executed - easy things to add on that don't take away from the main events. I guess the one thing I wasn't a huge fan of was their drip coffee (no other options outside of cold brew) but if that's the only downer from this meal, I can absolutely live with it. Service was lovely even sitting at the bar and the hosts were really kind as we were a walk-in. Definitely a place to try if you like a unique pancake and Mex-American flavors!

I found Daddy's Bar while searching for some afternoon drinks before catching a show at the…read moreknockdown center - the minute I saw the menu, I was sold! The cocktails are very well-balanced and delicious... at a very reasonable price! Ambiance inside is really sleek. Dark, with the occasional neon light that gives the interior a sultry glow once the sun goes down. There is a pool table in the back, and I saw a poster for Monday night pool tournaments. While I didn't get her name, the bartender was friendly and made the most delicious drinks. Daddy's is a really cool spot, and I'm looking forward to returning!

Service Ambiance great drinks not watered down decent prices…read morePool table in the back gets much use

Very chill neighborhood bar. I've had their signature mocktail, the BB bird, at least a dozen times…read moreand it has not gotten old. It's like a fancy tropical fruit punch. Highly recommend! They also have some NA beers. My favorite time to visit Peg's is in the early afternoon on a weekend. I've been able to snag a table outside or inside and read a bit before the evening crowd rolls in. I am really not a crowd person, but whenever I've gone to Peg's, whether it's been chill or busy, the bartenders are attentive. Follow their Instagram for news about events and food pop-ups that they're hosting. They also sell some great merch! I've lived in the area for a while and the space that Peg's now occupies was closed for ages. It was previously a bar with a sign outside that read "The Last Call." Walking by it for so long, I often pondered about what it looked like inside and what it would be like to re-open it. Thanks to the team at Peg's for delivering a bar that is welcoming in this space! You've made my neighborhood bar dreams come true.

Lovely, chill vibe inside- classy and cool. The cocktails were good, and the service was too. Very…read morespacious with plenty of seating.

Returned for dinner after a few years and it's still 5 stars for me. This time, I tried:…read more + Calabrian chili butter polenta bread + Leafy green and herb salad + Rigatoni + Lasagne verde bolognese + Pork tbone + Rhubarb almond tart + Black Forest ice cream cake Top highlights were the lasagne and pork. Salad, rigatoni and desserts were also great. Can skip the bread.

Rolo's absolutely lives up to the hype. I've been twice now, and everything I've ordered has been…read moreexcellent. The food is incredibly well seasoned, thoughtfully prepared, and very fairly priced for the quality. You can tell there is real intention behind every dish. The whole vibe feels very The Bear in the best way possible: focused, hardworking people turning out genuinely great food without any pretension. It has that energy where everyone seems fully dialed in on creating a great experience. I'm still thinking about some of the dishes and already want to go back to try their well-known double cheeseburger, which I've heard is outstanding and often sells out early. Definitely make a reservation because this place books up quickly. Consistently excellent food, welcoming atmosphere, and the kind of restaurant you want to keep returning to.

I had their Bloody Mary at the Bloody Mary Fest. It was on the minty, watery side, and a bit too…read morepeppery for my taste. Still, I liked the atmosphere, and I'd come back to give it another try.

Randomly stumbled upon this gem after the lounge I planned to visit was closed, and I'm so glad I…read moredid! Located in Bushwick, this Black-owned jewel was exactly what my friends and I were looking for. It's laid-back, with a backyard that's perfect for enjoying drinks in the warmer months. The music set a cool, relaxed vibe, and the bartender served up quick, delicious drinks without missing a beat. Filthy Diamond is the perfect spot for an afternoon drink with friends or a casual date. Don't believe me? Go see for yourself. Who knows, maybe we'll run into each other, and you can tell me how right I was about this place. Cheers! *Sorry, I forget to take photos when im enjoying myself. Promise to take pics the next time I visit.

I first came here as a patron and loved the venue so much that I ended up hosting a monthly…read morecommunity event here. The space has such a great vibe--cozy, up-to-date, and very welcoming. The staff are always friendly, and communication with Aida has been smooth and professional every time. The venue is also very well equipped with a DJ table setup, speakers, and a microphone, which makes hosting events easy. Everything is always very clean and well organized. I highly recommend this place whether you're planning an event or just want to come by and chill. Great atmosphere all around!

Staff was absolutely lovely! And the happy hour even on a Saturday was a smashing deal. I recommend…read morepopping in for a happy ending !