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    Lavender Lake

    3.5 (294 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    LAVENDER LAKE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Lavender Lake

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    Drinks
    Margaret L.

    Nice chill bar in Williamsburg not far from Domino Park. We were tired of walking around Brooklyn all day and stopped in for a drink and a break. The bar is quite large and spacious with lots of different seating arrangements. We plopped down on a sofa and ordered two happy hour drinks - Mime Is Money and Nigel Tufnel - for $12 a pop, not bad for NYC! They even have a fun photobooth setup in the back where you can take photos or record a boomerang and have it sent to your phone - super cute!

    Johanna B.

    Considering my first review was concise, non-descript and some years ago--an updated review is definitely in order after several more visits. This includes a recent one just last night. With weather and calendar kicking off the start of the summer, you can take bets that there's nowhere better to be than outdoors. Unfortunately, unless you plan to arrive around 4 pm, the window of opportunity to snag outdoor seating at Lavendar Lake was lost and we had to sit indoors. Their outdoor patio is something to enjoy as it is like sitting in someone's back yard. Really cozy. Roomy enough but definitely louder indoors, Lavendar Lake has been around for a while with a following. You see, its name is the nickname given to the polluted Gowanus Canal which is just a few feet away. Don't worry, no stench detected. On this given night, the short but appealing menu outlined some good possibilities but we were also happy to get recommendations from the waitress on some of the most popular dishes. These were: the fried chicken sandwich, cauliflower reuben and the Brussel sprouts to name a few. Coincidentally, I had my eye on the reuben. I also had my heart set on a rose cider, but alas--they ran out. Here's what was ordered: *Fried chicken sandwich with a teeny side of roasted chick peas. Two thumbs up from Cristina who confirmed it was really good. No doubt here as it was being served to other tables as well. *Cauliflower Reuben with a side of cole slaw. This was my selection and I devoured it. If you're familiar with the traditional reuben prepared with pastrami, it's possible to enjoy this meatless version. I certainly did---even more. The combined flavors were amazing: pureed cauliflower with sauerkraut, dressing on a buttery toasted rye bread. So yummy and highly recommended. *House fries--this was shared. Served with sides of jalapeno ketchup and mayo, these fries were seasoned,and quite good. *Cider--crisp, refreshing and chilled, I really enjoyed how the cider complemented the meal. Lavender Lake is a fun place to chill with friends while having some good food. Worth checking out.

    Double Smashed Burger**
    Turandot Y.

    Great service, heated patio is definitely warm enough to enjoy a leisurely meal. It is a bit pricey and the menu is limited, but still a solid option for winter COVID-era dining. They have a nice Folksbier brew on tap too. Get the burger! It's seriously juicy, beefy, even steaky, and honestly the best pub burger I've ever had. Don't get the hummus, it's not worth $11. Hot toddy is 10/10.

    Cristina G.

    Finalmente! I finally made it out to Lavender Lake which I had bookmarked on here for a while. While planning some girl time in Brooklyn, we decided on Lavender Lake - nice outdoor space, good drink menu, and a few food options that looked bomb in pictures. Not my picture though, I always have grease on my hands by the time I realize I should capture my food for the world to see. Anyway, we had to try it out. I got there at around 7 on a Friday and the backyard space was PACKED. Seating here is first come, first serve so if you want a seat, better get here early. The space was really inviting though and reminds me of a typical Brooklyn backyard. We settled on sitting inside to grab some bites. The waitress let us know that drinks had to be ordered at the bar but we could order food with her. This is what we got - The fried chicken sammy - this will blow your mind. 5 stars should go to this sandwich alone because it was that bomb. I'd say it was the "best I ever had, best I ever had" - or maybe I'd sing it, in a Drake voice. This comes with seasoned fried chickpeas that I could pick on all night. And I did. Seasoned fries to share with jalapeño ketchup and some sort of aioli that I didn't try. The portion was big so it was great for sharing. Fellow Yelper and soul sis Johanna B. ordered the cauliflower Reuben which looked divine. She sang its praises and she has good taste so I trust her on this! Definitely looks like a good meatless option. We each tried the dry white cider. I usually go for a Rosè cider but this was really good. Just what the doctor ordered for a hot summer night. I wish we could have spotted a seat outside but we didn't get a chance to do so. I'll be back for that chicken sammy though. It's worth the hype.

    Christopher D.

    Ordered the burger and they only make it medium which is usually fine for me but it tasted more like well done. Bun was a regular bun nothing special which doesn't make sense for the cost of the burger and didn't come with fries. Drink line wasn't terribly long and all the outdoor seating was taken so we sat inside which was a bit dreary but it was very noisy. Overall I probably wouldn't come back.

    Great outdoor space!
    Gene L.

    Love the outdoor space! This is a cute little bar in Gowanus with a charming outdoor space which is perfect when the weather is nice. Chill vibe, large space, adequate seating - there's a limited bar outside for easier access. Love the strung out lights and the fire pit when the weather is colder. Service outdoors was pretty non-existent, so I'd recommend just ordering from the bar instead of waiting around for a server (who never came even after 30 minutes being there). Sometimes they'll have a random movie projected on the adjacent brick wall too which is fun. You'll notice a lot of reviews mentioning the brussels sprouts - and they definitely lived up to the hype! I couldn't stop eating them - and that lemon aioli sauce was like crack. Inside space is a bit noisy, and the music is a bit too loud in my opinion and you'll find yourself yelling at each other if you're trying to carry on a conversation. Because of that, outdoors is really the way to go. Definitely a place I'd be back to hang out at again!

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    1 year ago

    The food was Good, the service was ehh. The servers weren't that attentive. However for a nice outside vibe it was chill.

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    2 years ago

    Stopped in for a drink. Lots of seating good for small and large groups. I had a paloma. Drink was good and service was quick.

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    Page 1 of 8

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    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    My wife and I took our kids (10 and 16 year old boys) to this place on our last evening in NYC. We…read morewere looking for a place that had a nice ambiance and good food. Ambiance: This place has a nice ambiance, definitely very "New York" -- dark (you can't see how dirty the floor is) and loud music (maybe too loud). We sat upstairs (we had a reservation) and of all the people on the top there was a party of 4 (us), a party of 8 (all dudes celebrating something) and the rest of the tables were on a DATE - which I thought was funny. Service: We were served by Ann-Marie who was so delightful. She was kind, super nice, and took the time to speak to us (which is basically how we figured out she wasn't a native New York City person). She gave us good food suggestions and we were very happy with our selection. Food: Here is what we ordered * Steak Frites: My two boys got the steak frites and I have to say the steak was awesome! I had a bite of each of theirs and they each ordered it differently (one Medium Rare/Medium and one Medium) and they both were prepared PERFECTLY. The fries were overflowing. * Caeser Salad with Salmon: My wife got the salad with Salmon (they only have a few salad options) and she enjoyed it. * Prawn and Crab Risotto: I got this and I have to say it was VERY bland. I wouldn't get this if you are looking for taste. I had to put salt and pepper on it to make it have any semblance of taste. Value/Price: I would say this is not over priced but it is not cheap either...bill is attached. I would recommend it to folks who are looking for a good place to either go out on a date or a family type meal.

    Came here for brunch and had a decent time. The place wasn't too busy, likely due to the crappy…read moreweather, so we were able to sit there for a while after our meal concluded. Service was good. We had the fried chicken Benedict and the crab cake Benedict. I was a bit confused when I saw that each Benedict dish only had one poached egg - shouldn't it always be two? I guess that's shrinkflation (plus inflation) for you. That bent said, the crab cake was actually really big and filling. The side of potatoes were really delicious. Would I come back for brunch again? Very unlikely. But, it does seem like a pretty "safe choice" if you need a last minute reservation for a group.

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    Valerie
    Valerie
    Valerie

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    Sunken Harbor Club

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5
    (117 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$

    I've been trying to go to Sunken Harbor for over a year now. I don't know how it's possible but…read moredespite being local it always seems to have a private event whenever we have plans to go. The stars finally aligned this winter and I had the opportunity to try it out. The vibes are perfect. Fog and bubbles, sea noises and all of the art go together seemlessly. Drinks were great. We had three and left suitably sloshed for the night with no aftereffects. We didn't have too many bites but the food was very good for a bar. I'm excited to go back and I hope we have just as much luck getting in next time.

    This is a "speakeasy" above Gage and Tollner. An undersea Tiki style adventure with a sexy mermaid…read moreheading up the bar. Nautical theme throughout with weathered leather, ropes, fish. Cocktails are made with various types of rum and ingredients like grapefruit, maraschino, wormwood amaro, falernum, thyme, Assam tea, spiced lime, allspice, coconut, cucumber, nutmeg, sour orange. All the drinks keep with the tropical, fruity taste with a hint of spice. They are also broken up into categories (dry land = no alcohol, shallows = average amount of alcohol, and abyss (larger amounts of alcohol). The abyss section has some cocktails that are limited to two per customer. They have some bar bites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp toast, broiled oysters, ricotta, dumplings, sliders. I had the French fries with kimchi ranch, which were underwhelming. Bartenders were cool and kept the drinks coming. I got in immediately without an issue or a wait, but it was right after a snowstorm. I've seen some people struggle to get in or have a long wait.

    Photos
    View of the bar
    View of the bar
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

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    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner
    Dear Strangers

    Dear Strangers

    4.3
    (29 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Dear Strangers is a wonderful hidden gem! We celebrated Valentine's Day there last night and while…read morethe restaurant was incredibly busy, we never felt overlooked or underserved. The owners were milling around making sure everyone was well taken care of and the wait staff were kind and personable. Now the food...AMAZING!!! Every bite we took was wonderful and so surprising with creative combinations and gorgeously presented. The restaurant itself was hip and refined and seemed to be the happening spot of the night. We will certainly be back!

    Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

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    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Smoked chicken croquettes

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    Smoked chicken croquettes
    Attaboy

    Attaboy

    4.1
    (879 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Small renowned cocktail bar without a menu…read more Highlights: - Bartender led: let them know what you like and they'll make you something. Mine was uncanny as I gave him a spirit and he ended up making me one cocktail with peach and another with apricot--2 flavors I love but did not mention. - Lots of locals - #37 of best of North America list for 2026 Midlights: - He told me the name of the cocktails he made, but I didn't remember to be able to order them again. Lowlights - Can be hard to find in the dark and rain but good the door next to it has a note to guide you to the right place - I could've used some bar nuts snack to go with it

    - 1st drink: light n refreshing, fruity or floral but not too sweet, gin based, no spices; this…read morecame out to be pretty good but not anything special nor memorable - 2nd drink: smooth n creamy, could be foamy, refreshing, tequila, something that can wake you up; highlight of the night! It really is light and refreshing with egg foam on top; i like the smooth and creamy factor; it wasn't too sweet but had a slight brightening flavor - 3rd drink: dark and stormy and that was quite of an experience; i indeed felt the storm rumbling down my throat n tummy; do not order unless you're having a tumultuous day rating: 4/5 - i like the concept of not having a menu and you just tell them what you like, because it really challenges them on how well they can deliver what you're feeling; i personally think they slayed - lively vibes and nice lighting but music was a bit too loud n poppy for my preference - vibe was cool but more for friend hangouts not so much date - the service was amazing! I felt the 100% attention from the server as he listened to my order; he was also super demure and personable - the highlight of my night was when he took my order AND when he gave us the check which was his super cutesie pirate ocean drawing - id recommend come checking out if you have strong preferences for cocktails and know what you like! IG: @nom.noms.only

    Photos
    Small space but good vibes
    Small space but good vibes
    Paper plane
    Paper plane
    Interior bar seat

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    Interior bar seat
    The Dead Rabbit

    The Dead Rabbit

    4.2
    (2.1k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    The "coconut milk was off" cocktail was soo good. All the cocktails (electric momisette and miso…read morecolada) were fun, creative, and delicious. The food (dingle pie and spice bag chips) were also really good. The spice bag chips seasoning was really good. We walked in Wednesday 8:30 PM and they had a couple of high chair seats at a side bar in the parlor room available. Really fun decorations and ambiance.

    The Dead Rabbit is a multi-story Irish pub featuring a lively traditional taproom downstairs and a…read moremore intimate parlor upstairs, each offering its own unique menu. I've visited the Parlor twice, and I strongly suggest booking a reservation weeks in advance--especially on weekdays--as walk-ins can be tough to secure. On my latest visit to celebrate a friend's birthday, we kicked things off with the Amazake Kick and Button Down cocktails. The Amazake Kick was balanced with just the right amount of sweetness, making it a fantastic starter. For food, we ordered the scotch egg, sliders, and fish and chips. The scotch egg was solid, though the sausage layer felt slightly dry this time around. The sliders were great, while the fish and chips were decent--nicely crispy, but the fish needed a bit more flavor seasoning. We tried several other drinks throughout the night, and my top three recommendations would be the Amazake Kick, Hotmail, and Lock & Key. If you're searching for a cozy spot with great drinks and light bites, this place is definitely worth adding to your list!

    Photos
    At the bar determining life decisions.
    At the bar determining life decisions.
    Irish Coffee
    Irish Coffee
    Jingle All The Way

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    Jingle All The Way
    Steight

    Steight

    4.6
    (44 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Very cute speakeasy hidden behind an empty hair salon. The decor was very fun, and I couldn't quite…read moretell what the theme was. It's a very small space, so it may be a bit of a wait for a seat. We came around 8:45 PM, and got a spot at the bar after about 20 minutes. We tried the yuzu contact and the ma-chet baker, and the ma-chet baker was definitely our favorite. It tasted just like a matcha latte, and I liked the bits of gen maicha in it. It wasn't very strong however. The yuzu contact was also very light and citrusy.

    yuzu highball mt highball…read more- highball was nice, basic, and refreshing; nothing much to note about but ive definitely had better - i liked the yuzu a bit more because the mt highball was a bit too alcoholic hojicha colada - hojicha is their seasonal menu and it also is my favorite! The tea was strong and fragrant - it is on the sweeter side, a bit like dessert, so i had to pair it with water, but it was still yummy and would recommend yuzu contact - this was alright! Typical yuzu but ive had better ones - personally feel like the yuzu can be brighter and a bit sweeter rating: 4/5 - the drinks were all good but nothing particularly stood out except for the hojicha colada - the vibe and the music really brought up my rating though! It was such a cute, cozy, intimate spot for dates - small speakeasy with only a few seats, similar to bars in japan; it's one of those japanese listening bars and i love it - there was light jazz in the background, not too loud that i had to shout - the mood was perfect; I couldn't stop staring at the interior decor and immerse myself in this little cozy corner - service was super quick, nothing much to note IG: @nom.noms.only

    Photos
    Oolong Punch
    Oolong Punch
    Sake Flight.
    Sake Flight.
    Steight

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    Apotheke

    Apotheke

    3.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$

    Apotheke was one of my first experiences with a hidden speakeasy a number of years ago, and it…read morestill remains the OG in my vast encyclopedia of experiences. :) Strolling down Chinatown's busy and gritty Doyers Street, looking for any sign of Apotheke is a fond memory, then finally figuring out where it was, and entering through the mysterious and otherworldly threshold resulted a transformative experience that made me feel like I time traveled. Mood lighting, comfortable seating, great drinks in a cozy and Victorian-inspired space are the perfect blend of unique and. I always felt like I was part of something special the few times enjoyed creative, delicious, and strong libations from the pros at the bar. While it has always been pricey, I do feel like the excellent service ambiance, and drink quality warrant this, but may prevent more folks from becoming regulars so to speak. I love the clever and compact bathroom design, too. IYKYK Long live Apotheke!

    Fifteen years later and Apotheke is still one of my favorites!…read more You will walk past this hidden speakeasy several times before finding it. I could tell you to look for the blue beaker sign that says "Chemist" but the better tell is the random guy sitting on a stool outside. He'll be the only person on the street, so no worries about missing him! The menu has changed over the years, but the quality has not. The bartenders are social and personable. And the prices are in line for the area. My bestie and I loved the vibe. One of the best speakeasies she's had the pleasure of experiencing. Don't miss out on this place!

    Photos
    The bar
    The bar
    Live Band
    Live Band
    Beautiful bar

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    Beautiful bar

    Lavender Lake - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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