This bar kicks ass. I'll tell you why: 1. It's got a great loooooooong bar. Who doesn't like a long bar? It greatly increases your chances of getting a seat at the bar. If you don't appreciate that, you should be at home or in a restaurant, sitting at a table. 2. It's a few steps from the subway station. Rough day? Got canned? Got promoted? Sharlene's is right there to greet you, no matter the reason. 3. Feel. It feels classic. Lots of wood, some mirrors (I think), and no TVs (and I like TVs!)... This place feels old school. 4. The jukebox. I'm not going to go into details here- everyone's got their own tastes, especially when it comes to music... But this jukebox has something for everyone. 5. Sharlene! Very nice and attentive when she's working. (A previous reviewer mentioned something about a moody, slow Asian guy... Well, he was right about that.) read more

I'm in a more sour mood than usual, since I recently noticed that the Mooney's in Bay Ridge has also closed. Well, Sharlene's replaced Mooney's Flatbush branch. You'd be stunned to learn that I'm dismayed by the results. You might think I object most to the candles and fancy flowers. What is this, the Stork Club for social workers and IT gurus? Well, the worst part is really the fact that one of the Mooney's bartenders is still behind the bar. I don't begrudge him his job. But I do begrudge the bar's owners their malicious (and successful) attempt to give me permanent nostalgia pangs for the days of OTB, clear beer, and old men listening to Mets games on their headphones in the bar. read more

In response to Thomas B. I was sitting at the bar at Sharlene's the evening in question of your review. Your female friend was, in fact, being a c-word. She was goading the bartender with inappropriate questions, you left no tip on a $77 check, a mean note on the check, and said rude things to the bartender on leaving. Yes, he yelled the c-word at your female friend and told you not to come back, which he is allowed to do because it is his bar. 15 minutes later you came back in yelling at the bartender (not "asking" like you say). He chased you out, because he had asked you not to come back in, and you had and you were disturbing the rest of us. If the bartender had actually physically harmed you in anyway, he would have been arrested, which he wasn't, so you are just making stuff up to cover the fact that you and your friend need to feel big and decided to pick on Sharlene's. I have been a regular at Sharlene's for two years because I feel safe and respected there. None of the staff puts up with rude, aggressive, or hostile customers. Go somewhere else if you want to be rude and start fights on Tuesday evenings when the rest of us are trying to have a nice evening at an awesome local bar. read more

Not a fan at all. Came here randomly to stop and have a drink and it was like a bad episode of Cheers. Dark ass bar with no ventilation. I felt like I was in a tomb. The bartender was not friendly, nor helpful. My friend and I ordered a bourbon cider and it was our fault not asking what it was, but it came out hot. Now I know it sounds normal being a cider but the way it was worded definitely was deceiving. It was written as like "bourbon with apple cider," so we took it as like a cider beer with a shot of bourbon. When we realized it was hot we said that we were a pain in the ass but if he could perhaps throw it over ice. He was disgusted by our request and tried to make us look dumb but saying it's going to be watered down. He ended up doing it for us so I can't complain but it was as if he was bothered to do so. Definitely won't be back. The ambience is enough to put me in a depression. read more

I'm updating to confirm that this place is still classy as fuck. Also adding that the crowd is a bit more mature than what you'd find at some of the other places around here, which makes for a calm atmosphere pretty much always. read more

The best parts of Commonwealth have moved over to Sharlene's*... which is to say, this is Sharlene's bar. Aptly titled, right? Soft opening was last night (5/7/09) and in her own words it was "like an episode of 'It's Your Life'!" (Sort of like Cheers, too, since everyone knows her name.) The bar is huge and has great mood lighting, but not so dark you don't know who you're talking to. Juke-box in the back seemed to have a good array of songs, but I've yet to parse its contents. There are a bunch of tables in the back as well as an extra counter parallel to the bar in the front and a few choice window-bar seats. Drinks are well-mixed and affordable. Behind the bar is a massive mirror that allows you to spy on the attractive people behind you as well as check your bangs/hair (and, okay fine, make the room look even bigger). The only reason I'd want to take a half-star away would be because it's no longer a block from my house! * This is not to say Commonwealth is closed, as it's not. But you know... I'll play favorites every now and then. read more

I will try to keep this brief but forgive me because I love this place. I live in the neighborhood and am a regular here. They treat me accordingly, I tip well, and it's a fantastic mutualistic relationship. Very simply, be nice to the bartenders and they will take care of you. They encourage you to bring in food from outside of the establishment, they have board games, they have a wide selection of liquor and they have a lengthy happy hour. They also have the cleanest bathrooms ever. EVER. There is no television and great music so you (or those with you) are not distracted if you want to have a nice conversation. If you want television, go to the sports bar down the street. Sometimes it's crowded but people who bitch about places being crowded are stupid because that's basically saying "I want this business to fail". I want this place to stay open forever, no questions asked, and I will be a regular here until I move somewhere else. In the event that that happens I will have a tearful goodbye with the bartenders and will buy them all shots. Go here. You will love it and if you don't, that's most likely your fault. Bring in some hot wings from Wing Wagon, too and share with me. read more

This is a great neighborhood bar. Great prices, good beer selection, solid pinball, and nothing fancy. Great for after work drink or an evening night cap. read more

The only thing better than the ice cold high life's here is enjoying them with a fresh bowl of rice. Cooked hourly behind the bar. read more

Sharlene's - Dive Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Sharlene's is a large, relaxed, clean old man bar with hipsters quietly catching up and simple drinks. It also has one of the best jukeboxes in Brooklyn and a dirty sound to the music which is indie, but rocks in a way that makes you think "Why have I never heard this" and download it when you get home immediately. This is the bar where I got introduced to the culty power pop band Big Star (see? Rockin but kind of obscure) and a song by The English Beat. There's plenty of rock and punk music to choose from on the jukebox, plus I like to play the Lemonheads or Pavement but they are never quite loud enough. As for the Asian bartender, he was pretty rude at first, but when someone knocked over my Jameson he gave me another one free. read more

Shuhei put the bottle of Mezcal back in the row of bottles. He wasn't going to give me what I wanted. Not this time. Not without tribute. I removed my sword from it's sheath just as his arms came over his head with his own. We locked swords over the bar; Samurai and Ronin, eyes locked in a steely glare. With one twisting motion he sliced open my side. I was done for. Skippy quickly pushed my insides back into the gaping wound and glued the wound shut. I was then able to sit and enjoy my cocktail. They also have pies! read more

This place fills a niche I recently noticed: if you want a cocktail in PS/PH area, like a gimlet or whiskey sour, you only have two options: a pub which is beer-centric and where no one orders a cocktail or one of those pricey cocktail lounges where the drinks are spectacular but also $9. At Sharlene's, they have a full bar and all types of appropriate glasses for whatever drink you want. I go here late late on Friday in summer when I can't sleep and want to chill, and Sunday nights which is the best time. read more

Sharlene's is a pretty cool place, I gotta say. I've been here twice now and I have yet to be disappointed. Although, I do wonder if the people calling it a dive have ever actually BEEN in a dive bar... because to me, it's just a normal pub. There are not blacked out windows, nor an exclusive monopoly on Natural Ice, nor pee on the floor in the bathroom - in fact, nothing in here in bajankity. Which I'm pretty sure disqualifies it as a dive. What Sharlene's IS, is a good, old school neighborhood bar. They have awesome 60s music on the jukebox, three dollar happy hour beers (awesome selection, too - I got Allegash white ale (from Maine!) the first time I was here, and local regulars who keep to themselves and/or start up a normal, every day conversation with you... no hipsters here, just workin' people from the neighborhood. The one time I was here at night, it got busy but not crowded - this place is pretty big and holds a good crowd while not being overwhelming. It's basically my kinda place. The only issue for me, which has nothing to do with the actual bar, is the location... it's on Flatbush as opposed to Vanderbilt, which is where most of the other bars in Prospect Heights are. You can't really bar hop from here, but I definitely recommend it for an after work beverage. read more

The bar itself is a long slope of conversational promise extending just deep enough for you to make out some perplexed evacuee from who knows where on the other edge. This is a place with a beautifully divey energy smartly sussing out the free-spirited and adventurous folks who are meant to be in Brooklyn from the dull impostors who were priced out of Manhattan and who still seem resentful about all this even as they gentrify neighborhoods north of Eastern Parkway. It's usually manned by one bartender -- whether on a packed Saturday night or the middle of an afternoon where you can feel the brush of tumbleweeds rolling in behind you in the early afternoon if you hit the very generous happy hour, which extends from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. There's a dependable rush of old school neighborhood regulars who still show up dutifully and young folks looking for adventures that they can't seem to pinpoint. And when the twain meet, Sharlene's can be pretty hilarious. But it's one of my favorite bars because it has a true Brooklyn karma that other establishments spend years chasing but never quite land. I have seen strange hats and impromptu go-go dancing and raised legs and fierce banter and spontaneous displays of crazed affection, with a surprisingly large plurality of reserved types trying to make sense of it all but usually fleeing back to Cobble Hill for the warm security blanket of Netflix (sans chill), bitter regrets, and lonely slams of fifteen year scotch. Some of these same moneyed pipsqueaks have been rattling sabers here on Yelp over a kind of perfunctory beauty they choose not to see (it's a remarkably dependable dive; Christ, what more do you want?) and laying needless complaints over the attentiveness of the bartenders. Well, your pal Johnny didn't come to Brooklyn lately, and these bartenders have been pretty decent and amiable towards yours truly. And they will be with you if you don't waste their time and you know what you want and you take the time to settle in and observe and participate. Hell, they've looked the other way when I somehow ended up in flagrant makeout sessions with strangers and they were classy enough not to say anything about it when I returned. For whatever reason, I end up getting kissed the most at this place more than any other bar, even when I'm not seeking anything out. And you probably will too if you relax and feel and take in the thrilling semiotics of the place, which not even its regulars entirely understand. Sharlene's is all happy instinct coaxing kooky and kinky ideas out of the unlikeliest people and that is its strange genius. read more

I'd never make Sharlene's the destination for a night, but it's an okay spot for meeting people or killing some time. SUPER loud on Fridays and Saturdays starting during happy hour. It's also especially dark in here. Like, "I can't see my own hands" dark... but not romantic at all. The crowd is generally 30-40. Mixed drinks run $6-7. read more

This place is everything I want in a bar. It's friendly. It's unpretentious. It plays early 60s girl groups and Johnny Cash on the jukebox, and not so loudly that you & your friends will have to yell to be heard. The barstaff are cordial and quick to put an affordable draught in your hand. Bonus points for cozy banquette seating if you can snag the corner table. read more

So Sharlene's took over a spot that was once an old Irish bar. They kept the retro-chic sign out front and the interior decor screams vintage dive (wood everywhere). They have a decent beer selection as well as a handful of cocktails. Their Moscow Mule was surprisingly well made, and in a generous glass. Cheap too. Nice place for a semi-tame, no-frills afternoon drink. They have happy hour on Saturdays too, which is nice. read more

This might just be my new favorite place. Sharlene's has the feel of a dive bar without any of the griminess. With two pinball machines, a jukebox in the back, and plenty of seating, it's easy to enjoy a round here without any pretension or needing to empty your bank account. Light fare is also available for snacking. And board games are behind the bar. You won't regret stopping by... read more

Large Pretty Dark bar with Boardgames and a Happy hour til 7. Card min is 10. read more

On the plus side, doesn't seem like it gets overcrowded and they have a stack of games to use at your disposal. Never thought I'd be playing (and losing at) Trivial Pursuit at a bar, but there I was answering question after question incorrectly. Now onto the cons. The beer selection is small and the bartenders seemed to not want to be there and were quite unfriendly. I ordered an IPA and it tasted like a flat Bud Light. Also, the place was very dark - but hey, maybe you're into that! read more

Pizza is so good, the best I've ever had. Believe it when the attentive staff tells you everything is homemade. The mozzarella sings on your palate, the fresh basil added the perfect earthy element, and the tomato sauce balanced it all. Simple and perfect. Skip the cappuccino, though. read more

I love this bar! The peeps are great and the bar is chill. Great music in the box, not too loud not too soft. You dont leave with a sore throat from screaming like in most places and it's not (yet) full of lame-a$$ hipsters! This isnt the kind of place you want to go if you are dead inside and constantly need to be surrounded by hordes of screaming people and deafening music. This is a neighborhood bar, a nice place to have a drink, chat with some friends, and relax. There arent enough of these places anymore. Would be the best place on the planet if there were a Buck Hunt game and a photo booth...but I guess that would just attract more hipsters ;) read more

Wow, I've been slacking off in my reviewing. All ya'll foodies can lash me with a wet piece of pappardelle. So Sharlenes...where do we begin. You lack the following things a) ambiance b) character c) comfortable chairs d) food e) a jukebox with music released after the Reagan presidency. What you do have is 3-dollar anything on tap before 7 pm. Win!! read more

Excellent bar! Glad Sharlene saw the potential in this bar. It used to be an old man's bar. They kept the old-style, slightly dive-y interior, but gave it a more pleasant & welcoming vibe They have a great jukebox and a pinball machine! It's a fun place, yet the noise level is generally moderate, so you can actually hear what your friends are saying. Drinks are reasonable for this neighborhood. And while I've never made it that early, Sharelene's blackboard (generally adorned with clever quotes) offers some impressive happy hour deals) The Koshertini with a Kosher pickle is awesome. Great Manhattans! They even have a good, dry rose wine. They also occasionally have great fundraiser events with generous prizes. read more

Fantastic dive bar. Came in for a few pints. During my visit, the following bands played in succession through the sound system: Hot Water Music Pink Floyd Jets to Brazil Mission of Burma Jawbreaker At The Drive In If all of this sounds foreign to you...well, they have a good selection of craft beers and $4 High Life. If it doesn't sound foreign to you...welcome to your new favorite bar. read more

I love me a dive bar. This is a great place for a low key drink with a friend or a place to have a beer alone and not be bothered. The prices are great and the selection is pretty good. The only downside is the bartenders. Both times I have been here, it seemed like the bartender was annoyed that they had to serve beer to anyone. Both times the staff was prickly at best and one bartender was just downright uncomfortably cranky. I hate when I go out of my way to be a polite patron (waiting patiently, busing my own table so they dont have to) and am greeted with less than friendly service. I would give the bar a 3 star for that, but since it has that dive thing going, I will cut them a little slack. read more

I really wish Sharlene's was my neighborhood bar. It checks off every category you'd want in a bar that you go to regularly: (i) dimly lit by candle light thus creating a cool atmosphere, (ii) amazing music (funk and jazz playing when I was there last night), (iii) friendly bartenders, (iv) jukebox and pinball machines (a bonus), (v) a long bar with plenty of seating, (vi) a very chill crowd, and even (vii) a WiFi connection (for those you just can't be without their interweb fix). I stumbled upon Sharlene's yesterday after a business meeting in Park Slope because I needed to find someplace to do my fantasy football draft (yes, it's very important). I walked around the neighborhood for quite some time looking for a coffee shop that was open after 9pm and had WiFi. It was surprisingly difficult to do. However, I pulled out an app I use that locates free WiFi service in the area and it directed me to Sharlene's. It was exactly what I wanted and needed! In case you were wondering my draft went well and I had a great time having a few brews at one of the coolest neighborhood bars in Brooklyn. read more

A great local spot that this Manhattanite crosses a river for. It's spacious, has several quality beers on tap (and a couple of cheapies too), a pretty good amount of seating, decent bathrooms, a big screen for the World Cup, close to the subway (Q, 2/3, as well as the Atlantic-Pacific hub), etc. The friendly bartenders might have even given us some chocolate once :) read more

As the weather turns cold, my thoughts turn to warm. Warm cocktails. Mulled wine, hot apple cider (rum/whiskey), Tom & Jerry's, Egg Nog...you name it...I drink them all. Sharlenes...ahhhh, has the plug-in tea kettle right at the bar, cloves, cinnamon sticks and honey. Heat up water, chat with bartender, all a wallop of Jameson and I'm on my warm and merry way. read more

I was pleasantly surprised with Sharlene's atmosphere. The room is much longer than it is wide, and there is a row of seats/tables on the opposite wall parallel to the bar. There are small candles at each table, which gives it a surprisingly romantic vibe. In fact, I would suggest Sharlene's for that awkward first date when you want to do more than just "grab a coffee" but don't want to commit yourselves to a full meal. It's the perfect, quiet setup for some drinks and first date "get to know you" conversation. We came on a Thursday night around 8ish, so it wasn't packed by any means. It reminds me of the kind of bar my parents would go to in their home town and refer to it as "their bar." I got the feeling most of the patrons there were regulars. I wasn't the biggest fan of their beer selection on tap. I got the Blue Point lager and then remembered I don't like Blue Point all that much, but looking at the rest of the beers on tap, I didn't really see anything more appealing than that. Their table menus listed a better, larger, tap selection which must revolve. I suppose I was just there on an off night. On the other hand, I saw hot toddies on their menu and vowed I will return to try one. There are also notes on their table menus that encourage people to bring food in. I will definitely be back with some wings from Wing Wagon next door. read more

Was by Grand Army Plaza looking for a bar to grab a drink. Happened to come across this lovely little place. Awesome bartender. Blondish-haired girl. Can't remember her name but she was very nice. Drinks were avg priced. Definitely recommended. read more

I was pretty skeptical about Sharlene's as my friends and I came upon it. I was hoping to go to Beer Table on 7th Ave, but this was right by Christie's Jamaican Patty, where I'd just had dinner. Once inside, my doubts were erased. The music is good, the patrons easy-going and open. I didn't catch the name of our bartender but she had some arms tats and was friendly. Tap selection is limited but with some quality choices (I was very happy with Smuttynose Winter and Goose Island IPA). Same goes for whiskey selection, both scotch and bourbon. They also had some interesting cocktails. I got the spiced cider and bourbon, which was pretty good. All these things, combined with table space plus board games made for a good night, will definitely return next time I'm in the area. read more

I don't come in often, as Sharlene's isn't the most convenient to my apartment, but I love the atmosphere of this bar. Chill vibe, lots of regulars, a couple of pinball machines, and consistently clever bathroom graffiti. The big downside to Sharlene's is that I can't recall the last time I went in there when the bartender wasn't an asshole. Not in a surly actively mean way, but in an "I'm going to ignore you even though we're not busy and you obviously finished your last drink 15 minutes ago," way. In an "I'm going to act like you're inconveniencing me by asking for service even though it's my only job" way. It doesn't seem to matter who the bartender is, it's just the prevailing culture of the place. read more

So now I can say I've been here a few times, and the place continues to grow on me. Lot's of space, nice bartenders (maybe a little over-anxious with the carding, but I guess that's not something you want to mess with), board games, very wood-y bar feeling..., $3 beers before 7pm every day, decent jukebox, very mixed and nice brooklyn crowds, and they were open on back-to-back days during the hurricane/frankenstorm/days-when-it-was-a-little-windy. I'm sure this last point will be super-relevant to anyone reading this review in the future... you know, for that next 100-year storm. read more

I happened to walk in on xmas eve bc I had nothing else to do. been spying the place from my precor machine at crunch across the street. Greated by THE Sharlene, she was super kind, friendly & welcoming. The bar smelled good, it was tastefully decorated with old b&w photography and new vintage inspired chairs & booths. The drink menu was good - from the traditional, seasonal & some fun stuff like the Antioxidant Martini. Going back tonight! read more

Tipped generously the first time we went and when we returned it seemed the same bar-tender was deliberately snubbing us. He was dismissive and had an air of rudeness; confusing. Atmosphere = minimal Service = confusing and frustrating Product = standard read more

I first was introduced to this awesome bar on a date and I was hooked on the vibe of this place since so I've come back often with friends. I love the friendly bartenders, the laid back atmosphere, the music and how it's one of those places where you'll lose track of time! While it's a big bar, it never feels crowded even on a very busy night or loud either. A great bar to hang out with friends when you find yourself in the neighborhood! They do serve a limited menu here, all being snack stuff, such as soft pretzel and bier cheese (served on Ritz crackers) Located right next to the 7th Ave (B/Q) station, it's easy to get to and stumble home afterwards. read more

How is this 4 or 5 stars? They have board games meant for 12 year olds that I can't even figure out. Balderdash is too complicated. Cheap drinks but you are getting what you pay for. Wine is pure swill. No one was in here on a Saturday and it gives off the feeling of my grandpas moldy basement. Or my parents basement bar actually before they had it cleaned out for mold. Good music selection however. Came in here after brunch and perusing the Spirit Halloween store that just opened across the street. They had oktoberfest and my friend said to chug so we could leave. read more

Any bar with board games and an above average drink selection is a winner in my eyes. The bartenders are very friendly here and it's easy to get to by public transportation, just hop on the Q. They have a huge television in the back which they only bring out for a big event. They have an old school jukebox which is awesome. Not too far from Grand Army Plaza. Sharlene's is a classic neighborhood bar which always seems to draw me in when I'm walking by. read more

So much love for Sharlene's. Their cheap drinks, no frills attitude, and enormous space make this one of the better options in this weird stretch of the Park Slope/Prospect Heights border. Great dark and stormy's too! Best part? you can almost always find a seat. read more