I don't like bars. I find the false cheer and immodest prices to be a bit of a bore. Call me a misanthrope, but I hate standing around making bad conversation with drunk people. It is rare to find me in one, and even rarer for me to enjoy it. Which makes my love of Sunny's all the more unusual. The place is full of generally interesting people. Its location on the water in Red Hook keeps the tequila shot crowd away, and draws lots of Brooklyn's most unique characters. The set up could not get more eclectic, which befits one of Brooklyn's oldest bars and I believe the oldest bar that is still in the same family. The flotsam and jetsam located above the bar looks like it's been there since at least the 1930s. But my absolute favourite part of the Sunny's experience are the live bluegrass jams on Friday and Saturday nights. It is one of the coolest and least known events in the city. At least 20 musicians get together and improvise blue grass. They are invariably very, very good. And it is worth the trip, even if the bar itself weren't so cool. The only word of caution: Sunny's is ONLY open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. They are closed all other evenings. read more

I somehow only seem to end up at Sunny's on freezing winter nights, but maybe it's because as soon as you enter, you're warmed up, soul and body. A cozy dive bar in the front room, strung with lights with plenty of booths, the bar opens into a back room where on Saturday nights, you can feel transported to a kind of mythical Kentucky, sipping on bourbon and listening to bluegrass. Musicians come and go over the course of the evening, filling the back room, and the rest of us are left lining the walls, listening, transfixed. This isn't the bar to visit to catch up with friends, but it IS the place to go to hear some wonderful, authentic music and feel as though you're part of something bigger than the typical weekend Brooklyn bar experience with $16 cocktails with ingredients you can't pronounce. read more

What Most bars Wish for. Has Live bluegrass and A great, diverse, and happy crowd. So good! read more

Solid bar option in an area where it seems like every day I have more reasons to head to Red Hook. It has a really unique look and feel to it, and I would definitely recommend stopping by here if you're in the area. I'm getting married in Red Hook, and if there were an afterparty in Red Hook, this would be a fair option. read more

They had a killer jazz band playing the night we were there (Wed) and the place was packed. The bar is really small so they had to squeeze the band into the back corner but believe me it worked. Sunny himself welcomed us and made sure we had a good Italian beer when we arrived. Remember to either drive down or be ready to take a car back at the end of the night (no cabs). Great place, can't wait to go back next time I'm in Brooklyn. Thanks Sunny and Bill! read more

Sunny's is hands down, the greatest bar in New York - possibly the greatest bar in the world! I had heard about the legendary Sunny's for quite some time, and finally made the trek over about a year ago. Boy am I glad I did! The bar is definitely off the beaten path in Red Hook [close to IKEA], so you need to plan a night around it in most cases. It's only open 3 days a week [Wed, Fri, Sat I believe], and if you're lucky, the man himself will be there! On my first visit, I was chatting with Sunny, telling him how much I enjoyed his place, and he grabbed me by the shoulders and whispered in my ear "welcome home, kid." Needless to say, I was sold on this place. And sort of crushing hard on the man. If that's not enough for ya, they also have the CLEANEST bathrooms I've ever seen in a bar. One night I was there, the mens room was out of order. You would have never known that to be the case. For some reason, the clientele at Sunny's has excellent bathroom etiquette! Oh, and they have awesome live music most nights. It's a trip. read more

Even in a city with as many options as New York, Sunny's is one-of-a-kind. It's definitely off the beaten path in Red Hook, and you probably will end up having to either hoof it or take a cab to get there. But, it's worth the trip. There's often fantastic music at Sunny's and I've particularly enjoyed the Blue Grass on Wednesday nights. The drinks aren't too expensive and they have pretty delicious cider and whiskey drink. The outdoor patio is also a great place to hang out with a bunch of friends on a nice day. Side note, there's a ferry right near by that will take you right into downtown Manhattan via the East River (and it's free on the weekends). You get a beautiful view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, and it's an easy way to get to one of the most unique bars in all of Brooklyn. P.S. Beware, it is cash only, though there is an ATM in the bar :) read more

Sunny's is one of the most atmospheric bars in New York, which is saying something since NYC is technically the nucleus of the Western world. Sunny's feels like you're in a New England fishing town--but you're still a hipster. Like "Manchester by the Sea" but with nobody associated with Matt Damon or Ben Affleck. The bartenders here will be your friends. Ask about the history of the place! When you get tipsy, sneak outside for a private viewing of the Statue of Liberty across the Atlantic. The only bad thing about this place are the chips, but that's p minor. read more

I don't think I came at the right time or without enough people but somehow I was convinced to go to Sunny's, at the heel of Brooklyn. It's divey, but not in the ratty sort of scroungy way- more in the 'this could be someone's house' way. It's actually very reminiscent of the house bars you find in Austin. Around 11pm, an awesome live band showed up and played for a not too packed crowd. It seemed like everyone had come from all over Brooklyn, but knew everyone else AND the bartenders. I love the back area that's so quiet despite the music and the little backyard. I'd definitely come back and probably stop over at Brooklyn Crab to catch some food, too. Also, nearly all beers are $6 and all mixed drinks are $7. read more

I somehow found Sonny's after walking half the damn city. I was told it was one of the oldest bars in Brooklyn. They had a great selection of beers and to my surprise some LIVE BLUE GRASS funking up the place. If Im ever around this area again Im stopping by !! read more

Worked down the block for most of the Nineties when we would get a drink after work and in the winter when the sun went down early, we would get the hell out of dodge, if you know what I mean. Things have changed a lot in "The Hook" and you needn't be as afraid for your life when you visit Sunny's these days. The man is an icon and the bar a temple that hasn't changed a bit, and I am glad. Can't say the same for the neighborhood, but that's a good thing! read more

As one of the oldest bars in NYC, and a place that has made a strong comeback since Sandy, this is a place truly deserving of its reputation. Though I no longer live in the neighborhood, and it's a very far trek for most people, it's an old school charmer that anyone who lives in Brooklyn should check out at least once. The cocktails and beers are simple, which bespeaks an older time. What stands out about the place is the ambience, which presumably hasn't changed much over the years. The downside is that at night the bar is packed with boisterous newcomers, and it detracts from the overall enjoyment. As of last night, it's become a very yuppy-ish crowd. No idea where they're coming from--Carroll Gardens? My advice: check it out on an afternoon! read more

I don't know how people rate this place 5 stars???!!! I reached in there and got in to find that there was such a bad smell. It looked really dirty too!!! I surely didn't stay for the live music as the musicians were there laid down in that stinky place. honestly, I walked in and out, I couldn't stay... read more

They have the best new drinks that are sooo tasty. I love ginger and their ginger-inspired drinks are amazing! They also have a nice selection of infused sake which complements a nice ginger entree. Their entrees were surprisingly great. Excellent place for a finicky drinker. read more

This place is a gem! Intimate and casual. Drinks are cheap, music is great. Hard to beat if you want a low key environment and a great time.

An absolute gem. Reason enough to travel to Red Hook. Grab a drink if you're waiting for a table at Hometown BBQ. Highly recommend.

I liked this bar a lot. It reminded me of Goodbye Blue Monday (in Bushwick), but before all the hype. Except, you can't buy the cool shit on the walls. But Sunny's seems great, and is worth the extra few steps from Icehouse. read more

Cool spot with its own history, beautiful music and its own vibe. Prices are pretty descent. However bathrooms are too small,as for me, and there are lines all the time on weekends, so it is pretty annoying when you are drinking beer) read more

There are enough positive glows on this bar that I feel I would just repeating what others have already said why it's easily deserving of 5 stars, expect they've probably said it even better. For those where this hidden gem is not easily accessible, cycle there if you have a bike, you won't be disappointed. My only complaint, and maybe it's more of a hopeful suggestion, I would LOVE to see beers on tap. Either way, I'll be back! read more

This place rules. That's all you need to know. Could wind up spending hours here and not even knowing it. There's even a smoke room for the smokers lol. read more

If I dreamed about bars, Sunny's would be the bar of my dreams. Regardless of race, age, gender, class, fashion sense or any other identity-qualifier you can think of, all are welcome at Sunny's. It's cramped in a cozy sort of way, decorated with flea market-quality doodads, with cheap and generous pours of alcohol served in old juice glasses and canning jars, different rooms with different music blaring without competing, free live music in the back room many nights, an outdoor space for the warmer weather, and a long-running weekly bluegrass/folk jam populated by old hippies and young hipsters that just about blows the roof off that groovy old dive bar. You have to love Sunny's. You cannot have any other opinion of this place. If you don't love Sunny's, go away, work on your attitude, and come back. Allow its humanitarian spirit to flood over your soul and make you a better person. While you're at it, go outside and gaze at Lady Liberty in the harbor beyond, and remember how precious your freedom is, because that's what Sunny's represents. Long may it wave. read more

One of the best dive bars here in Brooklyn. I'm pretty sure non of the decor has changed. There is live music and is a great spot to hangout and have a few beers. read more

Dive Bar, one that is OG. It's an Original. Laid back vibe for some daytime drinking and an IDGAF & DILLIGAF vibe. The bathrooms are amazingly tiny, but the layout weirdly made me feel like it was efficiently designed like it was in Tokyo. I don't know. Do you like to drink, are you near here? Then you should go here. ATM is past the bathrooms on the way to the Courtyard/Garden. read more

I used to go here alot about four (five?) years ago, but haven't been in a while, and now wonder if it's still the David Lynchian fantasy bar I loved then. I guess more people have moved to the 'hood, what with bakeries and Fairway now a destination. Before they cleaned up the park across the street it always seemed like you were riding in a car service to the end of the world, stumbling on some forgotten chapter in a Hubert Selby Jr. novel, complete with humungous dead piers, steel towers of nothing, kudzu-encrusted Time Warner satellite dishes down the street, wet cobblestones, and all that romantic dead maritime crapola. God bless. read more

Been meaning to hit this place for quite sometime, and I finally made it. I was a bit surprised at the hipster/yuppie clientele, but WTF, NYC is changing. Had some good conversations, and a few pops and then moved on. One gripe is I picked up a t-shirt for a buddy who grew up in the neighborhood, and it was kind of a crappy shirt. Cheers. read more

Sunny is the nicest man and a great artist. I used to drink there back in the mid/late 90's when the bar was a pay as you wish place. They would keep track of what you drank on little cards. I left many times drunk with cash in my pockets only to wake up with guilt and bike over to Sunny's the next day to pay him for the drinks! On a recent trip to Redhook I popped in to see if Sunny was around ( last time I saw him he was a baby- now she is 9!) He was not around, BUT... the bartender remembered me from over 10 years ago! read more

This makes me a bad Yelper but I'll go ahead and admit that I PURPOSELY did not review Sunny's because I wanted it to keep it to myself. Looks like the word is out so I'll chime in...simply put this is how drinking is done people. Give me a Bud, and a shot of Jameson's, on one of the days that Sunny decides to open shop early, and chat with the mish-mosh of neighborhood folks....there is no better way to spend the day. Not a destination for velvet ropers or fancy cocktailians but hey, that's pretty much why I go in the first place. read more

Sunny's is the perfect place for escaping the bourgeois life of Manhattan and entering the artistic life of Red Hook. Artists and locals (who are mostly artists) congregate at Sunny's for whiskey apple cider and live bluegrass music. The vibe is really chill and friendly, and people get up and dance to the music. Unfortunately it's pretty inconvenient to get to unless you're in the area, but I think it's worth it. read more

This place is so cool it shouldn't be on yelp, it should be on an onion server somewhere so only cool smart people could find it, that's how the bar is, sitting on the edge of nowhere facing the atlantic ocean. I have honed my bluegrass skills from playing here over the past 7 years, and though some noobish musicians have started coming by and dominating the jam, they are starting to get some common sense and a lot of them are growing musically too. The place is so nurturing, girls are pretty and the people are honest. Just the other night my date left her phone in the bathroom came back two hours later and it was still there. Tone the the owner jams in the back and sings Dolly Parton or Hank Williams, good times had by all. Watch out for the killer banjo player hot licks may burn you. read more

Our go-to bar in the neighborhood. Best music, vibe, and bartenders around. Go to Fort D if you want fancy-pants cocktails, Bait & Tackle if you want a tacky dive aesthetic on the Red Hook main drag, and Ice House for good bar food. You go to Sunny's if you want to get cool. read more

My real life is entirely unlike my imaginary TV life in several important ways, but chief among them is this: in my TV life, I'm always having awesome conversations with bartenders. They share wise words, sage advice, and maybe a hearty chuckle or two. It's awesome. In my real life, though, bartenders are more likely to ignore me, roll their eyes at my order, and skulk away after charging me $10 for a too-warm pint filled with head and withering disdain. That is, until I went to Sunny's. At Sunny's, my imaginary TV life finally crossed into my real life over a few glorious mugs of hot apple cider and bourbon. Yes, I'm one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse (i.e., an outsider who came to Sunny's from Manhattan only after reading about it on Yelp), but if you're the kind of person who is willing to do that, I think you'll feel right at home. I sure did. read more

this is one of the best bars i've been to. The drinks are strong and not expensive. I enjoyed the music as well...all the different instruments make for a very interesting sound. I think its worth the trip. read more

This place is amazing. Plain and simple. A model of a dive bar. I get the feeling that the woman behind the bar cracks many more PBRs than she makes mixed drinks. They had awesome live music while we were there, and people were cavorting and dancing. Such a wonderful space. read more

My first visit to Sunny's was a life changing moment. I was never crazy about NYC, but after diving deep into Brooklyn on a foggy warm October night to sip whisky and hear bluegrass with some new friends I knew I had to live here. So I moved to Red Hook. It's impossible to describe Sunny's to someone who has never been. It's not a place, but an experience. A perfect bar to end the night in. The crowd is always easygoing and clearly there for a love of good music, good whisky, and an unspoken desire to break free from day to day modern living. read more

This place was discovered by countless wanna be Capt. John Smith's sailing into the proverbial Chesapeake Bay (OK I just made that up but you know what I mean). While the Indians where there first, it doesn't lessen the beauty of the place. It still is what it was before the settlers, all of whom are welcome. It can get a little bit busy with prospectors from the City proper but prices are good and everyone seems to understand this is hallowed ground. A definite stop on the Grand Tour of Bars and Drinking. I don't even care of Uber ranks begin to swell the tiny cobblestone street outside around 2am. I will always fit Sunny's in - I prefer as late as possible in spite of the possible drunken hordes from Manhattan. They thin out a bit near closing to get back to the city. Bartenders are old school even if young. Booze cheap. Live music at times. Opening can be fickle so have a backup plan. read more

one of the last great bastions of bars in new york city, sunny's has a time-warp feel and is one of the most relaxing places to get a drink. there is often live music from talented people and the fellow patrons you meet are nearly guaranteed to be people you'd enjoy talking to. the owners are lovely people, sweet and eager to conversate. this place is light years away from the clangor of brooklyn's many generic bars with their pricey, stupidly-named cocktails and louche barflies talking too loudly. read more

Took the ferry from Manhattan. Had a great time at a great bar. Relaxed. Friendly. Interesting. Quirky. Worth the trip for something a little in Brooklyn. It ain't a club. It's a bar. read more

I've come here a bunch of times and love It but the last time I was here a bartender was unbelievably disrespectful and rude. I met up with one of my friends who had A can of wine with her (kept it outside) and this white dude in a tight ass man bun came by and told her she's not supposed to have it, but said nothing else - didn't take It but said he "should have". I went in later and tried to order and the bartender said because my friend brought a drink, we weren't allowed anything else. He was extremely passive aggressive and rude and it makes no sense to punish other people (and refuse additional revenue and tips) for something like that. otherwise the bar and vibe is amazing but this guy made us feel ultra uncomfortable. We are very sad that sunny's of all places, with what we've always known to be one of the most relaxed places to hang out, couldn't even be honest about their outdoor alcohol policy and we think this specific bartender made what should have been an easy discussion about the restaurant's rules something very personal and passive aggressive. We felt like we were being scolded rather than welcomed, and it's sad because sunnys otherwise has always been a welcoming and accepting atmosphere. read more

Five stars. I'd give it ten stars if I was allowed. Completely laid back, friendly people, and fair drink prices, but the real draw is, as others have rightly mentioned, the live bluegrass jams that happen in the back. The two hour trip from uptown Manhattan was worth it, and I'll be back as soon as possible. A near religious experience if you enjoy honest music produced by honest people. Cancel whatever you had planned next weekend and go here instead. read more

sweet spot! drinks are cheap, the vibe is chill, got to see a really sweet blues/jazz band perform for relatively free. Plus it has a garden! read more