I love this bar. LOVE it. It makes living in this sleepy little nook on the border of Park Slope & Windsor Terrace even more awesome! I've lived in this neighborhood since 1999, and have seen so many changes just west of us in Park Slope proper, the rampant over-gentrification and skyrocketing rents, the $1200 strollers, and aloof Manhattanites settling in to brood. When I heard there was a gastropub about to fill that corner on 16th & 9th Ave, I rolled my eyes and groaned.
But here's the thing - the only other options for a brew or cocktail in my community were Farrell's (douchey cops, firemen & construction workers, surly bartenders who would frequently refuse service or ignore you if you weren't born within 5 blocks of the joint or had more than 2 years of education after high school) and Rythm & Booze (fine enough for a sports bar, but... meh - just try getting a cocktail with a little more thought to it than two ingredients).
Enter the Double Windsor. The bar came first, and the kitchen window came second. The owners were in there putting the place together with their own hands - their pride is evident but not precious. It feels comfortable and cool - like the college hang-out you loved grew up just enough to not be annoying but still rocks it. The staff are whip-smart, super efficient and care. I always wish I could afford to tip them more. The music selection is based on whoever's ipod is on the dock... it varies from goth rock to tender love ballads, experimental electronica to deep jazz, hip hop to mmm bop. They have board games there, and you're welcome to bring your own. There always seems to be a Scrabble fest going on!
The selection of beer and booze is fantastic and dead on. There are 16 craft beers on tap and they are always in a fresh rotation - once a keg is out, that's it. Love it and move on to your next discovery! They featured Six Point brewery a year ago, before all the hype, and made me fall in love with the Sweet Action, until I tasted Bear Republic's Apex IPA. Who knows what's next? Oh, and if you are in the wise, stop off at the gelato place a half block away for a double scoop of their vanilla. Then cozy up to the bar at the Double W, order a My Two Dads (Old Granddad Bourbon, Dad's Root Beer and bitters). Combine. Drink. Genius! (They say they don't have space for a freezer in there, but I'm working on 'em!)
The food - oh, my.... I grew up in the South and never had hush puppies this good. I've tried nearly everything on the menu, and it all rocks! They are diligent about the ingredients, and their offerings are seasonal. Once they ran out of their thick sliced, center cut bacon, and so rather than running next door to the deli for a cheap substitute, they just 86ed the BLTs and mac with bacon. (It broke my heart to eat my mac without it, but I survived.) Their soups are made in-house and sustained me through last winter - sometimes I'll just order food to go if I feel like a quiet night in. The burger is otherworldly on the brioche bun! Order it with a slice of their real cheddar cheese and bacon - well... you'll roll your eyes and groan.
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