A perfect bar for the just-moved-to-Crown-Hts-from-Boston-but-I'm-gonna-call-it-Prospect-Hts-and-hey-why-don't-these-new-coffee-shops-opening-up-especially-for-me-take-my-credit-cards people. I went here last winter when Minor Arcana was closed, Prospect Pond had yet to attract their splendid bartender, Nucomme, and Half Court was playing sports (that would fuck up my high). When I worked at Barrette (RIP) and they opened this place up, we called it White Girl Bar, which, yes, is a pejorative, and yes, I am a white girl who is not particularly self-loathing. The bartenders don't have control over the music, which means you'll always hear the owners' lo-fi indie i-pod. The bartenders are fine, especially Rachel, but overall it's a yuppie snoozefest. read more

Dear bar two blocks from my door, Thank you for existing. Thank you for having a great beer list. Thank you for getting me hammered on 9% alcohol beers most other bars don't carry. Thank you for having $2 off beers until 8pm. Thank you for letting me bring in outside food and nom to my hearts content while trying to figure out what crazy movie is playing at the bar. Thank you for having awesome outdoor seating in the back when weather complies. Thank you for letting my friend bring his bike in so it's not outside in the rain. Thank you for being quiet enough I can what people sitting across from me are saying. Thank you for having friendly bartenders. Love, Laura read more

NO DOGS allowed anymore. The patio is open and it is pretty decent size. I like this place and look forward to coming back. read more

Is every bar in this neighborhood spacious and with a nice backyard?? The Manhattanite in me grows jealous. Came here very late. Got a drink. Stood outside, then sat in a comfy little booth, the sort of booth you very much want to sit at if you're with a lovely person--small and cozy and with room for two only. All was well. read more

I should probably make sure I update this if I ever go back and get to experience the outside seating (which is why we were supposed to go, but mother nature decided otherwise). The drink sign outside made me giggle, and if it weren't raining and I was smart and had an umbrella, I would have taken a picture of it. Needless to say, the drink prices were good, beer selection is nice. You can order food, or bring your own (they don't serve any) and from what my friends tell me, it's a sweet spot when the weather is nice. I didn't particularly love the service, but it is what it is. Not a bad spot, just not itching to go back. read more

Really great bar. Cute bartenders (I could care less that they're straight - they're good lookin!), good tap selection, HUGE outdoor patio. A great place to hang and have a brew. read more

Finding a more perfect bar in a more perfect location would be tough. The crowd here is above average, garnering a mix of locals and friends. The patio area continues to find more and more warmth as they renovate and decorate, although the coming winter will not allow for its use for a few months. The beer selections are always rotating, and the person doing the selecting seems to have good taste and an eye for what people might be interested to try. There is a good mix of high-quality standards and brews you have not tried before. Monday through Friday happy hour until 8pm, now we just have to convince them to do the same on Saturday afternoons! I would definitely come more. read more

This was my first real happy hour experience in Brooklyn. As soon as you enter, there is a decent sized bar that you can sit at. If you don't want to sit there, there is a lovely patio area with plenty of tables. When it gets dark, the lighting out there doesn't overdo it. The bar is nicely stocked, and the prices are excellent ($3 & up) during their nicely lengthy happy hour until 8:00. Be warned, however, that there is no food sold there. You can bring food from other places though, which is nice. Definitely check it out when you're in the area. It's not far from the subway. read more

My perfect bar in many ways: * big, airy inside space with lots of windows * nice but simple outside area - lively but low key * can bring food in - bartenders will even recommend a beer * people playing cards at the bar, girls with their dogs in the window * big selection of good beers on tap * best of all: very impressive whiskey selection at almost unbelievable prices. E.g., $8 for Booker's and Basil Hayden's (probably $14+ at almost any bar in manhattan, and $20 at a nice place). a great neighborhood gathering point that gets everything right read more

Small, yet with a great selection of draft beers not available at your average Brooklyn bar. Offerings include Allagash Little Big Beer, Two Brothers Northwind Imperial Stout, Smuttynose Simcoe Spring, Kwak, Piraat, Captain Lawrence Espresso Stout, Rogue Black IPA and the venerable Weiheinstephan Hefe. Beyond the great selection the bartender was not only good looking (tee hee!) but also well versed in the craft beers she was pouring. The feeling and layout of the place are great. Lots of tables and booths make this look like it should be some crappy bar/grill type of deal but no sir, only booze to be had here. Definitely seemed like the sort of place that caters to locals and the huge patio in the back only portends what sort of drunken fun might occur in the warmer months. If the selection of beers and layout don't get ya, then the $2 off everything, including their reasonably priced drafts, happy hour deal has to get you in for at least one drink. Add it all to a chill atmosphere in an otherwise underrated part of Brooklyn and I think we have a winner. Stay for one? I could've easily been talked into 6. read more

I came here for a going away party three weeks ago...Which was in the outdoor area. Love the fact you can bring your own food and loved that you can play games and hang out as long as you like without getting stank-eye from the staff. Not to mention, it's not far from the Brooklyn Museum so it's a great place to go after Target Free Saturdays. As far as dranks go, I am not a big beer fan but I had the cider and was satisfied with it. I'd definitely come back if I end up in Prospect Heights again...Hell, maybe I'll have my own going-away party here! :D read more

The service sucked. We stood there not knowing if we should seat ourselves and all the while the bar tender just ignored us. Finally we're told we can seat ourselves but no one came to the table with menus or anything. We got up and left. read more

sometimes this bar can have it fair share of yuppie idiots, or just idiots on Saturday night . BUt it has a great happy hour, it's designed really well, the bartenders are excellent, especially Rachel. She's awesome! Also, they play great movies like Ravenous while you enjoy a pint of some delicious craft beer they have a pretty big backyard as well. read more

Washington Commons is not a place to go if you are not a beer drinker. They do have a full bar, but their mixed drinks are some of the weakest I have ever had and they cost $5-6. If you are a beer drinker, then this could be the place for you. They have a constantly updated beer menu (I always get to try something I have never heard of), and all of their beers are $2 off during Happy Hour which runs until 8:00! The atmosphere is very cozy and comfortable, lots of seating, and they have an amazing outdoor space when the weather permits. The only thing that keeps this bar from being 4 stars is the staff. On some nights you will have a bartender who is fast and knowledgeable of the beers, while on other nights you will have someone who is slow and unresponsive. In short: come for an adventurous happy hour after work with a few friends, and you won't be disappointed. read more

This was the first gentrifier's bar on Washington Ave., and years later, with what feels like a bar opening around here every day, it's still the best. Minor Arcana is too small and weirdly shaped. Bearded Lady is still figuring out what it is. Waystation has potential, but it can't match the roominess, friendliness, or good selection of Washington Commons. And none of them have outdoor spaces. I live a lot closer to the three bars above--but Washington Commons is my local. read more

I went here for the first time on St. Patrick's Day at the behest of a friend who lives in Crown Heights, and was suitably impressed. It has a very welcoming atmosphere-I noticed Hasids and hipsters mingling-the drink prices seem reasonable, and although the main bar closed a bit too early for my taste, overall, I left with a very good impression of the place. There are also some arcade games, which I didn't notice until I passed them on my way to the bathroom. They add to the generally friendly, inviting vibe. I would definitely return to the Commons if I found myself in the neighborhood again. read more

We hiked to the monthly Sat. evening soiree at the Brooklyn Museum, but there was a massive crowd and the police were about to shut things down. Thankfully the mobile Yelp app offered some alternative nightlife choices in the neighborhood and Washington Commons sounded perfect for a small group of thirsty walkers. And it was. Nice selection of beers. A very casual scene (though busy). You do have to order at the bar (from what I could tell) so it can be a bit hectic, depending on the ebb and flow of the ordering crowd. But the bar staff are pretty quick so the wait wasn't bad. I'll definitely re-visit, perhaps during the day or a weeknight so I can experience the patio/films/food/etc. mentioned by others, but not discovered on our visit. read more

I've been to Washington Commons a couple of times and really love it. Friendly bartenders and great selection of craft beer, I can't ask for more! They have good happy hour deals, too. The layout of the bar is an interesting shape which makes it feel smaller and more intimate. There are some tables up some stairs in the back. When I was here with a big group one night it was hard for us all to find the space to stand together. The bar has a bit of a hipster vibe but the people working there seem laid back. I would definitely recommend this bar if you're looking for a good place in the neighborhood! read more

Ok so me and my bff went get Moscow mules. We asked "do you make them" and they said "yes", so imagine my surprise when I get served a glass of well vodka with perhaps a single tablespoon of flat ginger ale. I would like to be sympathetic but frankly this was borderline undrinkable. The bartender made it way too fast, she wasn't even thinking! Luckily we went to Sharlene's down the block afterwards and had the best Moscow mules of our life, so fresh. read more

Get out of my dreams, and into my bar. My friends and I have lived on Wash Ave for about 2 years now. Literally a week before this place opened up we discussed the lack of bars in our 'hood and sketched out our dream bar: Quality craft beers, bourbons, and scotches Down to earth prices Clean. A large outdoor seating area A lot of bathrooms. Chill vibe, cool people. Oh hello, Washington Commons. read more

This is a great spot that a friend introduced me to for a few happy hours drinks. The happy hour is generous and tap beer selection impressive. The atmosphere is dark and woodsy, but non-pretentious. This is not a Williamsburgh-hipster vibe scene. I have found myself able to immerse myself in a book, or watch the eclectic selections of movies on the screen, or even engage in a conversation with someone who does not think it is a cheap come on - nice chats abound here. The bar exudes a nice vibe, not a meat market scene. The bartenders are friendly and serve a nice drink. I will definitely be back and and this place as one of my go-to spots. read more

Cool, laid back bar. Met with some friends there and me being late, had just missed the happy hour that ends at 8pm. But was not crowded and we were actually able to have a conversation without yelling. Especially for a Friday night, it was a good atmosphere. There's no food, but there's a couple good restaurants right on the same block that you can bring in. read more

Could Washington Commons be any closer to my heart? True to my review from 2009, I now live in the hood and have been loving the great beer list, ample seating and laid-back, dog-friendly vibe more than ever. Even the bathroom graffiti is of a higher caliber here than at comparable establishments. Perfect for an afternoon beverage or a friday night out. I can't wait until warm weather returns and I can while away the hours in the wonderful back garden. read more

Great spot for a few weeknight drinks. Came here to meet up with friends before dinner, and when they were half an hour late I suddenly found myself chatting with the people there...I think it's a NY miracle that no one was sitting, staring coldly at their phones, and instead were up for some real live verbal communication. Also there's a whole binder full of DVDs that can be played on the TV over the bar so you can request classics such as Pulp Fiction, Die Hard, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Boondock Saints, ya know, if you really feel like taking yourself out for drinks and a movie at the same time. Selection of beer is pretty spot-on--some off-beat, some local, all delicious. read more

Possibly the best patio in South Brooklyn, hands down. The patio is massive to the point where if I was on one side and you were on the other, you would not hear me shouting. The beer list is pretty vast and varies greatly, and the prices are decent. Not going to save you a ton of money but they're also not going to rob you blind. A great backyard for one of those cool summer nights where you want to smoke and drink your beer, and not hang out with a crowd of scumbags. The space alone prevents you from having to deal with jerks. read more

This is quite literally my new 'corner bar,' as it is located just a hop skip and a stumble away from my apartment. While the draft list is extensive, and the bottled beers are encyclopedic, my favorite discovery is the $5 house wine. White or red, a few of theses healthy pours and I've descended into a warm, fuzzy, wine drunk that makes me want to let these golden evenings linger on. If you have a few too many, may I suggest refueling with a hearty brunch at Tom's down the block, then returning to Washignton Common's for a $4 Bloody Mary from 1-4 on weekends. read more

Spring is here! And with that are a few days interspersed amidst the rain that are beautiful and sunny and demand we all go out right now and find a sunny patio to lounge in. Luckily Washington Commons provides this for the Prospect Heights set. The patio is huge and lovely, although they kick you out at midnight. And the beer selection is amazing, and surprisingly cheap for the selection. They also have a tall stack of local menus you can order food from and dine in with your drinks. I think this might be a summer staple for me.... read more

A really great place. An awesome backyard and solid draft beer selection. If you're looking for a place to have a drink and hang out with friends, you can't do better than Washington Commons. Bartenders know their shit about craft beers as well as cocktails. If you're in the area and are thinking of maybe something fancier or divey-er don't waste your time. Washington commons is the quintessential prospect heights bar, it actually bums me out to give it such a rave review, because I like it the way it is, but the people there genuinely care about the place and they deserve it. If you're in the neighborhood come on down and tip well! read more

Like its cousins 4th Avenue Pub and Fulton Grand, Washington Commons is a bar seems to specialize in good beers with high ABVs and not much else. But to be honest, that's exactly why I love it. It's impossible to write this review without comparing it to 4th Ave and Fulton Grand in my mind, so that's what I'll do; Washington Commons loses one star for not having free popcorn (4th Ave does!) but gains a star for having an awesome backyard (Fulton Grand does not). It also has a more limited selection of beers than 4th Ave, but tends to be less crowded. Let's call it even. In short, Washington Commons is an awesome beer bar with a great backyard, but sadly no free popcorn. read more

My current favorite bar in Prospect Heights. They have an amazing happy hour ($2 off from 3-8pm) on already cheap beers with a great selection on tap. Huge windows up front look out onto Washington for people watching. There are three different seating areas - the bar area up front, a table/chairs sit down area in the middle, and in the rear is a huge patio with tons of seating/tables and a few awnings to protect from the rain. My favorite beers here have been the blueberry ale and the watermelon wheat. It's an excellent summer place to unwind. read more

My fave, my local. I can't remember my life before it opened last year. Probably because they opened last year. Also, good music. read more

It's your typical no-frills, low-key, warm and inviting bar, that just happens to have a great beer selection. I've had everything from fantastic barleywines to Kwak, one of my favorite Belgian beers. Simplicity is the key to this bar, with seating to the left, and a small bar towards the front and right of the bar. The crowd is unassuming and much better than bars with this type of beer selection. It's probably because the bar is located in Prospect Heights, a wonderful neighborhood. There is an outdoor beer garden with picnic tables that offers a change to the inside scenery. Not much more to say than it's worth visiting every time you pass. read more

-Incredible back yard/patio with tons of picnic tables. Perfect for a nice spring/summer/fall night with your closest friends or a date. -They allow you to bring food in and/or delivery of food to the bar. -They allow dogs in the back. -Great selection of on-tap beer. -Friendly staff read more

All round good bar but the outside seating is a little bit "prison exercise yard" feeling. picnic tables, high walls, concrete. Other than that, good selection of beers on tap, bartenders are friendly and work hard to serve everyone. Price per pint is about $7.00 which is a bit pricey but having said that they just mainly serve high end draught. So don't expect any bud light or stella on tap, which imo opinion is a bit of a shame as when it gets hot it's nice to have a lighter beer option on tap. Everything here is pretty heavy. Good crowd, good location. No real complaints here, just a few nitpicky things but wouldn't hesitate to drop back in for a drink. read more

Great neighborhood watering hole. Get outside while the backyard is open! Also, Kwak on tap is the BEST. I don't see it many places, and it's my fave! read more

I like supporting neighborhood bars, and this is on my block. But in a neighborhood surrounding by amazing places to drink like gold star, weather up, covenhoven, and bearded lady, I find it hard to justify coming in here. Selection is fine, but don't order a cocktail more complicated than gin and tonic. As an aside, it generally smells like stale beer and clorox in here. read more

After living in/near Prospect Heights for close to 10 years I was so excited for the recent bar explosion, especially since this place is about 10 steps from my house. But....the bartenders aren't nice, the drinks aren't cheap and it isn't really a neighborhood bar since only one part of the neighborhood really frequents it. I'm sure I'll go there due to convenience, but it wouldn't be my first choice. read more

an all around solid bar to drink, snack, chill with friends and meet new people. Great music, great indoor space (spread out with couches, tables, bar seating), great outdoor space, great beer menu. read more

This is a great pub. Great beer, great space, great people. In the summer you can't beat spending happy hour relaxing outside with a great craft beer. The back area is full of picnic tables and trees. People bring their dogs, and even a light rain never touches the ground thanks to a huge canopy of trees. Inside there's a great horseshoe bar. Big full wall windows in the front. Wooden tables and chairs A great spot. read more

Great place for a good drink about a block away from home. Prices could be lower, but they allow our little black dog inside, and have outdoor space. $4 Bloody marys on Sundays has become a good tradition. Tasty beers, nice crowd, nothing wrong with this place. I just wish the prices were a tad lower. I'm all about value. read more