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We don’t find ourselves up in the fruit-named streets of Brooklyn Heights that often, unless we’re romantically strolling along the Promenade, or have gotten lost on our way home from Grimaldi’s. And we can very safely say that we’ve never ventured up there to drink. Brooklyn Heights might be one of the most beautiful stretches of the city, but it’s dining options, not to mention bars, have also ventured towards the safe and reliable, not to mention the expensive. But we heard about some impressive cocktails that were being mixed at Jack the Horse Tavern and figured it’d be fun to find out.
The restaurant opened over the summer, and has had some decent press about the food, which does look quite good. But we were there to drink, and so, apparently, was everyone else. The restaurant tables were nearly all empty, but five minutes after opening, the bar was about half full.
Eager to sample some of these famous concoctions that had brought us there, we kindly ordered a couple of original creations, set down the menu, and waited for roughly 5 minutes as he slowly went about the process of constructing our intricate drinks. The amount of time at nearly any other bar would have been excruciating, but watching the clearly talented bartender mix was fascinating, and showed the level of care they put into each one of these drinks.
And you’ll pay for the attention. At $9 a pop, the cocktails aren’t a steal, and at such a clean, well-lit place we didn’t feel the need to ask if there was a happy hour special. But, really, the prices aren't excessive, and in Manhattan, drinks this lovingly made would cost significantly more. And for those that care about expertly made cocktails, Jack the Horse can appear as godsend: A gorgeous bar on one of the most idyllic streets in the whole city that is actually as good as the atmosphere. And if we could have afforded another drink, we might have liked it even more.
Can anyone recommend other Brooklyn Heights bars worth a shot?
Jack the Horse Tavern
66 Hicks St.
718-852-5084
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Brazen Head on Atlantic... probably the best bar in BH. O'Neill's on Court, also worth a shot, or a shot and a beer.
Waterfront Ale House will always be my fav. On Atlantic Ave. off Clinton. Its a neighborhood institution.
Also, Last Exit, on Atlantic between Clinton and Henry (although, it is on the wrong side of the street to technically be in BH) Magnetic Field, Atlantic between Henry and Hicks, and The Henry st. Alehouse, on Henry and Cranberry.
i don't really qualify anything on atlantic as brooklyn heights (though i DO enjoy the bars on that stretch)...BUT i just went to henry street alehouse for the first time this week and it was a good spot-- great food (fried pickles and nachos) and a good selection of beer-- absolutely recommend it.
On the other side of BH from Jack the Horse (emotionally and geographically) is Montero's. On Atlantic between the BQE and Hicks this small dive serves up $2 rolling rocks.
Technically not Brooklyn Heights, but Five Front on Front Street in DUMBO has a nice bar (and in the summer months an outdoor bar separate from the outdoor dining area).
Noodle Pudding on Henry has an often overlooked bar (maybe 4-6 places).
There are plenty of good spots on Atlantic. I love Magnetic Fields when it isn't too crowded. The chip shop bar is lovely. Also, the place owned by the Union Hall folks, next door to the Chip Shop is nice as well.