The Levee in Williamsburg

The Levee in Williamsburg
Originally uploaded by NYC Tom.

The Levee

212 Berry St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-8787
Cross Street: North 3rd Street
Directions: L at Bedford Ave

NYC Diver was very happy to be drawn to the place by a lit up Pabst sign at 4 in the morning. A bar in Williamsburg open late is a rare thing, and stumbling upon this one was an excellent circumstance. While scoring low on dive, it scores high on jukebox, comfort and food/beer selection. Plenty of Lone Star, Frito Pie and other things from the southland are on the menu. The back room has comfy antique furniture, and board games are available to play. The jukebox is varied and excellent, Magnetic Fields, Hank Williams, Radiohead, metal, hip-hop, it pretty much has everything. Not on a main drag, it also has the nice feeling of not being too crowded. We hear but don't remember that there are pinball machines there as well.

Decor (3.5/5) - OK, nice couches in the back, nicely done features from the old building.

Crowd (4/5) - Late night there was one, which made us happy enough. UPDATE: Loud and crowded earlier in night

Drinks (4/5) - Good selection of beer and bourbon

Dive Factor (3/5) - Its pretty nice and not cheap, but the great jukebox, late hours (for Brooklyn) and good seating make it worthwhile.

Rosemary's Greenpoint Tavern

Rosemary's Greenpoint Tavern
Originally uploaded by NYC Tom.

Rosemary's Greenpoint Tavern

188 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211-2904
(718) 384-9539
Cross Street: Between North Seventh Street and North Sixth Street

As it is getting harder to find dives that are not over-reviewed (the slowing of post speed on his website), we think that this one is a good find. While not grimy and has electronic games and whatchamahaveyas, it does have huge Styrofoam (or sometimes plastic) cups of cheap beer for $3.50 (probably 32oz or so). While that should be good enough, the space is a good one, not too crowded but not too empty, with tables on the side, a bar and games/jukebox in the back. While one does have to try hard to be hipster, its not as the hipsters are unfriendly stock, so the crowd is pretty laid back. All in all, a great stop around Bedford for a beer.

Decor (5/5) - faded posters and 70s style fixins. nice plastic decorations that are seasonal

Crowd (4/5) - Happy hipsters

Drinks (5/5) - They also have liquor, but... $3.50 beers!

Dive Factor (3/5) - Its too nice to be a real dive, but still a good option.