Bar Spotlight - Moonshine

Moonshine

317 Columbia Street

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Any time I'm heading out to Strong Island with my girlfriend, it seems that as we pass the entrance ramp to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel I always out of the corner of my eye see this mysterious bar (actually 2) situated neatly on Columbia next to a business called Futronics and a guitar shop.

I still haven't been to the other bar on the corner, and nothing against that but I just haven't gotten past the greatness that is Moonshine. With the neon sign towering above (well not really towering), every time we passed by in the car my need to go there consumed me until we just had to go.

The first time I went, there were 5 people at the bar and nobody else. You may think that's dead, but hey it's a Sunday evening and well, everyone was in good spirits. You can get a bucket of 4 PBRs for 7 bucks and lounge around with the digital jukebox or the old cigarette vending machine. This is the kind of bar that can't really do any wrong, and you won't find such a great combination often. It's a relaxing time, and you know you're in for a regular night when you see 3 of the same people in the bar each time you go, not including the bartender.

What I really wanted to give up was the pop culture trivia night (there's one on Wednesday) appropriately titled, Smartass: Brooklyn where you'll drink yourself silly and make about 6 new friends along the way. Live music lives here occasionally as well, sometimes bringing in an older crowd that's wise to the young shennanigans I pull.

Photo below from Village Voice:
You can actually take that bulldog in the window out for a walk, but the statue bulldog on the left is actually from The Empire Strikes Back, unfortunately his scene was left on the cutting room floor.

Again, it's one of those bars where you hear The Weight by The Band, and you're like, this is home, this is how local is done.

Speaking of the recent Village Voice article on 10 best bars in Brooklyn, Moonshine is fine as a runner up, but some of the stuff on the list is debatable; Irish Haven is a true one of a kind while stuff like Brooklyn Social (I think it's overrated) and Spuyten is sort of a cliched number one pick.

Bar Spotlight (Football Season Edition): Kopperfields

Photo courtesy of Kopperfields Bar.

Kopperfields

8910 5th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11209

Jim: "Hey, I stole these beets from the DJ"

Lady: "Why does the DJ need beets? I don't get it"

This sums up the awesomeness that was Sunday at Kopperfields. Heavy accents, some shouting, lots of ball busting, and a genuine warmth and "join us" attitude.

When it comes to extra perks, you have to hand it to Bay Ridge. Inexpensive beer, and in the case of The Salty Dog, hilarious cover bands and half a fire truck.

Kopperfield's exists on a quiet stretch in the early 90s and 5th avenue; it's quiet because it's one of the few non-residential blocks in the area, so its easy to miss if you're not paying attention (Christmas lights notwithstanding).

It's a very nice bar; the inside is warm and the bar is long, sturdy and clean. Tables are lined up on the left wall opposite the bar, but then you go farther back and it's kinda romantic, the lighting fixtures, Italian-ish/Mediterranean interior, the loungy couches, and nice wood backyard...with the grill straight from heaven. Just a nice looking, spacious bar, and now with more TVs (I'm going to venture that adding the sports element will give the bar even more appeal). According to Jim Shaffer, the owner, they are working to get NFL Sunday Ticket very soon. There are plenty of bars in the area and the more features the better. The jukebox drains out conversation a little, but according to pictures from the usual weekend nights with (DJ Frankie Finesse, Screwy Louie, etc.) a party hardy atmosphere, it's fitting to get the crowd doing a little fist pumping.

I walked in with my girlfriend and my friend Pat and his wife Jessica to catch the end of the Giants game. The Patriots lost earlier in the day and well, that sucked. Jim was sporting a Romo jersey ("Don't be Romophobic", he stated) and the lovely bartender Jackie was big on the G-men as they pounded out a solid victory. A Hasidic was chillin' with a beer at one of the tables along with several couples and single persons. Basically your average Sunday at any establishment.

The reason why we came in the first place was they were sporting 5 dollar pitchers. I've had 5.50 pitchers at The Patriot and Yogi's, but 5 is an all-time low. Coors Light (which I prefer to Bud Light, but that's just being fickle). The other kicker was free food. Now I've also munched on free grub at plenty of bars, and if you haven't, you should get to the nearest one because there's something wonderful about getting something for free at a bar, and since food is awesome, a bunch of people eating for free while drinking is probably the next best thing to free drinks.

This food was crazy good. Jim and his cohorts not only served us some fresh meats, but treated us to a pitcher on the house as well. We had fresh cheeseburgers (I had provolone on mine, GTFO), bratwurst (punch me in the face), sausages (stop this shit), homemade jalapeno poppers (you don't even know, you don't), and chicken kebabs (we're done here). All of it freshly made on the grill, proudly served by Jim who was ecstatic about still grilling in December.

Eating babies....baby beets (photo courtesy of Kopperfields Bar on the facebook).

Jim couldn't get enough of these pickled beets. He was parading it around, and we had to try one. It definitely perked up my insides for a while, very strong stuff. Lots of jokes around "beets" were made; Michael Jackson, wives, the aforementioned DJs, art scenes, football, etc.

We came in not knowing what to expect and got so much in return and I would definitely suggest if you're far in to Bay Ridge, this would be a great place to go. You'll want to check out their hilarious Facebook profile and plenty of photos (the bar is female....I guess).

They have a serious happy hour on Fridays as well as lots of specials and event nights (retro, pajamas, you know, themes that run deep, like literature). End of the R line, meet the beginning of your late night of drankin'.

Bar Spotlight (Football Edition): Harry O's

You can also read a similar review of mine on Yelp.

Harry O's

120 Lawrence Street (You don't think anything is on the block, but it's there)

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Harry O's is neatly (or not neatly) tucked away on a construction filled block of Lawrence (and stands to make lots of business if the new building across the street becomes inhabited, as the new tallest building in Brooklyn). It's definitely a bar to look out for in the next few years or so if it keeps around; the building across the street at 111 Lawrence will be a huge addition to Downtown Brooklyn's already boom-attempting bid for residential supremacy in the near future. However, with it's height, so much for the views from our roof! Being so close to me that when I first looked for it I couldn't find it because I didn't think it was that close, I walked in on a Sunday afternoon to watch the games. There were several regulars in the spacious bar area, and the restaurant section is actually rather large, decorated very simply and old school, everything wood, white linen tablecloths, well lit, like something out of Bay Ridge or more suburban upstate. I sat down at the bar and enjoyed a 3 dollar Yuengling and some cheap, really good chicken fingers (although I was hoping for some good sauces). The menu? Whatever was written on the chalkboard sign. The cook? Was the barback, which is awesome because he was just chillin' like a villain with the other patrons. The bartender was very sweet, she was being celebrity roasted by Hatch, a good natured (although I freaked him out about a dream I had about Troy Polamalu) Redskins fan that was big enough to play linebacker for them. I guess they were good with each other from a while back. There was a Steelers couple to my left, and two older gentlemen came in later and starting cursing about jobs, honor, and friendship. The jukebox every once in a while popped on a Sinatra tune which was kind of weird. All the games were on right in front of me, it was quiet (save Hatch's grilling), and incredibly chill. While it doesn't have the overall warm vibe that Cody's has, it's super relaxed and definitely hidden to most. The funniest thing? Hatch must have had a late night the night before, because he totally fell asleep at the bar at around 4:25 in the pm. The place was so chill that everyone just let him take a nap for about 20 and he went back to watching the games as if nothing happened. Bottom line, if you're looking for a bar that is a little out of the way (unless you're a DoBro denizen) to relax and watch the games with limited menus and a couple of characters, Harry O's could be your spot.

You can see the location here, take any train 'cept the N or D and you're kosher.

Is it Monday Yet? Football is back, and so is Brady

I love my Patriots. I know, that sounds like an asshole thing to say considering I love Brooklyn as well. I make no excuses or apologies.

ESPN's Monday Night Football commercials (and all their commercials in general) are just simply amazing and very appealing. Here is the first for the season, and it's a good one.



What are your thoughts on the upcoming season, and where will you be getting a pint and wings at on Sundays? I'll be covering more Bar Spotlights, Football Season Edition Vol. 2, in the coming weeks.