I'm here to defend this bar from the one star reviews that were glaring at me on here yesterday afternoon prior to my visit last night. This must be one of the most average bars I've ever been to, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's small - composed of two rooms, each with slightly different, but incredibly simple furniture and decor. There were two bartenders working, and they were both perfectly nice people who provided the standard service of pouring beers and mixing vodka sodas for us to enjoy. It wasn't too busy, wasn't too loud, wasn't too cool, wasn't too fancy, wasn't too expensive. It was just a simple bar, where people can get drinks and catch up. Oh, and it's a block from the F train - which makes is perfectly convenient for people living in the immediate neighborhood, the LES, East Village or off the F in Brooklyn. I would go back. That is all. read more

I've been to few places like 68 Jay Street. Like the other reviewers have said, if you stop by regularly, pretty much everyone will know your name. And, 68 tends to attract some interesting locals. The people here at what make the place work. Oh, and make sure you stop by for Whiskey Wednesdays with Will Scott. It's worth your while. We'd stop by after work, generally after 8, so I was never there for happy hour, but still, the drinks are relatively fair market value. The comfort of a familiar place, however, is what makes this bar a special one for people that live/work in the area. read more

Always great ...Except the bartender today! 68 Jay is a great neighborhood bar, one of the best in Dumbo... I have been there a few times in the past few months and alway found it to be a very relaxing place to hangout and that staff to also be very friendly... I went there today (Sunday) around 7pm, the bar was fairly empty this time of the day, but the bartender was very rude. When I went up to the bar to order a second round of drinks for myself and my friends, she asked me to bring up the empty glasses to her before she would take my order. To make it worse, when we were leaving and I went to close my tab she over changed my credit card ... $8 for drinks that said $6 on the bar menu. When I questioned it, she just argued back and didn't correct the charge. Its only a couple dollars in the end but it the principle of it. Great place... just 'avoid' Sunday afternoon. It sucks that one bad employee could ruin a great bar... read more

I love small, intimate bars that aren't flashy, but get the job done. 68 Jay is no exception. They have my Guiness, my bar stool and friendly staff. The location is pretty cool, as it's hidden away in DUMBO. But once you're there, you can totally see why it fits into this post-industrial, artsy neighborhood. The building has brick walls, and once you step inside, the exposed wood ceiling and decor work out pretty nicely. There's a small stage near the doorway for live music, but unfortunately no one was playing when I dropped by. All in all, 68 Jay is a solid bar if you're just looking for a beer and decent company. read more

An old friend -- a very old friend -- introduced me to this place. Despite growing up all of four inches away, I had no idea it existed. But the beer is cheap, and it's way less douchey than anything else in the neighborhood, and it's neither too crowded nor too empty. Thanks, Neighborhood Bar, we might get to be better and better friends each time I visit my parents. read more

What a cool little place! After wandering around dumbo with the Boyf we decided we wanted to sit down for a cocktail. I got on my phone to see what was in the area and found this place. We walked past it 3 times but once we found it we were very happy. The atmosphere was cozy and the drink selection was good. I'm also intrigued by the kind of attached pizza place. Will definitely go again next time I'm in the hood read more

Forget all the one star reviews. I live close by, and work in the building so I've been here on numerous occasions. Though, I'm by no means a regular. It is kind of a dive. It does have great music. It does have dogs outside in the summer time. The clientele changes from weekday to weekend. It is very basic. There is pizza (weekends). The owners are really cool though. One of them is the warehouse manager for MoMa - you should start talking to him about art. Fascinating. I believe they also own the wine bar down the street. Look. Some bars just aren't to everyone's taste. And sometimes the bitchy bartender will piss you off. And sometimes you'll think only us ugly people hang out here. Or the chairs creak. Or the "vibe" isn't up to snuff. You are entitled to your opinion. I've written one star reviews myself. I look forward to working in Dumbo for a long time, and I hope to stop by this bar every chance I get. read more

A quiet bar with friendly staff and laid back vibe. They had rustic furniture and non-exorbitant drinks, but unfortunately nothing really sets this place apart but it's a not a bad place either read more

Wow. I have been here at least two other times but went this time and the bartender was really rude. I asked what beers she had. I had walked down and could not see the labels. It is dark and I do not have the best vision. So she states go and look at them. I am sorry not worth my time ever and don't waste your time here. If there was an option for. O stars I would rate them with no stars. This is a pleasant Saturday afternoon july and she was rude. Gross so many other nice people and places! read more

Bartender was extremely rude. Female. Dirty blonde hair. Asked for additional drink to my tab and made a huge scene. Did the same the same thing to my friend. Will not come back. read more

This bar is a lovely post-art exhibit. mecca or good for any kind of gathering with friends or dates. I recall taking a date here and the tab for both of us was not bad at all. I enjoyed the service, the ambiance and the selection. read more

Bartender asshole ..... Ordered 5 drinks and Bartender asked in a condescending tone " Is that it" Ummmmm actually we would've bought 20 more but after 1st round we bounced...... read more

$2 yeungling draft happy hour. Nuff said. But just in case thats not enough for you (and I don't see why it shouldn't be....drunk by 7pm on $10? hells yeah!...ok...maybe $15 if you tip on every drink....but where else can you do that!) ok ok...its a really cool looking bar with awesome arched ceilings. The art on the walls changes often and is almost always really interesting. The staff is always friendly and the crowd is a mix of people who live and work in DUMBO. You can't get a more eclectic mix then that. And its only one stop into Brooklyn on the F train so the Manhattan snobs don't have to be too afraid of traveling to the (gasp) outer boroughs..... read more

I never write reviews, but the experience I had here is worth sharing. The moment I got to the bar I watched a guy calling the waiter (Jen) by the name and she was super rude to him. I assumed he had been very rude to her earlier. I asked for 8 beers (bottled) and paid a 13% tip. 2 hours after that I asked for another drink and she refused to serve me, and refused to serve me. This was a 30 seconds service (open bottle and give the beer to the customer), not a high end restaurant where food was being made, waiters going to the table. I offered to give her a better tip on the other drink, but she refused. Nice bar, good beer, but the service is terrible. Good luck to the bar owner. read more

I tried to order a beer, but the lady bartender was rude. I guess she did not like my accent, and she asked my boyfriend (who's was sitting next to me, and who is also Colombian but with Caucasian features) to teach me how to read the beer menu (which was in english). I left. read more

Pretty standard bar. Four taps, nothing extraordinary. Looks like a place where you would set a scene that called for a "nondescript local watering hole." Good happy hour specials though. read more

Also defending this place after the 1 star reviews. I LOVE this bar. It has such a great atmosphere, and although it is small and it may be hard to find a seat, I've never had a bad experience. Everyone is always super friendly and fun, and when I worked around the corner from here I would go all the time for after-work drinks. During the warmer months they open the front window doors and have a seating vignette right near the window. I've never experienced this "bitch bartender" that everyone seems to be ranting about. Every bartender that has ever served me has been quite nice. Anytime I am in DUMBO I make a point to go here, and I frequently recommend it to anyone who goes out in the area. read more

nice fun and easy spot for locals and visitors alike

Nice little bar tucked away in DUMBO - great prices and relaxed vibe. Definitely recommend visiting!

Went to this bar to get a drink with a friend. The atmosphere was nice, the place looked like a dive bar if it got a renovation recently. It wasn't too crowded but it had people in there, overall I figured we were in for a good time. Though the drink was tiny and kind of expensive, that's NYC so whatever. My main issue, and why I will never go back to this bar, was the awful bartender. I am curious as to whether this was her first night on the job, or if she has ever worked a customer service job before. After I ordered and paid for my drink, my friend and I started to walk towards the other side of the bar to find a place to sit. The bartender called me back, and then demanded I tip her in a very rude and demeaning tone. She said things like "this is just how it works." I was completely shocked at this behavior and really thought she was kidding at first, so I told her that I would tip on the next drink, which was true. I figured we were going to stay there for at least 2 or 3 drinks, and normally when I go out to bars I will usually tip $1 or $2 every drink or two, it just so happens I did not tip on my first drink at this bar. If I am there for a bit of time and the service is good then I'll probably tip more. This woman was not having it. She kept pressuring me for a tip and told me that she was "doing me a favor teaching me how it works." My friend was not drinking, and she was adamant about how she deserves a tip because we came in here with two people but only one of us was drinking. I don't know where that logic was coming from, as we weren't taking up room from other paying customers in her precious business. I ended up giving her a dollar because quite honestly I was not about to start something with this woman who clearly had pine cones up her bottom and was channeling her pain and discomfort at us. I don't really think she cares if I never come back to this bar, because if someone's acting like that they have to know that they are going to turn away customers. And I am sure that she may have thought I was lying about tipping at the next drink which may have led her to be more aggressive about getting a tip immediately, but demanding a tip is extremely unprofessional. I tip because it's the nice thing to do, sure, but tips are not automatic for me. This woman spent 30 seconds mixing a drink (a rum and coke, nothing fancy) and she deserves 1/7th of the overall cost of it as a tip? Get real. The unfortunate part for her is that she would have gotten more tip money if she had just let us spend time at the bar and not said anything. And even after she berated me for not tipping I was still about to give her a lot of tip money the next drink (well, by "a lot" I mean $3-4 instead of the usual $1-2), but she continued to push the issue and demanded a tip right then and there. Afterwards my friend and I were joking around about how I should have just given her a penny I had in my pocket. If only we had thought about that at the moment!! I hear stories all of the time about really bad service workers, but have not experienced one myself. Well I am finally glad I did! It was quite the topic of conversation for a while and it was a pretty funny experience overall. However this woman was not nice and I do not want to go back to that bar. read more

Nasty place. Very disappointed with the service. Bartender is so unfriendly and she has a horrible attitude. There are way better bars in the neighborhood. This place is not worth stopping by. You're better off saving your money and buy a six pack and chill at home. read more

We get it, you're too cool for school. BUT! There's only so much sassy indifference people will put up with. Love the bar, dive decor, the music, the cocktails but so bored with being treated like we're something you stepped in. read more

Horrible bartender.. Extremely rude. Clearly due to the amount of complaints about her, you would think she would be fired by now....

This is the coolest spot in Dumbo hands down. The ambience is just right as a high end dive bar. The furnishings are all cheaply made with plywood and pine boards expertly fabricated for maximum efficiency but that just adds to the comfortable atmosphere in this place. It looks small until you discover the side room which doubles the square footage in the first room. The staff is courteous and polite. They are cool and friendly. I've come here a lot. There's always a good mix of regulars and neighborhood types as well as new faces from tourists and people just walking around. If you're ever in Dumbo, try 68 Jay Street Bar. There are music performances on Saturday nights. read more

I came here one night on a short trip to NYC, and I had the best time here. The bar is very chiquely decorated. Seating at the bar and along the window. On nice nights the open the large windows to give it a very open feeling. Probably my favorite thing about this bar is that people were so friendly. I came with two people and left feeling like I had made several more friends. Located in the (I gather) newly trendy neighborhood of Dumbo, this bar has been here forever. It gives the area a sense of history and the locals a sense of belonging. It seemed to me like a place that anyone could go, fit in, and feel welcome. Oh, and the pizzas are supposed to be amazing, several people were raving about them. read more

one of the bar maids is a complete doll, the other, the opposite. serious issues. she's very out of place as everyone is so genuinely kind. the jazz band this sunday evening was outstanding. the pizza, albeit soggy in the center, was a decent effort. could use more flavor too. the salad was excellent. cut up in bite size pieces with the right amount of olive oil and vinegar. read more

Typical bar in Brooklyn. Cold beers, Jack (no diet), purse hooks at the bar, etc.

I want to like this place because there are so few options in the neighborhood but it's sort of mediocre. The locations is nice and I like the windows and the fireplace. The people who drink there are usually friendly too, but the people who run the place are sort of rude to me and they are not often nice. I'm a transgender woman and maybe that's part of it, but I can see other people here with the same complaint, so...maybe they need to tell their bartenders to be less mean. read more

awesome music, decent alcohol prices, and a fantastic crowd. I'm in.

As a local I wish I could rate it better, but............ 1. Spotty service - most of the time the bartenders act like they really don't care. 2. Not that clean - I am kind of afraid that the draft lines have never been flushed out, YUCK. 3. Why don't the owners give a damn?!? You could have a great watering hole, why not just put in a little bit of effort? Very unfortunate that with all of its potential this place kinda sucks. read more

Saturday nights have great live acoustic music!

I really like this place, it has that DUMBO charm with friendly neighborhood folk mixed with nice staff, good music and great drink. Only been here a handful of times and all have been positive experiences, must be something to do with the management as it seems they know what people like and have run this place successfully for years now. read more

Came here around 5 on a Sunday to warm up from a warm day turned cool at Smorgasbord. Live jazz, inexpensive malbec and generous pours. Crowd was really diverse, but friendly and lively and relaxed. I wouldn't make a special trip, but nice option for this area of town. read more

Bar tender is super rude. Complained I ordered too many limes and now she would have to cut up a new one, said I should be more considerate if I am in the industry as well read more

Came here after a failed attempt at some event I originally was invited to. Walked in and was at the front of the bar within seconds of breezing through the door & the place was jam packed! Couldn't believe how many people fit in this little coffin. With five minutes left on the clock and an hour before my second event started, I decided on a Moscow Mule that was a part of happy hour. I caught the eye of the only bartender behind the counter two minutes in and she asked me if I was with some group and I just shook my head no. Maybe they received free drinks. Damn it, should've said yes. Anyway, $5 and it was damn strong and I enjoyed it. I would come back on a warmer day if I'm in the area. Kinda far from any train leading to my apartment, though. read more

I went here once but it was tight as hell. My girl still be talkin' bout tha burger. Da waiter was nice to us. I liked tha way it looked up in there, real dark & chill. They be havin' some good, cheap beer too. Now this might not seem like too much to ask fo but bein' from D.C. you'd be surprised. We is definitely goin' back next trip to da 718! read more

My new favorite NY beer is Brooklyn Lager. $3 for an ice cold glass here for happy hour, and a bowl of goldfish to nibble on. BTW, they stock none of the shitty American beers here (Bud, Coors, Miller, PBR, etc)--I call it smart, not snobby. Love the cozy vibe here. read more

Stumbled upon this bar this weekend on a warm night. There was a great live act (musician by the name of Curt Brewer) playing here, who drew me in with covers of PJ Harvey and Morphine. Very chill atmosphere, could immediately sit and enjoy the music with a good view, not crowded at all, nor was the music too loud. Had some cheap wine and stayed for two hours, and the bartender was very nice, not pressing us to consume more and making sure our water glasses stayed full. The ambiance was fun--people were in a good mood and sang along to some of the songs. Great little serendipitous find. read more

I love this bar. Rik the bartender is super sexy and friendly and very fast. Fastest bartender in Brooklyn. He's only there on Wednesdays, but the other bartenders are great, too. Let's hear it for attitude-free bars. read more

Loved the seating on the next room over. Had a great time relaxing and chatting with a friend under dim lighting. The blondie bartender was kick-ass and she made my friend the perfect cocktails. read more