I gathered here with some cloaked gentlemen and dangerous women in January soon after its official opening. We drank several bottles of excellent wine and a few of the cocktails. It's an enchanted place that recalls an age before plastic cups and shitty flavored vodkas. An age when ice cubes were actually cube shaped. Go early, grab a spot in back and roll some 20 sided dice with friends or bring a (potential) lover for a moody time. Expect to pay up, be comforted that johnny condo doesn't own the place. read more

Wow. What a great find. This place had an amazing atmosphere. And an amazing cocktail menu. It's a mixture of a speakeasy and a lounge vibe. The oysters I had were delicious and I liked that they kept it rather simple with East and west coast options. read more

Yes and no. The first time I went there I had wine. It was late and crowded, but we got seats right away. It took a while for someone to come over and wait on us, but that was okay because we were in the middle of a personal conversation, which, as I'm sure you have experienced, tends to make time stand still. The second time I went there was for post-dinner drinks. We, again, had wine. The server was friendly, and we got great seats in that adjoining room, a pleasant departure from the regularly crowded bar. The third time I put aside my wine list, opting instead for a cocktail. I spied a $9 Old Fashioned and overheard the bartender say they had house-made bitters. Sold! It was delicious, perhaps the best Old Fashioned I've ever had. Even though our drinks were great and by then we had established a nice-paced dialogue with the bartender, the food was not up to speed. Literally. We went through two rounds of relatively stiff drinks before our sparse cheese plate showed up. I understand this was not the bartender's fault, but still it ended up coloring my experience. I'd say: Go for drinks, pre- or post-dinner, but don't come here hungry. The wine list and the cocktail list are great, as are the whisky and after-dinner drink lists. I wish the food menu were more creative or more manageable for the kitchen (which I'm sure has restrictions), but I'd go again and again for an Old Fashioned. It was just delicious! read more

Love this place. My book club meets here every month, and the staff could NOT be friendlier or more welcoming. Not sure if I'd want to fight the crowds here--it tends to get busy just as we're leaving, around 9pm, but if you come early you can find a great, intimate little nook, and have a fab (but pricey) cocktail or two. GREAT date place. Very romantic. read more

First things first - NOT a hotel. Maybe everyone else knew that, but I thought we were meeting at a hotel bar! It doesn't really matter, but just giving you all a heads up! Anyway, met up with a group of friends for birthday drinks, around 8 on a Tuesday. There were maybe 9 of us, and we had an area in the back of the bar with a few tables and chairs and a banquette / booth. We more or less had the whole back room to ourselves, even though there was an empty booth right next to us. Service was a little slow and sporadic, but the drinks were spot on! (Although surprisingly the waitress and bartender didn't know how to make a Gin Gin Mule, even though they had ginger beer). Pretty decent wine by the glass list, but this is a true cocktail lounge - find something on the menu that looks appetizing or just ask them to concoct your favorite mixed drink. Oysters and food / cheese selection was very good. There was some drama with oysters, the waiter who brought out the oysters didn't tell us which ones were which (pet peeve!), and our waitress didn't know, so then she had to find the original waiter who kinda just blew through telling us like we annoying him. But they were super fresh and cold so they get a pass on that. What's better than cocktails and oysters? Not much if you ask me! Not really sure how to describe the decor, it's very retro / antique? I would say an atypical Williamsburg crowd, higher level of classy, lower level of douchery. I don't find myself if Williamsburg often, but I'll definitely keep this place on my list for next time I'm in the area! read more

Gorgeous spot for an early evening drink. Atmosphere wise, they are going for a straight out of a Toulouse Lautrec bar scene, with about 5 Absinthe on their menu, plenty of romantically lit corners, mixologists that play up the old fashioned charm with whimsically tied scarves, etc.. From the library rolling ladder to the curved bar that stretches the length of the main room to the closed front metal gates, ambiance sets the stage for the alcoholic beverages. Drinks are no second place holders either, with a list of sophisticated palate pleasing mixed drinks and a well put together list of alcohol including enough Rye and Bourbon to please most people. Prices are comparable to anything you'd find in Manhattan. And this is a great date place. This place probably gets pretty busy and an early evening drink is likely to be the best opportunity to enjoy its charm. read more

The drinks here are actually to-die-for. Like a fellow yelper said "close your eyes and just point" to the menu, everything is delicious and perfectly crafted. Just pick your favorite liquor and choose any drink made with it. The waiters in fancy vests and fancy mustaches are pretty great too. The vibe is excellent and it's a good place to get drinks after work, get drinks for someones birthday, have a fancy drink before a sloppy night out, etc. In my opinion, a tie with Clover Club for best cocktails in Brooklyn. read more

Hotel Delmano is not a hotel. But for a moment, as you step through the threshold into one of the small, nook-filled, high ceilinged rooms with old-fashioned ceiling fans languorously spinning, you imagine that you are in Paris in the 1930s. Only, you are not alone in Paris. You are surrounding by hipsters with jeans, checked shirts, beards (men only, for the most part) and black rimmed glasses. Its ok though - they don't bite! If you can, bring a date here. One you want to impress. Snag the cushioned window seat at the far corner of the bar and ply her with one of their spectacular cocktails. I'd recommend the free diver if she's not looking for something too sweet. Why not order some cheese and charcuterie too? The aged Vermont cheddar is lovely and they don't stint on the accompanying bread here. Now close your eyes and imagine - is that Hemingway over there.... read more

This has become of my favorite mid week spots to grab a drink. It helps that I'm secretly crushing on the Jake Gylenhall look a like bartender, and I'm surprised to say I've always had good service from the actual bartenders. Not so much from the bar back, servers, door guy. The drinks are so good. Wish I were better at remembering names, but Im positively obsessed with this vanilla/cinnamon tequila concoction they make. Havent had a bad drink yet. Minus one star for snarky waitress who took forever to get us our check, serve us, stop talking to her buddies in order to do these things. Minus that star again for the door guy who looked at me like I was crazy when I was annoyed waiting at the door to be let in, while there were multiple tables on the patio available. Listen ass, I have out of town guests, there are tables open, I drink here every week, and we got some benjis waiting to be dropped on some oysters and drinks. Morrissey styled barback is a pretentious D too. It wouldnt kill you to say "you're welcome", "enjoy" or any other common phrases you use in general service. I'm 50/50 on the staff but thats what I get for living in this neighborhood. Oh, and the oysters were SO good. Cheese and meat plate a bit sparse for $18. read more

Lovely little place. Very cozy and romantic. They've got a wooden ladder on the wall of liquor, unassuming stucco(?) walls, those intimate half-round booths (good for a date), and little French touches throughout the decor that make you want to fall in love. But seriously, fantastic cocktails. Really good service. One of the best bars I've been to (maybe the best) in Williamsburg. read more

Stunning cocktails and oysters!! Wow! Such a gem in the area. I read about this very pretty bar in Time Out and couldn't wait to take the BF. We did a little Williamsburg bar crawl and started there. They set the bar high! Gorgeous historic looking bar, wonderful cocktails to match, great friendly bartender...I wanna go back now just writing this! Is 2 PM too early for a Hotel Delmano cocktail??? Shoot - they don't open till 5! Ha! read more

What a pleasant departure from reality. Walking in Hotel Delmano was like walking into a 1920s hotel lobby. The decorative touches (old style ceiling fans, fake palms) are perfectly orchestrated to create a very old time feel ambiance. Great spot for a late night date but kind of expensive drinks. (Full disclosure, I might be making all of this up because I was here at 3am on a wednesday night and things were a bit hazy..) But overall, very cute place! read more

Why hello there, beautiful. I stopped in today with friends who know a bartender here. The previous night had been a Puritan one, so no hair of the dog for us. But their Espresso and Jasmine Green Tea (which comes in a hand-tied bag) were delicious. I'm still kicking myself for not trying their Chorizo ($3). We also loved their Seltzer, which is comes in traditional glass bottles that are refilled by a tiny old man every week, and their spicy Blood Mary. Every design aspect of this bar, from the distressed walls to the burnished bronze drink trays to the ceiling fans, was carefully chosen and it really shows. Both of the bartenders I met were very friendly and down to earth, too. I can't wait to come here at night, though I hear it gets pretty packed. To sum up the overall feel of the place: "I'm just kind of waiting for the Buena Vista Social Club to show up..." read more

Hotel Delmano seems like it would be the perfect bar to impress a date. It has a sultry old-school vibe (Paris circa 1920s), made complete with the dim lighting, attractive clientele, and the wooden ladder behind the bar. Despite having to wait for a table to open up Saturday night, the place didn't feel like it was overcrowded. The tables for two are a bit cramped, but in an intimate way -- you know, where knees accidentally brush against each other as you share some private joke over cocktails...? It's cozy and romantic, with an extensive list of tasty cocktails. Thoroughly enjoyed all the ones we tried that night (The Idiot, The Moonshiner, Gentle Julep, and the Brooklyn Beauty)... well, maybe not The Idiot -- the beet syrup was a lot stronger than anticipated and I'm not really a fan of 'savory' cocktails to begin with. The cocktails may be pricey ($10-15/drink) but I deem it worth forking over the extra dollars for the ambience afforded by Hotel Delmano. I think I've fallen in love with this place. read more

Best drinks hands down! Poetry in every cup. The atmosphere is so dated and cool. My friend got the negro modello cocktail with chiopotle and tamarind, and said it reminds her if her home, Mexico. I tasted the ginger cocktail , it was amazing. Appetizer to get is the racotta cheese with thyme, olive oil, with crackers and course salt on the side. Yummy. Was so impressed with the bar tender, Eli, who was so precise, and wanted every drink to be perfect. read more

I want to call this bar cute, but I don't really want to. I also want to call this bar romantic, but I don't really want to do that either. I guess the best way to describe it would be....stepping into Paris. Maybe even a movie that took place in Paris; perhaps Amelie. Either way, this bar really does transport you somewhere out of hipsterville. We stumbled into this unnamed bar after leaving the Pool Parties early. We didn't have anything else to do, so why not? The cocktails seemed steep, but I like trying well-made cocktails anywhere I can find one. So I ordered a San Francisco handshake, since it had my favorite liqueur--st. germain. This cocktail was amazing. It was delicate, and the flavors are well balanced. The liquor wasn't in the forefront, which is hard to find in a cocktail sometimes (Richardson, I'm looking at you). Every ingredient worked with one another in a way that made this drink really pop for me. It was also misleadingly strong. Two sips of this thing, and I was feeling it in my head. The beer list isn't so bad, prices ranged from $6-10. Cocktails are $10-$13. Even the bathrooms were fragrant. Smelled of lavender and some other floral concoction. Ahhhhhhhhhh...... The rain was coming down outside, the dim daylight was lazily seeping in through the tall windows. It made our dreary Sunday complete. I felt like going home and not shaving my armpits. read more

Came here after hitting the Flea...what a pleasant surprise. Great cocktails (about $13) in a very cool atmosphere. Service was professional. They also serve oysters and charcuterie. read more

I must admit, it was hard to find. There was a front door that was barred by a chain door and locks. The entrance is actually on the side. We got lucky on a Saturday evening and got seated right away. I ordered a Ninety-nine roses, which was a sweet, citrus-y cocktail. We also split chocolates and sherry. There were three types of chocolates, two figs, and nut butter. The combination of sweetness from the chocolates and the dryness of the sherry was almost perfect. This venue is perfect for a date - it's dark and mysterious enough but also has a warm and cozy feel to it! read more

So my friends draaaaged me out to Brooklyn but...I'm glad they did. Not the most secretive of places, but there were groups of people waiting to get in before us and we still got in in a super-timely manner. The bouncer was just the slightest bit douchey but oh well. Once you're in: the service is nice and non-pretentious, there are a ton of drink options and they are all delicious, and the atmosphere is really cozy. It's actually a good sized place, and just generally fun to be in. I'd definitely come back! read more

I'm pretty into this place. They will make you wait outside if there are too many people, which is annoying if you're waiting, but great once you get inside. It's very refreshing to have a place that maintains just the right number of people so it's busy, but not frustrating. Fewer people means comfortable noise level and good service. I LOVE the atmosphere. Good spot for a date as it's a classy cocktail bar but not too snobby, the bartenders are generally very chill. Lovely lighting and decor, which is usually the thing that makes the most difference with my experience. Pretty much every cocktail I've ever tried has been very good - interesting flavors and not too sweet. Very nice in the summer to sit outside in the evening with a bottle of wine and a couple friends. I would not recommend for groups larger than 4. read more

Excellent cocktails, wonderful environment, and a knowledgeable bartender with a smile on his face and a wonderful whistle to accompany the music. It might be pricey but for once you can tell the prices aren't set with making rent in mind but *quality* instead! Defnitely worth every penny. read more

This place is quality. From the overall vibe and design. To the friendly staff and funky cocktails. Cocktail named Ginger Spike No.2 is my favorite. A mix of cider and rum with some other non alcoholic liquids. They even sell Aussie beer which makes me feel at home. :) read more

Drinks are great here. Came here with a group of friends, so I was able to try everyone else's drinks as well. Even the drinks with liquors I didn't like tasted good. The charcuterie board is also good too, but a little pricey. Cocktails are typical NY prices though. read more

4 stars because I am a sucker for fine cocktails 5th star for $1.50 little neck clam I jump for joy every time I go to a raw bar - Hotel Delmano never disappoints. Who wouldn't want to unwind with fresh seafood and delicious cocktails. It is one of those places where despite the number of tables and chairs they squeeze in during the evening dinner/date rush, it maintains a very comfortable ambiance. But do try and get on those leather seats if possible and you will have a great time. read more

Went here on a recommendation from a friend. I've never eaten in Brooklyn before so this was very new. Great staff! We were seated right away in a really tiny room. Somewhere they fit 5 tables into a 6 by 10 foot space without making the atmosphere overbearing. Overall, it was nice, dark and intimate. I love love love raw rood, and this place did not disappoint. Wonderfully bloody clams were on special that night, very meaty. We had one of the hotel sample platers, the middle one I believe, which did not disappoint. The crab legs were a bit spicy which was interesting. I was primarily focused on the raw bar. Great combination of east and west coast oysters which were fresh and tasted of the sea. Boyfriend got the meat plate that had great proscuitto and speck (I think). The cocktails were in a league of their own, wonderfully crafted and well balanced!!! Tried the absinthe, which tasted of candy and was ok; we're not absinthe fans to begin with, just something to try. Great dinner date night, thank you! Recommended highly! read more

I went here during the laundry to have a cocktail and some fresh seafoods. It was a sunny and warm day, so I got outside seats. That was wrong. The service was extremely slow. I ordered the cocktail first, but it came out after 20min. Then we ordered the food, it was also served after a very long time. When the food came our table, our drinks were almost done. But I didn't want to order anymore, because I couldn't wait anymore. The oyster was fresh, but it's overpriced as quality, also cocktail was decent. read more

Good date place. Pretty amazing drinks. A little pricey but the vibe of the whole place makes it worth it.

Super cute with a very nice ambiance (it's got that dim, wooden, slightly gatsby-ish feel, if that makes any sense). And apparently, there are some very interesting regular customers here who engage in even more interesting conversations with the bartenders. But that's neither here nor there. They had a good selection of cocktails and lots of bourbons, tequilas, whiskeys...all the things I am not cultured enough to drink (yet). read more

This place has really lost its character. I don't know if it's just because it's summer, but with all the tables outside and everything, this place has become quite the clusterfuck. Although everyone knows Hotel Delmano is here, I liked the sorta speakeasy illusion it carried. When I went recently--you couldn't miss it. Blasting classic rock music, lots of shouting, it seems to have slipped far from the bar I would go off to for a quiet cocktail with a friend. The service has always been lacking, but I've never been in a rush when I've come here, so it's okay. But with the magic gone, it was kind of excruciating waiting for the waitress--who when she finally came after passing so many times--just walked straight up like our presence was exhausting her and asked us what we wanted in a half-annoyed way. Uhhh. Okay. Yes, the cocktails were still as delicious as ever, but the mood and the ambiance of a bar I once considered quiet and classy as fuck was gone. It felt like just a frat bar with really swank cocktails. I'm hoping this is a fluke and just because of all the Labor Day energy, but man, I'm not looking forward to coming back to Hotel Delmano. Maybe it's time to find a new cocktail spot... read more

Great place to take a date. More dressed up than a lot of Williamsburg bars.

Well, here it is, a good grown-up place to have a drink. The interior is supah cute, very understated and elegant. The servers and door people were all very cordial, I feel like we could be friends. I had the most magical drink here and in my love for said drink, I have no recollection of the name. Ahem, one too many of them I suppose. I wouldn't do groups here, it's definitely an intimate vibe and much harder to get in with more than 4 people. So huddle up with a few of your closest friends and have some drinks in the dark lovely environment. read more

Review for drinks only* Came here on somewhat of a whim after a concert in Williamsburg and it was the perfect place to wind down and imbibe in a few delicious cocktails. Chic, modern vibe...semi-upscale setting for Williamsburg, which is why I liked it! Extensive cocktail selection. But be warned: they don't run cheap. Excellent service, though, and since we came on a cool early Fall evening, they had blankets on the chairs outside for us. A nice little touch. I definitely recommend stopping by! Also: Aziz Ansari filmed a Master of None scene here, so go for that at the very least! read more

I used to really love coming to Hotel Delmano on weekends for brunch: it was the perfect foil for the usual overcrowded, overpriced NYC brunch experience, which I can't stand. My friend and I were usually the only ones in the place (she lives on the block) and we quickly made friends with the staff. They used to serve simple fare during the day, like greek yogurt with house-made compote and baguettes topped with fresh avocado, etc. Unfortunately they've discontinued the food service, but I think you'll still have the best experience there having an apertif before dinner or lounging with friends as afternoon turns to evening. After dark and especially on the weekends Hotel Delmano gets uncomfortably crowded and noisy, and the service consequently suffers. Especially if you're trapped in the small side room with a large group with shrill voices who are trying absinthe (and loving it!), it can be unpleasant, and downright depressing when the bill shows up. Try Hotel Delmano at sunset. It's an incredible space best experienced when the shadows are long and the banquettes are empty. read more

Hotel Delmano is easily my favorite cocktail bar in Williamsburg. I've come here on several occasions and have never been disappointed. The bartenders sure do know what they're doing. Love the speakeasy feel and ambiance. There's certainly an exclusivity factor about it, which I suppose makes it one of those must-visit, sought after establishments. There will probably be a slight wait on a Friday or Saturday night. My go-to: San Francisco Handshake. On my last visit, the bartender surprised me with a crisp, refreshing St. Germain concoction not listed on the menu. It was a treat! Classy. Beautiful people. Great tunes. read more

Who cares that its expensive?!?! Great drinks and fantastic atmosphere. I love this place. Go! bring a date. The martinis alone are worth a visit. read more

Update: I was back here again the other day and intrepidly tried the "Rattlesnake" (mix of whiskey, absinthe, lemon)- DELICIOUS. The cocktails are pretty tiny, which is probably why some cringe at the pricey-ness of this establishment - however, don't be fooled by their diminutive size and tastiness - they are pretty heady! Definitely not a place to pound shots and get drunk at - more for a drink (or two) and some conversation. Definitely a nice place to impress a date :) read more

This place is oh-so fancy. I'm a sucker for a nice cocktail bar with attentive bartenders and a clever menu. The drinks are potent and fantastic. This is the kind of place, ladies, if a guy takes you you don't want to get sloppy drunk. You want to get dizzy in the head and pink in the cheeks like a woman from the 1920s. You'll owe him. read more

Ehh . I was kinda disappointed with this place since it had such good reviews on yelp i dragged my friend miguel with me and we were both kind of dissapointed. The place is tiny and everyones basically on top of each other. Secondly, it resembles a cheap Maison Premier which by the way i love that place. The reason I didnt give 2 stars is because of the Meat and Cheese board which I loved. THe new orleans shrimp was not peeled and very generic. They were pretty big Ill give it that but it was Messy and borderline Prawn. The drinks were good but took Forever to come and our waiteess was a idiot and barely spoke O wanted to slap the Meat and Cheese Board out of her! whoosaa! read more

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Went to Hotel Delmano with Clifford R. (et al) for a friend's birthday drinks. She had concerns that our group of mostly Manhattanites wouldn't want to go "all the way out to Brooklyn" (honestly I can't even believe there are STILL people like that in this city.. that attitude is very 2001), but everyone loved Hotel Delmano and agreed it was the perfect spot for us. They have a large menu of classic and creative cocktails, but I opted for the Tom Collins, which was a little sweet, but otherwise tasty. The cocktails are a more reasonable $10-12 than certain "specialty cocktail" places that charge more towards $15. I loved the decor, with exposed brick, wooden plank floors, high ceilings, and tall windows with their original moldings. Since it was a Tuesday, we were able to spread out in the back room, and the bonus was that it was not overly crowded, like certain "specialty cocktail" places. I didn't get anything to eat there, but I did glance at the menu, and it truly is a "small plates" kind of bar. They have a selection of oysters, charcuterie, anchovy plates, sliced bread, etc... but nothing really really substantial. It's a good place to pick at a little something, but don't count on it as a main drinking meal. Your gin-coated stomach will need something more. Last but not least, I HAVE to comment on the AMAZING music selection they played. I loved absolutely every song that came on (Crystal Castles, Depeche Mode, The Ronettes, The Smiths, etc...). Really really great music. read more

As a home mixologist, this is my go-to place in Williamsburg for cocktails. 2 pages of $12 seasonal and signature cocktails served in the speakeasy style is a good deal if you ask me. Their tiki and stirred cocktails are not liquor-intense (some bars just throw 5 different liquors in a cocktail to confuse you) and offer various herbs and flavors for the organic experience. Mystic and prohibitiony interiors are complemented by the no-sign decision at the exterior. Whether you are outside in the summer or all the way in the rear hidden room (which you should definitely request) in winter, at night or daytime, Hotel Delmano is an all-season, ever-changing neighborhood bar that is yet to become over-popular. read more