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    Lavender Lake

    3.5 (294 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    LAVENDER LAKE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Lavender Lake

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    Drinks
    Margaret L.

    Nice chill bar in Williamsburg not far from Domino Park. We were tired of walking around Brooklyn all day and stopped in for a drink and a break. The bar is quite large and spacious with lots of different seating arrangements. We plopped down on a sofa and ordered two happy hour drinks - Mime Is Money and Nigel Tufnel - for $12 a pop, not bad for NYC! They even have a fun photobooth setup in the back where you can take photos or record a boomerang and have it sent to your phone - super cute!

    Johanna B.

    Considering my first review was concise, non-descript and some years ago--an updated review is definitely in order after several more visits. This includes a recent one just last night. With weather and calendar kicking off the start of the summer, you can take bets that there's nowhere better to be than outdoors. Unfortunately, unless you plan to arrive around 4 pm, the window of opportunity to snag outdoor seating at Lavendar Lake was lost and we had to sit indoors. Their outdoor patio is something to enjoy as it is like sitting in someone's back yard. Really cozy. Roomy enough but definitely louder indoors, Lavendar Lake has been around for a while with a following. You see, its name is the nickname given to the polluted Gowanus Canal which is just a few feet away. Don't worry, no stench detected. On this given night, the short but appealing menu outlined some good possibilities but we were also happy to get recommendations from the waitress on some of the most popular dishes. These were: the fried chicken sandwich, cauliflower reuben and the Brussel sprouts to name a few. Coincidentally, I had my eye on the reuben. I also had my heart set on a rose cider, but alas--they ran out. Here's what was ordered: *Fried chicken sandwich with a teeny side of roasted chick peas. Two thumbs up from Cristina who confirmed it was really good. No doubt here as it was being served to other tables as well. *Cauliflower Reuben with a side of cole slaw. This was my selection and I devoured it. If you're familiar with the traditional reuben prepared with pastrami, it's possible to enjoy this meatless version. I certainly did---even more. The combined flavors were amazing: pureed cauliflower with sauerkraut, dressing on a buttery toasted rye bread. So yummy and highly recommended. *House fries--this was shared. Served with sides of jalapeno ketchup and mayo, these fries were seasoned,and quite good. *Cider--crisp, refreshing and chilled, I really enjoyed how the cider complemented the meal. Lavender Lake is a fun place to chill with friends while having some good food. Worth checking out.

    Double Smashed Burger**
    Turandot Y.

    Great service, heated patio is definitely warm enough to enjoy a leisurely meal. It is a bit pricey and the menu is limited, but still a solid option for winter COVID-era dining. They have a nice Folksbier brew on tap too. Get the burger! It's seriously juicy, beefy, even steaky, and honestly the best pub burger I've ever had. Don't get the hummus, it's not worth $11. Hot toddy is 10/10.

    Cristina G.

    Finalmente! I finally made it out to Lavender Lake which I had bookmarked on here for a while. While planning some girl time in Brooklyn, we decided on Lavender Lake - nice outdoor space, good drink menu, and a few food options that looked bomb in pictures. Not my picture though, I always have grease on my hands by the time I realize I should capture my food for the world to see. Anyway, we had to try it out. I got there at around 7 on a Friday and the backyard space was PACKED. Seating here is first come, first serve so if you want a seat, better get here early. The space was really inviting though and reminds me of a typical Brooklyn backyard. We settled on sitting inside to grab some bites. The waitress let us know that drinks had to be ordered at the bar but we could order food with her. This is what we got - The fried chicken sammy - this will blow your mind. 5 stars should go to this sandwich alone because it was that bomb. I'd say it was the "best I ever had, best I ever had" - or maybe I'd sing it, in a Drake voice. This comes with seasoned fried chickpeas that I could pick on all night. And I did. Seasoned fries to share with jalapeño ketchup and some sort of aioli that I didn't try. The portion was big so it was great for sharing. Fellow Yelper and soul sis Johanna B. ordered the cauliflower Reuben which looked divine. She sang its praises and she has good taste so I trust her on this! Definitely looks like a good meatless option. We each tried the dry white cider. I usually go for a Rosè cider but this was really good. Just what the doctor ordered for a hot summer night. I wish we could have spotted a seat outside but we didn't get a chance to do so. I'll be back for that chicken sammy though. It's worth the hype.

    Christopher D.

    Ordered the burger and they only make it medium which is usually fine for me but it tasted more like well done. Bun was a regular bun nothing special which doesn't make sense for the cost of the burger and didn't come with fries. Drink line wasn't terribly long and all the outdoor seating was taken so we sat inside which was a bit dreary but it was very noisy. Overall I probably wouldn't come back.

    Great outdoor space!
    Gene L.

    Love the outdoor space! This is a cute little bar in Gowanus with a charming outdoor space which is perfect when the weather is nice. Chill vibe, large space, adequate seating - there's a limited bar outside for easier access. Love the strung out lights and the fire pit when the weather is colder. Service outdoors was pretty non-existent, so I'd recommend just ordering from the bar instead of waiting around for a server (who never came even after 30 minutes being there). Sometimes they'll have a random movie projected on the adjacent brick wall too which is fun. You'll notice a lot of reviews mentioning the brussels sprouts - and they definitely lived up to the hype! I couldn't stop eating them - and that lemon aioli sauce was like crack. Inside space is a bit noisy, and the music is a bit too loud in my opinion and you'll find yourself yelling at each other if you're trying to carry on a conversation. Because of that, outdoors is really the way to go. Definitely a place I'd be back to hang out at again!

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    1 year ago

    The food was Good, the service was ehh. The servers weren't that attentive. However for a nice outside vibe it was chill.

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    2 years ago

    Stopped in for a drink. Lots of seating good for small and large groups. I had a paloma. Drink was good and service was quick.

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    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    My wife and I took our kids (10 and 16 year old boys) to this place on our last evening in NYC. We…read morewere looking for a place that had a nice ambiance and good food. Ambiance: This place has a nice ambiance, definitely very "New York" -- dark (you can't see how dirty the floor is) and loud music (maybe too loud). We sat upstairs (we had a reservation) and of all the people on the top there was a party of 4 (us), a party of 8 (all dudes celebrating something) and the rest of the tables were on a DATE - which I thought was funny. Service: We were served by Ann-Marie who was so delightful. She was kind, super nice, and took the time to speak to us (which is basically how we figured out she wasn't a native New York City person). She gave us good food suggestions and we were very happy with our selection. Food: Here is what we ordered * Steak Frites: My two boys got the steak frites and I have to say the steak was awesome! I had a bite of each of theirs and they each ordered it differently (one Medium Rare/Medium and one Medium) and they both were prepared PERFECTLY. The fries were overflowing. * Caeser Salad with Salmon: My wife got the salad with Salmon (they only have a few salad options) and she enjoyed it. * Prawn and Crab Risotto: I got this and I have to say it was VERY bland. I wouldn't get this if you are looking for taste. I had to put salt and pepper on it to make it have any semblance of taste. Value/Price: I would say this is not over priced but it is not cheap either...bill is attached. I would recommend it to folks who are looking for a good place to either go out on a date or a family type meal.

    Amazing ambiance! We visited for a birthday dinner and were seated in a cozy, intimate corner,…read moreenhanced by the restaurant's beautifully dimmed lighting. Our server was fantastic--friendly, helpful, and highly efficient. The cocktail menu leans heavily into gin, but they are happy to mix up whatever you like. I ordered a margarita and it was excellent! For dinner, I went with the steak frites. It was absolutely delicious, and the portion was so generous that I actually had to push myself to finish it. While it's on the pricier side and maybe not an everyday dining spot, it's a phenomenal choice if you're looking for a guaranteed great experience for a special night out!

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    Valerie
    Valerie
    Valerie

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    Dear Irving on Broadway

    Dear Irving on Broadway

    4.5
    (40 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    Had an awesome time at Dear Irving. We recently celebrated a friend's birthday here. We were…read morekindly greeted when we entered and directed to the elevator leading to the event space. DI reserved an area between the bar and patio for the event. Enough room for our party to gather and not impede on other patrons. I found all of the staff to be very professional and attentive while very busy. The menu has a variety of small bite options, which was shared amongst the group. Everyone seemed to enjoy them, suggesting one another to try this or that. The bartenders/ mixologists were on their A game. The drink menu is pretty extensive and from what I could see, our party choices ranged from wines to whisky's and several options between. The rooftop/patio was an extension of the comfortable but trendy decor. Great space for an evening, date or friend gathering. Dear Irving... well done. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

    I was here for an event, so didn't order entrees/mains. We did have some appetizers and finger…read morefood, which wasn't the tastiest...the best thing there were probably the lobster rolls and sliders. The drinks were very delicious, though! The bartenders were nice and made the drinks very quickly. There was one who was consistently friendly, as opposed to the blonde lady there. I'd go back again on a date night because the interior had major sexy vibes.

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    Cocktails
    Cocktails
    Smoky & spicy cocktail it was ;-)
    Smoky & spicy cocktail it was ;-)
    Cocktail

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    Cocktail
    Sunken Harbor Club

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5
    (117 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$

    I've been trying to go to Sunken Harbor for over a year now. I don't know how it's possible but…read moredespite being local it always seems to have a private event whenever we have plans to go. The stars finally aligned this winter and I had the opportunity to try it out. The vibes are perfect. Fog and bubbles, sea noises and all of the art go together seemlessly. Drinks were great. We had three and left suitably sloshed for the night with no aftereffects. We didn't have too many bites but the food was very good for a bar. I'm excited to go back and I hope we have just as much luck getting in next time.

    This is a "speakeasy" above Gage and Tollner. An undersea Tiki style adventure with a sexy mermaid…read moreheading up the bar. Nautical theme throughout with weathered leather, ropes, fish. Cocktails are made with various types of rum and ingredients like grapefruit, maraschino, wormwood amaro, falernum, thyme, Assam tea, spiced lime, allspice, coconut, cucumber, nutmeg, sour orange. All the drinks keep with the tropical, fruity taste with a hint of spice. They are also broken up into categories (dry land = no alcohol, shallows = average amount of alcohol, and abyss (larger amounts of alcohol). The abyss section has some cocktails that are limited to two per customer. They have some bar bites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp toast, broiled oysters, ricotta, dumplings, sliders. I had the French fries with kimchi ranch, which were underwhelming. Bartenders were cool and kept the drinks coming. I got in immediately without an issue or a wait, but it was right after a snowstorm. I've seen some people struggle to get in or have a long wait.

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    View of the bar
    View of the bar
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

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    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner
    Dear Strangers

    Dear Strangers

    4.3
    (29 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

    Dear Strangers? Yes, they certainly treat you like one! This place is not good. They seemed…read moreunprepared to handle restaurant week. There weren't enough servers to handle the crowd and that was reflective in our dinner service. Despite being checked in on 0 times and having to flag them down for water, to order, and to get our check, their attitude wasn't warm or accommodating at all. It even came off like we were bothering our server when asking for basic things. The food was subpar. Didn't try the drinks. Maybe that's the savior? -Tuna tartare acceptable; nothing to write home about -Chicken dumplings tasted like chicken but had no bite to it. Weird and served on paper that resembled a crumpled receipt or used tissue. -Chicken cutlet was warm and soggy. No truffle flavor as advertised on the menu. Some creativity points for the accompanying foam dip but it didn't work. -Beef short rib was tasty but the single potato that come with it felt insulting and cheap. Really? One potato? -Pecan pie dessert and sorbet were really good. Sad way to finish, only enjoying the final course. Ambiance was good. Floors were super slippery because they were tiled on a snowy day. They should warn their guests about that. Lots of work to be done here and I will not be around to see it through!

    Photos
    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Smoked chicken croquettes

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    Smoked chicken croquettes
    Steight

    Steight

    4.6
    (44 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Very cute speakeasy hidden behind an empty hair salon. The decor was very fun, and I couldn't quite…read moretell what the theme was. It's a very small space, so it may be a bit of a wait for a seat. We came around 8:45 PM, and got a spot at the bar after about 20 minutes. We tried the yuzu contact and the ma-chet baker, and the ma-chet baker was definitely our favorite. It tasted just like a matcha latte, and I liked the bits of gen maicha in it. It wasn't very strong however. The yuzu contact was also very light and citrusy.

    yuzu highball mt highball…read more- highball was nice, basic, and refreshing; nothing much to note about but ive definitely had better - i liked the yuzu a bit more because the mt highball was a bit too alcoholic hojicha colada - hojicha is their seasonal menu and it also is my favorite! The tea was strong and fragrant - it is on the sweeter side, a bit like dessert, so i had to pair it with water, but it was still yummy and would recommend yuzu contact - this was alright! Typical yuzu but ive had better ones - personally feel like the yuzu can be brighter and a bit sweeter rating: 4/5 - the drinks were all good but nothing particularly stood out except for the hojicha colada - the vibe and the music really brought up my rating though! It was such a cute, cozy, intimate spot for dates - small speakeasy with only a few seats, similar to bars in japan; it's one of those japanese listening bars and i love it - there was light jazz in the background, not too loud that i had to shout - the mood was perfect; I couldn't stop staring at the interior decor and immerse myself in this little cozy corner - service was super quick, nothing much to note IG: @nom.noms.only

    Photos
    Oolong Punch
    Oolong Punch
    Sake Flight.
    Sake Flight.
    Steight

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    Lavender Lake - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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