Saturday - Came around 7pm and it was dimly lit but we can still hear each other. By the time 8pm rolled around, lights dimmed further and the music louder. I think by 9 or 10, the disco ball was flashing. The vibe seemed pretty chill for the most part but I think I miss the former lavender lake in Gowanus, or maybe I went on a weekday so it was less intense. I got the hot chicken sandwich and it was a bit dry. With fries on top, $5 extra - a bit salty. Drinks seemed pretty good so no complaints there. I'd come back maybe earlier in the day, to chill with some friends. read more

Lavender Lake - Bar food - Thai wings - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

$20 happy hour deal- mini charcuterie board and a martini. Chill/conversational ambiance read more

Lavender Lake - Charcuterie Board - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Very nice spot. Went for a friend's birthday so just hanging out having drink. I had the passion fruit Bellini which was very good. Nice open space. Didn't take pics but definitely wouldn't mind heading back. read more

I REALLY enjoyed the hybrid indoor, outdoor seating and the large open space of the restaurant. I ordered the patty melt which was delicious. Definitely one f the best I've ever had. only negative is that Several members of our party were confused about the ordering process. Our drink orders were taken at our table but after several attempts to get the staff's attention, we just decided to go to the bar to order. Not clear if that's what we were supposed to do which was a miss. read more

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! read more

Lavender Lake - Drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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

relaxing vibe open at 12 noon. Not really crowded inside at all. Waitress is very friendly and calm. Non judgmental vibes. They have hot tea as well. I ordered Green tea ($5) it was so delicious. The waitress brings water too. Big open spaces feel free. I highly recommend! I see most of the pictures are old location, (not sure where it was) I'll update pictures next time. read more

Great spot for drinks, food, and service. They're very mindful of their customers and that is why I appreciate them. Not to mention the open air space make the spot and ambiance chic. read more

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.

A great bar to go to for happy hour! They have delicious cocktails and plenty of other happy hour deals, including some food options. Their back patio is very nicely set up with heaters at every table and enough distance between the tables that I didn't feel uncomfortable with my mask off. The woman running the place the night I went was very nice and helpful and did a great job with all the tables because it seemed like she was the only one working at the time. Can't wait to go back for another happy hour! Drinks Ordered: Kitty Lutesinger (SO GOOD) and Gypsy Share (also good, but I prefer the Kitty Lutesinger) Food Ordered: French fries (aioli and a yummy jalapeño ketchup) and Calamari (aioli sauce) - both delicious and would order again read more

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. read more

See all

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. read more

Lavender Lake - Double Smashed Burger** - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

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. read more

Lavender Lake - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Absolutely horrible. I wish I can give this place no star! My friends and I came by a little before 8:00 PM and their outdoor area were already filled up with people - which is completely understandable. We came back in and had to seat ourselves. We were then given the menu with limited options - also fine because we were excited their happy hour menu is valid for the entire day (only Mondays). Before I talk about the drinks, I want to mention that once you place an order, they ask you for a credit card to hold. I am deeply confused by this... are they afraid customers will run out without paying the bill? This is completely unnecessary. Before I talk about the food, I want to talk about the way you order drinks. Alcoholic drinks AND soda must be ordered at the bar. I am not sure why soda needs to be ordered at the bar? It made no sense. They wouldn't even bring you the soda. We obviously did not order any drinks or soda. For food, we ordered (2) fish tacos, nacho with salsa, fried calamari, and fried chicken burger. First of all, please tell me why it takes FORTY-FIVE (45) MINUTES for the food to come out?! They weren't even that busy inside! Second of all, the food was completely disgusting and in the smallest portions EVER (see my pics). The nachos were not crunchy and they gave you so little salsa. The fish tacos came out to be extremely cold and the sauce was just gross. I couldn't finish it. The fried calamari was barely okay but again the portion was extremely tiny. The fried chicken burger wasn't fried... it was grilled. It was soggy and just tasteless. Onto the service... there is no service whatsoever. We interacted with the waiter ONCE (when we placed our order). He never came by to ask us how we're doing. This place can use some MAJORRR help from Bar Rescue. AVOID AT ALL COST!!!! read more

Best burger I think I have ever had. Not kidding! Absolutely delicious smash burger done to perfection. Came with melted American cheese, caramelized onion, pickles. LL has the perfect setup and ambiance for a casual gathering, decent meal or hang out spot. There's a nice long zinc-type bar, tables for standing as well as sitting, expansive and pleasant outdoor patio with many picnic tables and seating options. There's even designated "stroller parking" and water bowls to accommodate young families and dog owners. Very welcoming and inviting. It gets packed in here on weekends, wall to wall people, be forewarned. But the food is great, (although a limited menu), the ambiance wonderful. read more

I'm not a huge fan of this place but my boyfriend loves it so have to give credit where due. The space itself is pretty cool - lots of tables and an expansive bar area with moderate lighting. It's relatively quiet in here too, which my boyfriend likes a lot because it gives him the ability to read during the day, and there's outdoor space out back which is nice when it's not December. The bartenders have never been exceptionally friendly, even when this place is dead on the inside. Happy hour goes all day Monday and Tuesday-Friday from 4-7 but honestly the happy hour is BAD. They offer select $5 drafts and $12 (!!) house cocktails, but the cocktails are originally overpriced $14 so it's only a nominal discount and the drafts that they offer for $5 are the cheaper/crappier ones anyway. Really wish the discount applied to the beer that I actually want to order. Many beers are pricey 10 oz pours. Food menu is limited and moderately priced. My boyfriend really likes their burger. I've only had the fries, which were good but nothing special. All in all, overpriced drinks in a somewhat cool but never busy space in Gowanus. Never super impressed with the variety of their rotating drafts. Will return but only because of my boyfriend's odd loyalty here. read more

I've been here a couple times and I love the drinks and food! The backyard is great and they had water fountains available because it was so hot out. Tonight unfortunately I did not have a great experience. When closing my tab, I asked the bartender for an itemized bill before signing. He let me know due to the system I needed to sign my bill, then I could look at the items and dispute any charges. What he didn't mention as I signed the bill was he had given himself a 30% tip, which I recognized after I paid. Please pay attention to what you're signing otherwise they may try and trick you into a tip and unitemized bill. read more

The great Bill Watterson once said (via his alter-ego, Calvin), "I find my life is a lot easier the lower I keep everyone's expectations." I try and live by that, as it keeps me from disappointing everyone around me [more than I already do]. On the flip side, I also try not to go into anything with out-sized expectations, and that includes bars and restaurants. In the Age of the Internet, this isn't easy, and I suppose I'm partly to blame. So when I walked into Lavender Lake, I admit I'd read a few reviews, and was expecting a few things: great cocktails, a spacious dining area, a beautiful backyard...which they certainly lived up to. What I wasn't expecting was to be absolutely floored by their food. Yes, the snacks are amazing: the housemade chips are addictive and the fried brussels sprouts and their lemon aioli have ruined me for all other brussels sprouts. The kale salad was also excellent, and the burger smells incredible (and by all accounts, tastes the same). But I am all about the pan-seared chicken and its marsala demi-glace...LEGIT. I ate this thing, from first bite to gnawing on the bone, in complete disbelief. We planned to share, so reluctantly I gave my lady friend the smallest bites I possibly could (which turned out to be fine because she was doing the same exact thing with her beautifully braised shortrib and its accompanying parsnip puree). This dish has singlehandedly changed my mind about not ordering chicken when I eat out, and it will make it very, very difficult for me to get that burger next time. And I've never had a problem getting a burger. Basically, I'll see you here again, and definitely in their backyard come spring. read more

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. read more

Lavender Lake - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Love the vibe and environment. My dog loves coming here to meet other dogs and people. Drinks are a little pricey but worth it. read more

Lavender Lake - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Stumbled upon this spot in Gowanus. They have a heated patio with limited seating. We got lucky at 4pm on a Sunday to find a spot. What I tried - - hot toddy: this was strong and definitely got us buzzed. This was a nice warm drink to have with outdoor seating. - gin with lime : this was another strong drink This is a cool cocktail bar if you want to checkout if you're in the area! read more

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! read more

Lavender Lake - Great outdoor space! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This is really more like a bar/pub. I wouldn't recommend it for brunch really. The chicken and waffles was actually the worst chicken and waffles I've ever had- the waffle was very soggy. The kale salad was nice tho and my partner enjoyed the po boys shrimp sandwich (both of which were on the regular menu not the brunch menu). So maybe the regular menu is your better bet. There's no table service. You have to order food at the bar and then go sit. It's first come first serve. They get the sun right out front in the summer months which is nice if you want to sit at the picnic tables outside and soak up some sun and day drink. I'd go back for drinks only, and maybe an appetizer off the regular menu (and avoid the brunch menu). read more

Pre bday surprise with my love!!! My First impression was that this was definitely a cute location, walked in and the bar is in the front and the seating area in the back. We sat at the bar and was happy to catch happy hour. We ordered the finback lake beer which was ok and a bit on the bitter side. Then the waiter recommended shrimp tacos (which was not on the happy hour) my girlfriend loved them. These shrimp tacos were tasty, spiced and the shrimp were huge but at $14 for two I wouldn't expect anything less! We also ordered the calamari which was on the happy hour menu at $10. Overall this is a great place to grab a bite but the music wasn't the best. Very little selection. read more

Lavender Lake - Finback lake effect beer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Lavender Lake deserves a special shout out for the exceptional way they are currently managing outdoor seating & reopening in light of COVID. A few points they've managed particularly well: - There is a rope in front of the front door & someone will walk you to your table while explaining the rules (and also to make sure there aren't too many people) - Signs are up everywhere reminding people of the rules ... we all forget after a few good cocktails - QR code menu - Friendly Servers who seem truly concerned about enforcing the rules in a nice way All in all, if you're looking for a socially distant, responsible places to grab a cocktail, Lavender Lake is a good spot to check out! read more

Pretty sure this place was the inspiration for the term hidden gem. This wonderful restaurant bar is nestled on a random Gowanus street with nothing else around it but brand new apartment buildings, brownstones and the canal. I've been here a bunch of times with my friend who also lives in the neighborhood for a few drinks and some delicious food when we're too lazy to walk more than 5 minutes. It's definitely the closest bar to us and thank god for that - because it's also super cute and filled with locals. The decor in here is rustic modern (V Brooklyn) with exposed wood, metal and brick all around. They have a rather large back patio with lots of seating and it gets really good sunlight. Highly recommend this place if you live in the area. Also, the food here is insane - try the fried chicken sandwich with apple slaw. Worth every penny. You'll thank me later! read more

Lavender Lake - Fried chicken sandwich & fries! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Waiter was friendly. Food is fried. Deep fried. Most of it. Salty. Not my fave. Nice place. Okay people. Cool backyard. Dog-friendly. Das it. Nothin' special. Pretty cool bar. From: Renee eats salty B K read more

This place is one of the worst spots i ever been to. Service was horrible but it was a friday night so its a bit understandable. I always look at yelp pictures to determine what food to get. Most pictures show the burgers to be really big and well presented. I decided to order the ll burger. It looks NOTHING like the pictures. They used cheap stop and shop 1$ for 8 rolls, and it was COLD. The meat itself was mediocre at best. The worst part was the burger was TINY. I finished it in 3 decent bites. My brother ordered the fried chicken sandwich and was also extremely underwhelmed. Mcdonalds 1$ mcchicken tasted better than this trashy 15$ fried chicken sandwich. And duck nachos for 15$ the size of a small bowl. Again, horrible portions for the price. Maybe people come here for the drinks but the food here is extremely lacking. Will never come b read more

Lavender Lake - A joke of a burger. $16 for this? Mcdonalds does a better job - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

So this review is based on drinks and atmosphere more than anything else. We met friends here for an outdoor cocktail recently and I thought Lavender Lake was super cute. They have a large tented outdoor area with lots of heaters, so even on a cold day, it was pretty comfy. The cocktails were interesting and tasty and at $14-15, in line for the hood. We had to order food as well and it was an off hour so I really wasn't hungry but my husband and I shared a General Tso's cauliflower and it was pretty tasty - reminded me of Gobi Manchurian. Our friends had the calamari which looked good too, and people near us had burgers that looked yummy. The servers were very friendly. It's a bit of a hike from where I live but I will definitely suggest Lavender Lake as a place to meet friends who live nearby. read more

Lavander lake is a beautiful venue.  I love the backyard area and over all the decor inside is great.  The food is pretty good too. The reason for my rating is due to either the chef or the managers incompetence.  This past Wednesday I came with two of my friend for food after the beach.  After ordering drinks we all ordered the chicken sandwich on their menu.  I thought to add cheese to my sandwich.  One of my friends thought that was a great idea and asked for cheese to be put on hers too.  Shortly after the waitress (who was great and sweet) returned saying they couldn't put cheese on our sandwiches.  When I asked why, being that the menu had many items that had cheese and whether it was the chef's urgency that the sandwich not be eaten with cheese.  The waitress explained that is wasn't some sort of "no, no" for the dish but rather they were concerned about Thier "count" or inventory.  I immediately exclaimed "how much do I have to pay for this slice of cheese on my sandwich"  the waitress stammered and then I said "would they refuse $5 for a slice of cheese??"  The waitress left and came back and said ok we will do it but it will be $5.  I didn't expect them to have bad form and actually charge me a whole $5 extra for the slice of cheese.  Maybe up charge me $2 or $2.50.  But these greedy people had the nerve and gull to have such bad form as to actually charge me the full $5.  Now I tell you I'm not angry. Nor do I regret it.  That cheese on my sandwich was amazing.  They underestimated my love for cheese.  But also forgot the power of one's review in our day and age.  This is my first one star review.  Whomever had a chuckle or laugh thinking they took me for a fool or got their silly way....uh huh.  It cost them much more I believe and I still enjoyed my sandwich.  I hope he or she can swallow this 1 star just as pleasantly.  PS- we appropriately still tipped our sweet waitress %20 and the sandwich was about $13 if anyone was wondering read more

Lavender Lake - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

So good. I thought I'd been to places with great outdoor patios, but Lavender Lake takes the cake. Even in the winter, they had overhead heaters and all tables available. They also marked down on the wall how high the water reached during Sandy. It looked about 6 feet, which is crazy. I'm glad these guys were able to reopen as soon as they did. Good and interesting beer selection, though the bartenders aren't the friendliest (it's also very loud inside). Cool atmosphere, and not entirely pretentious. Cute waitress too. At some point, I'd like to try their $10 burger. Update: Came back. Tried their $11 burger medium rare without any cheese. Tried their Brussels sprouts, chips and pickled vegetables. Floored. Five stars. Come on a weeknight. read more

See all

This place says they're kid friendly right here on Yelp yet my 8wk old son and I were turned around at the door. (As were loads of other parents.) Gowanus? Go elsewhere! This place is more like a superdumb site if you ask me. read more

This place is really cute and also family friendly. They have a back porch that is also dog friendly which is nice. I came with friends and we all ordered the fried chicken sandwich and hot cider. All was delicious as were the fried we ordered for the table. Only downside was that the hot cider was not spiked it turned out. We could have gotten it spiked but we weren't informed and assumed it was. So not totally on them but it was listed on the cocktail menu. read more

Lavender Lake - Fried chicken sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This restaurant moved to Broadway in Bklyn. Delicious. We were 7 people. We ordered the charcuterie board. It was diverse in food selections on the board. I ordered the cauliflower Ruben. Delicious! So different and delish! Also ordered was the brunch choices and everyone was very happy with their choices. The ambiance of the restaurant was relaxed and comfortable. The service was excellent. The staff was attentive and worked very well together. Coming from Queens I would come back! read more

We tried Lavender Lake after seeing it on yelp and a few other lists. We got the ~controversial~ chicken sandwich. It was definitely better than a McChicken, but def not worth $16. The cole slaw and bun were good but the chicken was dry and flavorless. We split one and the Brussels sprouts (the portion there was too big). Atmosphere was really nice, and the drinks were good. Their drink specials are funny because they're not really deals.. we'll return due to the great atmosphere and ease of ordering at the bar! TLDR: Food was okay, drinks were good but overpriced, ease of ordering was the best, atmosphere was cozy in the winter, but seemed like the backyard thrives in the summer.. Didnt know it was dog friendly!! Total plus! read more

See all

This is such a cute and casual restaurant in a somewhat deserted area located on a street with nothing else around. It is just an ordinary bar inside but the backyard is where the scene really is. I've been here multiple times during the warmer weather and always sat outside. The backyard has a rustic feel, charming, and somewhat photo/Instagram friendly. It can get pretty packed if you arrive later in the evening. Food and drinks are mediocre to decent for a gastropub/bar scene. Their brussel sprouts are addictive- crispy and seasoned well. They offer beer, wine, and cocktails. If I am just rating the food, I would give it 3 stars. Taking into consideration what this restaurant has to offer as a whole, I give it 4 stars. This is not a place to come for food, but a charming place to spend a casual evening or weekend with friends. It is great neighborhood go-to spot. You can order a few drinks/food and sit for hours chit-chatting. It is also child friendly as I see some people bringing their babies/toddlers/children. read more

So-so service. The two bartenders yesterday were grumpy and curt; our table server was actually very pleasant albeit very slow as well- it took around 40 minutes to get the check after we asked for it. The food is rather good though so any misgivings I had about the bar service were ruled out. Definitely get the brussels sprouts and have a burger- they probably have some magic marinade for the ground beef hidden in the kitchen. The patio is huge but kind of a letdown since I expected more of a view but then again it's right by the Gowanus Canal so ick, no. Drinks are more toward the expensive side- a cocktail is around $11-$12. Definitely don't order the cider lest you want to get barked at by the bartenders -_- read more

Lavender Lake - Outdoor area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Came here for a party / drinks! Really cool space, that's my favorite part about this spot. It's a big area to spread out and that feels nice. I had a cocktail with mezcal (LA something-or-other), and it was OK. At $14 a piece, I expected it to be a bit better but I was a little disappointed. Nice selection of beers and wine, though. Didn't try the food but it looked delicious! read more

The thing I probably appreciated the most about Lavender Lake was the heating lamps on the back patio? I've often wondered aloud why there are so few heating lamps in NY and so many in LA. Bless you, LL. Was in town last week and was taken here by the fam. I love that it's in a totally random section of Brooklyn, so you kind of have to know about it (or be with someone who does). The crowd could've been a touch more attractive, but it more than made up for it with a cool vibe. I don't recall the DJ being bad, so I guess that must mean he was serviceable. Drinks were the usual bar fare. Nothing particularly stood out about them either way. Given the spacious layout and the laid back atmosphere, I'd recommend checking out Lavender Lake if you get the chance. read more

Lavender Lake - Absolutely packed inside, but no hassles getting in. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

So happy to participate in a very smooth checking of vaccination cards at the door. Fries and cocktails delish!