I don't know how this review fits into the overall rating of The Brooklyn Inn, but we popped in for a beer on Thursday night. This place has been on our list for the history! It's an old dive bar. I would describe the ambience as "dive bar." Bartenders were friendly. Beer was affordable (by Brooklyn standards) - Decent selection. Low pressure and no judgment. Pool table in the back. What else do you need? read more

The Brooklyn Inn - Beer - Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Well now that the BI is in every guide book it has lost some of its local charm, but is still a fun place to grab a cold beer. The service has really improved over the past few years and the bar is well stocked. read more

This bar has such a great ambiance. It's cozy while still being huge. I loved being here. There are several huge spaces. Some candlelit tables, a pool room, and a big hallway opening. We came with a pretty big group of 10 people and we were able to spread out and enjoy the space. The service was also fast and efficient. Got my beers quickly and they were tasty. read more

The Brooklyn Inn - I absolutely love the aesthetic of this bar. I'm a sucker for the old world looking spots. - Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My daughter was planning a small party after her Brooklyn City Hall wedding. She stopped by in person, spoke to the bartender about bringing 12-15 people in at 3:00 on a Thursday afternoon. Since no food at all is served here, she asked if she could potentially order a few pizzas from a local pizzeria. He said that was fine, and he'd leave a note for the Thursday bartender. We decided a couple catering trays from Wegman's was a better option in the 104 degree heat, so I called the day before to let them know that a delivery person would be there at 3:30 the next day. Again, pleasant and "no problem" as long as the delivery is after 3:00. So, when I walked in at about 3:15 on Thursday after the wedding ceremony, I was greeted by the most unpleasant bartender who immediately scolded me, informed me that it was not an "event venue", and demanded that I immediately take the delivery off the bar because it was "taking up room". She continued her tirade - "nobody told me about this", "the owner scheduled an upgrade of the carbonation system", "the air conditioning is being repaired", "this is not the place for a party". It's a bar, we were 18 people, we were paying customers mid-afternoon on one of the hottest days of the year. I was a bartender and server for many years - sure, Vanessa was probably expecting a slow shift, maybe read a book, but if I saw our party walk in I would have considered myself lucky from an earnings standpoint. We squeezed our food onto the smallest table as directed by the miserable Vanessa - without complaint. Mind you, there is a large room with a pool table where we would willingly have gone - but Vanessa promptly told us that was off limits. We were spending plenty of money and only three other customers wandered in late in the afternoon - they had ample seating at the bar. At about 4:30 or five, Vanessa pulled out all the stops - informing my wife that "it was time for us to wrap it up - we want to make sure that our neighbors are comfortable if they come in". What?? Are we not paying customers? In fact, 4 or 5 of our group live within walking distance of the bar. We ignored her and stayed until about 6:00 - still, only four other customers came in. Was our group of primarily 35 year-old NYC residents (save the septuagenarian parents of the bride) too intimidating for the regular clientele? Was The Brooklyn Inn actually a private club for the exclusive use of the patrons lucky enough to be approved by Vanessa? Most of the young guests recommended that Vanessa receive no tip at all after scowling at us the entire day. However, she did serve us drinks all afternoon, begrudgingly, and did her job - with absolutely not one shred of hospitality. When Vanessa presented me with the bill, she made it VERY clear that there was "NO TIP added to the bill", and pointed out the automatic tip percentage suggestions on the bill. I did leave a tip - more than I should have. She seemed surprised, maybe now she thinks I am just a sap from the suburbs, but she had done her job and deserved to be paid. I hope that the management of The Brooklyn Inn reads this and I also hope that the management does not condone this kind of behavior from the bartenders. What a shame that all of the people in my group will not remember anything good about The Brooklyn Inn, but rather what an unpleasant and unwelcoming visit we had there. read more

Standard dive, with meh service. Pretty much exactly what one would expect.. and that's okay! Like that they have a pool table though.

Really great, chill bar with pleasant bartenders. This one is definitely on the quieter side, where the music and conversation is not too raucous. The building is gorgeous and the bar itself comfortable. It's the oldest bar in Brooklyn but it doesn't lean into a run-down vibe like some of the other historical bars. The negative reviews for this place are cracking me up with how ridiculous their complaints are. If you are not a twat then you'll enjoy a chill time at Bk Inn, I'm sure. read more

Beautiful bar staffed by incredibly rude bartenders - which totally ruins it for me. Who wants to be treated like sh*t for politely ordering a standard drink? Too many other places nearby with friendly staff. Won't be back. read more

entitled girls claimed they "owned the table" after we beat them. they erased our names because they wanted to keep playing. awful experience, they kept adding their names while they erased ours. if you want to play with entitled girls who claim this is their bar! come! read more

This is a Brooklyn institution. The Guinness was perfectly poured. Perfectly mixed cocktails. The $2 hotdog & chip combo was a 8/10! read more

The Brooklyn Inn - a cup of coffee on a table - Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

First place I ever got a beer in Brooklyn, 30 years ago in the early 1990s. Hasn't changed a bit since then.

The Brooklyn Inn is a super quaint pub-like dive bar in Boerum Hill. The architecture on the outside is gorgeous, and when you walk inside it feels classic and cozy. They have beautifully designed booths to sit in, along with pool tables in the back room. Its a great spot to visit after dinner, which is exactly what I did. They've got a full bar, but I didn't notice a menu with specialty cocktails. I'm sure they could whip up any classic cocktail you have in mind. Overall, its a solid bar to visit if you're in the neighborhood and are looking for a homey experience without the fuss. Keep in mind, its cash only! read more

they kicked me out for filming I'm an influencer with 2.4 million followers that reviews nyc restaurants and bars and the manager was just being rude and told me to leave and never come back. He even accused me of being drunk and causing a scene even though I had only one drink and was not causing a scene. read more

Love this place. Super friendly bartenders, good drinks - and all for the oldest bar in Brooklyn? amazing.

What a gorgeous time piece of a bar! After reading the bad reviews, I was a bit nervous to come here but everyone was super nice. They checked vax cards and had masks and hand sannie at the door. The drinks were well made, everything was great. Can't wait to come back for pool in the back! read more

The Brooklyn Inn - people sitting at the bar - Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I was looking forward to coming here since I moved to the neighborhood but was disappointed by the rudeness of the bartender. There were no seats at the bar, so our group of six walked to the back to look for a table, didn't see any, then came back up front to order drinks. As the bartender is carding someone in our group he complains that we had walked in to use the bathroom. Really?!? read more

I've been to this bar a couple of times, but honestly it is now one of my favorite water holes in my neighborhood. The ambiance is always great, and the bartenders know how to pour out a perfect. guinness. everytime. Absolutely adore this place, and am glad to still see it standing even after hard times read more

Misogynist bar. Will never return, I have been 100s times because I live in the neighborhood and have had family here forever and the drinks are good l but will never return based off the bartenders and staff tonight. Had an extremely awful experience with one bartender, and when approaching him about it later he would not look me nor my female friend in the eye, only my husband. read more

A solid bar in a great location; the problem is one of the bartenders (male, long hair) has such a miserable, uncouth and condescending attitude that he makes it uncomfortable to be there. He is not someone who should be working in a service industry. Won't return simply because of him, and it appears I'm not alone, based on other reviews. read more

Super woke bar! There was a guy here that had wet hands which was great. Bartenders are manly and look like they would chop logs with supreme efficiency! Would recommend. read more

Lots of woke people working here. Not a great spot unless you want to meet a 20 year old crying because she can't find her drink.

I love everything about Brooklyn Inn, from the outdoor seating area to the crown molding to the delightfully spooky ghost stories.

I loved it here. What a vibe. Hidden, dark, wooden rooms throughout the back. Old wooden tables, benches. Felt very old timey, like in a true tavern from a film. read more

This place is decent. I liked the high Ceilings and stained glass. Service was fine. Got really crowded when I was there, about Saturday leading up to midnight. I'd come back if I needed a drink in the area. read more

Hung out at Brooklyn Inn on Saturday evening. The history behind the spot is very cool, but the bar itself just felt too dusty and dingy. A dive bar worth a quick stop, but not much more. Quality: Old-school dive bar. I ordered a few draft beers. Okay selection and served cold. Quantity: Fair pours. Value: Beers fell from around $6 to $8. Cash only. Ambiance: The Brooklyn Inn is a Brooklyn area bar that originally opened in 1885. The dark and dusty bar has all sorts of classic architectural stylings that make it a unique place to wander around. The back area has a pool table, which was constantly busy, but the room is just too small for it. Acoustics are rough, making it tough to hear music and conversation, but hard to fault a design over a hundred years old. Crowd: A busy crowd in a tight space. On a less than beautiful day, crowds flocked to the dark and cozy spot. Service: Bartenders well accustomed to a packed room. Staff makes the rounds to clear out empty glasses. Parking: Residential area makes parking tough. read more

A tiny gem in my neighborhood. It's so tiny that I always walked past it. The place is very neighborly and every one seems to know one another. This place is a perfect place for catching up with friends, or just for a night cap. There's no loud music to annoy you (wow, I hate music?!, I must be getting really old). The bartenders are genuinely friendly. I love to order my double Jameson on the rocks here. There's a Billiard table at the back, and 2 unnoticeable bathroom doors. I could not find fault to this place not that I am looking for any. A must when you are in Cobble Hill neighborhood. read more

The Beer was okay. The service unfortunately was outrageously bad. There are much better options in this area. Wouldn't recommend for anyone under the age of 30 because you won't be treated with respect. read more

I worked in Downtown Brooklyn for almost two years and I went through nooks and crannies all over the area. And with all my walking I still happened to miss the Brooklyn Inn. It was always frustrating to find a low key neighborhood bar. Recently I was invited to come here by a friend, who explained that it's one of Brooklyn's oldest bars, if not the oldest. You had me at oldest bar. At the end of the day, I love a bar that is not full of amateurs. My friend's buddy Terri was bartending. She was an absolute sweet heart. When I walked in I instantly love the look of the bar. And the entrance was also beautiful, detailed and literally the corner. The bar is nice and dark and candle lit. I came back here on a Monday and it was just perfection. There was all kinds of old school tunes like Mac the Knife playing overhead. And there was only regulars, the bartender Tom was familiar with most of the people sitting at the bar. I was able to squeeze on to the bar stool and order a IPA and a water. I enjoyed soaking up the detailing of the bar and the unique carvings. The high ceilings and stained glass were stunning. You just don't see bars like this anymore. As I sat there, Kevin another bartender that works at the Brooklyn Inn was enjoying a beverage next to me. Kevin was super chatty. He explained the history of the bar and pointed out a gargoyle and some of the pieces that are still original to the bar. He was a great conversationalist. He said the best time to come was in the winter, the fresh, flaky white snow is falling and it's reminiscent of a giant snow globe. I will undoubtedly be back and I have to bring my older brother here. He loves playing pool and old bars. read more

The Brooklyn Inn - Candle lit drinks - Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The bar is really cute. The vibe chill. The pool table a huge plus. So why 1 star? If you stand at the half empty bar for several minutes with a careless and clueless bartender who doesn't even look at you, you would agree with me. Boy... she knows how to make you feel invisible. If you scroll down, you'll read countless reviews about the very rude, unpleasant, unwelcoming female bartender. I didn't want to believe them and totally ignored them. I wish I hadn't. She is really something else. read more

The Brooklyn Inn is a wonderful neighborhood spot. It's on a quiet block, very unassuming from the outside, but the inside sure is something else. I'd been to their sister restaurant Roebling Inn on Atlantic, and the two couldn't be any more different. While Roebling Inn is a dive with skeeball, The Brooklyn Inn is more classy, with a pool table and a semi-private seating area in the middle. Great selection on their jukebox (lots of 80s records), and the bar has a decent whiskey selection. Cash only, but they have an ATM inside! read more

WOOD! - distressed, faded-glory wood everywhere...baroque all up in this piece. Dark, rich pub character, including the lighting and stained glass backlits up high. Strong tunes top to bottom, seemingly floating in the air, welcoming you. The laziest ceiling fans this side of Savannah. Expansive windows to the street on two sides, with an epic wall of mirrors behind the bar to echo the sentiment. The standby of standbys for all proud Pennsylvanians on tap - Yuengling Lager, and at a reasonable $5. Prompt, courteous service. Billiards in back, and not just as a cramped afterthought - it's a commodious, high-ceilinged space distinct from, but nice as the front bar. The Brooklyn Inn has not just good bones, but also good muscle tone. You'll like this joint, citizens - between some of the slicker nouveau offerings and enjoyable dives around the corner, the neighborhood deserves this particular genuine gem of convivial gathering. I can imagine this is also a tremendous spot for an afternoon drink, and I hope to return on a lazy weekend afternoon sometime - watch the leaves fall or snow alight on the street outside through those magnificent windows. I've got one more silver dollar...cash only, Midnight Riders. read more

Cool Spot Went here for a couple of drinks last night. On Hoyt off Atlantic in Boerum Hill. It is celebrating 100 years this coming week! Old bar very cool inside......tin ceiling, stained glass, old wooden bar, giant mirror behind it, pool table in back. Drinks were $8. Friendly local crowd. Classic rock in the background just loud enough to hear. Easy to have a conversation. Thanks read more

I almost walked right past this place when I was looking for it. Once inside, I immediately enjoyed the decor and general setting. There is a large bar right when you walk in. After ordering drinks, my date and I headed to one of the back rooms that had a variety of tables to sit at. We were here on a week night and it was relatively crowded but not too loud. A room further back from the one we were in had a pool table. I enjoyed this place and would probably return, however I could see it getting really crowded and hard to walk around on a busy night. read more

The last time I came here was pre-pandemic and was happy to have gone back here thanks to a nearby friend's recommendation. Tons of outdoor seating but we managed to get a table Indoors. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. The drinks were pretty strong and on point. Plus the required food options ($2) were pretty good for the price. Hot dog or pretzels with hummus. Yum read more

Terry was our server. Not only does she guarantee a safe experience, but she gives exceptional service on top of that. Brooklyn Inn a great spot amazing old fashions. But the star of the show is Terry. If you're around do yourself a service and visit Brooklyn Inn. read more

What kind of place only accepts cash so you have no choice but to pay $3 for their atm machine. Then the bartender tried to charge me $15 for a shot...this is Brooklyn u dont even pay $15 a shot in most bars in the city. And the first drink I got tasted like cranberry juice with water. Never coming here again. read more

Great little neighborhood bar in Boerum Hill. Beers tend to stay cheap, bartenders are nice and there are always seats. If I were you, I'd stop by here after a good date, ya know what I mean? There are plenty of corners to cuddle up in with a pint or strong drink. Where you go after, who knows, but at least you'll set the stage here. Cheers! read more

Classic old school Brooklyn Bar. The Brooklyn Inn is a fun stop if you're around Boreum Hill/Downtown Brooklyn area. The bartenders are very friendly and know what they are doing. And they have a pool table in the back. The place is dimly lit and could be a great spot for after dinner drinks if you're on a date. Lots of little nooks to be a little more private. The pool table is good for groups of friends. And if you're just with a pal, the bar could be your spot. I felt the prices were a drop much, but nothing too bad where it'll dent your wallet. The selection of beers are good and the cocktails are delicious. They don't have a menu, but ask and you shall receive. read more

cash only. good drinks. great place to catch up with friends. not too loud and not too crowded. very dark. pool table and private seating in the back. read more

It's been here since 1885 and had a great musky old bar smell. Worth a stop for urban history exploration. Good tap selection. read more

The Brooklyn Inn - Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Really sad to confirm previous comments that the female bartender is disgustingly rude, which ruined our experience here and led to us leaving after 1 drink instead of spending the afteenoon here. Loved the place, but won't be spoken to like s**t when being perfectly pleasant. I was speechless. Would love to go back, won't whilst she is working read more