On Sunday afternoon, January 4,2026, I returned to The Levee (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) to retrieve personal belongings I had misplaced the night before. I'm a longtime regular at The Levee, and had been hanging out that Saturday night with friends. Instead of being helped, I was told by the owner that I had to leave because my presence was making people "uncomfortable." No behavior was cited. No explanation was offered. I was not allowed to wait for friends or even have a conversation about it despite letting them know my friends had my phone. I repeatedly asked what I had done wrong. The only response I received was that they had the right to tell me to leave -- without any reason at all. When a person is denied access to a public space, offered no explanation, and treated as a problem simply for being present, it's impossible not to recognize what's being communicated beneath the surface. After living in New York City for over 38 years, you learn the difference between policy and prejudice, between safety and assumption . Lord only knows what they think of the 2 black door guys who work there... I'm sharing this because exclusion doesn't always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it hides behind vague language like "uncomfortable," while offering no accountability and no respect.I'm from NC im old enough to know better.. read more

Divey for sure. I like the chalk menu and the prices are hella reasonable. The bar wasn't crowded but it took a bit for someone to get to me for my order. We got the creamsicle drinks and they were great! Always an easy drink so I was happy to see it on their menu. We sat outside and it was great to hear the music from across the street. I'd come back the next time I'm in the area. read more

The Levee - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Casual spot to grab beer with friends - bottles are reasonably priced, tables of varying sizes for groups from 2-8. They've got quite a few games! Service quick even on a busy Saturday night. Great dive bar feel! read more

This place sucks. I was excited to hit a good dive with good music, food and beer. We waited 20+ minutes to even be acknowledged by the bartenders. By my count at least two other parties were served before us. The horses shoe shape of the bar means possibly more. Either way, skip this place and go next door to radegast. read more

I'm so sorry the bartenders at this place were so unprofessional because the music and ambiance was nice, and the prices fair. Being a dive bar is no excuse to be disrespectful and dishonest with your clients. We were sitting at the bar and ordering all night was a struggle, one person said they couldn't take orders, they would noticed I needed help but ignored me while looking directly to my face, they pretended they couldn't understand us, it was very annoying. I finally was able to ask a guy if I could order from him and he replied "when I'm not busy" rolled his eyes and left. The bar was not crowded and there's no table service at this place. In fact they were so unoccupied that they were just hanging out at the end of the bar with a friend. Not once we were asked if we needed something else or want another round, water was never offered either. When it turned disrespectful and dishonest is when we ordered the check. My husband asked me to check the bill as usual and I realized they charged 2 additional drinks that we didn't order, we asked the bartender to please remove the items but he refused angrily. The guy points at one of our friends who was drinking a beer as if the extra drinks belonged to her trying to justify his mistake, but I remind him she had a different tab that was previously paid. Then he argues that I did had the amount of drinks he was charging. I made a recall of the night and the times that I've ordered he finally agree to remove my extra drink (cider) but not my husband's extra drink (black label) despite that he mentions the amount of drinks he served him and do not match the bill, so we still got charged for one extra unfairly. He goes to the computer and brings the check unmodified, my husband asks me to take a look and mentions it's not modify, as I approach him, the bartender WAVES AT MY FACE with his hand, removing me from the bar because he only wants my husband to talk to him and check the bill, I tell him, that I have the same right to check what's been billed because it's our money, he leaves. He never brings the correct check but tell us that he has "void" one drink but cannot provide an appropriate updated receipt because their manager is not working that night and that's the only person with the power to modify a closed tab. We are forced to signed the voucher of the bill that contain 2 drinks we didn't order. If I had to describe our experience in two words: We were disappointed and scammed. If the refund is not made, we will report this to our bank, but even if it is, we were still forced to pay for one drink we never ordered. Shame on this two guys. They should not be bartenders if they hate their job so much. Based on this experience I would not recommend this place nor I think I'll be visiting again. My advise: CHECK YOUR BILL! They have a $15 minimum payment with card policy, that strategy will not allow you to close out if you are ordering just one drink at the time, once they hold your card they will add anything they want to your tab and will refuse very aggressively to remove it. Do not fall for that trap, pay cash, don't give them the change to do to you, the same they did to us. read more

The Levee - a man sitting at a bar - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This bar is fine. It's like a light dive with board games. Good for a Saturday afternoon. Drinks are well priced. Bartenders tend to be a bit slow, but eventually get to you. They always seem understaffed here. There is food, it takes a while to get. If you get caught in the rain, it's a perfect bar to post up in. Average local. read more

The food quality stays high across their entire menu. The workers provide outstanding service each time I come. You'll taste why ingredient quality matters in cooking. Their kitchen produces delicious meals and the space feels welcoming. An absolutely exceptional experience! read more

The Levee let me surprise my fiancé with a surprise party after our engagement with 50+ guests in attendance free of a rental charge while they were open to the public. Treated us like royalty + were so kind and accommodating. Have been going here for years and will continue to do so. Shoutout Susan Hunt for helping orchestrate! read more

Our bartender at Kilo Bravo mentioned this was a good dive bar, so Nate and I stopped in to check it out while visiting the city. As we sat down at the bar, I realized I had heard of this place while researching local spots. Their thing is that they have free cheese balls as you drink, which is amazing. I've always loved any good dive with a popcorn machine, but cheese balls are way better. More bars should do this! The bartender serving us was great, he even gave me some stickers and pins when he found that they were sold out of the $5 fun pack. Super cool. I really like their specialty drinks: the sportsman special is a can of Black Label and a shot of Evan Williams; the Texas two-step is a bottle of Lone Star and a shot of tequila, and the fratboy is a bottle of Budweiser and a shot of jager. I ended up getting the Beam cream, which is Jim Beam and cream soda served in a pint glass for $9. The Levee is a really great spot; if I lived in the area it would be a go-to for sure. Even the bathroom was pretty clean for a dive bar. read more

See all

Probably known for the cheapest happy hour in all of NYC. Where else can you get a can of Genessee, glass of water, and bowl of cheeseballs for $3 plus tip? One of the best dive bars in NYC. They have arcade games, pool table, and a CD jukebox filled with mainly rock and rare metal music. Bartenders are mostly male and they are all very friendly. I love the Levee and try and go there at least once per week for happy hour. read more

I came here with a friend to get drinks during happy hour on a Wednesday evening. There's plenty of inside seating and there are covered picnic tables outside. There's a juke box and the music (mostly rock) is good. The bartender was nice and everyone there seemed very laid back. We paid $10 for two draft beers (in Apr '23), so the prices are great! Also can't forget about the free bowl of cheese balls, which might take the cake as the best bar snack, ever. read more

Great cheese halls. Excellent service. Friendly stafff. Pool table. Great vibes. Would recommend to anyone in town who is looking for an authentic brookllyn experience read more

Fun dark/divey bar across from Radagast beer hall! Loved that I could get a hot dog and a lone star! Good place to hang and not as crowded as other bars bc they have another bar in the back. read more

my friend got sexually harassed by a man pretending to be the bouncer here. after she told the bartenders and bouncers, they pretended to have not seen anything and didn't kick the guy out. this is our neighborhood bar and we will NOT be going back. gross treatment towards women. Do better EDIT: the owner of the bar handled this very well the next day. thank you to her! read more

classic dive bar. love hanging out here and playing pool. love that they serve cheese balls with your drinks, what a throw back. huge fan of the double bar, makes it easier to get served quickly which is a task read more

I came from Beverly Hills so I have the highest of expectations. The ambiance eas awesome there was hot chicks and Trevor Anders and Ash are legends helped my business trip a lot !! read more

The review is mainly for the service! The one bartender I interacted with was extremely rude! His direct quote, which was not at me but definitely not under his breath, "people need to stop ordering food and go eat a normal dinner"! There were some colorful words sprinkled into that sentence as well. To that I say, "do you want my business or not?" I stopped by with some friends on a Saturday evening around 4:30. We wanted drinks and to hang out before our dinner reservation. We ordered three drinks and sat outside in the front under the tented area. They checked vaccination status and gave you a pink wrist band once you were checked. There was no service at the tables on the street so we took turns going in to get drinks and food. Drinks were super cheap; $5-8 draft beers and $9 cocktails. Food was also $4-6 depending on what you got. Food options are basic; cheese balls, chips and queso, chips and salsa etc. Nothing too fancy or delicious but something to munch on while you drink. One trip in, when I went to grab some food for my friends, I had the above interaction and was completely turned off. Sorry that we had already ordered drinks and I just needed a couple waters and some food! The inside was super crowded and the bartenders did seem overwhelmed but that's no reason to be rude to your customers. Based off that interaction, I won't be back. There are so many other places I'd rather take my business! read more

The Levee is a place you go to get fucked up on cheap whiskey and beer. It is a place you can roll in wearing grease-stained sweatpants, an oily, crooked ponytail, and sprawl out in a spacious booth. Bring an uno deck, hang with pals, do cocaine in the dirty bathroom. Pee a little on your leg and a bit in your boot from hovering too high above the toilet seat while blackout drunk. Eat 3 orders of chips with queso (after washing your hands... and legs). Get in a fight with your boyfriend because he won't let you have any more genesee (you have not finished the one still in front of you and you should definitely go home now). Have make up sex with aforementioned boyfriend in the dirty bathroom. Come out. Do shots with the awesome bartenders. Smoke a cigarette outside, even though you don't even smoke cigarettes? Smoke two more cigarettes just because now you're addicted and can't stop. You're a chic Parisian smoker now. You smoke another. Come inside and ask whoever you're with "another sportsman?". The answer will most likely be a "fuck yeah." What happens after that (a stop at Joe's, a second stop at the halal cart, a stop to vomit in the outdoor dining enclosure outside of sweet chick) is nobody's business. Not even strangers on the internet, who came here for a review on a bar but somehow found themselves reading of piss and puke. Anyway, solid neighborhood dive bar with cool and friendly bartenders who definitely show their appreciation to the regulars. I lived 5 blocks from here for about a year of my life and I've made (and forgotten) many memories. Come with your favorite friends and just have fun. Beer and shot specials are $6 so it's accessible to just about anyone. Unlike other places in Williamsburg, everyone is welcome. read more

Great spot to enjoy a beer outside on a nice day. Was a little disappointed they tried to charge a cover :(

It's nice. Nice ppl. Music is good too the girls are fine I didn't get any food so that's sad. Will go back very soon. read more

The Levee - The place - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Just a really good dive bar. Good bottle selection for industry folks, and a great hike box. Bartenders rule and they have everything a thirsty person could ask for. read more

Christ, was has happened to people? It's a fucking dive, getting attitude is par for the course here. Things are cheap and that means you tip better than the $16 cocktail from down the block. It's like everyone forgot... bartenders are people too. Get to know them. Maybe try to make it convenient by having your whole order at once? Things can be great with your dive bar bartender, just don't expect them to be your wait staff at per se. Shit this place is less crowded than skinny Dennis, faster and cheaper than horses & divorces, and doesn't smell as bad as lucky dog. read more

if i could rate this place 0 stars i would. the service is terrible. i have truly never entered a bar in new york with worse service. every person who worked here was terrible and ignored all their customers. i would avoid this place like the plague! hell on earth. read more

Beers at cheap prices? YES! Happy Hour with $1.00 off beers and drinks!? YES! Food like Frito Pie for $5.00?! HELL YES! This is a place I'd visit literally every day if I lived anywhere remotely close. For all of you within walking distance or subway distance I implore you to visit here and frequently. Establishments like this place come and stay for a long time until one day you realize that it's like a second home. Friendly people, great food, great beers, and above all great prices. Its a grand slam. Credit Cards accepted also! read more

Went here for a birthday last week. Pretty good bar. They had chili cheese dogs and Frito pies available for a solid rate. Cheap beer, a pool table, and good music. I like dive bars that are actual dive bars, not the affected type like you usually see in Brooklyn or parts of lower Manhattan. I would come back. read more

The Levee - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Yes this place is a hipster mecca but there is definitely reasons for it's popularity. It is easily the cheapest place to get your drink on in Williamsburg. There are a variety of shot and beer combos. My personal fave is the "Texas Two Step" Tequila and Lone Star. And the happy hour has $1 Black Label. There's usually cool music playing. If you are lucky, pups are sitting at the bars. You can also find Jenga to keep you occupied. I especially love the patio in the summers. I would avoid late night Friday and Saturday but days are great. A fun bar and plenty of space for large groups. Free Cheezeballzzz! Nuff' said. read more

Great dive bar. They give you a bowl of cheese balls when you walk in. Need I say more?

I don't drink. I don't go to bars. Heck, I'm never out past 10pm however, on my first in NYC, after I parted ways w/ my babe, I decided to go back to my hostel to charge my phone, rejuvenate myself, and head back out again to meet w/ friends whom I've just met (via Yelp!). After several phone calls and text messages, I found myself on the L going towards Manhattan... I got off at Bedford and wandered around and eventually met up w/ the gang. Although the gang was a 2 person gang but I must say, these 2 are crazy, spontaneous, and very pleasant to talk to =) I ordered a Dreamcicle (orange soda w/ vanilla vodka). Though the drink was $7, I tipped $3 and I was immediately told that, that amount was too much but I didn't know.. I was certain I was only going to order one drink anyway so I might as well tip generously because the bar won't make another nickel out of me. Tables were all taken. The bar area was packed. Thao, Ralp, and I stood there talking, laughing, and drinking.. I was having a great time. I felt that the bar was very chill (nobody bothered us except for the one dude that complimented my "mole" which in reality is a slight scar from the fire) but I took that as a compliment so no complaints there. Not bad.. even though I do not drink but I knew that they skimped on the vodka. read more

The Levee - Dreamsicle!! - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This might just be my new favorite bar out in Brooklyn! Stumbled upon while in the area, didn't even realize I had this bookmarked for a while. Glad I made it. The bar, chill vibes all around, love the broad games & cheese balls makes you feel like you having a game night at home! Wasn't a fan of the music, I think I kept hearing country music all night but I had enough drinks in my system to keep me going. So glad I was able to find one of my fav beers Abita here. I'd come back just hope the music choice changes! read more

The Levee - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

A veritable paradise of a dive bar located in the depths of scene territory. My pick-up line of the evening was asking people whether they were hipsters. Needless to say, I had one of the most enjoyable nights of my entire trip to New York here. There were cheap drink specials... the "Texas Two-Stomp" got the best of me - a Lone Star beer with a shot of tequila for $5. There's a decent board game selection, pool table, juke box, and cheese balls instead of peanuts (how original!) Of course I mustn't forget the unique (or maybe ironic or post-ironic or post-post-ironic?) beer cozies! I even "borrowed" a few of the Grand Theft Auto cozies and they made their way inside of my camera bag. Alas, I forgot to bring them home to California :( Bottom line: cool place to get buzzed, the strangers were easy enough to talk to and play a game of Jenga with. By the end of the evening I had some new Facebook friends. Remember, always tip your bartender. read more

The Levee - hipster cozies - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I HATE to leave service only reviews, I think I've only Done It one other time. Because I don't think it's totally fair to leave a review solely based off service without food, but this waiter/bartender was so outrageously rude, I couldn't take It. We gave him three chances to not be a jerk and he barely could Look at us let alone provide us service. We were the only ones there. When he took our order he said 2 words. I get that everyone has a bad day, but there is no reason to treat people like that. He acted as if we were peasants, the gum on his shoe. Like he couldn't be bothered with us. Listen man, I am genuinely sorry for whatever you're going through that made you so miserable. read more

4.5 stars... Top 10 reasons to love Levee: 10: Jukebox full of rock/punk 9: 3 rooms including an outdoor patio area w/ plenty of seating 8: Pool and Darts 7: Pinball/Buck Hunter 6: A chalkboard where you can buy drinks for someone special in advance and they have 30days to come in and claim their drink 5: Free Twislers/Blow Pops/Cheese Balls 4: Board/Card Games Galore 3: A good location in Williamsburg just a little walk from the Subway 2: A great little cheap menu with snacks like Hot Dogs/Chips & Dip/Etc.. 1: A great beer selection with ultra low prices like $2 cans, $4 pints, and drink specials (-1/2 star because the music is too loud and they have the worst dart board I've seen in my life) read more

Stopped by here and sat at the bar for a few beers one afternoon. This is my kind of dive bar. Sadly, they were out of cheese balls, but the bartender was great and the beer was cold and well priced. read more

FREE CHEESY POOFS! That's pretty much all you need to know to get your butt on over here. Additionally, beers are pretty ridiculously cheap. They gave me even a can beer cozy during the World Cup finals. Initially started at Radegast but no one showed up as early and didn't get in so ran across the street for the second half. Small tv. Which was kind of a bummer. But outdoor picnic tables which is pretty awesome! And GAMES and a POOL table. Oh and WEINERS. I was persuaded into buying a chili cheese dog at this point because Ingy was drunk. Did I mention they are cheap? I hear it gets super crowded at night time. But hey, day drinking outside on picnic tables with cheesy poofs and board games?! Yaaaaaassss I love cheesy poofs. read more

The Levee - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

4:30PM, damn, happy hour is in half an hour, save $1. But the Texas Two Step - beer and shot of tequila $6, SOLD! Asked for some cheez balls, SOLD! Free cheez balls, hehe. Pool table. Small. $1 to play. Quarters. Okay. Jon, is there a Jon here for the next round of pool? No one answers. Two johns over there says the bar guy indicating the bathroom. No Jon. Cue ball got stuck and had to ask the bar man to get it out. Music, rock. Cool dive bar, decent drinks, go with good friends and hilarity will ensue no matter what, don't take a date. There are hooks on under the bar to hang your bag or coat!!! Cheers! read more

The Levee - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Wake up in the morning, clock says half past one, I have no sunglasses as I step into the sun. There's no recollection, of the evil things I've done, my head feels like I must have had some fun. What happened? Last thing I remember, I was chillin' at [The Levee]; pinchin' girlie's asses, I was drinking recklessly. I know I did something, Lord what could it be? Woke up in the morning and all my friends hate me, What happened? ... Yeah.. things escalate at The Levee... read more

yes it does get packed certain nights, but the table area is always enough space to hold crowds of hipsters and groups. The frito pie is just guilt smeared over greatness. The beers are nice and very cheap, definitely one of the cheapest in the city. PBR option. Its such a solid bar, partially because of the jukebox. Its constantly changing and always has plenty of great albums that are good music but rousing enough to really push the fun level. The women here are attractive, and the cheeseballs are well free. I challenge anyone to connect four. read more

The Levee - this is that frito pie that they've been talkin' about. cheeseball optional. - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Convivial, lurid, free. As soon as I walked in the bar I was greeted by strangers who became friends. Wildly energetic, fun, unpretentious bartenders. The ideal crazy, neighborhood bar in Brooklyn. The appetizers were bomb and the beers are always great. It's a great place to hold birthday get together and drink with new and old friends. It gives me every reason to live and love Brooklyn. read more

The Levee - Happy Birthday to my one and only Eddie Sugar Andujar - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

CHEESE BALLS ! Haha yum! This place is not my cup of tea but it was a nice place to celebrate a friends birthday. I wouldn't see myself driving from NJ just to come here to hang out for a while. When I went it was pretty packed but the bartender did a great job getting out drink orders. The drinks were also made well with the balanced amount of liquor and mixer. The bathrooms are right by the bar so you can smell the bathroom odor, yuck. They have some arcade games and a pool table which is a nice touch. read more

Yes, the main selling point is the cheese balls with your drinks. The second is the low prices. The beer and a shot deal will set you back around $7. Tho sober me disapproves, drunk me really wanted a chili cheese hot dog, so I had that in addition to my beer, shot and cheese balls... I had fun, but that hot dog was still questionable. There's a vegetarian hot dog option, which has lots to do with the neighborhood. lol Music was fine. I think this should be a good place for groups. There are some tables and an outdoor area. There's that deer hunter game in the back, darts and a pool table. There are supposedly board games. I'd recommend it if you are bar crawling, probably a good second stop after you eat something. I would come back. read more

The Levee - Beer and shot specials were good. Yay for the cheese balls - American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York