There’s some saying out there that goes something like “life is what happens while you make other plans.” Pretty good point. Lots of times, its the in between moments in life that are the most memorable. The walk from a train to a restaurant, the few hours spent with your friends getting ready to go to that party that was the real plan for the night, the cooking and preparing of an amazing meal. Bars that have that same feeling–that chill vibe that lets you just be in the moment–are spots to be treasured.
Gowanus Yacht Club is one such place. In the grand tradition of ironically-named Brooklyn bars (Bushwick Country Club, par example) this one is a clear winner and its in an otherwise fairly mellow part of BK, which is always nice.
New York Magazine called it “garage sale chic meets Gilligan’s Island,” and while I think that’s needlessly reductive, it’s not off the mark. GYC, like a rosebush, or a prohibitively expensive heirloom tomato flourishes only in the summer, but when it does it is a true delight.
The space isn’t much: just a corner lot with a couple of grills, benches and a little bar area, but the burgers and dogs are plentiful and the draft beers are free-flowing and affordable.
The quarters are tight but that’s part of the appeal. The small, casual space lends itself perfectly too eavesdropping and striking up conversation with your neighbor and its the perfect spot to pregame, begin an evening of heavy alcohol consumption by lining your stomach with some bbq burgers or just to grab a quick bite and a couple of beers on a Sunday or afterwork.
Take advantage while the summer’s still here.
323 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY 11231 at President St
Related posts:
- Get classy, Bro: Bushwick Country Club in NYC
Things I like: drinking, drinking outside, drinking on the cheap, drinking with fellow-minded attractive single people. I tend to prefer bars where all of the... - NY Bar Review: Lucky Mojo in L.I.C
A couple of weekends ago some friends and I got on line for P.S.1’s very first”Warm Up” Party in Long Island City. I was feeling optimistic... - Parked: The Gowanus Food Truck Festival
New York is a fat kid’s dream. There are pizza places and bagel shops every 1.5 blocks, as well as trucks waiting for you on the... - Dreamland Orchestra at Clover Club
When you’re newly single, have witnessed not one but two hobo-jack-offs within 4 hours, just got an awesome haircut and are meeting up with your... - Word Vomit About Your Records at Monday Night Vinyl Club
If you can’t figure out how to start organizing your records in autobiographical order like Rob did in High Fidelity, you should go to the... - NYC Restaurant Review: Pequena Fort Greene
There are times when you feel like getting drinks, and then there are times when you feel like getting Margaritas. They are not the same...
Tags: Brooklyn, Gowanus, ironic bars, mellow, New York magazine, yacht club
This was the first bar I went to when I moved to BK!