Rosemary’s: Merriment in a Styrofoam Cup

The best holiday decorations are the ones that would make Martha Stewart throw up. December is the only time I miss the suburbs, because most Brooklyn houses don’t have the space to put up massive light displays, light up snowmen, reindeer drinking water or Santa’s sleigh on top of a tower of milk crates. When you need to look at something festive and shiny, you can go to Rosemary’s Greenpoint Tavern. The bar is covered with fake flowers and Christmas lights all year round, but they add extra pieces of flair for holidays. In February, the ceiling gets covered in foil and doily hearts, mylar shamrocks for St. Patrick’s day, fake snow in the windows for winter, lots of sparkly green and red stuff for Christmas, and it’s freaking magical year round.

For some reason, I meet more people (even Williamsburg residents) who’ve never been to Rosemary’s. This usually results in me asking what the hell is wrong with them. Rosemary’s is the type of dive bar you can walk into and make new best friends with the old guys seated at the bar, help the bartender pick out Nine Inch Nails songs on the jukebox, meet a DJ who’s apparently famous in Finland or you can just sit quietly in a booth with your friends while sucking down beers that Rosemary herself served to you. Just like the Turkey’s Nest, Rosemary’s serves 32oz. Styrofoam cups of beer for about $4. But unlike the Turkey’s Nest, the bathrooms at Rosemary’s usually has toilet paper and never looks like it will give you cholera or hepatitis.

Rosemary’s Greenpoint Tavern
188 Bedford Avenue, between N6th and N7th Streets[Williamsburg, Brooklyn]
Happy Hour drink specials start at 3pm daily