Looking For A Low-Key Bar? Try The Gibson in Williamsburg

I was roaming the diversified streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn as I waited for some friends to arrive. I decided to kill some time by stepping into the unknown abyss that is The Gibson. It was a slow Thursday night as I walked into this dimly lit establishment with two projectors in the back—one showing a tennis match from the U.S Open and the other, a preseason Jets game. Candles sat inside glass stained cups, preventing the melted wax from staining the cleverly placed wooden counters.

A scraggly bearded man stood with a bottle of beer as he held the fort at a station packed with condiments, unused cartons meant for finger food and the food itself. It dawned on me that he’s in charge of the bar snacks once I noticed his apron. He handed one of the bar patrons a menu. His interaction with the gentlemen let me know that he’s not as mean as his appearance suggests.

The Temper Trap’s “Sweet Disposition” came to an end as I sipped on my $5 glass of Brooklyn Brewery’s Lager (it was the only beer I was familiar with in The Gibson’s seemingly unlimited selection of 14 beers), but Venus Williams’ domination suddenly distracted me. The conversation was heavy amongst the few patrons inside this establishment and the music properly played the background as the soundtrack to the night.

I was merely a bug on the wall, drinking a pint of beer only because the sign outside told me that “[I’m] more interesting when I’m drunk.” I looked over to the next empty table, studiously observing a flickering candle’s struggle to survive, in denial of its eventual demise. The wicker was at its last rope. The wax had put up a valiant fight but all things must come to an end.

It’s calm and relaxing. The Gibson welcomes all with open arms. It’s not a dive bar and it’s not exactly a high class bar. It’s just a neighborhood bar with huge windows and a nice patio for those last few days of Summer. If it let me inside with a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, it will welcome anyone.

The Gibson
Open Daily from 2pm-4am
Happy Hour: 5pm-8pm with $1 off drinks
108 Bedford Ave. (on the corner of North 11th Street)
[Williamsburg]

Photo Credit: yelp.com