Brooklyn
19 Sep, Thursday
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Brooklyn’s Oldest Bars.

Brooklyn’s Oldest Bars.

Every corner of Brooklyn is immersed in rich history. A great way to experience some of this history is by paying a visit to one of Brooklyn’s oldest bars. These bars have been around for over a century and their Victorian interiors have been preserved in all of their warm, woody glory. Here are some of the oldest bars in Brooklyn that you should visit.

Teddy’s Bar & Grill (1887)

At 96 Berry Street in Williamsburg, Teddy’s Bar & Grill is said to be Brooklyn’s longest, continuously running bar. This makes it Brooklyn’s oldest bar of all. It served as a tasting room for the Peter Doelger Brewery beginning in the 1910s. The original interior is largely intact, from its wooden bar, tile flooring, woodwork, and stained glass bearing the words “Peter Doelger Extra Beer” on it. During the day it is brilliantly lit since almost an entire wall is made of windows.

Teddy’s offers all kind of local brews and craft beers. Their spirits menu is a mile long, and the food menu is impressive as well.

Sunny’s (1890)

Sunny’s, at 253 Conover Street in Red Hook, has unsurprisingly been a beloved institution since it opened in 1890. It’s well-known for its eccentric decor and cheerful atmosphere. It features live music and events throughout the week. It has extensive draft beer, cocktail, wine, and canned beer menus.

Sunny, aka Antonio Balzano, died in 2016. His wish was to keep Sunny’s “just a meeting place for folks — painters, writers, musicians, plumbers — who care about each other so much they don’t mind the trip.”

Sunny’s is a great spot to unwind with a beer and soak up the history of the neighborhood.

The Brooklyn Inn (1895)

Stepping into the Brooklyn Inn, located at 148 Hoyt Street in Carol Gardens, is truly like stepping into history itself. With an ornate facade, an all wood interior, and a tin ceiling, it is delightfully vintage. Despite its luxurious atmosphere, this bar caters to regular, everyday people. The bar has a rotating selection of craft beers and classic cocktails, as well as a menu of essential bar bites.

Farrell's Bar & Grill is one of Brooklyn's oldest bars. This is a picture of it from outside. It's facade is rusty red and has a sign hanging with its name on it.
Farrell’s Bar & Grill is a landmark of Windsor Terrace.

Farrell’s Bar & Grill (1933)

Located at 215 Prospect Park West, it has been a Windsor Terrace landmark since 1933. The bar is famous for its Irish hospitality and sense of community. Regulars range from local police officers to longtime residents, to even previous Saturday Night Live cast members. Farrell’s specializes in grilled onion burgers.

It hosts neighborhood events throughout the year. You should definitely go on Saint Patrick’s Day to let some luck of the Irish rub off on ye. Farrell’s is altogether a great spot to grab a beer and watch a game or catch up with old friends.

Pete’s Candy Store (1999)

While technically unqualified as one of Brooklyn’s oldest bars by a long shot, it could fool you if you didn’t know otherwise. The building it resides in is old, and has been in continuous use since the 1920s. But Pete’s Candy Store has only been a Williamsburg institution since 1999. Pete’s old-world aesthetic is heightened by its wallpaper, wood accents, and display of antique knick-knacks. Pete’s is a hipster hotspot, known for its live music and events, as well as its menu of craft cocktails and local beers.

Visiting Brooklyn’s oldest bars is like taking a step back in time.

With their vintage interiors and historic significance, they undoubtedly offer a unique snapshot of Brooklyn’s history and culture. They are a must for any history buff or anyone looking for a unique drinking experience. Pull up a seat, grab a drink, and step back in time at one of Brooklyn’s oldest bars!

The interior of an old-fashioned bar with a lot of wood flooring and seating.
The interiors of many of Brooklyn’s oldest bars have ample woodwork.

As always I, and the team at Brooklynites, thank you for visiting. Click back soon. <3

Read about Windsor Terrace:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor_Terrace,_Brooklyn

Sip or gulp down this tasty history of beer in Brooklyn:

https://brooklynites.nyc/tipsy-in-brooklyn/

Read up on the history of the exquisite Montauk Club in Park Slope:

https://brooklynites.nyc/park-slope-clubs-the-montauk/