Bar review: Brooklyn Bar and Grill – packed with excellent signature cocktails
This cramped space has an exciting ambience and its signature cocktails are a genuine find – but its versions of the classics let the side down somewhat
The vibe: tiny, packed and noisy, Brooklyn Bar and Grill has a cheerful, buzzy feel. Decor is no frills, with bare brick walls, and the bar takes up much of the space. You need to perch on a bar stool but at least there are plenty of them (plus booth seats along one wall). It’s open to the street (fine this time of year, maybe not so much in summer) so you can soak up the SoHo atmosphere, and there’s a nice welcome from the staff.
The drinks: signature cocktails are well-made and, true to American tradition, strong. The 88th Street Manhattan (HK$105, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, sweet vermouth, orange bitters) was smooth and mellow, as was the Peach Old Fashioned (HK$118, peach purée, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Angostura bitters, brown sugar), which had lush vanilla notes nicely lifted by the peach.
Raspberry Lemon Drop (HK$98, Absolut Citron, Chambord, fresh muddled lemons, sugar) was delicate and refreshing, although the sugar rim to the glass wasn’t needed.
