The Abbey Bar

At this point it’s a cliché to complain about the changes effecting Williamsburg over the past decade or whatever, so this will be brief.
The Abbey, as I will remember it, ruled. I’ve been going for years. But unfortunately that’s all changed. As of 2 – 3 weeks ago, I was told this evening, the bar is under new management. The staff, whom I loved, has been replaced. Don’t get me started on the new staff. The new people are exceedingly proud of themselves and to the point of insult. The new shift manager asked me if my name was Chris, like as if we had met a few times and he needed me to assure him that his memory hadn’t failed. That’s not even close to what my name is. I don’t care, he just looks dumb. I heard another manager say «shits and giggles» out loud. He seems either inbred or insane. The bartender was dancing around behind the bar. She couldn’t figure out how to make the stereo stay on, it was uncomfortable. Anyway it’s not her fault. The three of them were yelling at each other even though they could have just spoken to one another at reasonable volumes, which was what used to be nice about the Abbey.
I loved The Abbey. I loved the staff. I loved everything about The Abbey. I turned 30-​years-​old at that bar. Three hours into my birthday party that night, the bartender bought me and 40 of my friends ten pizzas without being asked, I mean he was just a very good bartender. If I remember correctly that guy’s name was Mike but even if I don’t remember correctly, he and I shake hands whenever we see each other.
On some weeknights after work I liked to walk in and see Julie, delightful woman, she would just make me my drink with no questions asked. We’d smile, say hello, I’d sit down and respond to the 5 – 10 emails I’d been ignoring since breakfast.
Once during happy hour, a pack of young dudes just off work approached the bartender Mark. Mark wears a ponytail and he kind of ran the place. The dudes wanted jägerbombs, to which Mark replied, «gentlemen, this is a jazz bar.» That’s one of the best things I’ve ever heard in my life.

been going here for a while now and the bartenders are always friendly and helpful, but the black bouncer in front is extremely touchy and innappropriate with female customers. some people in my group felt uncomfortable and he said some really aggressive things to the girls. Go be creepy off-​shift

Nice place to stop in for a drink if you’re killing time during your five hour wait time for dinner.
It’s definitely not a swanky bar. Smells slightly… Sticky floors. Dodgy interior. However for two beers on draft it was $ 13.
The bar tender was really nice, served quickly. Just a casual place to stop in for a beer and play pool (?). I think there’s a pool table in the back near the booths.

Shortly after wandering in I realized something… I’ve been here before I exclaimed! Having stopped by to play pool drink beers and eat free popcorn a few years back good luck and and a keen eye led me once again to this gem of a dive.
It was valentines day, the bar was darkly lit, Scarlett Street was on the TV screen and Chinese food was down at the end of the bar for all to enjoy. By the end of the night the popcorn machine was going again.
Marc said he thought he remembered my face and welcomed me back when I mentioned I had been by once before. The bar’s a dive but one with personality. You could hang here for hours. Marc was quick with the drink, refilled waters and in general was an awesome tender of bar. I highly recommend stopping in if you want to have a chill drink. 6 stars, I’d give it a 6^th if that was an option.

This place is awesome! As you can see in the photos, it is really dark. But once your eyes get adjusted, you will revel in the awesomeness that is the abbey. First it is super friendly, the bar tender is the man and Sundays are amazing. He was prompt and super helpful and friendly. There was free Chinese food at the bar as well as a free cake which went well with our Guinness… but still can’t argue with free food and really it was our bad I guess to get the Guinness with the lo mein noodles so whatever.
The bar is big, with pool in the back and a few booths. Everyone in the bar was chatty and friendly. They were watching James Bond movies extremely seriously which was interesting all on its own. Not sure what the cheapest beer is but the Guinness was 6 bucks, which is pretty standard. I wonder what the yuengling would be… or if they have PBR or genesee cans.
Def go on Sundays, don’t eat beforehand, watch some movies with your friends. Bar’s in NYC are living rooms and this bar is really an extension of your apartment so make yourself cozy, grab a cold one and put your feet up.

What a gem! Cozy, comfortable, completely unpretentious little dive that might be our new favorite bar. Incredibly nice bartender, great service, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere right in the heart of Williamsburg. We came here for Day of the Rings on a Sunday, (Lord of the Rings marathon) and they had complimentary snacks out for everyone to enjoy, which was nice. You just don’t find places like this anymore, especially not in NYC.

Awesome staff. This place is always a great time. Free popcorn– pool– buck hunter. It’s like Cheers, where everybody knows your name. It’s a total dive bar, but that’s what’s so appealing. Unpretentious and inviting. Dark read lighting that makes everyone look good!

Too cool for school. Couldn’t find bartender & when I did he seemed bothered. Real dark with no ambience. Felt like I needed to know the secret password in order to feel comfortable.

This is the oldest bar in the neighborhood. And it’s not very old, it’s like 20. But it’s the oldest bar in the neighborhood and it’s acting accordingly; it’s the best bar in the neighborhood

This is a wonderful dive bar in the heart of Williamsburg. I have no idea how it even manages to survive these days, but I am glad it does. It brings with it the dark, sticky grit that I love out of a proper dive bar. Each barstool with a bona-​fide character in it, cheap beers, classic rock on the radio and the last time I was there — classic animated batman on silent in the corner.
It makes for a happy place. One where you can forget the speed that life is moving outside and suck down $ 4 Yuenglings and struggle to see 4 stools past you in the darkness.

A Brooklyn dive bar
Weird movies, cheap beer, popcorn
Photo booth: a win
It’s worth checking out
But don’t bring your prissy friends
Down and dirty place

I was on a trip to New York City, and I ended up here before a show at the Warsaw. I cannot express how fondly I felt about this place.
My friend and I sat at the bar and ordered our drinks. I ordered a Nor-​Cal Margarita (tequila, soda water, and lime) which the bartender wasn’t familiar with. He promptly re-​named the drink and made it for me with a splash of cranberry juice at his recommendation — accommodating and sociable right off the bat.
We had a couple of drinks and got to talking with both the bartender and the woman sitting next to us. More people eventually joined in. When we revealed that we were from out of town, everyone was mildly shocked — it was a place where we immediately felt comfortable and at home in a city we don’t live in. I think that says something!
Oh, and the popcorn. I don’t even eat popcorn, but I had to try it — good stuff, and it’s free.

this is not a cocktail bar but a weird dive bar. I usually love dive bars but I felt it was super disgusting. the smell of the beer was all over the place which is totally fine and normal but there was a really bad smell of feet. that was disturbing. Lager was not even good. no door in the girls bathroom but a door in the guys bathroom. the bartenders were showing off like «look at us we are so drunk and so crazy that we are pretending to f… behind the bar». I was more like whatever just give me my drink. thanks

I feel like this is everything a bar should be. Perfect bartender who knows his product. Weird movies on tv. And popcorn. Count me in.

This is my first time here and Mark is an incredible bartender. There is free food and movies playing.

A while back, I was out on a Saturday night with a friend at a certain ostensible dive bar on Bedford that we used to really like. To our creeping horror, we watched as the bar filled up with aggressive bro/​bridge-​and-​tunnel types. «What the F— is going ON with this place?» she stage-​whispered. «Is there anywhere we can go in this neighborhood that hasn’t become TERRIBLE?» I asked. «Let’s try The Abbey,» she said. «Maybe it’s still safe.»
Following that night and several subsequent returns, I am relieved to report The Abbey can still feel like a non-​douchey, chill, maybe-​a-​little-​gritty-​but-​not-​gross spot where a person can slam some cheap brews, have a conversation with a friend in peace, munch on some complementary popcorn and feel secure from the douchewave (douchenami??) that has flooded the Northside in the past couple years.
God, I hope this review doesn’t ruin it.

I don’t even…
I really like this place. But it is definitely not somewhere I could bring 75% of my friends. Which honestly is their loss, because this place is a gem. People are quick to call places dive bars, if Charleston is the kiddie pool spring board; this is the Olympic high dive. Ya dig?
The beer selection is… well let’s just say the tall boy that they offer is Sapporo. The bartender — this awesome older ponytailed dude suggested their only other can. This German beer I’d never heard of. He told me as it was impossible that I wouldn’t like it, he was willing to buy my drink if my tastebuds were indeed off. He was right. The beer was delicious, and thus I sat back and watched Mad Men, while two wasted girls spoke in Canadian accents and meowed at each other while missing every deer in Buck Hunter.

Decent beer selection. Service is okay. Great music.
Photobooth was not working when we were there.
Men’s room smells like an empty subway car at rush hour, if you know what I mean. My recommendation would be to just hold it.

The Abbey. It’s like family. I’ve been coming here for a very long time.
My older brother has been coming here since, it opened. Every time I would come to visit, no trip would be complete without a trip to the Abbey. Through these visits, I have gotten to know a lot of the regulars. This place is home away from home for the regulars. Upon moving to NY, my husband and I were welcomed with open arms.
Marc has been the bartender at the Abbey the longest. He has become a staple at the Abbey. He always makes sure the regulars are happy. Their drinks are always full and sometimes even their bellies. He’s a superb party planner and decorates birthday cakes perfectly. His mint M&M’s have become his signature on the dessert plate. The cake decors are always personalized.
I recently attended the Holiday Bash and there was an amazing spread of grub.
The owner Michael is a sweetheart and you might catch him pop in and drink a soda.
Teresa and Mo are also super cool bartenders at the Abbey. I always enjoy seeing them and catching up.
Happy hour is M-​F until 8. I enjoy the 2 for 1 wells.
And there’s a pool table.
Art shows are great here and there’s usually an opening that Marc will plan.
If you feel like splurging, I like Manhattans or a Brooklyn Blast.
The only bad thing is the bathroom. They’re small and they have curtains in the girls bathroom. Yikes.

From the pool table to Big Buck Hunter to photo booth strips pasted on the walls, I don’t know what makes this bar an abbey. There’s probably a back-​story I’m missing.
But who cares? At the Abbey you’ll experience the BEST Irish car bomb pour this side of the Hudson. Thank you bartender Sam[1].
Even if you’re not looking for cheap drinks, this dimly-​lit setting is perfect for a conversation with a date. Especially if that conversation involves a little French[2]. If you’re feeling anti-​social, don’t worry, there are TV screens to keep you company, and they never judge.
[1] Who also introduced me to Powers whiskey, and probably a spiral into hell.
[2] If you plan on going overboard — and you know when you are — please get a room.