Banter

Soccer fans find common ground at this airy saloon, which joins the borough’s slowly growing ranks of footy-focused clubhouses. The bar eschews sports-bar stereotypes, with craft beer and natural light instead of boring swill and dingy quarters. Twenty-four taps attract the most attention for drinkers, dispensing a well-balanced rotation of European classics (Harviestoun, Old Speckled Hen) and American microbrews (Founders, Sixpoint); those looking for something stronger can peruse a reasonably priced list of whiskeys and bourbons. During early matches, temper the booze with a simple menu of panini, including an excellent pairing of peppery smoked turkey, fresh leeks, Gouda and goat cheese. When there’s no game on, Banter takes its cues from pubs across the pond, dialing down the music to accommodate the sort of repartee that gives the bar its name.