Photograph: Tova Carlin
Ides at the Wythe Hotel

Williamsburg bars near the Brooklyn Flea market

After a day rummaging at the Brooklyn Flea market (or Smorgasburg), imbibe at one of these top Williamsburg bars.

Monday July 13 2015

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The Williamsburg Waterfront is a fantastic spot to while away a summer’s day. Smorgasburg’s vendors sling delicious artisanal treats every Saturday, while the Brooklyn Flea market takes up residency on Sunday. It’s also conveniently located next to one of New York’s best bar scenes—finish your day at one of these top Williamsburg bars.

RECOMMENDED: Read more on the Brooklyn Flea Market

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Ides

Photograph: Tova Carlin

This outdoor terrace bar on the Wythe Hotel’s sixth floor affords sweeping views of the East River and Manhattan, and it’s an ideal vantage point for watching summer sunsets while lingering over a Professor Fritz Briem tall boy ($16) or a quaff made from local small-batch spirits. Sure, the crowd comprises mostly globe-trotting cool kids from outside the five boroughs, but consider that another avenue to finding a guilt-free summer fling. 8-minute walk

The Counting Room

Cocktail bars
Williamsburg
price 2 of 4

Wash down samples of bacon mayonnaise and other Kings County goodies from Smorgasburg with equally creative tipples at this relaxed local. Cool off with a fizzy Empty Bliss (gin, sloe gin, lemon juice, strawberry-balsamic shrub, prosecco; $12) or the earthy Salt & Ash (grapefruit-infused tequila, Lapsang sweet vermouth, mescal, maraschino, agave, lemon juice; $12). Bar snacks, small plates and other nibbles are available for folks who haven’t had their fill of artisanal edibles. When the light-wood tables and bar upstairs get too busy, head downstairs—there’s a separate bar area and plenty of additional seating for you and your pals. 9-minute walk

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Custom American Wine Bar

Photograph: Paul Wagtouicz

As the name implies, this intimate corner bar focuses on domestic craft suds and varietals: Owner Dan Lathroum (Bar Veloce) sources his extensive list from purveyors near (Brooklyn Brewery) and far (California’s Heron Wines), providing a range of options broad enough to sate discerning palates but edited enough to keep your sanity intact after a long day of shopping. 10-minute walk

The Grand Victory

Lounges
Soho

Photograph: Anna Simonak

When you’re not quite ready for the evening to end, head over to this indie-punk haven: More refined than its divey predecessor, Bruar Falls, the Grand Vic draws punk fans young and old with its lineup of local bands that play here nearly every night; Cinema Cinema, Freshkills and Twin Guns have all recently appeared. You won’t have the best sight lines at the handful of stools nearest to the bartenders, but you’ll have much easier access to the booze (Bud Light $4, well drinks $6). 14-minute walk

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Donna

Cocktail bars
Williamsburg
price 2 of 4

Massive windows and easy-sipping drinks lend a colonial Caribbean feel to this sophisticated newcomer, where owner Leif Huckman (Goat Town) cultivates a laid-back vibe: Small groups of friends tend to congregate at the wood tables, while couples huddle at the curved concrete counter. Bar manager Jeremy Oertel (Dram, Mayahuel) devises refreshing variations on classic libations, plus inventive creations all his own. We like the more traditional Cuba Libre ($10), which combines Denizen white rum, fresh lime juice, Angostura bitters and Mexican Coca-Cola. 15-minute walk

Cocktail bars
Williamsburg
price 2 of 4

Photograph: Virginia Rollison

Equally walkable from McCarren Park as it is from the waterfront, this recent addition to the ’hood channels the 1970s with an industrial twist. Vintage touches come in the form of an old-school fridge and copper Rancilio espresso machine, which are complemented by the polished wooden bar, worn aluminum chairs and wall-mounted reading lamps. Pull up a stool and choose from the New York State vinos and beers on tap, including the Belgian-style Captain Lawrence Liquid Gold ale ($6) and seasonally rotating wines (right now, it’s a Paumanok rosé; $8). House cocktails are equally thoughtful, using small-batch liquors to create tipples like the zippy Night Owl ($10), a blend of El Buho mescal, muddled cucumber, ginger, lemon and amaro. 15-minute walk

Things to do

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Find the best alfresco spots in NYC for summer drinks, including rooftop bars, outdoor spots with activities, and more summertime bars Most popular restaurants The skies are sunny and hot weather is here, which can mean only one thing: the season for summer drinks is upon us. Check out our guide to NYC’s best outdoor bars—including bars near the best parks, rooftop bars and the best spots for day-drinking—as well as indoor bars where you can cool off. We’ve also got the scoop on the season’s best new canned beers, as well as where bands playing summer concerts in New York like to drink. RECOMMENDED: Summer in New York More Food & Drink features 100 best New York restaurants From unimpeachable classics to buzzy newcomers courting the food-world cognoscenti, these are the 100 best New York restaurants you need to know about right now. Food & Drink Awards 2014 The year's best restaurants and bars in New York City—you voted for your favorites, we picked ours too! The technology revolution has hit our tables, with iPhones more ubiquitous than saltshakers and any great meal snapped and shared before a fork scrapes the plate. In that spirit, we're honoring the best restaurants and bars New York served up this year, including new-age beer haunts, polished New-American dining rooms and a high-marked Mexican canteen. See if your favorites earned top marks, as well as our 10 critics' picks. 2014 Food & Drink Awards Readers’ choice winners We nominated dozens of the city’s best res

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Have a cocktail high above the city and take in spectacular views at one of the best elevated bars in NYC Summer drinking in NYC Best rooftop bars Have a cocktail high above the city and take in spectacular views at one of the best rooftop bars in NYC. Summer drinking in NYC 2013 From trendy Midtown clubs to laid-back Park Slope hidden gems, Time Out has found the best rooftop bars in NYC. Read on for our guide to the city’s coolest elevated drinkeries, and find out where you can sip a cocktail or a beer with a gorgeous view of the city surrounding you. Most popular in Food & Drink 100 best New York restaurants From unimpeachable classics to buzzy newcomers courting the food-world cognoscenti, these are the 100 best New York restaurants you need to know about right now. Most popular in Restaurants 100 best New York restaurants From unimpeachable classics to buzzy newcomers courting the food-world cognoscenti, these are the 100 best New York restaurants you need to know about right now. Most popular in Restaurants 100 best New York restaurants From unimpeachable classics to buzzy newcomers courting the food-world cognoscenti, these are the 100 best New York restaurants you need to know about right now. Most popular in Restaurants 100 best New York restaurants From unimpeachable classics to buzzy newcomers courting the food-world cognoscenti, these are the 100 best New York restaurants you need to know about right now. Most popular in Restaurants 100 best New York restaurants

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Williamsburg bars near the Brooklyn Flea market

Ides

The Counting Room

Custom American Wine Bar

The Grand Victory

Donna

Richlane

Summer in New York

Summer drinks in NYC

The 30 best bars for outdoor drinking in New York

NYC's best rooftop bars