10 Best Nightlife in Greenpoint, New York City

Diamond Lil

Greenpoint Fodor's choice

Locals flock to this favorite neighborhood bar with Prohibition-era speakeasy vibes, known for creative concoctions and oysters served daily. Its dimly lit, art deco aesthetic sets the mood, whether you settle into a booth or cozy up to the bar, for cocktails that change seasonally, including the rum-based, toasted marshmallow-topped Après-ski in the winter, and the popular smoked paloma in the summer. Warm months also bring the opening of the pleasant yard in the back.

Tørst

Greenpoint Fodor's choice
Beer aficionados adore Tørst, a craft-beer bar that takes its design cues from Denmark. A marble bar and several hues of wood come together in a way that feels very of-the-moment, and the offerings from 21 taps progress from light to dark. Drafts come in three sizes, so you can get small glasses if you want to taste a few.

Achilles Heel

Greenpoint

This corner bar has been a cozy outpost for Greenpointers throughout much of the riverfront's transformation from industrial to industrial chic. With a wood-burning stove for warmth in the winter, and outdoor space to drink and dine alfresco in the summer, Achilles Heel is known for simple, yet creative cocktails, along with fare spanning snacking olives to steak au poivre. Since it's often crowded on weekends, get there on the early end to snag seats, or reserve a table in advance.

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Alameda

Greenpoint
Sophisticates perch on stools at the striking U-shaped bar for creative yet approachable cocktails like the Little Red Book, which blends vodka with strawberries, elderflower, chervil, parsley, Benedictine, and lime. Small plates change frequently, but the grass-fed beef cheeseburger is a constant and there's always a seasonal open-face tartine.

Bar Matchless

Greenpoint
Friends and strangers belt it out at karaoke; crack up at comedy shows; play pool, foosball, or darts; listen to live music; and dance at this former auto repair shop by the Williamsburg border. It's a high-energy hot spot on the weekends but chill during the week. Savvy Girls watchers might recognize this as the spot where Hannah had her 25th birthday party and Marnie dragged her up onstage to sing.

Saint Vitus

Greenpoint
Hidden behind an unmarked black door, this warehouse music venue named for a Black Sabbath song has a Gothic design, with red votive candles that cast a glow over the black walls, massive mahogany bar, and relics from old churches. Bands play heavy metal and rock music most nights.

Spritzenhaus 33 Bierhall

Greenpoint
There are 25 taps worth of excellent craft and imported beers, as well as wines served by the carafe, at this massive, lively beer hall. Seating is at long communal tables, which encourage mingling, and there are board games and Jenga to play. The garage-style windows are open in summer; in winter, there's a fireplace.

The Diamond

Greenpoint
The regulars come to this unpretentious bar for two reasons: beer and shuffleboard. You can order wine if you must, but the well-curated beer list is the real crowd-pleaser. Eight taps feature a rotating selection of craft beers, from the hyperlocal Greenpoint Beer & Ale Company to Belgian De Dolle Brouwers.

The Good Room

Greenpoint
DJs spin tunes while a cool crowd dances under the disco ball at this happening nightclub, which made a cameo on Aziz Ansari's hit Netflix series, Master of None. The bar is adjacent to the dance floor, and there's a smaller side room if you want a breather.

The Gutter

Greenpoint
Dark and spacious, with rock music, pitchers of beer, and happy hour specials, this is the perfect dive bar/bowling alley. You can play pool in the main room or bowl at the eight lanes in the side room ($7 per game or $40–$45 per hour; $3 shoe rental; bowling is cash only). Bowling leagues meet Monday through Thursday, which tend to be quieter than weekends, when bands play live music.