The best cocktail bars in Brooklyn

Clover Club has brought destination drinkers flocking to the quaint neighborhood of Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn. Still, it remains a dedicated love letter to the locals — encouraging friends and community members to gather in this cocktail bar inspired by 19th-century drinking culture.

The interior evokes the saloons of the bygone golden age of NYC, with iron fixtures, dark leather and mahogany furniture, and tin ceilings. Enjoy creative cocktails like Dear Judy, made with brioche-infused gin, or Succumb To Plum, featuring black pepper-infused plum liqueur.

There are two cozy private spaces to rent for gatherings of 20 to 55, and full buyouts host 165 guests. Stationary and passed hors d’oeuvres are available for events, and large-format punch bowls can be ordered to share.

If you’re a coffee snob (or cafe connoisseur) living in New York, chances are you’ve frequented Hungry Ghost Coffee, a minimalist coffeehouse chain with spots all over the city. Walking into Sweet Polly, a dark and intimate cocktail bar in Park Slope, you’d be surprised the same people own them both. Small bistro tables, art replicas in gold frames, and a deep blue navy bar make this an upscale place to grab a drink.

Unconventional ingredients like BBQ bitters, bell pepper, seaweed, and yogurt are highlighted on the menu, alongside the classics. While you sip, snack on seasonal oysters sourced from coast to coast.

Sweet Polly accepts reservations for up to 25 guests, and private buyouts are available for larger parties. For groups over 10, you can create a bespoke cocktail to serve on tap for up to 60 guests.

This Cobble Hill cocktail bar is inspired by French surrealism and sits on the site of a short-lived Smith Street brothel. Take these guys to the MET gala — they’re really good at remaining on theme.

With an 1800 sq. ft. garden, a large, curved marble bar, and a red-lit bedroom (we told you — they stick to the theme), there are plenty of interesting spaces to have your next cocktail party. The outdoor space hosts up to 100 guests, and full buyouts are available.

Cocktails are playful, like George Washington’s Night Out (kiwi basil shrub with Hendrick’s gin) and U Up? (a frozen blood orange vodka-based drink). You’ll also find share plates like charcuterie and raw oysters to split with your lover (or whoever you decide to bring. Choose carefully.)

Boerum Hill staple Grand Army is a welcoming drinking den for locals, but has gained a reputation beyond the neighborhood for its raw bar and eclectic changing cocktails. Bright natural light, funky artwork, whitewashed brick, and rustic wood fixtures make it a laid-back spot to grab a drink with a date or a friend.

The unpretentious vibe doesn’t come at the expense of the menu — you’ll find playful drinks changing with the seasons, with themes like “High School Prom”, “Famous Cats in History”, and “Monster Trucks”. Yeah. If you love seafood, this is the place: you can share a raw tower with friends, or opt for a lobster roll all for yourself.

Buyouts are available for up to 60 guests for up to 6 hours of partying. Semi-private events can be hosted for up to 20 standing guests or 12 seated.

With both food and spirits sourced from across South and Central America, a trip to Leyenda is as good as a flight. Well, almost. Celebrating the spirits and traditions of the region, their drinks menu is accompanied by a map to show you where each cocktail originates. From Brazil to Venezuela to Mexico, you can find classic house cocktails, spirit flights, and unique signature drinks. Also on the menu, you’ve got classic Latin dishes like pupusas, gazpacho, tacos, and — of course — chips with guacamole and salsa.

The setting has a living room feel, elevated with a fireplace, brick walls, and dark leather seating. Stacks of unique spirits decorate the bar, and the interior has touches of Latin architecture and design. The outdoor patio is more of a casual backyard, an intimate spot to have a killer marg with friends or sip on spirits with a date.

Leyenda accommodates up to 60 people for private dinners, tastings, and parties.