May 11, 2007
Brooklyn Drinks - Five Front
We always thought that to drink right under the Brooklyn Bridge you had to either go low and sip homemade concoctions discreetly through straws in constant fear of the cops, or plop down large sums to cover a bill for two at the River Cafe. While nothing is particularly wrong with either, we were happy to find another option.
It began as a search for the closest bar to Grimaldi’s in Dumbo. What was the closest drink for those parties that just couldn’t brave another minute of torture waiting in that line? We didn’t have to look that hard. Immediately on the corner is Toro, which has a nicely stocked bar. But it was a nice night and we didn’t want to be in doors. For that, we hung a left and passed a few more doors where we found Five Front.
At first glance it looks like any other restaurant bar: classy patrons and a well kept bar that offers a meager, if well chosen, collection of beers and spirits. But don’t go for the pomegranate margarita. Buy a drink and walk back through the dining room and out into the large back patio. There beneath a canopy of trees, strung up lights, and the looming Brooklyn Bridge, is a little lounge. Sit in the low lying chairs, clink glasses, and enjoy the view in this completely legal venue.
Five Front
5 Front Street
Brooklyn
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I've made the mistake of ordering a pomegranate martini at another place and it was just horrendous! What gives with these drinks?
wow, an 8 dollar margarita- what a bargain to advertise. this place is huge and most always empty and just plain sucky
i've been going to this place since it opened & the back garden is lovely - as is the food more often than not. but why can't they nail down the service? when they are opening or slow the staff is usually lounging around the bar area having loud personal conversations. and the dress code doesn't seem to apply to the hostess. hmm.
local is right. We have walked out because the bartender was too busy chatting with a wiatress and her girlfriends to even look our way -- literally thre drink menus at us. And the hostess was standing in the corner hiding from everyone! That said, we do frequent the place for dinner. I would love to talk to the owner -- it is so unprofessionally run. Once the waitress said I could not order an appetiser (I was hungry -- hadn't eaten all day) until my husnband orderd -- chef would not allow! We todl her to pretend I was dining alone and then someone joined me later!
I often go to Five Front for their weekend brunch special. During those times, the "lounge" area in the back garden is set aside for smokers. Does anyone know if that's also true during the evenings?
while i think it's cute that you find "drinking under the brooklyn bridge" a noteworthy snippet, i also find it hilarious. those of us who grew up in brooklyn spent much of high school at "utb parties" (under the bridge). i appreciate the search for a good bar in the neighborhood but nothing beats being seventeen and waiting in line at the keg all the whilst keeping an eye out for the cops.