Apr 6, 2025

Montero's New York

Quirky Brooklyn dive bar

""Montero's" (est. 1939) in New York is one of the weirdest bars I've ever visited, in the best way possible; it takes you back to working-class Brooklyn..."

Montero's is one of the weirdest bars I've ever visited, in the best way possible. It's been a bar since 1939 when the regulars were the grisly longshoremen who worked on the docks just a block from the bar.

The clientele changed with the times, but the interiors stopped evolving sometime during the 1980s. That's when the bar froze as a time capsule filled with nautical ephemera inspired by the once-thriving industrial Brooklyn waterfront.

I can only describe the Montero's experience anecdotally. One Thanksgiving, my friend Molly and I went to the bar to get a drink in the evening. At first, we were the only two people there. But in the next hour, the bar exploded into a hectic party scene worthy of Paolo Sorrentino's film The Great Beauty.

There were preppy locals from the city and heavy New York accents from those who had come from deep Brooklyn. A shoulder-to-shoulder crowd passed slices of pumpkin pies through the air while groups belted karaoke tunes in the back.

Montero's is the kind of place where you can briefly go back in time to working-class Brooklyn, where people of all backgrounds and walks of life gather for (cheap) cocktails in an amazingly bizarre setting that you could only find in New York.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

About this spot

73 Atlantic Avenue

Beer:

US$

4

6467294129

Find your way with 301 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

John's Pizza / Times Square

Pizza Tabernacle

John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

'Fearless Girl'

Wall Street History

On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

The Hungry and Healthy Marketplace

Comedy / Deli

The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks
019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Manhattan Community Boathouse

Free kayaking

It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Amsterdam Billiards

Pool table all-stars

"Amsterdam Billiards" in New York has a nice bar, nice service and soft couches. It's a well-known place to play (and watch!) billiards, darts, foosball...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

The Cage in West Village

Hoops & handball

The Cage in West Village is a chain link fenced, bagel-sized basketball court in New York. Here you can also find handball, a citywide spectacle...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

The Seasoned Vegan

Food you love, veganized

"The Seasoned Vegan" in New York is crowded (in a good way), energizing and really fun. I got the Harlem Chopped Cheeseburger, and I'd order it again...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

TAP - NYC

Brazilian tapioca's 'home base'

"TAP - NYC" makes Brazilian tapioca from yuca! I really love their Pão de Queijo, tangerine-sized, feather-weight bread-puffs with molten cheese...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Bethesda Terrace

Central Park

"Bethesda Terrace" in New York's Central Park is home to Bethesda Fountains, sculptural balustrades and breathtaking magical depictions of wild animals...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Bodegas

NYC convenience stores

"Bodegas" are NYC convenience stores that are as much an essential part of urban culture as are chippies in Whitley Bay or curry shops in London, England...

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 20, 2025

Johannes Vermeer

At the Met & Frick

You can see eight of the thirty-six paintings by "Johannes Vermeer" in New York City. There's a ninth one, but it's behind closed doors...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 19, 2025

35 Times, Toby Buonagurio

Subway art 10

"35 Times - Toby Buonagurio" in New York are small artworks in the Times Square subway station, maybe even 16 inches square, lit on the inside. Jazzy!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 17, 2025

Heading to New York?

301 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to New York?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

301 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Bars

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
63
Filters