My friend Jane drove us in her PT Cruiser out to Red Hook, to Sunny's, to hear the rising band 79.5 (named after a Brooklyn FM radio station frequency). She's a big fan, and a few weeks later they played in her loft for us, and to a fascinating crowd of kids from Brooklyn, Queens and elsewhere. A few weeks after that, I read about the band in the New York Times, and now that they've played the Bowery Ballroom, it's likely everyone has heard of them.
Well, the kind of foresight it takes to spot and hire bands with their talent is, I guess, something someone at Sunny's has. Promoting good bands and cheap beer attracts a money spending crowd.
Sunny's is way out there in Red Hook which means that if you don't use a car service, you'll have to get off the subway at its highest point --- 90 feet, the Smith/9th Street station --- then walk for 20 minutes alongside the 'Toxic Ball Fields' of Brooklyn toward the East River. But you'll get a good return on your time and energy, because they close at 04:00 on the key nights (Wed, Thu, Fri).
It's neither insulting nor promotive to label it a dive bar; it's also referred to as a saloon, and it has the predictable fare, but it's 'hot' and it's in Redhook, which is also 'hot', so there's that.
Even the NYTimes wrote about it.
Upcoming shows.
Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.
by
There are three houses not far from each other in NYC of three icons: James Dean, James Baldwin, and Dorothy Parker...
by
"Heckscher Field" in Central Park, New York, is used for softball. Here you can see games played for the Broadway Show League. Celebrity stars may be seen.
by
Among its offerings are a $10 breakfast special and its enormous $15 lunchtime hamburger, a price unobtainable anywhere else within walking distance.
by
This sun soaked park bench is a destination neighborhood residents know, spending time there in observation. It’s one of the more fabulous NYC stages.
by
"Monumental Women" has erected this monument in Central Park, NYC to especially important figures in the United States women's equality movement...
by
"Der Krung" in Hell's Kitchen in New York City is by far my favorite Thai place around. One of the best things about it is the $9.75 lunch special...
by
"Apthorp Cleaners" in NYC is different from the dozens of other neighborhood cleaners by its permanent but ever-changing window display of Barbie dolls...
by
Taco toppings include cheese (Cotijam, oaxaca and mozzarella), pineapple, jalapeños and pico de gallo. Norteñas & Cubanos sandwiches are not to be missed.
by
"Studio Museum in Harlem" in New York focuses on local, national and international artists of African descent and other work inspired by black culture...
by
"Dinastia" is a great Cuban-Chinese restaurant in New York City. They definitely make soul food here. Consider the squid and rice: it's always good...
by
Its bright neon sign is easy to spot. Stand Up NY feels like a proper theater as it has a street-level entrance and the programming is mad extensive,
by
304 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 304 Insider Tips