Manhattan Inn–Greepoint’s piano bar accomodates a taste for the ambient brew
Manhattan Inn–it sounds a bit generic, like the motorlodge you put your extended family up in under the BQE. But the Anywhere, NY name belies the utterly unique experience of going there. I enjoy ambiance as much as the next bargoer–it’s nice to connect souls or have awkward dates or create dance floors where none existed before in a pleasant setting–however, I usually go for brews over views. When I walked into Manhattan Inn, before even spotting the draft list, this place landed every date/friend/out-of-towner shortlist.
Chill chapel
Just look around–a beach-washed piano basks in the skylight; the all-wood interior sets a reverential tone. Antique theater chairs, while not the most comfortable, beckon your full attention. Everything is just slightly faded, giving the feel of a place since time gone by or some other, less sentimental, jazz standard. It does purportedly rollick it up for DJ nights (follow on Twitter for a most comprehensive updating: http://twitter.com/ManhattanInn), but I feel I like it best quiet and a bit barren. I could see escaping from the hot-packed jam of Matchless down the street for some ivory-accompanied conversation.
To my delight, the beers did live up the to the view–and, if you are flexibly scheduled, the price is right too. On weekdays, 5-7, you’ll get half-off a small, well-curated selection of mostly Brooklyn locals. But it was the Omegang Rare Vos that best suited the environment, a warm amber with a coy streak of spice.
…much like the Manhattan. During a wander by the bathrooms, we heard a muffled monologue. Cubbied behind curtains was a surprise art installation–a projection of a cartoonist narrating his high-school notebook-style sketches of pirates and queens. We were transfixed through 2 1/2 viewings–fabulous.
Explore and maybe you’ll find something else entirely–Narnia? Preferably, a wardrobe world with a better draft list…
Location: 557 Manhattan Avenue at Driggs
Fuller pockets?
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I’m devoting a bit more space to this section, because for $5 more, you can have one of the most ambient brunches I’ve experienced for some time. Nab the prix fixe for $15, which includes all you see here and unlimited rum brunch punch, which, while not offering the wooziest punch, is generously free-flowing, even once your meal is done. I had an omelet with brie and mushrooms and spinach. Perhaps even more exciting was the crispy hash-brown mound served with sour cream and apple butter…apple butter!
