The Gen X guide to Brooklyn nightlife

By Alison Lowenstein

Like it or not, it’s Gen Xers who transformed this once-sleepy borough into the cultural hub it is today. However, despite being part of a generation that created the Williamsburg scene (sorry? … you’re welcome?), I feel like an interloper when I’m hanging out there past 7 p.m. these days. It’s true that people in my age group are often just as focused on colonoscopies as cocktails, but it doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. It was Gen Xers who jumped on the stage at Kings Theatre during the Morrissey show this past winter, proving that our “slacker” generation still has some spunk. Also, James Murphy? Questlove? Jennifer Lopez? All one of us. Still, many friends have confessed to me that they increasingly feel like the old person at the bar or on the dance floor.

Only 19.9 percent of Americans are Gen X, making us the smallest living age group, according to the most recent census data. We’re the latchkey kids, weaned on “Breakfast Club” and “Soul Train,” wary of authority and still slightly redolent of teen spirit. So, where can a middle-aged person go for some fun and be surrounded by fellow Gen Xers?

To locate the best spots for folks over and nearing 50, I pulled out my Rolodex (do you kids even know what a Rolodex is?) to reach out to my party-going contacts across the borough — and compiled this list of the best in Gen X nightlife. From daytime dance parties (you can be in bed by 9 p.m.) to a host of fun bars, there’s a reason to go out this week. Some of these establishments might be old favorites for the locals, but hopefully many will be new to you.

A quick note: areas like Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, or anything one would refer to as “Brownstone Brooklyn” are teeming with Gen X–friendly establishments. That said, here we’ll highlight special venues from those areas that stood out and would specifically appeal to Gen Xers or the geriatric millennial set. Please add them to your dance card. (Also, nothing makes us laugh harder than the expression “geriatric millennial.”)

Bay Ridge

Lock Yard
9221 Fifth Ave

Bay Ridge was once home to 2001 Odyssey, the nightclub featured in “Saturday Night Fever.” Maybe you won’t find a young hip-swiveling Travolta here, but you can have a fun night out at a local favorite heated beer garden. Lock Yard also hosts themed trivia nights (Sitcoms in Syndication, ’90’s Pop Culture, etc.), which should appeal to folks who grew up on network TV. If you’re hungry, order a “Johnny Cash” or a “Bartman” from their kitschy hot dog-focused menu. Did I mention they sell fried Oreos? You’ll probably have to pop a Prilosec, but it will be worth it.

Bed-Stuy

Bar Lunatico
486 Halsey St.

Although Bed-Stuy caters to a 20-something crowd, there’s a sophisticated vibe at this charming bar and music venue. The owners know their cocktails and how to curate an eclectic list of performances. Many of the performers here are fellow Gen Xers. This neighborhood favorite also serves tapas, so you won’t have to worry about your blood sugar and can concentrate on the tunes.

C’Mon Everybody
325 Franklin Ave.

Go for dancing and drinks at C’Mon Everybody, which bills itself as a Queer-owned and operated bar, music venue and live arts space. The welcoming atmosphere means that you’ll likely see some silver foxes among the Bed-Stuy hipsters.

Brooklyn Heights/Boerum Hill

Montero’s
73 Atlantic Ave.

Situated a couple of blocks from the Brooklyn waterfront on Atlantic Avenue, the historic dive bar used to cater to sailors but now serves folks who want to belt out some tunes and down some brews, which is not unlike sailors, come to think of it. Montero’s hosts popular karaoke nights on Thursdays through Saturday nights. Plus there’s a pool table. Seafaring folks and history buffs will love the walls adorned with old photos, newspaper articles and ship-related décor. If you’re looking for some good grub and thoughtfully conceived cocktails before you head over to karaoke, you should pair the trip to Montero’s with a jaunt to the near-perfect Long Island Bar, which is right across the street.

Brooklyn Inn
148 Hoyt St.

This gorgeous historic watering hole dating back to 1885 is overflowing with old-world detail. In addition to the bygone era vibe, there’s a pool table and outdoor seating. When I first walked into the Brooklyn Inn during the 1990s, the surrounding area was a more desolate section of Brooklyn. However, our peers spent the last two decades opening bars, restaurants and cool shops along Smith Street, which is a short walk from this wood-paneled bar.

Henry St. Ale House
62 Henry Street

Just a short walk from the Brooklyn Bridge, The Henry Street Ale House is in a stretch of Brooklyn Heights which is home to many local favorites like the restaurant Noodle Pudding. This ale house has been around for almost 30 years because it has consistently good pub fare and a large selection of brews on tap, with many coming from the five boroughs including IPAs from Staten Island and The Bronx. The laid-back atmosphere is the ideal vibe for someone who came of age in the ’90s. After you’ve had a few brews, take an autumnal walk around the tree-lined, often cobblestoned streets of brownstone laden Brooklyn Heights.

Bushwick

Ornithology Jazz Club
6 Suydam St.

Maybe you think a night out in Bushwick will have you up till the small hours, but not at this jazz performance space, which has an early-bird show from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The venue’s name alone should appeal to the crop of empty-nester moms turned Brooklyn bird watchers (a trend to which I have yet to succumb), even though the club’s moniker is a tribute to Charlie Parker. Order a cocktail, appreciate the music, oh and they also have a vegan pop-up restaurant, which is a great choice of cuisine for a generation focused on cholesterol levels.

Party On
254 Irving Ave.

OK, this sports bar is really geared toward millennials, but it is ’90s themed, so anyone who actually remembers the ’90s deserves a seat at the bar. Perhaps you can sidle up to the young patrons and regale them with stories of traveling around Europe with a water-damaged and outdated hand-me-down copy of “Let’s Go Europe” because we didn’t have smartphones or Google. It’s also fun to see all the ’90s décor and to remember the days when we were young(er).

Mr. Sunday Dance Party at Nowadays
56-06 Cooper Ave.

The party starts at 3 p.m. and wraps by 8 when Mr. Sunday’s in town, so you can forgo your disco nap. Mr. Sunday’s, hosted by DJs Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin, is a fun way to close out the weekend as you dance away your prework-week jitters and hydrate with a beer. Nowadays is on the Brooklyn/Queens border, and technically in Ridgewood, but we’ll let that slide.

Birdy’s
1215 Myrtle Ave.

The clientele is more Gen Z than Gen X, but you can probably beat them at a game of foosball or top their high score at pinball. The bar also boasts a jukebox with a playlist of ’80s and ’90s tunes and a photobooth. Although, you might want to have a few drinks in you before you peek at the filterless photo booth pics. All these retro-era finds should make you feel nostalgic for those dive bars you frequented in the ’90s, but unlike those cramped holes in the walls of yesteryear, this place has a lot of seating. What’s super retro about this place is that it’s cash only. 

Crown Heights

Friends & Lovers
641 Classon Avenue

This bar/venue in Crown Heights is Gen X and queer-friendly, despite having a clientele of younger folk. They offer a slew of events that start at middle-age-appropriate times (around 8 p.m.), including a bevy of comedy shows. If you’re heading out in Crown Heights, this is a fun and festive place for early birds as well as those older folks who still like to dance: If you can manage to get there after 10 p.m., that’s when the really partying starts with eclectic DJs hosting different dance nights.

Ditmas Park

Sycamore Bar and Flower Shop
1118 Cortelyou Rd.

This bar and flower shop is an atmospheric spot to have a drink, but it also hosts a vinyl dance party at 8 p.m. every second Wednesday. Dancing starts at 10 on weekends. For those who’d rather be entertained than move around, Sycamore has drag, trivia and comedy nights, so be sure to check the calendar before you visit. The space is quite charming, and simply having a happy hour drink is enjoyable here. In fact, there’s no better way to spend a fall evening than sipping cocktails on their expansive patio.

Flatbush

The Rogers Garden
706 Rogers Ave.

Attention all rum drinkers: You must head to Flatbush and unwind in the garden. Savor Rogers Garden’s signature cocktails like The Devil’s Playground or the Miss Tang. Don’t forget to bring some friends so you can split one of the many “Pitchers of Love.” But it’s not all about the drinks — the atmosphere is festive, and they often host live music and DJs, so follow The Rogers Garden on Instagram to see what events they have planned for this fall.

Greenpoint

Saint Vitus Bar
1120 Manhattan Ave.

Dust off your Docs and head to The Dark 80s New Wave Nite at Saint Vitus Bar. This event only happens a few times a year, which leaves you a lot of time to rest up between excursions to this fun ’80s dance night. The 11 p.m. start time is a big ask for some, but I have friends who love it. I suspect they steal their kids’ Adderall to stay up for it. If you can rally, you get to rock out to New Order, The Smiths, Nitzer Ebb and many other ’80s-era icons, which is obviously worth it.

Kensington/Prospect Park South

Hinterlands Bar
739 Church Ave.

Hinterlands Bar is an oasis on this sleepy stretch of Church Avenue. It’s a local go-to for cocktails, brews, casual eats and desserts. In the warmer months, head to the patio for a drink. Hinterlands also hosts trivia nights, viewing parties for “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and other shows, so follow them on Instagram to find out about upcoming events.

Park Slope

Barbès
376 9th St.

Popular with brownstone Brooklyn locals, Barbès has been hosting live music for over 20 years. Opened by French expats, this intimate bar and performance space has a European feel and an eclectic global groove live music series. Don’t miss the weekly Tuesday night show performed by Slavic Soul Party.

Bell House
149 7th St.

The Bell House lineup is a Gen X dream, from Dolly Parton cover bands to performances by the Middle-Aged Dad Jam Band (featuring members from the ’90s alt-comedy group the State). Peruse the schedule and you’ll easily find an event — concert, comedy or dance party — that would be perfect for anyone born between 1965 and 1979.

The Gate
321 Fifth Ave.

The Gate has been a Park Slope staple for over 25 years. It specializes in craft beer and has a super-casual vibe. In the warmer months, it’s nice to hang out on the patio (bring your dog!) and reminisce about how Park Slope has changed — thankfully, this place hasn’t.

Union Hall
702 Union St.

A game of bocce anyone? Union Hall is a roomy Park Slope bar that is home to an indoor bocce court. If you’re a fan of comedy, head to the theater in the basement, which has a calendar of concerts and comedy shows. For years it was home to the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival. More recently, it’s played host to SNL cast members working out new material on their off nights.

South Slope/Greenwood Heights

Freddy’s
627 5th Ave.

For the past decade, Freddy’s has been a local hangout in South Slope/Greenwood Heights, but many Gen Xers might remember its old home in Prospect Heights. The bar still retains the same welcoming feel (and same literal bar). If you’re having an existential crisis about aging, you can cheer yourself up with a Freddy’s Happy Meal, which doesn’t come with fries or a toy (or even any food) but is a Miller High Life (or Tecate) with a shot of house liquor. They also host a comedy open mic night, so if you have some jokes you want to share, head to Freddy’s on Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. In addition to the open mic, the calendar is packed with a slew of events ranging from a storytelling series to concerts.

Greenwood Park
555 7th Ave.

This oversized beer garden housed in a former gas station and car mechanic shop is the ideal spot to have an autumnal ale, because the outdoor garden is perpetually festive and filled with locals. If you can’t find a sitter, bring the kids. However, if they’re underage, they will be asked
to leave after 7. Also, it’s not just about the open-air seating here — if it’s a bit too chilly for you, Greenwood Park has a roomy indoor space and a menu of comfort food staples that pair nicely with a drink.

Prospect Heights

Bar Meridian
406 Prospect Pl.

Have a cocktail on the patio at charming Bar Meridian. Music sets the vibe in this atmospheric spot located on the border of Crown Heights and Prospect Heights. There’s a large, restored jukebox and lots of vinyl, and it’s also home to an assortment of DJs spinning records on various nights. They also serve lunch on the weekends, making it a nice place to spend a lazy (and/or boozy) Sunday afternoon.

Bearded Lady
686A Washington Ave.

How can any Gen Xer resist a cocktail named Mr. Howell? The quirky cocktail menu is sure to appeal to folks who remember the ’70s and ’80s. The Bearded Lady is a retro-style bar that drips of mid-century America and boasts an outdoor space. Stop in for a happy hour drink and enjoy the old-school décor.

Sharlene’s
353 Flatbush Avenue

This no-frills bar on Flatbush Avenue on the Prospect Heights/Park Slope border, has been around since the early aughts (it was also a dive bar before then — old heads will remember when it was Mooney’s, a perfect old-man bar). Sharlene’s is noted for being the “unofficial” hang out for NYC media types. However, you don’t have to work in media to enjoy listening to tunes on a jukebox and playing pinball at this neighborhood favorite bar. They also have moderately priced cocktails, which is hard to find in Brooklyn these days.

Prospect Lefferts Garden

Bar Bayeux
1066 Nostrand Ave.

Take in some jazz at this cozy and inviting bar located on bustling Nostrand Avenue. Bar Bayeux offers well-crafted cocktails and jazz. There’s no cover to hear the music, but there’s a one-drink minimum.

Red Hook

Sunny’s Bar
253 Conover St.

A Red Hook institution, Sunny’s opened in the 1800s, and is quirky, kitschy and filled with character. You can easily picture a character from a Bukowski novel or Tom Waits song walking through the door. Located steps from the Red Hook Waterfront, the bar once served longshoremen (think “On the Waterfront” and “Last Exit to Brooklyn”) and is steeped in Brooklyn history. They make strong drinks (and offer up an even stronger line-up of live music), but they also have a menu of nonalcoholic beverages if you just want to soak in the atmosphere without any booze.

Sunset Park

Industry City
220 36th St.

There’s so much to do in Industry City, including daytime discos, distilleries, breweries, skee-ball, pétanque, a concert series, etc. In fact, they’re so many options you might have to sample a few. Check out their calendar or go with no plan and stroll around, then end the evening sipping a cocktail under the stars (if you can see them).

Mama Tried
787 Third Ave.

Located in Sunset Park, this dive bar might be a bit out of the way, but it’s a good place to hear expertly curated live music. When bands aren’t playing, come for the DJs — especially when it’s nice out and you can sit on the patio underneath the glamorous BQE.

Windsor Terrace

The Adirondack
1241 Prospect Ave.

If you don’t have the time for an autumn weekend getaway, a visit to The Adirondack is a worthy substitute. It has the vibe of an uber-casual upstate bar, right on the F line. Nourish yourself with their menu of comfort food that pairs nicely with their large selection of New York State brews on tap. It’s also three short blocks from Prospect Park, so you can get your leaf peeping in.

Double Windsor
210 Prospect Park West

This neighborhood bar located near Prospect Park has been serving Gen Xers since 2009. Although some of the clientele is probably hyper-focused on financing their kid’s college education, it has a post-college vibe. Double Windsor has stellar food and well-made drinks and always packs a crowd. It’s the ideal great spot to grab a bite and a brew after spending the day in the park or seeing a flick at the nearby Nitehawk Cinema (which, it should be noted, also has a great bar to visit, even when you’re not going for a movie).

Williamsburg

Barcade
388 Union Ave.

I recall going here when this location opened in Williamsburg in 2004. Sure, I was almost 20 years younger, but I still feel comfortable having a drink and playing video games at this arcade bar. Also, I’ve finally mastered Ms. Pac-Man.

Skinny Dennis
152 Metropolitan Ave.

If you thought Williamsburg was all hipsters, you might be surprised to find a honky-tonk bar complete with warm peanuts. The retro Southern spot hosts live country music shows and has a jukebox. If you feel like you’re going to fade, order a Willie’s Famous Coffee, a frozen drink with coffee and bourbon. It gets loud at night, but you’ll probably be home before anything gets out of control.

Turkey’s Nest Tavern
94 Bedford Ave.

This bar opened in the 1980s when Bedford Avenue wasn’t home to an Apple Store, Whole Foods and a ton of trendy shops and restaurants. The divey sports bar located across from McCarren Park isn’t a hipster magnet, so middle-aged folks will feel at home here. You can even try to win money to pay for your drinks by playing a game of Quick Draw.

This article originally appeared in the fall/winter 2023 issue of Brooklyn Magazine. Want it delivered to your door for a nominal fee (plus a free hat)? Click here to subscribe.