Halyards

Yes! Yes! Yes! Where the hell can you get a decent cocktail in this damn city? I’ll tell you where… Halyards! Wow our Brooklynite bartender whipped up some goodies. not too sweet, not to sour. Make sure to go during happy hour! Ha! Tried the whiskey sour which was A+ and the Gimlet which was really delish… and kids… i do not recall complimenting any bar for mixed drinks… so this is a big deal! Absolutely will be going back! Crowd is hipster-​ish/​boho/​tattood/​easy and mixed.

Very nice, fun bar! Great beers on tap and excellent cocktails. It’s way bigger on the inside than you’d expect from the outside. Pool table and I think some other games and they show movies in the back room.
Plus a small menu of really good bar snacks and table 87 pizza!

Halyards has quickly become my favorite bar in all of New York City. On a regular night there is a great ambiance, friendly and attentive bar staff, a pool table, and darts. However as a diehard New England native and sports fan, it’s always hard finding a bar to watch the Patriots. Cue Halyards, with a staff of New Englanders, and a huge projection screen, I am now here every week for Patriots Football. With phenomenal beer specials (New England Beers, of course), pizza at halftime, and an awesome group of New York Patriots fans, Halyards is just an incredible place to be. Also the Turkey Pesto sandwich is to die for.

This is one of my locals. The staff is great. The prices are really decent for NYC. Plus it’s the only place in NYC I’ve found a halfway decent Dishwater. Comedy is hit and miss but it’s worth checking out.

A dorkfest for avid fans of the Sunday shows of Mad Men (RIP) and Game of Thrones. This place features both shows back-​to-​back, and they kick the evening off with a bit of GOT trivia and character defined cocktails (eg. Lady Arya and White Walker).
I would highly recommend avoiding ordering a grilled cheese during Game of Thrones. Trust me.
–Grilled cheese
–GOT trivia and viewings on Sundays (8pm)

I really liked the vibe/​atmosphere of this bar. They have a pool table, darts and a solid beer selection. I did not try any of the food but thought it was a great neighborhood spot. Will definitely be back.

Great space! Perfect for a big group. Bartenders are great at the basics — nice beer selection– no frilly complicated cocktails here — but to me that’s a positive!

Halyards is one of my favourite bars in the neighborhood. Whenever we are in the mood to head out for a night, Halywards is one bar we always seem to wind up at. With a good beer list, cheerful locals, awesome cocktails, great staff and a great grilled cheese, I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to come here. Sunday is one of our favourite nights to go because they show The Walking Dead on the projection screen. Everyone is there for the same reason and Carrie is bar tending which always leads into a great time. Needless to say it’s fantastic and welcoming!

Almost 4 years ago I walked into this bar on their opening night, walked in again to kill some time before dinner and the vibe is just as chill as it was 4 years ago… This time with some updates, pool table in the back, and Guinness on tap and a small plates menu. Go check it out if your in the hood and need a watering hole.

The perfect neighborhood bar. This place is perfect for groups or just by yourself! Halyard’s is one of my favorite bars in Brooklyn!

Shitty bar. Shitty music played on an iPod by the girls who live upstairs. Shitty bartenders who are clueless. Fake hipster VOM bar. Don’t waste your time. Go to Lucy’s down the street.

They’ve fixed a lot of problems that plagued this bar. Gone is the angry, surly bartender and his ludicrously loud shit-​metal. The drinks are solid and cheaper than competing establishments in the area. The bartender is a peach. It’s nice to have a late-​night bar that serves food in Gowanus. But something about the vibe here is a little wonky, and I’ve never been able to put my finger on it. It lacks a little personality.

The bartender there during Thursday happy hour told me that a lot of the people involved in Halyards are from Maine. This little-​known fact might account for the fair pricing and diverse selection of their beer menu, as well as a few of the odd quirks that make this bar a fun place to hang out.
Want to have a drink outside? Sure. Beer-​in-​hand, you can’t get there from here. Solution: Just leave your pint with a friend while you swing around to the «patio,» then pass the brew through the window.
Shoot some pool? Ayuh. Throw some darts? Ayuh. At the same time? Can’t do that.
There’s a «secret» ping pong room in the back. It’s tiny and I haven’t played the table, but I’m going to go out on a limb and assume it’s fun.

UPDATE:
I walked by and saw that they got a new sign. I feel very slightly inspired to give this place another chance.
I would like to clarify that I love Game of Thrones.
Mad Men can kiss my ass.

Not open til 4am. Not consistent about its hours, which makes the trek often not worth taking. Only bar consistent about its hours is The Owl Farm. 4AM always.

The Good.
They have Uno. And Jenga.
They have a pool table.
They have $ 4 beers and cheap-​ish cocktails.
They have a secret-​ish room in the back for private-​ish parties and darts.
The vibe: casual and fun.
The Bad.
I have been saying –ish entirely too much.
It’s in a no-man’s land that, if you wander over and it turns out to be too packed, your nearby options are pretty limited.
The Ugly.
I ran into two separate acquaintances from high school here on the same night. For most people this isn’t a problem, but I’ve been trying to conceal the fact that I destroyed innumerable lives when I was younger. And that’s slightly harder to do when folks start screaming and crying when they see you, and people demand explanations.

Went as a Pregame stop before the Bell House, probably worth checking out if you are making your way to this area. It was a very unintimidating bar, plenty of space on a Friday around 11:30. I enjoyed the variety of seating options, besides bar space there were small tables, a long communal table, and past the pool table a private table and a private booth which I feel works for any type of gathering.
Draft beers were $ 6 or so, and I had a delicious grilled cheese for around the same price. The bartender was cool and approachable. I hope to get back here and maybe fill up the space with a bunch of friends.

This place is always so laid back in the best way possible. Meriah D. nailed it when she called Halyards an upscale dive-​bar. I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes they pull down their projection screen and play movies or tv shows.
There are a few things you can always count on at Halyards:
1. Excellent beer on tap
2. Delicious grilled cheese sandwiches
3. Great bartender
4. Never crowded (seriously, how is this place never crowded?!)

Did the 3^rd Avenue thing last night and really enjoyed my time at Halyards. Our bartender was not the greatest but it wasn’t because she wasn’t friendly or that she wasn’t a good mixologist… the issue lies within her absence sporadically through the evening. Again, friendly and engaging but she was not the most efficient.
Great drafts, a pool table, and PLENTY of space in this neighborhood hangout. Hope to come here many more times to support my local establishments!

I don’t even like bars.
I went here twice last night. TWICE. This must be love.
I’ve walked by several times during the day and have often been curious about this little white brick place, Halyards. Sandwiched in an industrial area along 3^rd Ave that is somewhat desolate in terms of nightlife, etc… I wondered what on earth it was doing here. As I never walk along here at night (a bit too void of people for my liking usually), I had never been able to stop in…
Until last night. I was looking for a spot to get a drink prior to dinner at Buttermilk Channel, and this popped up. Yes a bit far in the other direction from Carroll Gardens, but in the middle for all parties, so it worked well. The Unilocal reviews sold me that this would be a place I could get on board with. They steered me absolutely right.
I arrived first and enjoyed a French 75 at the bar while wearing black stripes and red lipstick. My attire has nothing to do with it, but regardless… I dug the vibe. The French 75 was a treat, as well… served in a champagne flute.
Jenga. Pool. Darts. Cocktails$ 8. Dim light. Nice people. Not crowded. Cozy. Wine. Beer. Cocktails$ 8.
Buttermilk Channel called, and our group of 4 quickly shuffled to have dinner… it’s the first time (maybe ever) I thought to myself «I’m not done here yet! There are other things here to drink and do and see.» Nonetheless, Buttermilk Channel waits for no one, and we left…
The End.
—
Not quite. After dinner our group split and we headed back to our Gowanus apartment… almost. We diverted to Halyards for two more drinks around 1130pm, and it was perfectly and contentedly buzzing without being overwhelming or obnoxious. People were laughing and playing Jenga and getting drunk and enjoying their friends and it was one of those utopian nights where everyone that wants to sit has a chair and the bartender is never too busy to make you a drink.
It was lovely. I would certainly be back next time we want to do cocktails or drinks in the ‘hood. A great lounge hidden amongst 3^rd Avenue with just the recipe for a good night of drinking that will not be a scene or stress you out.
*Come early for darts/pool…especially on weekends.
*Accept credit cards, but obviously cash is easier.
*Several long communal tables = great for groups.
*Easy street parking (though I don’t recommend driving) nights/​weekends or easy walking distance to 4^th Ave/​9^th Street trains.
Plus, I hear Tchoup Shop does guest cheffing here once in awhile. I will assuredly be front and center the next time that rolls around.