Adult Swim: Heavy Metal Outside, Yummy Drinks Inside

I loathed this place—without having seen it—simply because someone had dared to open a swank bar in my semi-war-zone neighborhood. But one day I stumbled inside, and was instantly seduced by its jukebox (Stanley Brothers, Smiths, Bowie). And its proprietors: red-bearded, tattooed biker guy Chops, his taciturn brother Christopher (who owns the metal shop next door), and their studiomate Chris, who knows a lot about red wine. They've created the kind of bar they like to drink in, and their taste is—happily—impeccable. Kings County, which opened sans fanfare last month, is a dark oasis of grown-up sophistication in grimy Bushwick, a neighborhood fast becoming Frat Row to the baby art types who can't afford Manhattan and wouldn't live in Williamsburg if you paid them. Artfully rusted metal clads the exterior; inside you'll find 1920s "art photos," beautifully crafted wood and metal fittings, and a growing crowd of regulars who respect its brilliantly low-key atmosphere. There're no candy-ass drink specials, just choice whiskies (Balvenie "Double Wood" scotch, $7 a shot), good beer (Chimay Blue and Guinness, $7; Bud, $2.50), and carefully selected wines (mostly Italian reds like Dolcetto, $7) to complement the regular booze. Chops also makes a fine dirty martini, and says his mojitos and margaritas (fresh-squeezed citrus, naturally) are the tops. Kings County opens every day at 4, with happy-hour specials even the kiddies can afford.

photo: Cary Conover

Got Chops?

Details

Kings County
286 Seigel Street, Brooklyn
718.418.8823

Related Content

• THIS AND THAT
  May 1, 2013
• Have You Seen This Bushwick Sexual Assault Suspect?
  April 22, 2013
• January's Openings and Closings
  February 1, 2013
• SO HARDCORE
  December 12, 2012
• Cafe Pistachio Opened in Greenpoint; Fritzl's Lunch Box Opened in Bushwick
  March 21, 2013

More About

• Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
• Bushwick
• Brooklyn (New York City)
• Food and Cooking
• Cocktails

bars@villagevoice.com