Where to Flee in Park Slope When the Barbarians Invade

Park Slope hardly seems like it would be hip enough to attract men who are not gay but have big muscles and wear tight, trendy shirts. You know, chiefs, meatheads, jocks—douche bags. And yet, they're trickling down Fifth Avenue, and I fear we'll soon be awash. But we needn't retreat to dives (although we usually do)—try Commonwealth for chief-free class. Opened by nice guy Ray Gish, who formerly tended for slake-superior Great Lakes, and his partner, Roy Dwyer, who runs the Slope's best Thai restaurant, Long Tan, Commonwealth is far from disheveled, but it's no yupster lounge. I'm told the mahogany bar came out nicer than the owners intended; everything—comfy chrome-and-vinyl seating, various wall paints—matches in this thoughtfully eclectic way, and you could even describe the indie-plus juke as tasteful (Cornershop, Os Mutantes, Archers of Loaf). For six bucks apiece you can get 20 ounces of Guinness and a generous cup of delicious Kentucky beer cheese with a bunch of crackers. Good bar food that's not "tapas," wings, or otherwise inspired by sports: reason enough to deem the place a true original.

photo: Shiho Fukada

A safe haven for all

Details

Commonwealth
497 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn
718.768.2040

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More About

• Park Slope
• Brooklyn (New York City)
• Roy Dwyer
• Ray Gish
• Long Tan

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