Gowanus Yacht Club
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: (718) 246-1321
- Cross Street:
- President Street
- Directions:
- F, G at Carroll St
- Hours:
- Open May-Oct: Mon-Thu 4pm-12am, Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 2pm-2am, Sun 2pm-12am
Editorial Review for Gowanus Yacht Club – by Lisa Marie Rovito
The Scene
This kitschy beer garden with a beach-shack feel serves up Jever in styrofoam cups and 10 kinds of dogs, including a sizzling polish sausage (made locally) and the infamous vegan Not Dog. With no fries, no frills and a completely outdoor setting, the owners of Patois and Uncle Pho have created a warm-weather antidote to some of the block's stuffier eateries. Longtime neighbors mingle with edgy newcomers, but everyone uses the same Porta-John.
The Draw
Dollar Pabst Blue Ribbon and a mustard-laden Sabrett are a cheap date's dream, and the jumble of chipped-paint skis, oars and clam pots recall lazy weekends at the shore. Kicking back at a picnic table under a sagging string of bare bulbs, it's easy to rack up a tab--but a manageable, memorable one. As an added bonus, the subway-side location makes it a natural stop for after-work suds.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
When to GoSeats are often at a premium. Try to beat the after-work crowds or the late-afternoon weekend rush for no waiting and no hassles.
User Reviews for Gowanus Yacht Club
08/03/2008 Posted by cwnyI
I read the reviews on this site before I went to GYC and was a little nervous about going to the place. I'm not a big brooklyn fan in general - which I probably shouldn't be admitting on "City Search Brooklyn" - as it seems like there's an air of "too cool for school" that permeates the entire western portion of the borough, but figured I'd go check it out with a couple of my friends that live on Hoyt and Atlantic. Our waiter wasn't a bad guy despite being a little high on himself, the service was good. He was a little sarcastic, which I get the feeling some people writing reviews about this place have mistaken for rudeness. I bumped him by mistake and it was *totally* my fault ... but he actually comped us a pitcher anyway. Is that poor service? If you're looking around checking everyone else out, yes, you will notice a lot of younger individuals that seem like they've been transplanted from Murray Hill. Okay, not my cup of tea either, but if the company you're with is that miserable that you feel the need to pass judgement on everyone sitting around you, get new friends. I will agree the bathroom is gross. It sort of reminded me of summer camp in the berkshires with the concrete floors and faint smell of urine mixed with v-mit. I think it's fitting, though ... really goes along with the ambiance of the place, in a good way. Have a few beers and you won't even notice it. I'm 30, a floor contractor, live in queens and walked into the place wearing keens and a shirt covered in paint ... you know what, I didn't get a single look, nobody gave me attitude and the service was still good. This place seemed okay ... maybe it's the people writing the reviews with poles up their asses that should just find somewhere else to frequent. If you want to go out, drink, eat crappy food (that tastes good after a few bluepoints) and not worry about how loud your voice is, this place is for you.
Pros: decent beer selection
Cons: it's in brooklyn
06/10/2008 Posted by sharonto
It was close to 100 degrees when I went to the Gowanus Yacht club with my boyfriend. I was ID-ed and I didn't have my ID with me. To my surprise I was shut down from ordering a measley PBR. I was shocked that I was ID-ed in the first place since it seems like they're trying to pull off a tacky dive bar on the street anyway -- plus, I'm not ashamed to mention it, I'm cute. I ordered a veggie burger from the greasy looking, waiter, and after he spent five minutes walking around smoking a cigarette, he told me they were out of the veggie burgers. I was hot, miserable, and filled with nothing but hate for the stupid stuff like the rules posted on the chalk board and the fact that the ugly waiter id-ed me. Totally not worth it.
Pros: Beer selection
Cons: Service, Crowd, Seating
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
