Bar of the Week: Bruar Falls

New to Williamsburg is Bruar Falls, a satellite to the Lower East Side café/record store/music venue Cake Shop. Although Cake Shop has its stage and bar in the basement, the space is narrow and becomes quickly crowded. At Bruar Falls, there’s a bit more breathing room, and the good-sized space includes a winding bar, a small stage in the back, a jukebox, and a couple of arcade games (sit down Pac-Man!). There’s a full bar, wine and 10 beers on tap, including a citrusy Southern Tier IPA ($5) and a rich Sixpoint Mason’s Black Wheat ($5). They’ll soon start operating as a café during the day, offering coffee, espresso, free Wi-Fi, and pastries from Vegan Treats until 5 p.m. A backyard that accommodates 20 is on its way, too. Despite these amenities, the inclusion of only one table, and a few benches, keeps the space open and hall-like, reminding us that the space is primarily a music venue. Live music started on Wednesday, but during our visit last weekend a DJ played ‘50s and ‘60s soul music at a deafening volume to a neighborhood crowd and an impressively amorous couple who needed to get a room, stat. Thankfully he lowered the volume after a bit, taking things down a notch with some Patsy Cline, and all was well again.

Bruar Falls
245 Grand St.,
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
No phone
www.bruarfalls.com