Bar of the Week: The Richardson

Heads up, Williamsburg cocktail parlor Hotel Delmano, you've got company! The Richardson, a new spot on the corner of Graham and Richardson, is now the second speakeasy-cocktail lounge in the neighborhood, and yet another addition to the Manhattan-imported cocktail boom that keeps on booming over in Brooklyn. Inside, décor has been kept to a minimal: wallpaper with a gold damask print, one chandelier, zero sepia toned photos. The drink list is divided into a few classic cocktails and house specialties (all $9), the latter including usual suspects from your nana's heyday like Old Fashioneds and French 75s. House cocktails, however, had some enjoyable standouts including the citrusy, tart Vegas Saddle, with orange juice, lemon juice, Curacao and apple brandy, and the Higgin's Sarsparilla, a ginger beer, club soda, amaro, and red wine concoction that was slightly sweet and surprisingly palatable. Really. Seats at the long L-shaped bar, were quickly snatched up on a recent weekend night visit, most of the crowd drinking $5 drafts (the beer list includes Guinness, Bitburger and Sixpoint Sweet Action), and although table service is available, it still was difficult to hear much over the crowd and music (man, speaking of nanas). But the place is, after all, steps away from Daddy's, home to $2 drafts and hot dogs when they have them. Unlike the Hotel Delmano, The Richardson trades pricier drinks and fussy décor for a looser atmosphere -- a wise move given its location, but one that puts it too close to merely being a Williamsburg bar with $9 cocktails.

The Richardson
451 Graham Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(718) 389-0839

Photo from http://sieve-gcs.blogspot.com/