It's on 2 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
Dating back to 1890, Sunny’s Bar is a storied dive bar oozing nostalgic vibes. Having been in the same family since openings, the live music and affordable drinks at Sunny’s attracts a local crowd. The bar’s appeal lies not just in its historical significance but also in its relaxed, almost timeless ambiance.
Full of random trinkets, the bar was once a saloon for longshoremen and continues to embody the spirit of a bygone era. The pints are as cold as your landlord’s heart, make no mistake, but the focus is less on variety and more on the experience of enjoying a drink in a living piece of history. All this to say, popping in for a drink at Sunny’s is one of the most relaxing Red Hook activities.
253 Conover Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn. Getting to Red Hook is annoying (no subway, take the B61 bus). But Sunny’s is worth the trip. It’s been a bar since the 1890s (originally serving longshoremen on the waterfront) and the current iteration has live bluegrass and folk music on Saturday nights. Beers are $5-7. The backyard has views of the Statue of Liberty. This is the most beautiful cheap bar in New York City and I will not be taking questions.