Sunny's Bar Reviews

As travelers, we often want authenticity. We want to see the "real places." Well, Sunny's is the real deal. It's a historic old sailor's bar filled with real sailor's memorabilia. A Brooklyn friend took me to Sunny's four months ago to see the "Gotham City Pickers" perform. I'm still swooning over the experience. The place is small and cozy; the staff is friendly. The band was excellent. The experience was memorable. The atmosphere was friendly and not intimidating at all. We arrived at about a quarter to eight for an 8:30 show on a Saturday evening. Since it was early, we were easily able to park on the street. It was also early enough to get a seat (we were pretty much the first to get a table for the show). The bartenders were friendly and skilled at making cocktails. Tea is also available for non-drinkers (many patrons were drinking tea). There was no cover charge. We did not try any food. By 9 or 9:30 or so, the place had filled up, standing room only. The Pickers were virtuosic and delightful. It was a great show, intimate and enjoyable. I can't wait to go back to Sunny's Bar. Only downside: Sunny's is not near public transit. We drove, and since we arrived early, there was plenty of free street parking.

Nice little bar on the old waterfront. A bit limited in range of beers, but great atmosphere. Live music later in the evening when we were there.

Great atmosphere if you like authenticity. Steps from the waterfront. This place has been here for decades when Red Hook was a much rougher place. The Statue of Liberty can be seen half a block from the front door. Glad this place was able to reopen after the hurricane in 2012.

This old-school, un-gentrified, grubby little pub near the water in the Red Hook district of Brooklyn was a great change of pace. Very friendly locals only. No draft beer. Amazing atmosphere. If you're looking for a mimosa or a lemongrass infused vodka martini, keep on walkin'. Every good bar has a resident "bar dog", Sunny's is keeping the faith!

It is probably already discovered but it still looks like a hidden gem. Local artists, intellectuals etc frequent a lot. Live music. A bohemian ambiance.

Fate handed me a very very very rare opportunity to do whatever I wanted today. I was planning on going into Manhattan to have dinner (lamb burger maybe?) and a drink at the Ear Inn (1817) in Manhattan. I like the Ear Inn but haven’t visited for a few years. But after due consideration, figured Sunny’s would more easily accommodate me and the pup since I really hated the idea of traveling solo without the dog. Turns out my decision was a wise one. Sunny’s was a super super super chill vibe. Had 2 old fashioned and walked down Van Brunt to check out Fort Defiance and the Good Fork. Definitely enjoyed Sunny’s the most as the highlight of my afternoon/evening. Really good old energy here.

This place is said to be the oldest bar in Brooklyn. The bar area in the front has lots of character. They have live entertainment often, sometimes in the backroom, which lacks the character of the front. No draft beers and a limited bottle/can selection -- true old school. A small outdoor patio in the back is quaint.

Saw the sign earlier did not bother to check it out. We were told to go and see how special the bar is. Old pickup parked out front gives an impression of history. Walking in a special smell comes at you for being a 100+ year old bar in the family. Bartender was amazing in telling us the story behind Sunny’s. Limited selection of drinks but it’s a bar that had a patio and you can bring your own food to enjoy with drinks. Definitely a land mark in red hock area.

What a dump. Went to this dive with some friends. Waitresses had unbelievably bad attitudes, arrogant, nasty. Place is trying to be a hipster joint with a lousy attitude. Save your money…..better bars with no attitude within walking distance.

I loved Sunnys! Atmosphere took me back to older times. Crowd is nice and service is quick. The decoration is rather weird but it gives a lot of charm to the place.

The coolest bar in New York, or perhaps used to be, but still retains much of its original charm, which is too some extent being diluted by Manhattanite and New Jersey day trippers. Best to go mid-week when locals only. Quirky and unusual, this still remains by favourite bar of all time.

At first I was a bit concerned that were entering a dodgey establishment but this place was so cool. The live music was awesome. No credit cards though.

The atmosphere of this bar is quite unique... A lot of beers but didn't not succeed on tasting a good one due to a lot of people there ! Amazing music which connect you with this kind place : Red Hook.

Fun local bar, oozing with character. Was there on a Friday night, they had a great Trio. Totally casual place, definitely a local bar and has been there forever. If you're visiting Red Hook, you just gotta check it out (at least for one drink).

Great patio out back. Nice happy hour prices and live music. Many friendly people and a must for a cold beer. Our first visit to the area and we will be back.

Sunny's isn't just a bar, it's an institution. Highly recommend making a stop over, especially if visiting Red Hook. We almost lost it after Sandy and the city is thrilled it is back! My usual pros and cons below: Pros: Too many to mention. This is just a great bar. They have "Bluegrass Jams" on Saturdays but be warned, throngs of people now try to check it out and it can be a mad house. Cons: As mentioned above, the weekends at Sunny's, notably Fridays and Saturdays are NUTS since the place has been "discovered." Check this place out early to mid-week and you will love it.

In RedHook area of Brooklyn, near the water this lovely little bar exist and made our Saturdays complete. Great music, great people and atmosphere. Drinks much cheaper than in Manhattan and bunch of artists to meet and spend quality time with. Will be back!

The restaurant is off the beaten track but is very popular with folks who live in the neighborhood. There was a trio playing country music and we thoroughly enjoyed singing along for some of the more popular numbers. Drinks are also reasonably priced

intimate place with very friendly folks. easy to make new friends here. the live music in back was great. we went on christmas eve and one of the staff was handing out christmas candy.

I gave 5 stars noting that we only went to drink. I'm not sure if they sell food. It's such a cool and quaint place to stop in and have an adult beverage while wiaiting for a table at a nearby restaraunt or just chilling old style. Bartenders a a lot of fun. We were there last Sunday and the guy behind the bar was very attentive and a lot of fun. Served up an ice cold beer quickly and with a smile. Unfortunately didn't get neither his nor the woman's name that were behind the bar. Wish we would have because at a place like this when (not if) we go back we'd love to address them properly. The music was retro - Sinatraesque, It was dimly lit and the bathroom was spotless. Don't be intimidated by the outside appearance - inside its like Brooklyn "Cheers". Neighborhood at its best.

The one thing a lot of places in New York City lack, is humility. Pretention can come in all forms, from the rooftop of the Gaansevort (I hear that’s where fancy people go) to the artisanal soda cracker stores of Brooklyn to the divest of dive bars. Sunny’s takes you away from all that. Seashells and shark jaws are mounted to the wall giving the bar a nautical vibe. Some days you can find the Sunny himself, whose grandparents opened the bar as a candy store in 1890, standing at the end of the bar buying customers drinks and discussing the nuances of life. After walking the streets on a hot New York City day, it’s the perfect place to pop in and get a beer in a friendly, low-key, and calm atmosphere.

This place has awesome music, awesome drinks and awesome bar staff. Love the atmosphere as well. Thanks guys!

The five stars isn’t for the drinks, though the dark and stormy is decent. Drinks are alcohol heavy and have no finesse, but that’s not what Sunny’s is about. The New York Times described Sunny’s as a bar on the edge of the world. And it felt like that. Dimly lit, dusty vintage decor, never more than three or four patrons at a time, Sunny’s sits in a remote part of Red Hook, Brooklyn. An old rusted truck flying both an American flag and a pride flag greet you outside. I felt like I was in a novel. I felt like Hemingway could walk in at any time. The old school feel is not something easily replicated. Form what I understand, their evening music program is legendary. No food. Cash only. ATM on site. Again, you’re not coming here for a craft cocktail program. You’re coming here for a VIBE.

Went by this past Sunday with a group of friends before heading off to bbq & more day drinking. Service is fun and divesque. Many people came & went during our 2 hour kickoff and the bartender was sure to recognize that we were there to have fun and drink. She was interactive and attentive to our beverage needs.

We called in after visiting Hometown bar-be-que for drinks and happy hour was on. Loved this place, as it is nice and chilled and the bartender was really friendly. I was feeling really under the weather and he made me a virgin hot toddy on the house which was greatly appreciated. Really good drinks deals, it’s just a shame we didn’t stay on to enjoy the live music.

Stopped by to get warm and have a few drinks. The warm cocktails were really good and there was live music too.