Pour One Out #6: Spuyten Duyvil
A weekly-ish newsletter featuring Brooklyn bars to try on your way to where you're going. Written by your friend and fellow fan of nightcaps, Molly Wilcox.
“Whenever the devil harasses you, seek the company of men or drink more, or joke and talk nonsense, or do some other merry thing.” ~ Martin Luther
Photo from Spuyten Duyvil’s Instagram
Well friends, after two years of dodging the Covid bullet, your trusted bar-goer fell prey to The Vid (but the Conscious Clay concert was forever worth it!!!), which has obviously halted the production of the weekly-ish newsletter I know you’re all anxiously holding your breath for. But after 10 days of solitary confinement and routinely pacing the 12ish feet from my bedroom, we’re back baby! (Pour one out for vaccines, am I right?)
As I emerge from my hole, I’m reminded that the weather is finally becoming tolerable (albeit, I wouldn’t call it pleasant just yet), and the post-Covid blues mixed with the start of spring have me remembering all the things I love about New York. And one of my absolute favorites is the opportunity to constantly try new things. This week, that new thing was amaro: the favorite drink of Italian grandpas.
Photos from Spuyten Duyvil’s Instagram
Bar Spotlight: Spuyten Duyvil
📍Location: 359 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, right in between the Bedford and Lorimer L stop and across the street from the best fried chicken sandwich of your life. IYKYK.
📚 History: I did not know who Joe Carroll was before entering this bar, but I soon realized that he’s quite a Metropolitan Avenue monopolizer. In 2003, he launched the first of his Williamsburg haunts with today’s topic of conversation: craft beer bar, Spuyten Duyvil. In 2007, Carroll opened Fette Sau, the outdoor barbecue restaurant across the street that’s nestled cozily behind chain-linked fence and a patch of asphalt. Fette Sau’s immediate success prepared him for his latest venture: St. Anselm, a modern steakhouse that frequently tops “Best Restaurants in Williamsburg” lists. Kudos, Carroll. Also, Spuyten Duyvil’s literal translation in English is “spouting devil,” though it can be interpreted as “in spite of the devil.”
💫 Vibe: This may be the first bar I’ve reviewed that doesn’t have a disco ball hanging from its ceiling, but don’t let that dissuade you. The decor is a mix of modern and cozy with a patio out back for when the weather is warmer — and once my orange fortified wine on the rocks was poured, it made me feel like I was in a café in Rome. The place has a retro feel: an old bicycle hangs on the wall, the light fixtures are made of metal and the ceiling is an elaborate, red-painted crown moulding. The best part of Spuyten Duyvil, though, is that I walked in not knowing what 95% of their menu was, and the bartenders are more than willing to educate you about all things liqueur.
🍸 Taste: Spuyten Duyvil has a huge range of beverages I’m positive you’ve never tried, which is always a plus if you’re feeling adventurous. They’re known for their craft beer selection (specifically Belgiums) and amaros and liqueurs, but they also serve fortified wine, which is a sweeter wine with a higher alcohol percentage (think port, but better). I tried an orange fortified wine on the rocks that was perfectly refreshing, as well as one of their cocktails called “Biciclete,” which is similar to an Aperol Spritz, but with white wine instead of bubbly. Spuyten Duyvil is the perfect place to go to try something new and widen your alcohol palette. They don’t serve traditional spirits, but they do have regular wine and beer on tap if you want to play it safe.
💸 Price: The amaro-based cocktails are $12 (a steal!), fortified wine on draft is $10 and draft beer is about $8. You can order liqueur neat or on the rocks, and prices range from about $8 to $20+.
🚽 Bathroom: To be honest, I didn’t use it! But given the general cozy, cute, ~Italian~ café vibe, I’m extremely confident that it is perfectly adequate. Apologies if it’s a disaster. (I don’t know why I keep referring to this place as Italian when the name is literally Dutch, but I’ve never been to The Netherlands or Belgium, so alas.)
💿 Music for your journey: Summer Girl by Haim, Paris Latino by Bandolero, Budapest by George Ezra, Cigarette Daydreams by Cage the Elephant. Also, here’s a playlist of all of the music recs from the past newsletters for your listening pleasure!
💭 Final Thoughts: This is the kind of place you want to go to alone at mid-afternoon on a warm day to get a liqueur on the rocks and read the book that’s been starring you down on your nightstand. You may feel so inclined to bum a cigarette and cough your lungs up because it takes you back to a summer you spent in Europe. Breathe in the warmer weather and try something new this week.
I don’t really know why, but this is the vibe I get at Spuyten Duyvil, in the best possible way.
That's all for now folks. If you go to Spuyten Duyvil and like it, tell me more and send me selfies. If you hate it, forgive me and tell me why.
Catch you next week my ~S A U C Y~ friends! ;)
[Pitch a bar I should review and give me feedback, follow my poorly executed Instagram, and share my unsolicited opinions with your friends!]