Apartment 138

(718) 858-0556

138 Smith St
Brooklyn, NY 11217 40.687 -73.9904

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhood: Boerum Hill

Last updated 6.22.09

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Neighborhood Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Bar Menu

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Bar Scene

Bar & Club Special Features:

Specialty Cocktails, Late-Night Scene

What People Are Saying About Apartment 138

Featured Review

Erin Behan

Contributor

The Scene – Though plenty of white-washed tables and chairs are scattered about the dining room, it's the bar that acts as a neighborhood gathering place. Couples, friends and singles convene around the dark wood bar and mingle over reasonably priced tap beers, well-mixed specialty cocktails and a steaming plate of mussels or fries. – – The Draw – While the prospect of an uninterrupted game of pool and foosball in the downstairs rec room sounds appealing, the bright, white space feels a bit harsh at 3am. Better to stay upstairs and order another round off the cocktail…

ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “And at night - very cozy place to have a beer without leaving the hood.”
  2. “Really loved the place, it was small and romantic.”
  3. “The enviorment is cozy and kind.”
  4. “The gameroom downstairs is fun, although it feels like you're in someone's stuffy little basement, and since the kitchen is down there, it gets a little cramped with all the staff running in and out with hot plates.”
  5. “The food is always good, definitely order some wine, and the ambiance is lovely both inside and outside.”
dessert
50.0% positive
  1. “The waiter finally came by after the first half hour to apologize for the slow service, but never offered a drink, dessert, or anything to make us feel like they actually cared we had to wait so long.”
  2. “There bar drinks were phenmomenal and the dessert amazing.”
drinks
84.61999893188477% positive
  1. “And at night - very cozy place to have a beer without leaving the hood.”
  2. “Beautiful bar, bright room and nice garden.”
  3. “The food is always good, definitely order some wine, and the ambiance is lovely both inside and outside.”
  4. “Both times I also had amazing cocktails.”
  5. “The food is pretty good, but the drinks are better.”
  6. “Not a good place to eat or drink”
  7. “There bar drinks were phenmomenal and the dessert amazing.”
  8. “The place has a friendly vibe, a great drink selection, and enough of a variety for most appetites.”
  9. “Delicious eats, good wine”
  10. “The waiter finally came by after the first half hour to apologize for the slow service, but never offered a drink, dessert, or anything to make us feel like they actually cared we had to wait so long.”
  11. “The menu is affordable, the cocktails are wonderful and the food is outrageous.”
  12. “$10 gets you coffee, booze and great food.”
  13. “The chicken fingers and calamari were very good, as are the drinks.”
food quality
81.25% positive
  1. “The sauce was delicious, i would go back just for them alone.”
  2. “The food is fantasic and the employese are friendly and not lazy.”
  3. “The chicken fingers and calamari were very good, as are the drinks.”
  4. “Take your money elsewhere for good food and they'll probably serve you faster, too!”
  5. “But the service was terrible, the wait endless and the food random.”
  6. “The waitress was extremely patient as my friend and I chatted (as opposed to making decisions about dinner), and my burger was excellent.”
  7. “The menu is affordable, the cocktails are wonderful and the food is outrageous.”
  8. “When the clock strikes midnight and you are still thinking about a place to find a decent meal.”
  9. “have been there four times and have had tried most apps, (steak tidbits are outstanding)the Tuna Steak Special, skirt steak, the mussels, and a Paninni.”
  10. “Quality food reasonable prices.”
  11. “The food is pretty good, the portions aren't huge, but that's a plus, bc I always feel satisfied but not stuffed.”
  12. “the watercress salad was also great.”
  13. “$10 gets you coffee, booze and great food.”
  14. “The food is always good, definitely order some wine, and the ambiance is lovely both inside and outside.”
  15. “The food is pretty good, but the drinks are better.”
  16. “recommend the steak panini sandwich---it will leave an impression.”
  17. “Baddish food, slow, unfriendly service -- why bother?”
  18. “Slow service and mediocre food”
  19. “The fries are good too and the pasta dishes above par.”
  20. “enjoy the friendly staff and delious food.”
  21. “can be patient for good food, but with so many better choices in this neighborhood, I can't imagine going back to this sub-par joint.”
  22. “This is still Brooklyn, so its hard to find late night dining other than diners, so this place stands out on Smith Street its the only place open late and the food is amazing and delicious, try the white sangria, its the best i have ever had.”
  23. “The huevos rancheros was less than mediocre - the tortillas tasted & had the consistency of card board, the crab burger was greasy & tasteless, the veggie burger tasted old & as if it sat out for too long.”
  24. “Apt 138 has great food, anytime of the day.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The menu is affordable, the cocktails are wonderful and the food is outrageous.”
  2. “The place has a friendly vibe, a great drink selection, and enough of a variety for most appetites.”
  3. “can be patient for good food, but with so many better choices in this neighborhood, I can't imagine going back to this sub-par joint.”
overall
75.0% positive
  1. “Pretty good place”
  2. “Apartment 138 is my new favorite Brooklyn restaurant.”
  3. “Not a good place to eat or drink”
  4. “great place to socialize”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “The sauce was delicious, i would go back just for them alone.”
service
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “But the service was terrible, the wait endless and the food random.”
  2. “It's a cool place, and the people who go there tend to want to have a good time without getting hammered.”
  3. “The waiter finally came by after the first half hour to apologize for the slow service, but never offered a drink, dessert, or anything to make us feel like they actually cared we had to wait so long.”
  4. “Slow service and mediocre food”
  5. “enjoy the friendly staff and delious food.”
  6. “Their service is slow, but in that laid-back way, so I don't mind as long as I'm not in a rush.”
  7. “The staff was so helpful and attentive and everyone had a great time.”
  8. “The waitress was extremely patient as my friend and I chatted (as opposed to making decisions about dinner), and my burger was excellent.”
  9. “The gameroom downstairs is fun, although it feels like you're in someone's stuffy little basement, and since the kitchen is down there, it gets a little cramped with all the staff running in and out with hot plates.”
  10. “The place has a friendly vibe, a great drink selection, and enough of a variety for most appetites.”
  11. “We ended up having 28 people and took up the whole back deck and it was a wonderful evening.”
  12. “Baddish food, slow, unfriendly service -- why bother?”
  13. “The wait staff is rude and bumbling and dirty.”
  14. “The food is fantasic and the employese are friendly and not lazy.”
  15. “The service is attentive and friendly too.”
  16. “The host was friendly and very accommodating with out SUV sized baby carriage.”
  17. “If you like a relaxed brunch where the alcohol flows and the service is friendly, check Apartment 138.”
  18. “The server was very warm and attentive.”
value
90.0% positive
  1. “The food is pretty good, the portions aren't huge, but that's a plus, bc I always feel satisfied but not stuffed.”
  2. “Quality food reasonable prices.”
  3. “The menu is affordable, the cocktails are wonderful and the food is outrageous.”
  4. “Take your money elsewhere for good food and they'll probably serve you faster, too!”
  5. “Food was great and the group deals are very reasonable.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “Service can be a bit slow.”
  2. “Their service is slow, but in that laid-back way, so I don't mind as long as I'm not in a rush.”
  3. “Baddish food, slow, unfriendly service -- why bother?”
  4. “The huevos rancheros was less than mediocre - the tortillas tasted & had the consistency of card board, the crab burger was greasy & tasteless, the veggie burger tasted old & as if it sat out for too long.”
  5. “The waiter finally came by after the first half hour to apologize for the slow service, but never offered a drink, dessert, or anything to make us feel like they actually cared we had to wait so long.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/02/10

Better service at McDonalds

by ali_5818 at Citysearch

Went here for an early brunch on Sunday with a party of 6. There were no other diners in the restaurant. We sat down and ordered our food and 20 mins later one of our plates arrived - a salad. 20 more minutes go by and the rest of our food comes out one by one. We had asked the ditzy waitress why the salad was served so early and were given a "oops. Oh well" response and a "you have a party of 6 so it will take a while". Um, hello? There is NO ONE else in this joint! We should have left then.

Our food arrives and my Eggs Benedict was so cold, it might have been placed in the fridge while the rest of the food was cooking. The hollandaise was so cold it clumped. The potatoes were cold in the center. The waitress did not once come back to the table to ask if everything was OK. She didn't even serve the meal. It took everything in me not to have stood up and bring my plate to her. When she finally did walk by (for another table) I had her come by and told her to take my plate away that it was cold and I wasn't about to eat it. She said, "oh. I wish you would have said something before...we could have heated it up for you..." I ended up eating just the eggs and told the waitress to take the rest of it all away because it was inedible. She took my plate, scoffed and laughed her way to the garbage. Which is where the entire meal should have been placed in the first place. If they were too busy to serve a party of 6 (when the place is empty) then the should have let us know. This was the biggest waste of my time and money on brunch.

If I could rate this place 0 stars, I would.

  • Pros: nice decor
  • Cons: horrible snot-nosed waitresses
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/14/09

Consistantly good quality

by Scamperz at Citysearch

Oh the applewood bacon. Steaks and seafood cant be beat. Called american comfort food. We keep returning. Quality food reasonable prices. Good service. Bring a date or just girls night out. They have some pool tables and game room in the basement. But i go for the salmon & risotto.

You will love it too~ But shhhh, dont tell too many people or you wont be able to get anymore. Its small.

They also own CEBU in bay ridge and CABIN a bar also on smith street. B+

  • Pros: Can count on a good meal
  • Cons: Can be noisy & too dark to read menu
1 Star Rating: Poor

12/18/08

NO SHOW HERE! ATTENTION ARTISTS AND FRIENDS OF ARTISTS...pls pass along

by 2cute4Ewe at Citysearch

Unfortunately the owners of this restaurant are unprofessional handling any kind of artwork. Please do not show your art here. Art has been STOLEN and VANDELIZED and the owners cry poverty when any type of reimbursements were asked for. We were treated poorly when it was our art on the walls and brought in many many customers for the restaurant to thrive from during the course of the showing and after. Extremely disappointing. This is posted by artists that currently have shows throughout NYC at other restaurants and galleries, and this place was the WORST. Artists please consider forewarned, and good luck.

  • Cons: STOLEN AND VANDELIZED ART
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/20/08

Best Food

by educatinlopez at Citysearch

Im never disapointed, when coming there really is like being at home. The enviorment is cozy and kind. I enjoy the friendly staff and delious food. I recomend the Chicken Sandwitch and Chocolate Oreo Moose because its to die for. I say you want a night out and a relaxing meal, come here.

  • Pros: Game Room
  • Cons: Crowed Weekends
4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/31/08

Delicious eats, good wine

by sfrucht02 at Citysearch

I've never been disappointed by this place. The food is always good, definitely order some wine, and the ambiance is lovely both inside and outside. I recommend the steak panini sandwich---it will leave an impression. The service could be better, sometimes you'll have to flag your waiter down just to get his attention or you'll find out too late that the chef never prepared your order...they make mistakes, but in the end they'll make up for it (i.e. free food). I keep coming back, even with all there is to chose from on Smith Street.

The Details on Apartment 138

Place Categories:

  • great delious food
  • great place
  • enjoy friendly staff
  • friendly service
  • great spot
  • cozy enviorment
  • amazing cocktails
  • attentive server
  • like relaxed brunch
  • good wine
  • favorite brooklyn restaurant
  • not lazy employese
  • amazing vodka lemonade
  • rude wait staff
  • recommend steak panini sandwich
  • great watercress salad
  • friendly vibe
  • loved exposed brick
  • beautiful bright room
  • great dining
  • mediocre huevos rancheros
  • amazing dessert
  • slow unfriendly service
  • decent meal
  • excellent burger

As Seen In…

Best of Citysearch

New York

Advertisement

Lists In Brooklyn

Recent Reviews In Brooklyn

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Franklin Park

618 St. John's Pl, Brooklyn, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Union Pool

484 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Sugarland

221 N 9th St, Brooklyn, NY

3 Star Rating: Average

Boogaloo

168 Marcy Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Advertisement