Abilene

Great Neighborhood Hangout. My boyfriend and I go to Abilene at least a couple of times a week. Their Happy Hour is a great deal, and they have the best chicken fingers in town (no joke!). Their outdoor tables, if you're lucky enough to snag one, make for excellent people-watching. The bartenders, though somewhat aloof, are friendly enough. Avoid the place like the plague on weekend nights -- the crowd gets inexplicably young & loud (think Brooklyn Social). The only negative for me is that they absolutely refuse to do buybacks. Ever. We've been going to Abilene regularly for one and a half years (the bartenders even recognize us), but we've had one buyback between us. A little strange, and not particularly good PR. My favorite bar in the neighborhood is Mini Bar, just down the road -- bartenders are lovely & vibe is intimate.…

Crowd shifts through the week. As Carroll Gardens has added a significant portion of older yuppies and younger new-to-bars drinkers, some of them have migrated here. That means I generally stay away from the crowds on Friday and Saturday nights, but weeknights and weekend afternoons are still enjoyable, and all the bartenders are super friendly.…