Greenpoint Heights, Onyx
The first time I entered the newly-managed Onyx on Morgan & Nassau in Greenpoint, I heard one of the barkeeps refer to the neighborhood as Greenpoint Heights. I thought this rather fine, since the term North Brooklyn includes northern portions of Williamsburg, and we up here surrounded by Newtown Creek on two sides, the BQE to the south and the treacherous McGuinness Avenue to the west, we are in our own special paradise so many dozens of blocks from the trains. Out here where “Greenpoint” does not mean the Nassau & Greenpoint stops on the G – or only by proxy. (Someone on Yelp referred to the area as Greenpoint SewTrePla – meaning the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, which moniker is less than wonderful.)
When we (me and my various roommates) moved to Greenpoint in 2004, we came from 156th Street in Washington Heights – and our neighborhood bar was on 80th. In Greenpoint we found a fine bar at the end of the block, at Nassau and Morgan avenues: Lyric Lounge. We patronized the place as often as our pockets allowed, but it closed within the year anyway. We were forced to Twisted, and after their demise, to Boulevard, an outpost of a watering hole beneath the crashing rushes of the BQE on Meeker Avenue.
When Lyric Lounge reopened, it was 2006, and it was called Onyx. Instead of rock and roll and some dart-boards, it was a techno-playing Polish-oriented club. And it was an appropriate place for such an establishment, really.
In early 2010 Onyx closed. In Spring 2011 it reopened under the same name (why?) but new management. Back came the rock n roll (whole albums, even) and a place to sit outside with a drink and smoke.
The menu is surprisingly good – surprising I guess because of the ruggedness of the environs. (Boulevard’s menu, in contrast, is culled from a grill crammed into a corner in the back outside-area of the place.) Friends and I have tried Onyx’s grass-fed burgers, chicken sandwiches, mac n cheese, etc. Beers, wines, liquors. No complaints.
Given that the place is the only bar in the area (not including Connie O’s), that they have a backyard, that their happy hour includes $2 High Life, and that the burgers don’t make me feel funky, I will go here as often as they stay open.
And if we’re going to be particular enough to adopt a new handle, please, let’s go with Greenpoint Heights. Not Greenpoint SewTrePla. The mush of its pronunciation is horrible reason enough.
Update by Justine 8.9.11: I knew I spotted that Greenpoint Heights term used before – back in 2007 on Curbed someone used it and since then it pops up on the blogs every so often.
I don’t mean to be offensive, but it’s obvious you’re not from Greenpoint and probably not even from New York City. We don’t need new names for smaller portions of our neighborhoods, thank you. Neighborhood names have historical reference. Today’s names are for gentrification and real estate purposes. I lived in that area you propopse calling “Greenpoint Heights”, what is it the Heights of. Come on, now. Haydee
For the past two years, I’ve lived two blocks from this place and have yet to check it out. I just may have to now. And Greenpoint Heights? I dig it. It’s hard to identify this section of Greenpoint unless you say, “near McGlorick park,” and half the people you say that to think you’re saying McCarren Park or have no idea where McGlorick is anyway. It’s nice to be in a more secluded section of GPT though.
I live a block from Onyx, and have been cheerfully calling the area the “dirty elbow of Greenpoint” (it’s not exactly the “ass end,” right? So, dirty elbow).
I hope Onyx gets enough business to stay open but not enough to get crowded. Though I’m bummed that no one else took advantage of the $5 22-ounce bottles of delicious Full Sail ale, and now they don’t carry it anymore. Sad.
I agree with Haydee. If you live in 11222, it’s Greenpoint. Williamsburg is 11211, and it’s divided into the Northside and Southside — none of this “East Williamsburg” BS.
I also don’t mean to be offensive, but the writer of this article is not the one who coined “Greenpoint Heights” – refer to the first sentence. Does it matter if they are from Greenpoint or, gasp, NYC at all? Call the neighborhood what you will, Onyx is a great addition and the crux of the post.
So, let’s focus on the bar, shall we? The bar is GREAT! Cozy space, friendly, laid back vibe and an outdoor space to boot. The food is excellent – best mac and cheese I’ve had in a long while and the plantain taco option (PLANTAINS!!) is an inventive offer for those of us who don’t eat meat. The drink options are good – a variety of beers, plenty of fixin’s for decent cocktails and the above mentioned high life happy hour special.
Get over yourself and get to Onyx!!
I agree that the Greenpoint Heights was probably coined from some Real Estate broker. That’s been happening for years, ever since Graham Avenue was considered Italian Greenpoint. But once Williamsburg became synonymous with higher rents inside of prostitutes, Graham Ave officially became Williamsburg.
I also think that the area above McGuinness (or below? I always get that confused) is far from the Nassau G and has an out-of-the-way charm about it. Thing is, most people who grew up over there, grew up with cars. Not many people were hoofing it from Sutton or Apollo to the G train.
I don’t hate the sound of Greenpoint Heights. It’s funny!
Relax everybody! The Greenpoint Heights thing is a joke between a group of friends that live here. Has absolutely nothing to do with real estate and if you ever mentioned it to somebody, they more than likely would have no idea what you’re talking about.
Honestly, it’s the not the first time I heard it so either we have some friends in common or it’s not that original! I’ve also heard McCarren Heights.
I think the reviewer got a little confused or decided to take an idea not meant by the bar ad ran with t. Onyx is planning to rename itself Greenpoint Heights, not the neighborhood. And as far as the yelp commenter who coined “sewtrepla”, they were making an obscure joke to a “How I met your mother episode” where they mock how realtors try to give nicknames to every neighborhood.
I personally feel this area is real greenpoint. Working families, living their lives. Greenpoint Heights has awesome food, super friendly owners & as long as they don’t cause my rent to go up I’m happy to have them a block from my house
I agree – I’ve always thought as that part of Greenpoint as “real Greenpoint”, too. I grew up on Humboldt & Nassau and after living the last five years on Franklin & Java, I’d much rather live on that side again. There are still families I know living in the same houses as when I was a child.
BTW – I think the rename of the bar to Greenpoint Heights is great. And I got that whole HIMYM reference, too – not that obscure!
Update by Justine 8.9.11: I knew I spotted that Greenpoint Heights term used before – back in 2007 on Curbed someone used it and since then it pops up on the blogs every so often.