It’s no secret that NYC burgers have become a bit of a luxury item. Foodie culture and “chef-driven” menus have made $20+ burgers the rule rather than the exception. But there’s no need to despair; the budget-conscious among us can still find some awesome burger-related deals if we know where to look. Fortunately for us North Brooklynites, our neighborhood’s got plenty of specials that include both the burger and its natural partner: a cold, crisp beer. Behold, the Top Burger And Beer Deals of Greenpoint (and sure, North Williamsburg too):
Threes At Franklin + Kent | 113 Franklin St (at Kent)
Although we still miss Franklin Street’s dearly-departed Cassette, we have to say: Threes Brewing is killing it at the pop-up game. Their open-ended residency in the space, Threes at Franklin + Kent, is the ideal spot to meet up with friends and grab a bite and a high-quality brew, and while they started their run with a snack-only food menu, they’ve since expanded into sandwich and burger territory. Their partnership with Purslane Catering lets them serve up substantial dishes that pair beautifully with their draft offerings, and they’ve built some very appealing deals into the menu. Our personal favorite has to be the Burgers + Beer Special ($12), available Monday-Friday from 5-7pm. You’ll get a grilled beef burger with Fontina cheese and caramelized onions on a Sullivan Street Bakery brioche bun, plus a side of smashed potatoes and an 11 oz pour of a Threes draft beer. Because it’s a pop-up, we know that Threes At Franklin + Kent may one day vanish as magically and suddenly as it appeared…but with a happy hour situation like that, we’re keeping our fingers and toes crossed for a long stay.
Brooklyn Lantern at the Box House Hotel | 77 Box St
When we’re talking about the burger-and-beer deal, it makes sense to think of dive bars and salt-of-the-earth neighborhood joints. And in Greenpoint, we’re lucky enough to have a fine array of these establishments to choose from. But there’s something undeniably appealing (and almost hedonistic, let’s be real) about a relatively-cheap burger combo special at a luxe restaurant located inside a fancy-ass hotel. And that’s exactly what you’ll get at Brooklyn Lantern, the adorable all-day restaurant with a very Euro vibe located inside the Box House Hotel. This place has picture windows overlooking Manhattan Ave, cozy cafe tables, and a solid new American menu to satisfy just about any craving. The prices aren’t especially low, but they do have some really legit deals, like their Burger & Beer Special ($20). Available on Wednesdays from 8am to 11pm, the special includes an 8-oz grass-fed beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, and your choice of cheese, all loaded on a brioche bun and served with Parmesan truffle fries. Plus, they’ll throw in a draft beer (as of this writing, the choices included Blue Point Toasted Lager, Lagunitas IPA, Ommegang Witte, Sixpoint Jammer, and Krombacher Pilsner). Considering that most hotel restaurants expect you to shell out at least $20 for a burger sans accoutrements, this is a rare find. Your Wednesday marching orders: right here.
Barley | 1025 Manhattan Ave
On the northern end of Manhattan Ave, you’ll find Barley, a classic and comforting American tavern. There’s nothing too trendy or cutesy or hipstery about this spot; instead, you’ll find a well-appointed beer list, flat-screen TVs, and a kitchen that could definitely get away with mediocre wings and fries, but refuses to take the easy way out. Their menu offers creative twists on pub standards, including some truly impressive burger options (the Whiskey Burger, with cheddar, bacon, and fried shallots, is this writer’s personal preference). Fortunately, they’re also getting into the burger + beer combo game with a lunch-only special available Monday-Friday from 11am-4pm. For just $10, you’ll get an 8-oz Classic Beef Burger (with lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles), a side of fries or a salad, and your choice of a Genessee Cream Ale or a Miller High Life. Not doing the red-meat thing? They’ll swap in a chicken or veggie burger at no additional cost. If you wanna get fancier, you can upgrade to a Whiskey Burger for an extra $3.50. If you’re lucky enough to spend your weekday afternoons in Greenpoint (oh hey, work-from-home freelancers!), this is the deal for you.
The Brew Inn | 924 Manhattan Ave
Another Manhattan Ave pub with bar TVs and dark-wood paneling, The Brew Inn lives up to its name with a top-notch draft list that changes it up on the regular. They focus on seasonality, small brewers, and a friendly neighborhood vibe. Plus, they’ve got excellent snack and sandwich options to soak up the booze. If you swing by during happy hour (4-7pm daily), you can snag your choice of burger- The Brew Burger (medium-rare beef patty, Swiss cheese, tomato jam, mayo, caramelized onions and arugula on a brioche bun) or the All Good Things Burger (medium-rare beef patty, pepper jack cheese, bacon, arugula, Buffalo sauce and bleu cheese dressing on a brioche bun) and a Budget Brew (either PBR or Narragansett) for just $15. You know what to do.
Midnights | 149 N. 6th St (between Bedford and Berry)
Okay, we know: North 6th Street isn’t in Greenpoint. But it IS North Williamsburg, and there’s an awesome burger-and-beer special there, so we’re gonna let it go. The aforementioned special can be found at Midnights, a seasonal American restaurant, craft cocktail bar, and home to one of North Brooklyn’s finest backyard-dining spaces (Seriously. It looks like a magical island paradise out of a late-career Beach Boys song back there). On Mondays-Fridays from 4:30-7pm, they’ll give you a Pat LaFrieda burger with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and Russian dressing and your choice of any draft beer or cider for $15. But they’re not done yet; included in the price, Midnights will also throw in a shot of any well liquor. Gotta admit, we like that spirit of one-upmanship.
Lobster Joint | 1073 Manhattan Ave
Let’s get this out of the way: the happy hour deal at Lobster Joint doesn’t include burgers (at least, not the beef/veggie-patty-on-a-bun-with-toppings version). But Lobster Joint is a destination for fresh and seasonal seafood-shack fare, and their happy hour deal DOES have seafood sliders (which are in the burger family) so there you go. On Mondays-Fridays, Lobster Joint does double-duty with their happy hours, offering both an early-evening one (from 4-7pm) and a late-night version (from 10pm-12am). During both of these times, they’ll set you up with a slider (your choice of fried shrimp, crab cake, or lobster) on a Hawaiian sweet roll with coleslaw and tartar sauce for just $5. Another fiver will get you your choice of draft beer to go along with it. We recommend staking out a backyard table and enjoying a summery lobster slider and a crisp pilsner while we’ve still got a few 75-degree days on the forecast.
You missed my favorite, Keg And Lantern!