OPENING A BAR on the corner of 16th Street and Prospect Park West, right by the Pavilion Movie Theater and Prospect Park, proved one of the smartest things boozy businessmen Jeff Switzer and Greg Curley could have done. Almost as soon as they opened the doors to Double Windsor in early September, the neighbors, long accustomed to hoofing to Seventh Avenue for some hooch, came running. On a recent Saturday evening, the large horseshoe-shaped bar packed locals in—they were easy to identify, especially those with babies in tow.
Sipping brews from the bar’s list of over 24 draft and bottled beers, most costing $5 to $7, the vibe felt relaxed, like the bar was someplace to spend an autumn afternoon. I ordered a pint of Avery Ellie’s Brown Ale ($5), a dark, nutty beverage hailing from my home state of Colorado. Settling back on a stool by the large, open windows facing the street, I reveled in the delicious drink in my hand and the cool breeze on my skin.
For Curley, who runs the Cake Shop in Manhattan but is now often found near his house at the new Brooklyn joint, good beer was the main reason to open the bar.That, and to create a friendly, open atmosphere in the neighborhood.This is easily done with Double Windsor’s wooden community tables and wraparound bar, both of which lend themselves to easy conversation. Even better, said Switzer, soon the bar will serve food by Paul Cacici, formerly the chef at Williamsburg’s Egg, where waiting in line for brunch is a neighborhood pastime.
For my next drink, I tried a smooth Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale ($7), a seasonal beer from one of my favorite breweries that tasted like liquid pumpkin pie. After my second pint, I took a break to see a movie at the nearby cinema. Upon returning, my friend mentioned the cop-and-fireman bar across the street. Farrell’s is catty-corner to Double Windsor and has been in the neighborhood since 1933. Rumor had it the folks over there were pissed about Double Windsor opening,understandable since they lacked competition until now.We decided to duck in and see what the noise was all about.
Right away it was obvious the folks in Double Windsor were not the same customers that frequented this Windsor Terrace staple.To begin with, the only beers on tap were Bud and Bud Light, which were available in sizes ranging from a 5- ounce glass to a 32-ounce Styrofoam cup. There was also a lack of seating and bright overhead lights that made it hard to ignore the dozens of large men with shaved heads lining the bar.True, a Farrell’s-type night does exist, but for a true beer snob feeling parched on Brooklyn’s Gold Coast, Double Windsor is a much nicer option. I slammed my canned Guinness ($5) and scurried back over to Double Windsor’s comforting low light and dark wood paneling. Repressing the urge to punch the pretentious, plaid clad bartender who stared at me, sipping his beer while I obviously waited and then quickly walked away after short-changing me. I took my savory Atwater Vanilla Java Porter ($5), grabbed a seat at one of the low tables, and I drowned in the noise of a Saturday night–quickly forgetting about anything but the brew in hand and what I might try next.
> Double Windsor
210 Prospect Park West, at 16th St., Brooklyn 347-725-3479
