tavern on dean should be closed

I really like ToD. it's a solid, go-to place for pub food as well as oysters on the half shell at 2 a.m. (seriously, that's f'in awesome). it's pretty loud in that front room, though not, from my experience, because of rowdiness. rather, it's generally just damned loud from music volume. I like to sit in the side room where the art shows are if I'm trying to have a conversation with a group of people - that generally works very well.

also, the bar is one of the more unfriendly in terms of patrons I've experienced in PH. I'm single and have zero qualms about heading out with a book for dinner and some drinks alone. I've hung out, alone, not waiting for anyone to join me, at every single bar in this neighborhood, generally either ordering food or bringing takeout if the place has no food, and reading my book. in every single place I've made friends except at ToD. the patrons at that bar just ... ignored me. which, frankly, is fine. but it's unfriendly when compared to every other joint in the area. but, again, not a complaint.

I've met Mick via some barkeeps from Soda and (the long defunct) Half a few times and he's a really nice guy. if I did have a problem at ToD I'd definitely tell him about it. I think his post can be chalked up to inexperience with the internets as well as the boss protecting his employees. not saying anyone is wrong or right, just ... sayin'.

The only bartender I recently clashed with on the east coast is some young ass who works at Hugs in Williamsburgh. For no good reason, this flamboyant jerk made fun of an elderly patron, who had ordered a drink. Apparently the patron was not hip enough to drink at this bar. Any bartender who ridicules harmless paying patrons should be fired.

Subject: Lower Your Expectations and Sing!

bill c wrote: the proper place for bad loud singing is Freddy's karaoke/ ham giveaway nite. although i was in o'connor's once where there was some loud bad singing in a non-karaoke setting.

Are you talking about OC's infamous Cone-eoke Night, when patrons sing loudly into a traffic cone? Our night is similar and just as stupid, but we give away a canned ham and DVDs.

Interesting posts about Tavern on Dean. I actually like the place and used to frequent there on a consistent basis when it was called "Dean Street Cafe". Since it has changed to Tavern on Dean I have been there a couple of times and not had a bad experience. I wouldn't acutally consider it a bar though, especially not one where I would break out into song. It's more like a small restaurant with a bar. I also like the fact that it caters to an older crowd. The bar patrons are not the most friendly in the world but I don't go there to hold conversations with people that I don't know. If it happens, cool but not what I am looking for. The staff that work there are friendly and welcoming. More of an old time atmosphere to me, not too pretentious, just a nice, comfortable environment. Whenever I go there, I always think that the owners roots are probably from North Carolina and that makes it a little special too me since my roots are from that state also. Anyway, not looking for it too close as it is a nice bar to go to when I don't want to hang out in the city.

Subject: Re: tavern on dean should be closed

supersilent wrote: i'm very disapointed at tavern on dean.
it's a friday night and i went there with friends, and we ordered a few beers, and enjoyed our time, singing a silly song, and the bartender seemed slightly aggro at this fun loving action. he threatened us and pushed my female friend, then said it was a "grown up" bar, even though i'm over 30.

it's a bar, on a friday night, people have fun. when you go to an irish bar and sing songs, it's normal protocol. when you go to tavern on dean, and sing a silly song, the bartender gets annoyed and says it's his bar and threatens to kick you out.

it was really ironic because to me, tavern on dean has always represented an older more free side of new york/brooklyn and it was so disappointing to see what a dreadful thing it is that the victimization the bartender feels became agressively acted out on his own patrons, although we're not his enemy and have lived in new york all our lives.
this instance is an example of the dreadful repercussions of an aggressive zoning and gentrification process which situates the bar owner in direct opposition to the very people who are actually are/were on his side.
i'm glad to see it close
the day that singing in a brooklyn bar on a friday night becomes offensive is a sad sad day for the borough.
no thank you, gehry is enough heartache.

Beware of being a grownup.

It has no real future and even less fun.

H