First Look: The Graham, Pouring Cheap Beers in Williamsburg

By Linnea Covington

Finally, the folks behind the popular beer bars 4th Avenue Pub, Washington Commons and Fulton Grand Bar have opened up a spot in Williamsburg - and so far, the neighborhood doesn't appear to know that this development is good news.

At least, that’s how it felt when we hit up the dark, vintage-rustic looking space last Friday for their glorious happy hour, which constitutes $2 off anything until 8 PM. At the other bars in the family, this time of day is usually hopping (heh) with beer geeks, but at The Graham, it remained quite the whole time we were there. Not that this means the quality is any less. Like the other bars, this one sports 16 taps gushing with craft beers including Kasteel Rouge Sour Ale, Left Hand Polestar Pilsner and Cisco The Grey Late Witbier. They have a full bar that specializes in bourbon and whiskey, and for the most part, you can get a decent cocktail.

They have large front room with 20 bar stools and enough cozy two-person booths along the exposed brick wall. Vintage wallpaper warmly glows under the low-lit lights and antique mirrors grace the thick, wooden bar. There is something comfortable and sturdy about the space, and in winter it will be a great place to hibernate. Starting mid-September, it will also be a good spot to dance when they start hosting DJs in the back room, which doubles the size of the bar. Come October, they plan on serving light bites like dips, bread, cheese plates and charcuterie.

Aside from the more solid food options (4th Avenue Pub offers popcorn), another thing The Graham has that its sister bars don’t is hipsters, at least they did on the night we checked it out. A special shout out goes to our hipster bartender - we opted for a bottle of Hitachino White Ale, which she dished out with signature too-cool-for-school service. But hey, it’s Williamsburg - and with those prices, we don’t mind a little attitude.

151 Meserole Street, Brooklyn; 718-388-4682