Need a nice bar for 15-20 people

[MrsT]

Husband's birthday is next week. I need a nice place that can accomodate 15-20 people

1) in Brooklyn
2) nice wine and beer selections
3) not too noisy
4) not The Gate

[MrsT]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

[Pupster]

What about Tini, the new wine bar in Red Hook? They have small plates and a number of wines by the glass. It's not big, so you would probably have to take over for your time. Here is a recent CH review: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

Also know that they are next door to LaNell's, which is a great liquor store with the best bourbon selection in town. Just in case some of your guests are interested.

[redherring]

Tini would be great for a special occasion like a birthday for a group of people who like interesting wines. The atmosphere is quiet and it has both indoor and outdoor (sidewalk) seating. The food is very good too, but I don't know about its beer selection.

[erikka]

Tini is notorious for being VERY expensive--I imagine it'd cost a lot to take a large group there.

What's Tost (the place on 7th somewhere in the low teens) like?

[dippedberry]

What do you mean, notorious? They just opened a few weeks ago! Are you speaking from experience or just what you've heard?

[erikka]

Based on opinion of two other boards, several friends and almost first-hand opinion (looked at menu and figured 360 prix would be cheaper). Given the neighborhood demographics and the fact that there's cheaper/nicer places nearby it's a little pricier than I'm willing to go.

[redherring]

I think it is expensive, and I probably wrote one of the reviews on the other board that erikka read. But I also think it's nice and would be good for a special occasion.

[MrsT]

Ideally we are looking for a weekend, but we may have to make due with middle of the week. Al Di La Vin is on the short list, and I'm not too fond of Long Tan. I was also thinking of Total Wine Bar.

[erikka]

I'm not fond of thier food, I was referring to the backyard since you said you were only having drinks.

[erikka]

Union Hall on Union/5th? Long Tan has a little garden/back area that can be used for parties (have no idea what their wine list looks like).

[Nehna]

I second the Sample suggestion. It's not huge but with their renovation they have a nicely organized table area in the back that could just about work for 15 - 20. The owner, Maio, is a very nice woman and you might want to warn her in advance of such a big group and see what arrangements she could make.

There's also a new bar at the corner of Dean/Court, forget the name, that has a great bear selection (obscure bottled beers, etc). Not sure on their wine selection.

[chow_gal]

The place on Dean/Court (is that the old Cousins?) would not be good as it is a loud, neighborhood Sports Bar. Pub menu. Certainly large selection of beer though. Downtown Grill I think it is called.

Sample is a good idea. Maybe you could take over Mini-bar, the place across the street from Frankie's Spuntino. Oh wait, no food there. I believe you can bring in.

[bhill]

Is the event on a weekday or weekend? I can't think of too many quiet "nice" bars on your typical brooklyn weekend. I think Sample on Smith St. may be the closest to what you're looking for. Wine, beer, mellow, some nice snacks and usually not crowded. Also, maybe Brooklyn Social or the wine bar at Al Di La?

Good luck.