At Beast of Bourbon in Bed Stuy, a world-altering selection of bourbons, whiskeys, and ryes is just the beginning of this veritable adults-only amusement park

By Derek de Koff • photos by Jon Gordon

One night in September of 2013, it crept upon a wholly unaware Brooklyn neighborhood, making its lair a remote cement building. And suddenly, Bed-Stuy became boozier—and a lot bourbonier.

But don’t let that steely, industrial exterior put you off; though it looks like it could be a disused auto-part warehouse, that’s just to frighten away the riffraff. Beast of Bourbon is in fact an unusually spacious sprawl with two separate bar areas, a wide swath of tables, and walls stamped liberally with band stickers and rock posters.

Upstairs, at the top of a slender staircase, you can play at an overcrowded pool table while staring imperiously down at the revelers below. A jukebox and flurry of televisions—along with an unyielding stampede of thirsty night crawlers—make sure the place is nearly always blaring, even when the live acts are setting up. It’s a raucous, roomy place that makes you want to stomp around, possibly on bar-tops (don’t), and it does everything in its power to appeal to your taste for the smoky, savory, and slightly nutty side of life.

Beast of Bourbon certainly lives up to its slogan (“BBQ, Beer + Rock N’ Roll”), and the last word in the name is no misnomer. With well over 200 bourbons, whiskeys, and ryes to choose from, everything from a Ransom Whipper Snapper to a Prichard’s Tennessee Single Malt or Filibuster Be Heard Dual Cask is ripe for the sipping here. Come, kick off your boots (don’t) and cradle a glass of Old Grand Dad or New Holland Brewers close to your breast, loudly invoking the distinct notes of toasted oak and tobacco leaf, even as your arsenal of adjectives get increasingly slurry. (Not to worry: the searingly spicy Angry Mac n’ Cheese will jerk you back into consciousness in no time.)

Whether you’re ceremoniously going down the forty-plus beers on tap or taking full advantage of two-for-one happy hour specials, it’d be unwise to dive into these exploits on an empty stomach. Fortunately, BoB puts all the ingredients of a good old-fashioned Texas-style chow down at your beck and call. Frito pies, nachos, and hyper-smoked wings await. Want a PBR to go with your PBR? The Pulled Pork, Bacon, and Relish sandwich is calling out your name, so take heed. Feast meets West with BBQ staples like Chili and Cornbread, Brisket and Half Rack Ribs, and the joint’s own twisted take on PB&J (in this case, Brisket, Pork Belly & Jalapenos).

If you’re anything like us, you’ll pillage one of their heaping platters: The Mix tape, our personal recommendation, gives you three ribs, two choices of meat, and two “small” sides for $30. (You’ll be full after the first $10.) As you drink and dine, a revolving roster of live acts jangle in and out, regaling the crowd with bluesy rock n’ roll, folk jams, soul, and rootsy Americana.

“Someone who has never been to Beast of Bourbon should know that we offer an entire night out,” explained general manager and partner James Lemieux. “You can have a great dinner, a craft cocktail, a beautiful expression of whiskey, listen to great live music and DJs, play some pool and skee ball, capture a moment in the photo booth, watch your favorite team or relax in the low key Flying V [the smaller front bar].”

Lemieux added that one does not need be well versed in whiskey to take part, either. “Yup, our list can be quite intimidating,” he said, “but we love to guide people and have fun with it. A nightmare customer to me is someone who is not willing to think outside of the box and try new things.”

Beast of Bourbon
710 Myrtle Avenue / 347.789.9901 / beastofbourbonbk.com