Franklin Park

- 766 Franklin Avenue, 618 St Johns Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Welcome to Franklin Park, a beloved neighborhood staple and premier beer garden nestled in the heart of Brooklyn's vibrant Crown Heights. More than just a bar, Franklin Park is a dynamic social hub that seamlessly blends a relaxed, communal beer garden atmosphere with the spirited energy of a late-night social venue. Since opening its doors, it has cemented its reputation as a go-to destination for locals and New Yorkers across the boroughs seeking a welcoming spot for great food, excellent drinks, and a packed calendar of engaging events.

At Franklin Park, the focus is on creating an inclusive and fun environment, whether you're catching up with friends, enjoying a casual date night, or looking for a lively spot to spend your weekend. The establishment's unique charm comes from its spacious setting—including a huge and beautiful outdoor patio—which provides an ideal backdrop for enjoying a drink al fresco almost year-round. This venue perfectly captures the casual, cozy, and trendy vibe that defines the best of Brooklyn nightlife and social dining.

The culinary offerings are another major draw, thanks to a close partnership with the renowned local burger joint, Dutch Boy Burger. This collaboration ensures that patrons can indulge in high-quality, juicy smash burgers and classic American comfort food right at the bar, solidifying Franklin Park's status as a top spot for lunch, dinner, and late-night cravings. From its extensive craft beer list to its signature weekly events like trivia and reading series, Franklin Park offers a complete, quintessential Brooklyn experience that keeps people coming back for more.

Location and Accessibility

Franklin Park is conveniently situated in the sought-after Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Its precise location is at 766 Franklin Avenue, with an alternate entrance noted at 618 St Johns Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238. This central address makes it highly accessible for residents of Crown Heights and surrounding areas, including Prospect Heights.

For New Yorkers relying on public transit, the location is generally considered easy to reach, being close to major subway lines, ensuring a quick and safe journey home after an evening out. For those driving, there is free street parking available in the vicinity, a notable perk in a bustling borough like Brooklyn. The venue prides itself on being fully accessible, offering a welcoming experience for all patrons with:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
• Wheelchair Accessible Seating
• Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot (where applicable for public street access)

The establishment’s large outdoor space, which functions as its famous beer garden, is particularly easy to navigate and is a major highlight, especially during the warmer months, though it often features coverings and heaters to make it usable in cooler weather.

Food and Drink Offerings

Franklin Park offers a diverse menu of delicious comfort food, served in partnership with Dutch Boy Burger, alongside an extensive and thoughtfully curated drink selection.

Popular Food Items Include:

• The Classic Burger: A staple smash burger served with fresh fixings.
• The Dutch Boy Burger: A signature smashed burger featuring delicious toppings like caramelized onions and house sauce (based on the connected Dutch Boy Burger menu).
• Chicken Wings: Classic wings in choice of Buffalo or Citrus BBQ sauce.
• Crispy Chicken Sandwich: A satisfying sandwich option for non-burger fans.
• Impossible Burger / Veggie Burger: Excellent, highly-rated vegetarian and vegan burger alternatives served on a vegan pretzel bun.
• Peri Peri Cauliflower / Veggie "Chicken" Nuggets: Creative and popular vegetarian small plates.
• Fries & Sides: An array of sides including Classic Fries, Waffle Fries, Onion Rings, and the indulgent Parmesan Garlic & Herb Fries.

Drink Offerings:

• Great Beer Selection: A rotating draft list featuring a wide variety of craft and local beers, including pilsners, IPAs, gose, and stouts. The beer garden is known for offering affordable pints and a fantastic draft list.
• Cocktails and Hard Liquor: A full bar serving a wide array of spirits and well-made cocktails.
• Wine: Selection of red, white, and sparkling wines.
• Milkshakes: Both dairy and non-dairy shakes are available, offering a sweet treat.
• Non-Alcoholic Options: Including specialty mocktails, soda, and coffee.

Services Offered

Franklin Park is committed to providing a full-service experience tailored to modern New York life, offering a variety of essential services and dining options to meet every need:

• Outdoor Seating: The venue's most famous feature—a large, dog-friendly outdoor beer garden and patio with communal tables, often covered and heated for year-round use.
• Dine-in Service: Casual, cozy, and trendy indoor seating is available for full meals and drinks.
• Delivery and Takeout: Convenient options for enjoying the menu at home or on the go.
• Catering: Services available for larger group events and private gatherings.
• Reservations: The venue accepts reservations, which is recommended for planning events or large group outings, though it is generally a casual, walk-in spot.
• Happy Hour: Features a popular Reverse Happy Hour starting at 10 PM on certain nights, along with other general happy hour drink and food specials.
• Late-Night Food: The kitchen stays open late, perfect for a comfort food fix after a long evening.
• Brunch: Available on weekends, offering dedicated dining options outside of the standard lunch and dinner menu.
• Private Events: The spacious layout, including the outdoor area, makes it a popular choice for hosting events.
• Free Wi-Fi: Available to patrons.
• Gender-Neutral Restroom: Enhancing the venue's inclusive atmosphere.
• NFC Mobile Payments: Accepts modern payment methods for convenience.

Features / Highlights

The multifaceted nature of Franklin Park is what truly sets it apart in the busy New York bar scene. It successfully transitions from a relaxed daytime hang to a lively weekend spot, offering a robust set of features and highlights:

• Spacious Outdoor Beer Garden: The defining feature, providing ample, dog-friendly space for socializing with communal picnic tables. It’s an ideal spot for enjoying a micro-brew al fresco.
• Weekly Trivia Night: A highly popular event held every Wednesday, known for challenging and creative questions that incorporate wordplay and puzzles, attracting a strong base of regulars.
• Franklin Park Reading Series: A unique literary event held on the 2nd Monday of every month, establishing the bar as a cultural as well as a social mecca.
• Entertainment: The venue features a small arcade game selection (including pinball and air hockey) and hosts live DJs on weekends, which can turn the main bar area into a lively dance floor.
• Sports Viewing: A great spot to catch a game, with large TV screens and occasional specials tied to sporting events (like Monday Night Football viewing parties).
• Inclusivity and Atmosphere: Known for its welcoming and inclusive crowd, including being LGBTQ+ friendly, family-friendly, and a transgender safe space. The atmosphere is consistently described as casual, cozy, and upbeat.
• Quality Food Partnership: The connection with Dutch Boy Burger ensures consistently delicious, smash-style burgers made with beef locally sourced from Paisanos Butcher Shop, catering to both meat-eaters and those seeking vegetarian/vegan options like the Impossible Burger.
• Dog Friendly: Dogs are explicitly welcome, especially in the outdoor seating area, often with staff providing water and amenities for furry companions.

What is Worth Choosing at Franklin Park

For any New Yorker seeking an authentic and enjoyable social spot in Brooklyn, Franklin Park offers an unmatched combination of amenities and atmosphere. It’s the perfect choice for several reasons.

First and foremost, the Beer Garden Experience is the star attraction. Finding a genuinely spacious, high-quality outdoor venue in NYC is a treasure, and Franklin Park delivers a true communal, festive vibe, whether you're there for a crisp IPA or a celebratory cocktail. This space is a Brooklyn icon, often cited as one of the best beer gardens in the area.

Secondly, the food is far beyond typical "bar food." The critically-acclaimed smash burgers from the Dutch Boy Burger partnership ensure that every meal, from the Classic Smash Burger to the indulgent Hangover Burger with bacon and a fried egg, is a satisfying, high-quality experience. The commitment to catering to all dietary needs with excellent vegan and vegetarian options, like the Impossible Burger and Peri Peri Cauliflower, is another major selling point.

Finally, the programmed events—especially the legendary Wednesday Night Trivia and the cultural Franklin Park Reading Series—provide regular, stimulating reasons to visit, fostering a genuine sense of community. The atmosphere successfully balances a casual neighborhood hang with the option to enjoy a more energetic, party-like setting on weekend nights, making it versatile for any occasion. Whether you’re a Crown Heights local, a group looking for a fun night out, a dog owner, or a trivia enthusiast, Franklin Park promises a vibrant, friendly, and memorable New York experience.

Contact Information

Address: 766 Franklin Avenue, 618 St Johns Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA

Phone: (718) 230-0293

Franklin Park

766 Franklin Avenue, 618 St Johns Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA