Pete's Candy Store

- 709 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Introduction / Overview: The Quintessential Brooklyn Bar Experience

For New Yorkers seeking an authentic, unpretentious, and culturally rich watering hole, **Pete's Candy Store** on Lorimer Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is a long-standing, iconic destination. Operating as both a beloved **Bar** and a premier **Live music venue**, Pete's has been a neighborhood fixture for decades, evolving from its roots as a local luncheonette and—yes—a candy store into the cultural hub it is today. It’s the kind of place that embodies the true spirit of Brooklyn: quirky, intimate, and constantly buzzing with creative energy.

The **Atmosphere** at Pete's is defined by its down-home charm. It is comfortably **Casual**, distinctly **Cozy**, and maintains the kind of low-key cool that keeps it perpetually **Trendy** without feeling forced. Patrons are drawn to the intimate setting, which often features a back room cleverly designed to evoke the interior of an old train car. Unlike many pricey NYC spots, Pete's maintains an ethos of affordability, making it a reliable choice for **Groups** looking for reasonably priced drinks and a genuinely friendly vibe.

The primary draw is the nightly commitment to free, high-quality entertainment. Pete's Candy Store has provided a springboard for countless emerging and established artists across music, comedy, and literature. Its reputation for hosting **Live performances** is unparalleled in the neighborhood, ensuring that there's always something engaging to experience, whether you're a long-time local or just visiting. This successful blend of a casual bar environment with a dedicated performance space ensures that Pete’s is more than just a bar—it’s a dynamic community space.

Location and Accessibility: The Heart of Williamsburg/Greenpoint

Pete's Candy Store is strategically situated at **709 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA**. This prime location places it right on the border of the vibrant Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhoods, making it easily accessible for a large swath of North Brooklyn residents.

The bar's accessibility and convenience are key to its popularity:

• Transit Access: The location is highly convenient for subway riders, being just a short walk from the Lorimer Street L-train stop and the Metropolitan Avenue G-train stop, providing quick connections to Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn.
• Accessibility: Pete's is welcoming to all guests, featuring a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** to the main bar area.
• Parking: For those driving, the availability of **Free street parking** in the area is a notable convenience, a rarity for a popular NYC destination.
• Service Options: While it is primarily a **Dine-in** venue for enjoying the shows and atmosphere, the bar also offers **Takeout** for beverages and food, and includes **Outdoor seating** options, particularly welcome during warmer months.

Services Offered: Drinks, Bites, and Nightly Entertainment

Pete's Candy Store keeps its offerings focused on quality and value, delivering on the essential requirements of a great neighborhood bar:

• Extensive Beverage Program: The menu features a **Great beer selection** across drafts and bottles. **Draft Beer** includes local favorites like **Five Boroughs Pilsner** and classic imports like **Guinness**, all at competitive prices. The bottle/can list is lengthy, from classic PBR and **Miller High Life** to modern choices like **Juneshine Hard Kombucha**.
• Signature Drink Combos: Famous for its value and selection of **Beer and Shot Combos**, including the classic **PBR and Whiskey** and the more adventurous **Narragansett and Housemade Fireball Whiskey**.
• Cocktails and Spirits: Offers a selection of well-made drinks, including the popular **Jalapeño Margarita**, and a solid list of **Hard liquor** options. They are also known for **Great cocktails**, ensuring something for every taste.
• Food Menu: Simple, comforting, and beloved. The small **Food** menu focuses on the legendary, satisfying **Grilled Cheese** sandwich, available at a budget-friendly price, along with snack options like **Zapp's Chips**. Food is served right at the bar, keeping the focus on the social scene.
• Non-Alcoholic Options: Ensures everyone feels included with quality **Non-Alcoholic** choices, such as the **Hibiscus Mule**, **Athletic Upside Dawn Golden Ale** (N/A beer), and **White Label Yerba Mate Soda**.
• Happy Hour: Offers **Happy hour drinks** with daily specials on select draft beers, well drinks, and wines, providing excellent value for early-evening crowds.

Features / Highlights: Entertainment that Defines the Vibe

The true standout features of Pete's Candy Store are its consistent calendar of programming and its unique, welcoming layout:

• Nightly **Live Music** and **Live Performances**: Pete's is celebrated for hosting performances almost every night, often with no cover charge (a suggested donation is encouraged for performers). The calendar is a diverse mix of musical acts, ranging from folk and rock to jazz.
• Cult-Favorite Recurring Events: The bar hosts several highly attended weekly events that build community:
  • **Trivia night**: Held weekly, it attracts a large crowd for challenging, fun, and often hard trivia with cash prizes for the winners.
  • Sunday Open Mic: A long-running tradition that has served as a launchpad for many New York performers, showcasing original material across genres.
  • Silent Writing Happy Hour: A unique, weekly event for writers to gather and work silently together with a literary lecture prompt.
  • Comedy and Literary Readings: Regular comedy shows, poetry readings, and play-readings ensure a constantly rotating and fresh artistic experience.
• Intimate Performance Room: The dedicated, small concert room—resembling a train car—is separated from the main bar. This design allows the audience to fully engage with the performers, while guests in the front bar can maintain a conversation without competing with the music.
• "Fast Service" and Friendly Staff: Despite the frequently busy nature of the bar, service is consistently praised by local patrons for being attentive and quick, a testament to the professional, friendly staff.
• The Famous Grilled Cheese: A simple, highly-rated food item that is deemed "absolutely delicious" by customers, serving as the perfect, cozy bar bite.
• Full Amenities: Includes **Gender-neutral restroom** options and accessible **Wi-Fi**.

Contact Information

To check the nightly schedule, inquire about events, or get directions, use the following contact details:

• Address: 709 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA
• Phone: (718) 302-3770
• Mobile Phone: +1 718-302-3770

What is Worth Choosing: A True NYC Cultural Institution

Pete's Candy Store is not just another bar; it is a vital, enduring piece of Brooklyn's cultural fabric. For the New York user, it’s the perfect antidote to the city's sometimes excessive flash and expense. It is worth choosing for several compelling reasons:

First, it offers **unbeatable entertainment value**. Where most venues charge a cover for a single act, Pete's provides a nightly, ever-changing lineup of quality **Live music** and comedy, often for free (with a suggested donation). This makes it an ideal spot for a spontaneous weeknight outing or a budget-friendly date.

Second, it is a quintessential "hangout" spot. The **Cozy** atmosphere and reasonable prices (like the $7 **PBR and Whiskey** combo) encourage people to stay for hours, making it perfect for catching up with **Groups** of friends or enjoying a comfortable **Solo dining** experience. The service is friendly, attentive, and without pretense, a welcome characteristic in a metropolitan bar scene.

Ultimately, choosing Pete's Candy Store means choosing a piece of authentic New York City history—a place where you can sip an affordable **Narragansett Lager**, enjoy a delicious **Grilled Cheese**, and potentially witness the next big name in music or comedy, all in one warm, intimate setting. It remains a legendary and accessible gem on Lorimer Street.

Pete's Candy Store

709 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA