The Gatehouses

- Kings County Distillery, 299 Sands St, Brooklyn, NY 11205

For New Yorkers who appreciate history, atmosphere, and expertly crafted spirits, **The Gatehouses** offers a truly singular experience in Brooklyn. More than just a bar, this establishment is the signature tasting room and cocktail lounge nestled within the historic walls of **Kings County Distillery**, the oldest operating distillery in New York City. The location itself imbues the spot with a rustic, warm, and utterly unique character that immediately sets it apart from the typical Manhattan or Brooklyn nightlife scene.

From the moment patrons walk in, the ambiance is immediately on point—described by customers as candlelit, moody, and perfectly soundtracked. The atmosphere is both **Cozy** and **Trendy**, creating an intimate vibe that makes it an easily recommended spot for a unique date night on the East Coast. It masterfully balances a rustic, historic setting with a sophisticated, contemporary cocktail program, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and **Groups** of **Tourists** exploring the unique flavors of New York.

The core identity of The Gatehouses revolves around the incredible spirits produced just steps away. The bar features cocktails that prominently showcase their award-winning whiskies and moonshine, ensuring every drink is crafted with rich, bold flavors. Whether patrons are looking to explore the depth of the spirits through a **Three Whiskey Flight**, enjoy a perfectly balanced **Manhattan**, or sip a unique **Seasonal Moonshine Punch**, The Gatehouses delivers an experience steeped in New York distilling tradition, all conveniently located in the **11205 zip code**.

Location and Accessibility

The Gatehouses boasts one of Brooklyn’s most unique addresses: **Kings County Distillery, 299 Sands St, Brooklyn, NY 11205, USA**. Located within the storied walls of the distillery, the bar occupies a genuinely historic building that contributes immensely to its atmosphere. The location within the Navy Yard area, adjacent to DUMBO, offers a unique industrial backdrop that complements its rustic, whiskey-focused identity.

Accessibility to this Brooklyn destination is straightforward, providing essential services that enhance the customer experience. For patrons driving, the convenience of **Free street parking** in the area is a significant and valued amenity in this part of New York City. For those utilizing public transit, the location on Sands Street is easily reachable, making it a viable evening destination.

Inside the historic structure, the ambiance is rustic yet welcoming, with unique features like the downstairs restrooms accessed via a spiral staircase in what was historically the basement. The bar is well-equipped for modern convenience, accepting all standard forms of payment, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**. This combination of historic charm and modern service ensures that The Gatehouses is a highly functional and memorable spot for locals seeking a superior drinking experience.

Services Offered

The Gatehouses focuses on providing a curated, high-quality bar and cocktail experience, with services tailored to both the casual drinker and the serious spirits enthusiast. The service model emphasizes quality and atmosphere over volume.

• **Specialized Spirits Tasting:** A core service is the dedicated whiskey tasting experience, including the **Three Whiskey Flight ($16.00)** and the comprehensive **Five Whiskey Flight ($30.00)**. This allows patrons to explore a variety of their aged and unaged spirits, perfect for education and enjoyment.
• **Full Cocktail and Bar Service:** The establishment functions as a full **Bar** and **Cocktail bar**, offering a focused menu of **Great cocktails** like the **Old Fashioned ($14.00)**, **Mint Julep ($14.00)**, and inventive options such as the **Grapefruit Jalepeno Margarita ($12.00)**.
• **Flexible Seating Options:** Customers can enjoy their experience through **Dine-in** service with comfortable **Seating**, as well as unique **Outdoor seating** options, ideal for enjoying a drink during warmer Brooklyn evenings.
• **Curated Snack Menu:** A concise, high-quality menu of **Snacks** is available, curated through partnerships with local vendors like Venegar Hill House and Crown Finish Caves. Offerings include the **Cheese Plate ($12.00)**, **Sardine & Cracker Plate ($7.00)**, and **Fleisher's Simple Sausage ($8.00)**.
• **Extensive Beverage Offering:** The bar offers a wide range of alcoholic beverages including **Alcohol**, **Beer**, **Cocktails**, **Hard liquor**, and **Wine**, ensuring options are available beyond their flagship whiskies.
• **Efficient Service Delivery:** Despite the bespoke nature of the cocktails, the bar is known for **Fast service**, a highly valued feature in the New York dining and bar scene.

Features and Highlights

The Gatehouses stands out in the competitive New York bar scene due to its unique distillery setting, its award-winning spirits, and an ambiance that fosters intimacy and discovery. These are the defining features that draw both locals and visitors.

• **Historic, Intimate Ambiance:** The bar’s **Cozy** and **Moody** atmosphere, enhanced by candlelight and a perfect soundtrack, is its signature feature. It is frequently highlighted as one of the best spots for a unique, intimate date night in the city.
• **Masterful Whiskey and Spirit Program:** Being the official bar of Kings County Distillery, the spirits are the main feature. Patrons can sample the incredible quality of their **Bourbon**, **Peated** whiskies, and specialty blends like the highly praised **Kings Code**, either straight or expertly mixed into a cocktail.
• **Signature Cocktails with Kick:** The cocktail program is known for delivering drinks that "pack a serious punch," featuring expertly crafted recipes utilizing their moonshine and darker spirits. The **Seasonal Moonshine Punch** and custom espresso martinis are highlights.
• **Live Entertainment:** The bar occasionally features **Live performances**, elevating the ambiance from a simple bar into a dynamic social and cultural destination, adding significant value to the evening experience.
• **Curated Local Food Partnerships:** The elevated snack menu, sourced from local Brooklyn artisans (Venegar Hill House, Crown Finish Caves), provides high-quality pairings for the spirits, demonstrating a commitment to supporting the local culinary community.
• **Commitment to Customer Service and Knowledge:** Customer reviews praise the staff's knowledge and helpfulness regarding the different whiskies, confirming that the experience is not just about drinking, but also about learning and appreciation.

The Gatehouses at Kings County Distillery represents an authentic slice of Brooklyn history and modern cocktail culture, all centralized at 299 Sands St. The fusion of a **Cozy** and rustic setting—complete with historic elements like old **Air Raid Instructions**—and the sophisticated execution of a modern **Cocktail bar** makes it a unique draw. The bar’s commitment to quality is evident in every offering, from the perfectly executed **Old Fashioned** and **Manhattan** to the high-quality, locally sourced **Snacks** like the **Cheese Plate**. The flexibility of their service, including **Outdoor seating**, **Dine-in** options, and a highly efficient **Fast service** model, caters perfectly to the New York lifestyle. Furthermore, the extensive spirits menu, featuring various **Single Whiskey Pour** options and specialized **Whiskey Flights**, makes it a prime destination for whiskey enthusiasts. The combination of its historic setting, **Great cocktails**, and occasional **Live performances** solidifies The Gatehouses' position as a must-visit, highly memorable destination for **Groups** and intimate dates in the 11205 zip code.

Contact Information

• Bar Name: The Gatehouses
• Address: Kings County Distillery, 299 Sands St, Brooklyn, NY 11205, USA
• Phone: (347) 689-4180
• Mobile Phone: +1 347-689-4180

What is Worth Choosing

For New Yorkers seeking an unparalleled bar experience, **The Gatehouses** is worth choosing for its unique atmospheric setting within the oldest distillery in NYC and its masterfully executed whiskey-centric cocktails. You should choose this spot when you want a highly **Cozy** and **Trendy** atmosphere for a date night or when you desire a sophisticated tasting of locally produced spirits.

Choose The Gatehouses for their signature **Whiskey Flights**, their perfectly crafted classics, and the chance to enjoy a **Seasonal Moonshine Punch**. The combination of **Fast service**, **Great cocktails**, and the potential for **Live performances** ensures that a visit to 299 Sands St is a truly memorable and highly recommended Brooklyn ritual.

The Gatehouses

Kings County Distillery, 299 Sands St, Brooklyn, NY 11205, USA