The Gutter Introduce
Introduction / Overview
A true staple of the Williamsburg nightlife scene, The Gutter is far more than just a bar—it’s an iconic Brooklyn entertainment venue. Located at $200$ N $14$th St, this establishment is renowned for bringing a unique slice of vintage charm and a lively, unpretentious atmosphere to North Brooklyn. It successfully combines the classic, authentic fun of bowling with the appeal of a great craft beer bar and a dedicated live performance space, a combination that has cemented its status as a local favorite since opening in $2007$.
The Gutter’s aesthetic is deliberately old-school and wonderfully nostalgic, designed to evoke a '70s Midwest feel with its reclaimed wooden lanes and retro decor. This casual, trendy, and often packed venue is a destination for fun, where you can gather a group of friends, grab a beer and shot combo, and challenge each other on one of the eight vintage bowling lanes. The emphasis is always on fun over perfect form—it’s a place where no one cares about your score, just that you're having a good time.
The large bar area is the heart of the operation, boasting a formidable selection of American craft beers on $12$ taps, with nine rotating options to keep the menu fresh and interesting for beer aficionados. Beyond bowling and brews, The Gutter is a central player in Brooklyn's live entertainment, featuring a dedicated space, 'The Spare Room,' which hosts everything from comedy showcases to live music and immensely popular Trivia Nights, making it a dynamic hub for activity nearly every night of the week.
Location and Accessibility
The Gutter is perfectly positioned in the trendy and highly accessible Williamsburg/Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, at $200$ N $14$th St, NY $11249$. This specific location places it near McCarren Park and within easy reach of the East River waterfront, a popular area for both long-time residents and visitors exploring the best of Brooklyn.
Accessibility is a key factor in its continued popularity. Getting to The Gutter is straightforward for local users, as it is a short walk from the L train (Bedford Ave or Graham Ave stops), providing a direct subway connection to Manhattan. For drivers, the rare convenience of free street parking nearby is a significant bonus in a city where parking is notoriously difficult.
The establishment also makes a commitment to physical accessibility, a crucial detail often overlooked in older venues. It features a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, a Wheelchair Accessible Restroom, and even Wheelchair Accessible Seating. Inside, the atmosphere is deliberately inclusive, with the venue actively identifying as LGBTQ+ friendly and a Transgender safespace, fostering a comfortable and welcoming environment for a diverse and mixed crowd.
Services Offered
- Ten-Pin Bowling: Features eight vintage, reclaimed wooden lanes, offering a genuine old-school bowling experience (often on a first-come, first-served basis).
- Full Bar Service: Serves a wide array of beverages including Alcohol, Hard Liquor, Wine, and Cocktails.
- Exceptional Beer Program: Offers a Great Beer Selection with $12$ taps, including $9$ rotating options of American Craft Beer, plus staples like ALLAGASH WHITE, NARRAGANSETT LAGER, and SMUTTYNOSE IPA.
- Affordable Drink Specials: Known for the classic, cost-effective BEER & SHOT COMBO, alongside Happy Hour Drinks.
- Entertainment Hub: Hosts a full calendar of activities including Live Music, Live Performances (in 'The Spare Room'), Bar Games (like pool), and the always popular Trivia Night (including recurring $90$s Simpsons Trivia).
- Outside Food Allowed: While some locations may offer pub fare, the Williamsburg location allows for Outside Food, a fantastic option for groups who wish to order delivery from the neighborhood's vast culinary scene.
- Inclusive Atmosphere: Offers a safe and friendly space, identifying as LGBTQ+ friendly and a Transgender safespace.
- Payment Convenience: Accepts all major payment types including Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments.
- Dining Options: Provides Seating for patrons, including Outdoor Seating for a casual experience.
Features / Highlights
- Authentic Vintage Bowling: The eight lanes feature vintage pinsetters and a nostalgic, classic $70$s bowling aesthetic, providing a uniquely charming, non-digital gaming experience.
- Outstanding Craft Beer Selection: A deep commitment to quality American craft beer with high tap rotation ensures there’s always something new and interesting to try, cementing its reputation among beer lovers.
- Dynamic Live Entertainment Venue: Home to 'The Spare Room,' a dedicated space for regular Live Music, Stand-Up Comedy, Open Mics, and popular themed Trivia Night events.
- Casual, Unpretentious, and Trendy Vibe: Successfully merges the atmosphere of a casual dive bar with the cool, trendy energy of a Brooklyn hotspot, complete with a pool table and vintage pinball machines.
- Commitment to Inclusivity: Recognized as an LGBTQ+ friendly venue and a Transgender safespace, fostering a welcoming environment for a diverse crowd.
- Accessibility and Convenience: Offers Wheelchair Accessibility across major points and features the rare benefit of Free Street Parking in the immediate area.
Contact Information
Address: $200$ N $14$th St, Brooklyn, NY $11249$, USA
Phone: ($718$) $387$-$3585$
What is worth choosing
For New Yorkers seeking a uniquely fun, reliable, and multi-faceted night out, The Gutter is an exceptional choice that delivers on atmosphere, entertainment, and a superb selection of drinks. It’s worth choosing for reasons that go far beyond your typical neighborhood bar.
The primary draw is the *unbeatable vintage entertainment experience*. The Gutter offers eight lanes of genuine, old-school bowling—a rare and coveted activity in the city—that is perfect for a social outing. Unlike swankier, more expensive bowling lounges, The Gutter embraces a charming, slightly grungy aesthetic that makes for an authentically casual and truly fun time. Whether you are an avid bowler or just looking to knock down a few pins without the pressure of perfect scores, this spot guarantees a good time without the need for fancy attire.
Equally compelling is its reputation as a serious *destination for beer and entertainment*. The Gutter's impressive commitment to American craft beer is evident in its $12$-tap system, featuring $9$ constantly rotating selections. This focus makes it a favorite among those who prioritize a high-quality, ever-changing beer menu. Furthermore, the venue is a cultural hub; the presence of 'The Spare Room' means you can seamlessly transition from bowling to enjoying a live band, laughing at a comedy show, or participating in a beloved Trivia Night, providing continuous entertainment that sustains a full evening out.
Finally, The Gutter provides excellent *value and inclusivity*. The famous BEER & SHOT COMBO, coupled with a generous Happy Hour, makes a night here surprisingly affordable for a prime Brooklyn location. The policy of allowing outside food is a fantastic, money-saving feature that encourages patrons to enjoy the great local take-out options. Most importantly, the establishment’s dedication to being an LGBTQ+ friendly and Transgender safespace fosters a welcoming and unpretentious environment for all groups, making it the perfect casual and diverse gathering spot in the heart of Williamsburg.
The Gutter Food & drink
Williamsburg Beer Menu
Below are our staples. We have 12 taps, and 9 rotating options. Stop in to see what's new!
- BEER & SHOT COMBO $8.00
NARRAGANSETT PINT w/ any WELL SHOT
- ALLAGASH WHITE
Unfiltered Belgian style Witbier, hazy golden in color with flavors of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 5.5% ABV Maine
- NARRAGANSETT LAGER
Rhode Island. Light golden in color, with a crisp refreshing taste. Official beer of the Clam. 5.0% ABV
- SMUTTYNOSE IPA
New Hampshire. American style India Pale Ale is hazy orange in color with a crisp hop aroma and flavors of grapefruit and spicy hops. 6.6% ABV
- DOWNEAST CIDER HOUSE ORIGINAL BLEND $6.00
Original Blend is made form freshly pressed local apples, because we not only believe in high quality cider, we believe in America! We use a special blend of apples, and NEVER add concentrate, artificial flavors or sweeteners. GLUTEN FREE. 5.1% ABV Boston 12 oz can
- GLUTENBERG BLONDE ALE $7.00
Made from millet. Crisp and refreshing with a lemony smell, just a hint of bitterness to balance out the sweetness of the corn. GLUTEN FREE. 4.5% ABV North America 16 oz can
The Gutter Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Highlights
- Bar games
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Trivia night
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Wine
Dining options
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free street parking
The Gutter Photos










The Gutter Location
The Gutter Reviews
bowlinglanespool tablecomedycrowdpitchersbouncerwallalleyshipster
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I visited this place last Thursday and at first everything seemed fine, but the drinks were a complete scam. The margaritas were made with the cheapest alcohol, and by the second round they were nothing more than water with lime — no alcohol at all. To charge $96 for drinks of this quality is insulting, as if customers wouldn’t notice. Absolutely unacceptable and dishonest.
September 09 · Yasmin PazActually this is not the first time I came to bowling at Gutter bar. This time my best friend just want to chill out so I go with her. On Sunday night it wasn't packed, there were 4 groups ahead of us but we didn't wait too long. It was so fun to come with friend no one care the score you get just having a good time.Bartender and another staff are super casual. The early shift was good but the night shift are kind of lazy and boring. That was one of the reason we left because after changing the shift, we feel the service was not good.
August 22 · Melissa NajaBest dive Bar in Brooklyn. My go to place! Eric, Andy, Kate and Marcus and the gang are the friendliest bartenders and people in all of Brooklyn. Lilly is a great host for bowling reservations and very approachable and makes me feel welcome to be at the Gutter ! Love this place !
June 12 · Nick KelleyWe checked out the Gutter on a Thursday evening for live music (free show). In the back room. The bands were great and we had a really good time. Bar in back room was a little limited. Some of our drinks were a little over priced for a dive bar. Can’t complain cuz the music was free. Good times !
September 09 · Sandwich Club STLWas discriminated against and not let in. I used the same ID I’ve used multiple times before, which is not US, and this time they wouldn’t let me in. They had let in many of my friends with the same type of ID. I’m told I can only go in if I have US ID or my passport (which if I loose I won’t be able to stay in the country). I ask to file a complaint and they won’t let me, they’re saying I have to file with the state even tho is well within my rights to do it to the space itself, the manager laughs at me and talks to me as if I were a little girl, he threatened to call the police and to file a complaint against me (huh?).Felt discriminatory, sexist, and simply humiliating. Will never go back, have been anyway and it is overpriced, and overhyped. Would rather stay home.
August 12 · Isabel Padilla
More restaurants near me

200 N 14th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

4 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA

190 N 14th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

190 N 14th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

14 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

105 N 13th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

103 N 13th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

17 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222, USA

111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

30 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites






Trending Dining Insights Posts





