Beast 638 Bergen St. (@ Vanderbilt Ave.)
Prospect Heights
718.399.6855
Beast:
It must be a good sign that the staff of Beast loves it here. And when they stop raving about the tapas-style menu and the extensive wine list, they may proudly point out the restored features of the banquette-lined main room, like the original 1920s tiled floor and ornate 1940s refrigerator behind the handsome bar. This beauty of a Beast’s striking double-door entrance, enclosed in wrought-iron fencing, complements the classic décor, while the bar’s “Tapper” arcade game and assorted board games add some good old-fashioned fun. Food and drink, thankfully, are more Mediterranean than retro-American, and once the open-view kitchen closes, the bar scene gets going with round two of happy hour (11pm-1am) and a varied crowd of regulars. Wednesday nights bring live acoustic music, but any night is good: Just ask the staff.
When I walked into this place I thought I just stepped into a coffeeshop. The waiters are very friendly and it was great to be a part of such a laid-back and fun environment.
