Sweet Ups: Steeper rents might be driving the artsy Williamsburg crowd away from Bedford Avenue, but Benjamin Shih, who also owns Royal Oak in Williamsburg, figured out there were thirsty locals living in the East Williamsburg area years before the New York Times ever knew hipsters even lived there. The dimly lit lounge offers banquette-style seating and a swanky décor consisting of velvet wallpaper (similar to Royal Oak’s), kitschy photographs of Shih’s family hanging on the walls, and candlelight dancing off the walls. The area used to be a little sketchy, but now the crowd is mainly the local artsy-fartsy kids and smoochy couples holding hands in a corner. Shih runs an upscale joint, so feel free to pass the Courvoisier, or order a martini, especially between 5:30pm and 8pm, when drinks are two-for-one. |
