Competition for Franklin Park?
According to an article yesterday in the New York Press, there is a new bar on Washington Avenue, called Washington Commons, that has taken root in Prospect Heights. And given some notable similarities between Washington Commons and Franklin Park – which has become an institution of its own here in Crown Heights – Franklin Park may just be in for a run for its money.
The similarities: Of course there’s the obvious – the emphasis on the beer/pub culture. Additionally, both sets of owners previously owned establishments in Park Slope. Both venues have a garden space. They both attract a diverse, bohemian hipsterish crowds. Not to mention, the bars are within an 8 minute walk of one another. The article suggests that the Washington Commons owners only happened upon their location randomly. But given the proximity, as well as the other similarities to the highly celebrated Franklin Park, we wouldn’t be surprised if this was location was strategically chosen.
If anyone has been to both bars and can offer a comparison, we welcome your input. While we absolutely wish the best of luck to the entrepreneurs of the new pub, our unabashed bias will always be for the Crown Heights establishment–(or wherever we can get a drink on the house.)
Popularity: 1% [?]
I’ve been to each only a half-dozen times or so. Impressions:
Franklin Park: TV’s showing the game (so if you’re into that…), better outdoor space, nicer bartenders.
Washington Commons: MUCH better (and larger) beer list. That takes the cake, in my book. The crowd seems to be younger, more mid-20s and less 30s.
At neither place do they know what a Gin Rickey is, so they both lose that round.
Who doesn’t know what a Gin Rickey is!? (hiding head in shame … )
Franklin Park: More "down to earth" folks. Or just younger. The outdoor portion of the bar is not only for smokers, its for people who want to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. Food can be delivered to you there. There’s an excellent burger place one or two blocks over.
Washington Commons: Older atmostphere. I was the youngest person in there. Better beer selection. EVERYONE in the outside garden smokes. EVERYONE. No fresh air to be had. Not sure about the food situation.
Franklin Park definitely has the "beir garden" thing down, with the large picnic tables lined up outside, nicely done lighting, and an awning to cover the tables in the event of a warm summer rain.
Washington Common has well…none of that.
There is also Manhattans, the dive bar located at 769 Washington Avenue which operating under the radar. It’s not a place to go if you like your beer selections large, but it is cheap and cool and dark. The owner is nice, and it’s easy to score free drinks.
I prefer Manhattans to drink cheaply, and Franklin Park to enjoy a drink outside.
Funny enough, Loungerati blog suggests that Franklin Park is a good place to get a Gin Rickey: http://loungerati.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-were-drinking-gin-rickey.html
wow, that is an insane coincidence! Must’ve been a different bartender when Loungerati was there. In any event, the Gin Ricky is a simple and delicious beverage.
Interesting re: age of patrons at each bar. Not the experience I’ve had, but perhaps I just had too many Gin Rickys to accurately estimate. The cigarette comment is too true.
I’ve yet to patronize Manhattans. I should go because I love dives, but it’s hard to create an authentic dive ambiance if it’s a new bar. They’ve taken the space Ripple used to occupy, right? I did enjoy Ripple, but I hope they’ve addressed some of Ripple’s failings (mainly: no taps, and NO HEAT IN THE WINTER!!! Propane fans cannot heat a large space with very high ceilings. Science, people.)
The Washington Commons proprietors did not choose their location randomly. One of the owners told me he’s lived about a block away for 5 years.