What I Love About Red Hook
A guide to a great day in Brooklyn’s most curious neighborhood
Nick Bello is a writer and photographer based in Park Slope. He loves to capture local scenery as well as research local history. Follow him on Instagram @nbello8 or on substack at:
There’s something about Red Hook that I have always been attracted to. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of the quaint sea villages near where I grew up on the Massachusetts and Rhode Island border. It could also be the fact that it’s hard to get to for most, preserving its history and quirkiness from the hoards of tourists that flock to New York every summer. Or maybe it’s the views, which are the best in all of Brooklyn in my opinion. These three things, and its proximity to Park Slope, keep me coming back just about every week.
In the last few years, it appears Red Hook has been discovered, as many restaurants and bars have been featured on TikTok’s, reels and listicals. Each time I see one of these, I shudder at the thought of this sacred place being discovered by those who enjoy long lines at trendy places. But each year I am pleasantly surprised that the lines are few, and most places have still been “undiscovered”. Sure the lines at Red Hook Tavern, Hometown BBQ and even Strong Rope Brewery are certainly worth it on a nice summer day, but there are other places in Red Hook that remain lineless and provide just as much value. While I’d love to gatekeep these places, I think others should be able to have the experiences I have been fortunate to have in this gem of a neighborhood.
Black Flamingo Cafe (281 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231)
In the 19th century, Red Hook was where coffee and other items were stored after coming off of ships. It’s safe to say that Red Hook and coffee have a long history. Surprisingly enough though, there are not as many cafes as you would think in Red Hook but the few that do exist are all very very good. My favorite by far is Black Flamingo Cafe on Van Brunt Street. It’s located just down the street from the Brooklyn Ferry terminal, making it a first stop for those visiting from outside of Brooklyn. Their coffee is amazing as well as their pastries. The cafe has a vintage feel and features a beautiful back patio making it the place to be on a sunny summer morning.
Waterfront Museum (290 Conover St, Brooklyn, NY 11231)
If you’re looking for something to do during the day in Red Hook, I can’t recommend the Waterfront Museum enough. Inside an old 1914 Lehigh Valley Barge, this museum is one of the most unique in New York City by far. It is owned and operated by David sharps who also lives on the barge and raised his kids on it as well. Sharps has a wealth of knowledge of not just Red Hook, but also New York’s maritime history. The barge also hosts performances and events as well. For more information, visit their website at
https://waterfrontmuseum.org/
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