Two Park Slope Spots Named Brooklyn's Best Dive Bars

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — Two local Fifth Avenue watering holes have made it onto a list of the borough's best dive bars.

Freddy's, the longtime favorite near 17th Street, and High Dive, a newer spot on the other end of the neighborhood, were among 15 bars that made it onto Thrillest's ranking of the greatest dive bars in Brooklyn.

The food, drink and travel experts ranked bars that diverge from Brooklyn's usual cocktail-lounge vibe based on a list of dive bar criteria including "dim lighting, a dollop of weirdness, a staff of local heroes, at least one string of Xmas lights, and no more than a single $ on the cost scale."

For Freddy's that "dollop of weirdness" tipped the scales in its favor.

Thrillest pointed to a video loop of a cat lapping milk, the bar's pet albino frog and an "eclectic junk-shop decor" in their rating of the watering hole, which has been around since the 1940s but moved to South Slope in 2011.

"Never boring, never tidy, always a good time — Freddy’s is the answer," the ranking writes.

The rating also boasts Freddy's performance space, back patio, $7 draft-shot combo and lengthy noon to 7 p.m. happy hour.

High Dive made it onto the list as a great option for parties and dates alike.

"Escape The Slope’s morass of strollers and Lululemon," rankers wrote. "Pass through High Dive’s firetruck-red gateway to find an oasis of understatement."

The rating points out the large amount of indoor seating, pinball machines, 19 taps of affordable craft beer, popcorn, patio and takeaway growlers. It also noted the 3 to 8 p.m. happy hour with cheap beer options like $3 Yuengling or PBR and $4 well drinks.