This place is right out of the past. You can feel the history when you walk in. Izzy behind the bar was extremely kind and helpful. Before she got our drinks she says, "Hang on one second, I have to change the vinyl." And she went to the record player and flipped a vinyl. It solidified our choice of going inside. Such a gem!

Easily the best dive bar in NYC. Make the trip and act like the locals act. Get cold beers and warm whiskeys. Listen to the music and take in the scene. Saturdays feature a late-night bluegrass jam, which is well worth attending. There's also a spacious back patio which is nearly perfect. A+ bar, and one of the last of a dying breed. Support this place already. Another thought: If it's early enough in the day, you can also hit up Brooklyn Crab or Hometown BBQ beforehand, which would make for a near perfect evening. Just go. If you've read this far in a review and need me convincing, I can't help. You should be there already.

My favorite bar in NYC. Not even close. Go on Saturdays for the bluegrass!

This place is legendary for very good reason! Music I saw there was Ran Scott and band - and they were freaking mind blowing! Have been back there when its quiet and its just as much fun - a place where you'll meet fascinating people... and it's likely the barstaff! This is for shizzle my new fave dive bar.

A perfect dive bar. The venue is comfortable, no kitschy bullshit. Beer selection available in bottles and cans. Bar also serves delicious iced coffee with Bailey's. Remember that it's a cash-only place.

What a great place! One of Brooklyn's hidden treasures for sure. I've stopped in there a few times when in the area on business, I'm from tennessee. The staff & clientele who frequent this cozy neighborhood bar always make you feel welcomed.

A perfect dive bar. No notes.

Amazing! Went there on a Sunday for a music session such a vibe.

Best bar in Brooklyn. Hands down. Go around the corner to Hometown for barbecue when you’re too drunk to go on. Sober up and head back to Sunny’s.

Went there to see someone play live. It is a bar more for neighbors. Def plan to take an Uber or cab, otherwise, it is not really an area near public transport (there is a bus, but I didn't look for it at 11pm or 2am in a semi industrial area with not so good light situation). I liked the bar and the music, too long breaks between sets, so if you don't drink, like I don't, come for the set, or with a bunch of friends, or take work on your phone with you. Lol

Visited here when a friend got permission to convert Sunny's into a tiki bar for Halloween. What a great local spot. Prices were very reasonable and you got a really nice feel for the Red Hook neighborhood.

Used to be a longshoreman's bar many many decades ago now it's hipster heaven but don't let that bother you quirky live music and just lots of fun and great atmosphere.

What. A. Place. Even in a city with as many options as New York, Sunny's is one-of-a-kind. Order a whiskey, have a seat in the back room where you will lose track of time and space listening to impromptu bluegrass performances. Sunny's is so good that it makes me want to move to Red Hook.

Great drink prices and a old hold out neighborhood vibe. With Ryan Scott’s band holding down the sound it couldn’t have been a more magical visit. A real gem in Brooklyn.

it’s awesome. well priced drinks and cool bar tender. a man named peter was having his birthday and shared 6 foot subs with everyone. very good time.

Super cute staple in Red Hook with a fabulous outdoor space!

Cash only. Excellent vibe. Worth riding your bike from Toronto to check out. 5 stars for. Food but I don't think they serve alot of food.

If I were I pirate, I’d definitely go this bar because it’s nautically themed, only half a block from the shore, and chocked full of seafaring ephemera. Like a pirate, it’s a relic in time. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a pirate to go to this bar. You do, however, have to have cash because it’s CASH ONLY.

Authentic pub with good atmosphere.

+2

It feels like going back in time, walking into a grandma's living room. Such a cosy saloon with fun atmosphere, nice crowd, live music on the w-e.

Amazing pub! Great place to relax, have a pint and listen to some chill jazz on the speakers. Wish I lived around a corner to pop in every day!

Came on a Friday night, there was live jazz music. It was awesome. Nice vibes. It's a very cozy neighborhood bar, with a good mix of locals. I can't wait to come back! Get the hot cider with whiskey.

Great bar out in Red Hook. We came to hear some jazzy bluegrass and it was astounding! They really know how to make use of small spaces... We sat in a little single table alcove that was technically outside, but only accessable from inside. Great vibes, good beer, wonderful music 10/10

The best bar in Brooklyn! Or at least Red Hook. Live music five days a week, four rooms to grab a drink in, a nice patio space, and a great atmosphere. Every time I hear the live music at this place it’s an experience, they do a great job of bringing in local talent and passionate artists. If you like folk music and alternative music this is your jam.

Nice bar. Nice staff. Nice patios. Live music was like a jam session. Nice.

Love Sunny's! It's a super fun space with so many great nooks to hang out plus great live music all the time. Love the location close to the water.

You want cold beer, reasonably ppriced drinks, happy friendly barmaids and a crowd that's open for enjoyment, go to Sunny's! Just by chance we stopped by and boy did we have a fun night. I felt like we were on vacation. Never had I experienced a random bar stop where everything was perfect. We felt like there were no strangers there, but we did not feel that our space was invaded by others. Oh, I can tell you how much fun we had, but you need to go see for yourself. I don't think you will be disappointed. Never have I found a bar where all the barmaids were awesome. They really made our night enjoyably. I can't wait to go back. Oh, by the way my companion only wants to go to 200 Bar, however he can't stop talking about how much fun he had. Believe me if he had fun so will you!!

We always enjoy Sunny's! It's a great spot with fantastic live music, eclectic clientele, and friendly bartenders. There's even a Bluegrass jam on Saturday nights, running for over 20 years.

One of my favorite dive bars in Brooklyn and the whole city. Tons of history in this kitschy space filled with the remnants of 120+ years of service as a watering hole. Good music can be found here live on most nights of the week save Sunday. Authentic local staff and patrons, truly a gem. Try to catch Mara Kaye there behind the bar or better behind the mic.

Excellent music bar with a nautical theme. Cheap beer and great bands. Very on brand for Red Hook and very different from most New York bars you've been to!

Excellent old school dive bar. Nice art on the walls, live music on some nights, outside space in the back, and they let you bring food in. Nothing fancy. I've only been there during the week. I hear it gets packed on weekends.

What a memorable place. When at Sunny's bar I met the associates, Izzy and Jeremy and I was received with such happy smiles and willingness to share their passion for the space. I learned so much and was enchanted by the details and vintage atmosphere. Already looking forward to coming back! =)

Dive bar with eclectic crowd. This place is iconic and worth a stop by if you are in Red Hook. Cash only.

I hesitate to accolade this place because I want it all to myself. But the truth is, it’s the best bar in New York, and probably the world. Amazing music, like Blue Note quality music, every night, for a donation of your choosing, and the most comforting, old timey vibe you can find. If you’re around for a festive time of the year, especially halloween, do not make the mistake of skipping a visit. This place has so much love from the community that when it was going under due to the pandemic, its patrons pulled together and bought the place to keep it alive, and didn’t ask for anything but its existence in return. And if you think it’s too far out of the way to be worth the schlep…even if Red Hook wasn’t the coolest neighborhood to ever exist with great views of manhattan and the statue of liberty, the best pizza around (Hoek), or plenty of breweries and distilleries, art galleries, and record shops, or the Crab Shack, you’d still be wrong.

Fantastic bar, bring cash or use their ATM since it’s cash only.

It will always be my favorite bar in NYC until I die. Sure, it’s changed a bit over the years, the crowd may be younger and it may be busier on the weekends or whatever, it’s still a great place to have a drink as the sun sets on the harbor. The bartenders are still as friendly as ever, and the beers are cold.

I think this is one of the best bars ever

Really cool neighborhood spot. Vintage as could be with the best curb appeal around. The various seating locations, great drink prices and local art/music make it. 💲only

The best bar in South BK and maybe NYC for me. I have consistently had some of the best times at this bar. Friendly and interesting people, great music, good beers, and just that heart of red hook feeling.

A friend brought us here to watch the folk music. It's so fun! Can't say I've ever seen anything like it. As far as I can tell, folk musicians just saunter in and the group just starts playing what they know!

Overall: This is my favorite kind of bar - Divey, humble, charming, and of course, cheap as hell. The good vibes flow at Sunny's! The good: You'd walk right by it with the nondescript appearance and entry, but as soon as you walk in your hit with a heavy dose of authenticity. Christmas lights, antique signs, knick-knacks, and figurines line the walls. The place is dimly lit and the music is good. In fact, there was a live Irish band wrapping up when we walked it. The beers are cheap and they even sell bags of potato chips on the side (gimme those Cheezits). The not-so-good: Cash only, and their hot cider at the time was $12 if I remember correctly. What a price! Otherwise, the place is dope. Atmosphere: 10/10 Service: 9/10

Love their divey bar vibes. Had a very strong spicy jalapeño margarita (emphasis on strong) and I loved the drink and the atmosphere. Will be back.

As Brooklyn evolves, Sunny's remains authentic. The crowd is eclectic and if you stop in when there is live music - even better. If you find yourself in Red Hook, make sure to wander in and have a beer (cash only).

Wow. I am fully in love with this venue. Country music, amazing cocktails, super nice folks. And Rob the bartender is solid. It’s on my must hit NYC list.

This place is a gem. Total vacation from Manhattan. Intimate live music with reasonably priced drinks. Atmosphere is everything here!

Unreal music and cheap drinks - cash only

One of the best bars in New York. Great staff and selection. Cash only but ATM in the back. Great seating areas and back patio. Have never had a bad time here. June 18th update: they switched from bottles to cans, so beer not really worth the price point anymore.

The best kind of dive bar: welcoming, inexpensive, unapologetic, and reliable amid change (rare in NYC). Sunny's is sacred.

Hot Tottie, old fashioned and a Moscow mule. Great atmosphere, beach side vibe.

Awesome spot. Classy yet divey. CASH ONLY. Playing records of old old tunes. Paint peeling from ceiling. VERY COOL SPOT. Full bar. Draft, bottles, and liquor.

Great local bar in a historical area with hot alcoholic beverages that warm you up in windy weather. Highly recommend this place!

Julian Oliveira

no words, thank you everyone who was there this snow storm. amazing group of people and an amazing atmosphere. i will make sure to stop by every time im in NYC

Fai Rogers

Cash only. There is an ATM onsite if you haven’t come with. You will always find yourself an amazing atmosphere with live music practically any night. Come fed but otherwise there are several bar snacks and chips on offer. The bartenders are very nice and the bathrooms are clean.

Larissa Licha

Sunny's is always a good time. Live music is always spot on, crowd is welcoming and fun, overall great vibe.

Alex Lewis

Great neighborhood spot! Great prices (cash only) with a gorgeous backyard garden and friendly staff and patrons. I heard the live shows are fun too. Highly recommend!

Robert

If you haven't been to Sunny's yet, you should do what you can to correct that. IF you can go when there is live music, the back room is great. It's NYC's equivalent of a juke joint. Red Hook is like an entirely different part of NYC.

Jes Jon

Here for a wedding reception. The private event took place on a patio in the back. I enjoyed the bar service and saloon feel that dates back over 130 years

Michael Cohn

Sunny's is a classic hole-in-the-wall dive bar that did not disappoint. Drinks were all reasonably priced, both during and after happy hour. The bar was nice, the backyard was nice, and the view in the front of the bar looking out over the water was maybe nicer.

Nick C Kirk

It’s old. It’s local. This is the spot. Live music is always on point. Staff is always friendly. Drinks are the right price. I enjoy it every time I go.

Dominic Carpin

I had heard this place was legendary. It lives up to the hype. Had a great Old Fashioned, a shot of whiskey and some kind of craft lager. The best thing about this place is the playlist of music. Classic stuff like Neil Young or 60s 70s rock and roll not that garbage hip hop, trance and rap that most places play these days. Go here and have a good time

Per Sveen

One of the best bar atmospheres I’ve ever been in. I love the lights and the decor and the outdoor seating area as well. They make a great and affordable dark and stormy too.

+1

Cain

19th-century maritime saloon way out on the edge of Red Hook. The building breathes history and the bar is jumping with killer live music and electric crowds. Strictly cash only as it’s always been, but the drinks are cheap. Multiple counters and outdoor spaces. This bar is a time capsule and I hope it never changes.

Christine Kim

a nice bar to relax and chat at, especially on nights where it's not too busy. (avoid friday, saturday, and sunday nights! unless you're into live bluegrass performances) the bar has an interior that is quite deep and has outdoor seating as well. we appreciated the drinks. they're cash only so make sure to bring enough! prices for drinks were around $10-14.

Tom Gubernat

Great live music. Excellent bar. Plenty of outdoor space, both open air and covered. The live music is wonderful, get there early enough to grab a seat, but if you don’t there’s still plenty of room and movement of people to find a snug spot. The bar is cash only.

Ryan MacGavin

Sunny's never disappoints when it comes to fantastic live music, an intimate atmosphere, and a great selection of drinks. I've been lucky to see Tetsuro Hoshii's jazz trio perform on multiple nights, and I love that there is a consistent, high-quality musical act that I can recommend friends and family go to Sunny's to hear and watch perform. Looking forward to the next show by Mr Hoshii, or any of the other fantastic groups that play on Sunny's backroom stage.

Irma Zandl

Have been familiar with Sunny's for years from biking in that area but never stopped in. But now I will readily take an Uber out there for their fabulous Sunday Bluegrass Jams. To see and hear so many wonderful musicians jamming with this kind of music is extraordinary. And big shout out to the Governors Island Porch Stomp Festival earlier this year for putting the Sunny's music scene on my radar. Sundays at Sunny's will be a regular event on my calendar.

+2

Executive Thrillseeker

Was here last week with a friend and can honestly say for this neighborhood this place is probably my favorite bar to visit. Excellent vibes, friendly bartenders, and the best pricing around.

+3

A.C. Antonelli

Sunny's has an awesome down-to-earth, no-frills, seaside sort of vibe with cheap beers and an overall fun, welcoming atmosphere. There are trinkets and art and things all over the walls. If you're bar-hopping in Red Hook or just looking for a quick drink before watching the sunset over the water, be sure to stop in.

Zach Williams

This place is the place to be on a Saturday night. Bluegrass from 9 to late...or early...I e never made it past 2am but they were still going when I left then. I do play bluegrass so I'm partial but the audience seems to love it too. Get there early unless you want to stand in the back 40.

+2

Better, in the years before all the attention, for locals in the know, a common BLA BLA, but even the crazy packed summer nights with the B&T cwd are kind of magical in it's own way. Yes, actually yes.

This feels like exactly what Red Hook is supposed to be about. Steeped with history, nothing pretentious. There's a nice space in the back if you've got a big group, and the bar itself is cool with big comfy stools. Bartender is really friendly. They only take cash though, so that's a bit of a bummer.

Came here on a Saturday night to watch a Bluegrass band playing and it was totally worth it! It's a very cozy place place with lots of local people and no tourists. If you are into Bluegrass you should definitely come here... The only bad thing is that is cash-only

Went with friends in November 2014. Bluegrass session (inc some blues and country) was great. Held in back room from 10.30pm Saturdays (and free). Players seemed to sit in for stints with some swapping, so good variety and no single artist dominated. Participative, good humoured and good playing/singing. Try Fort Defiance for a cullinary treat first. We walked there from Atlantic Avenue, but a taxi in and out is probably wiser.

The place is the middle of nowhere in Brooklyn. The decor is shabby. The music was honky tonk loud and crowded. God, what a great joint! I go every time I visit Brooklyn. Buy the red t-shirt, and feel the envy from those whose journeys do not take them to Red Hook's best

Great back of the woods dive bar. Amazing back patio. Doesn't mess around with COVID, masks, ID, vaccination card required. Skip the cocktails. CASH ONLY but they have an ATM.

First bar I ever went to when I moved to redhook. Was there last night and had a blast. Warm crowd and cold beers. The back outside is awesome and nice to chill out

Stayed 2 nights before cruise,great bar,friendly great atmosphere

This place gives you a sense of how active Red Hook was a century ago. This place is a must. Wobbly barstools at the bar make for a fun drink.

A blast from the past! Old, funky, cool type tav I hung out in during college. The music is r&b, so cool! It's like going to the comfortable atmosphere you want to be in, on a stormy night, hanging with friends.

I love Sunny's. It's a cozy l laid back local bar. The staff is super sweet and friendly. I love the overall vibe of this place. It has an interesting take on the Americana aesthetic. Having said that, the beer selection could be better. Good place to chill for a bit I guess.

Nostalgic bar with a neighborhood feel. Listen to some classic records and enjoy a couple drinks while sneaking a view of Manhattan.

heavily damaged in the hurricane, sunny's is back in full swing. a bit off the beaten path, the crowds still pack the joint and on the night we attended we were treated to some of the best musicians i've seen in recent memory cranking out some great americana and bluegrass. cash only, so be prepared!

David Ryan

If you have never been to Red Hook make sure you stop by here and check it out. It’s been around forever and feels like it when you look around. The bartender was super friendly and the drinks are very reasonably priced. There is indoor and outdoor space, so choose your spot to relax and go back in time.

As one of the oldest bars in NYC, and a place that has made a strong comeback since Sandy, this is a place truly deserving of its reputation. Though I no longer live in the neighborhood, and it's a very far trek for most people, it's an old school charmer that anyone who lives in Brooklyn should check out at least once. The cocktails and beers are simple, which bespeaks an older time. What stands out about the place is the ambience, which presumably hasn't changed much over the years. The downside is that at night the bar is packed with boisterous newcomers, and it detracts from the overall enjoyment. As of last night, it's become a very yuppy-ish crowd. No idea where they're coming from--Carroll Gardens? My advice: check it out on an afternoon!

Travel With Trey

Anthony Bourdain once called this place the best bar in New York City. We came in on a weekend night. Sunny's is on a dark road near the waterfront, dimly lit, although it being the only thing lit on the street made it easier to find. The place was packed with young hipsters and bohemians. We eventually got the bartender's attention and ordered two beers (cost $18.00 - not really dive bar prices, but it's New York). The place is claustrophobic for the amount of people inside. I loved the kitschy décor, big colored light bulbs in strands draping the wall, oddities and interesting pieces of art all over. Some of the customers were rude. As I was retrieving my beers, a guy pushed in front of me to hug some girl at the bar and nearly knocked the beer out of my hand and then wouldn't move for me to retrieve the second beer. The place is broken up into a front bar and back room. In the back room, there was some kind of blue grass performance going on, but it was too crowded to even see it. Head out back down another extremely narrow passageway and there is a very cool courtyard that can accommodate around 30 extra people. I ended up finding a small table to sit outside and finished my beer with my plus one. But we decided to leave after that. I think would have liked to have visited this place in the early evening before the crowds starting converging upon the bar. If you are person who doesn't like being pinned to a wall while struggling to bring a beer up to your lips for fear of having it knocked out of your hands by the constant stream of people coming and going, this might not be your jam. If you are lucky enough to grab a booth, bar stool, or table outside, you may be able to make a night out of it. But it just wasn't my place.

I used to the place but the drinks are DEFINITELY watered down. Monday evening Casamigos … Sabrina swore she gave me my change then swore she measured the tequila… my buddy doesnt drink.. tasted NO booze. I went back i , watched her pour A LOT of tequila in the glass. Gave it to my buddy who doesnt drink.. little to no difference. I used to like Sunny’s bar

I've been a Red Hook resident for a few years now and can attest to most reviews that Sunny's is a cool bar with decent drinks and warm atmosphere. In the last year the place has definitely changed. There are a lot more young people frequenting the bar, which clashes with the "old timey" feel. I will say that on a recent visit, I was with my friends who I hadn't seen in over a year. We were talking and catching up when a band started to play in the music area behind us, at which point one of the employees came and shushed our table. One, it's a bar. Two, this was our first time out after a global pandemic. Three, we were one drink in and no where near rowdy or inappropriate--just catching up. This experience left a bad feeling with all of us. During the hardest times we frequented Sunny's to support them to best of our ability, only to be told to be quiet while wanting to share what we love about Sunny's with our friends. I hope they figure out how to integrate the rest of the community into their new tourist feel. And maybe hold off telling people who haven't seen loved ones to be quiet as they gather for the first time in over a year.

Came by for the first bar of the afternoon with my family was told we weren't allow in because we weren't culturally the right fit... Was a really overwhelming experience I would avoid this

Be careful ordering your drinks! Cute place, sketchy bartenders. I ordered drinks at the bar. The bartender just grabbed a cocktail from the other side of the bar and placed it in front of me, poured the beer we ordered and then got the other cocktail we ordered from the other bartender making drinks. I told him I don’t want that first drink he just placed in front of me because it came from a section of the bar where there is no liquor or service station to be making drinks and was clear it’s just been sitting there. Aggressively and with attitude gave me a new drink. I paid, walked away. When I first ordered-I watched him go to the other bartender, tell him our drinks, go to the other side of the bar, grab the random drink, pour the beer then walk back to the other bartender with the third fresh made drink. I went back to confront the bartender again because it just didn’t sit right with me the way he handled it and wanted to make sure he’s aware how unsafe that is to be doing. His attitude towards me asking for a new drink when it was clear that, that drink was not made for me, nor who knows what happened to it. He started to argue with me and clearly did not understand the safety and caution that I was taking. We ended up just leaving and not even drinking our drinks because it was such poor hospitality.

Across the street from a wedding venue so the bar can be suddenly inundated with over 100 loud people not from the neighborhood and the charm is then immediately lost.