Clover Club

Review

Clover Club has the same owner as the Flatiron Lounge in Midtown Manhattan: there, Julie Reiner's drinks have a contemporary bent, but here in Brooklyn she has created a rather more classical homage to the cocktail.

With the name of the bar referencing an infamous Philadelphia literary hangout of the 1920s, the imposing 19th century wooden bar having been taken from a former dance hall in a small mining town in Pennsylvania, along with panelled walls, a tin ceiling and Victorian fixtures and fittings, the scene is set for a menu that's divided historically.

Small chapters on Bucks & Mules, Juleps & Smashes, Sours & Daises, and Punches are preceded by a short explanation of their provenance and 'Cocktails' are further differentiated according to the true definition of spirit, sugar, bitters, water. All are served in pretty, delicate, vintage glassware. Unlike the Flatiron, Clover Club also serves food - oysters, devilled eggs, steak tartare and pulled pork minis.

There's also a curtained-off 'parlor' out the back with an open fire and heavy Victorian furniture - some nights this will have been privately reserved.