Small Room, Big Sound: Good Bar’s Greenpoint Groove
By Rafi Mercer
New Listing
Good Bar is one of New York City’s most respected listening bars — explore more in our NYC Music Venues guide.
Venue Name: Good Bar
Address: 1 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222, United States
Website: goodbar.nyc
Phone: N/A
Spotify Profile: N/A
Some places don’t need to be big to feel important. Good Bar, tucked right where Bedford meets the water in Greenpoint, is one of them. It’s the kind of spot you might walk past without a second glance, but once inside, you wonder how you didn’t notice it sooner.
The room is compact — a handful of tables, a small but inviting bar, and in the corner, the DJ booth. But that size works in its favour. Every sound, every shift in the mix feels immediate. It’s less about hearing the music and more about being inside it.
Decor leans towards the playful — bright wall art, mismatched seating, records stacked in easy reach. There’s no hint of the hushed reverence some listening bars demand. Instead, the vibe is relaxed and inclusive: you can be deep in a conversation at one table while the next group is swaying gently to the beat.
Music here is eclectic but always on point. DJs — often friends of the owners or locals with enviable record collections — move between classic soul, Brazilian samba, dusty hip-hop instrumentals, and the occasional disco cut that gets the whole bar nodding in unison.
Drinks are strong and straightforward. No overwrought garnishes, no 12-step recipes — just well-made cocktails, a thoughtful beer list, and a few non-alcoholic options for those taking it slow. Service is warm and unhurried, with bartenders who know when to talk and when to let the record speak.
On a Friday night, the energy ramps up without losing its balance. A few more people squeeze in, conversations rise and fall, and the music wraps the whole room in a shared rhythm. Step outside after last call and you’re still carrying that groove in your stride.
Good Bar doesn’t pretend to be more than it is — but what it is, it does brilliantly. A small room with a big sound, and a place that leaves you wishing your local had a little more vinyl in its veins.
Rafi Mercer writes about the spaces where music matters. For more stories from Tracks & Tales, subscribe, or click here to read more.
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