The Brooklyn Paper: HONKY-TONKIN’ IN THE HOOK
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HONKY-TONKIN’ IN THE HOOK

The Brooklyn Paper
The Brooklyn Papers / Jori Klein

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Moonshine, a new bar in Red Hook with an old honky-tonk feel, is barely two months old and already its regulars are thinking of having their mail forwarded there. It probably has something to do with owner Nick Forlano’s vision: friendly bartenders who serve cheap suds in a well-worn atmosphere.

"We’re happy hour, every hour," he says. You can get as happy as you want because canned beer costs $1.50, while well drinks and most draughts are $3.

Moonshine, which opened May 21 in the former location of Rocco’s, a family-owned bar that was open from 1937 to 1975, features the aged interior, the original bar and exposed wooden latticework. There’s also a big British bulldog statue, a tribute to the owner’s own pair of pooches.

But Forlano’s touch has brought the country mouse to Brooklyn. Draught beer is served in mason jars. The jukebox is filled with country classics (but also boasts rock and punk classics). There’s a big barrel of peanuts-in-the-shell near the front door for customers to dig into. And Forlano even bought and tuned an old upright piano for the bar.

"We’re looking for people to come in and jam," he says, for tips and beer. He also hopes to book three-piece country and rockabilly bands in the future.

Especially attractive now, Moonshine boasts a patio with a barbecue grill and a delicious policy of BYOM, or "bring your own meat."

Moonshine is located at 317 Columbia St. between Woodhull Street and Hamilton Avenue. Open nightly from 4 pm. Cash only. For more information, call (718) 422-0563.


- Ed Beeson

©2004 Community Newspaper Group

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