Why everyone needs a local something📍

Some light in the gentrified dark with Bedstuy's newest bar.

I’m currently using Shook as an act of resistance by exploring feel-good stories in a time of perpetual bad news.

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If you know me then you know that when I commit to a bar, it’s religious.

When I first moved to NYC, it was Pianos. Every Thursday, after an 8 hour shift in the office I would drag myself (and anyone that would come with me) to pull an another 8 hour shift at my beloved dingy LES bar with $4 frozen margs (yikes) and some of the cities best dj’s at the time (s/o Obvious Avi, Angel + Dren etc).

I’ve been living in Bedstuy for 6 years now and was drawn to it because it reminded me of parts of South London; an across the pond mirror to thriving Black and brown communities. The best part was that I no longer needed to go to Pianos because there were more bars in this neighborhood than I could count on one hand to turn into second living rooms.

The ‘G’ word…

Sadly this is no longer case. In the last year alone, Basquiat’s Bottle, Lover’s Rock, Ode to Babel, and Bedvyne Brew — living rooms to so many — have all closed their doors. And while a few years ago I wished for a wine bar I could walk to, I didn’t ask for extortion in a 125ml glass of orange.

The GOOD NEWS is Milly’s Neighborhood bar just opened. I mean they even included the word ‘neighborhood’ in the name. Replacing the Cuban spot ‘Pilar’ (also RIP) on the corner of Bedford and Greene, Milly’s is everything a girl could ask for. Cute vibes, tunes, drinks, people, food, the list goes on. And if you’re in the market for a sexy mirror selfie, they got that too.

What it’s like

Just when you thought good manners were dead and reservations had fully taken over the city, you’re greeted by one of the owners with a friendly handshake and chit chat about where you wanna sit. It was a girls night out and we just wanted a martini corner to gather and yap. And we got it. Not once did anyone get annoyed at us, ask us to move out the way, or upsell us on shit we didn’t need.

In fact, Mr. handshake came back over and apologized for not having any tables ready sooner. I told him it was cool and mentioned on how the bar was everything we really needed right now. I could tell he felt the same and shared how as someone who also lives a few blocks away, was tired of not really having anywhere to go.

I asked if this was his first F&B venture and he said yes, “and it’s fucking hard”. The spirit and honesty of it all was refreshing; the kind I haven’t felt in a while around here or anywhere really.

I know it’s very English of me to want pub life wherever I live but I swear it’s deeper than that. Popping down to my local, not just for a cheeky drink but to natter with the homies IS community. It’s where we brush off a hard week, chat about the cost of living crisis and build each other up.

In a time where the word community feels like a washed up b-list actor, it a was a reminder that there’s fun to be found a hop, skip, and jump away.

I’ve since been 3 more times and recommend the Banana Clip cocktail and chopped cheese egg rolls. Yes, you read that right.

Said bathroom mirror selfie.