BROOKLYN BARS

Bar Tabac
This quaint, French-themed bar and restaurant is a pleasant surprise, resisting clichéd references to berets, baguettes or bicycles. Low lighting and flickering candles add to the comfy atmosphere, while a French barman and football on the television add to the authentic brasserie feel. Expect to see some double-cheek kissing salutations, too. 128 Smith St at Dean St (718-923-0918, bartabacny.com)

The Brooklyn Inn
In a recent episode of Gossip Girl, the Brooklyn Inn starred as an old bar, which Vanessa fought to get landmark status for so that evil developers couldn’t tear it down. OMFG! Grab a bowl of the gratis nibbles and hole up in the corner by the window for an unrestricted view of young profs making merry at this relic of a pub, lined with a wooden bar built in Germany in the 1870s. Punch up a tune on the dynamic jukebox and join in a game of pool in the back room, or just order a pint and see who you can pick up. 148 Hoyt St at Bergen St (718-625-9741)

Building on Bond
The next great hangout for the Brooklyn yupster set, Building on Bond has been open for just a few months. It still has that new-bar smell and is so far free of the sticky floors, stinky bathrooms and chipped pint glasses familiar at more lived-in taverns. Drink fare is standard, but the tunes are choice: Any place you can hear the season-one theme song from The Wire and selections off The Big Lebowski soundtrack gets a thumbs-up. But don’t make this your end-of-the-night spot: It closes at 1. 112 Bond St at Pacific St (347-853-8687)

Pacific Standard
This California-themed watering hole changes its tap offerings weekly— perfect for keeping the sports-watching young patrons on their toes. If beer and football aren’t your thing, try the potent Blueberry Lemonade with seltzer and blueberry-and-citrus vodka ($8). Your chances of getting drunk are fairly high, but stick with the TV if you want to experience a home run. 82 Fourth Ave between Bergen St and St. Marks Pl (718-858-1951, pacificstandardbrooklyn.com)

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