Red Hook may not have a subway station or edible produce, but it does have a surprising number of superb neighborhood bars. Of them all, I find Bait & Tackle to be the most glorious for the following reasons:
1. The decor includes a taxidermied bear, an old door used as a table, and an astounding number of baits and tackles (left over from its previous incarnation, I'm guessing).
2. Every other Tuesday there's a pub quiz that's way more laid-back and fun than some other, more bloodthirsty, bar trivia contests.
3. Big Buck Hunter can be found in many bars, but where else can you pretend to be a trashy New England fisherman reeling in giant cod while a disembodied voice yells helpful instructions such as, "Turn the rod left! Turn the rod down!"? Only in Bait & Tackle's arcade-sized version of Sega Bass Fishing, that's where.
4. Patrons bring their dogs here. And not nippy little dogs. Big, manly, weathered bar dogs.
5. Bar snacks: both a delicious mini-pretzel/cheddar-Goldfish mix AND Swedish Fish.
6. On Sunday afternoons, two-for-one bloody marys so good they make you see through time.
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