Table of Contents
Sunken Harbor Club Review
Sunken Harbor Club transports visitors to an enchanting world of nautical adventure and mixological mastery, perched on the second floor above the historic Gage & Tollner in Downtown Brooklyn. This immersive tropical cocktail bar draws inspiration from ancient tales of the sea and a fictional centuries-old secret society chronicled in the mysterious Compendium Bibendium. With its motto Imus ad Infima—”we go to the bottommost depths”—the club embodies a spirit of exploration, camaraderie, and unquenchable thirst for forgotten cocktail recipes. Guests ascend a single flight of stairs to enter a shipwreck-themed haven, where moody lighting, curling fog, and intricate decor create a cozy, pirate-ship ambiance reminiscent of an underwater dreamscape.
The Immersive Atmosphere
Upon arrival, visitors are enveloped by the club’s carefully crafted environment. Walls adorned with trinkets sourced from legendary scuba explorer Teddy Tucker evoke sunken treasures and deep-sea mysteries. Immersive audio-visual elements enhance the sense of descent into oceanic realms, from gentle moonlight swims to the shadowy abyss. The space feels intimate and exclusive, with a beautiful bar anchoring the room and banquettes shrouded in atmospheric mist. Nautical motifs permeate every detail, fostering a convivial vibe perfect for adventurers seeking respite from the urban bustle. Open daily from 5 p.m., with later hours on weekends, the walk-in-only policy encourages early arrivals to secure prime seating amid the first-come, first-served tables and bar stools. Note that the venue enforces a 21+ restriction after 7 p.m.
Culinary Delights from the Depths
Complementing the stellar cocktails, the kitchen draws from Gage & Tollner influences to offer shareable small plates ideal for snacking. Diners savor inventive bites like salted kombu cabbage dressed with powdered mushroom, sesame, and gochugaru for a umami-packed crunch. Broiled miso oysters, topped with miso, parmesan, and panko, deliver briny elegance. Spam banh mi sliders arrive with pickled vegetables and cilantro, nodding to fusion flair, while aged beef sliders with Jake’s Gouda provide hearty satisfaction. Dessert seekers delight in miso butterscotch pudding scattered with arare, whipped cream, and toasted coconut, or refreshing scoops of chocolate ice cream alongside roasted pineapple sorbet and horchata. These offerings balance bold flavors with the tropical theme, ensuring every visit pairs seamlessly with libations.
| Menu Section | Description | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| In the Shallows | Easy-drinking cocktails for a moonlight swim | Batida Dourada with passion fruit, cachaça, coconut, and black pepper; Missionary’s Downfall with rum, pineapple, mint, and peach |
| The Twilight Zone | Stronger drinks as sunlight fades | QB Cooler variation with peanut butter-washed rye, banana, and pineapple; Papa Doble frozen daiquiri with grapefruit, lime, and maraschino |
| The Abyss | Strongest potions from the point of no return | Zombie anchored by secret rum blend, citrus, allspice, and bitters; Painkiller with navy rum, coconut, and sour orange |
| On Dry Land | Non-alcoholic alternatives | Cherry Phosphate with sour cherry, lime, and juniper; clarified grapefruit and elderflower amaro mimic |
A Descent into Cocktail Excellence
Under the guidance of Bar Manager Garret Richard, co-author of Tropical Standard, the menu unfolds like chapters in an epic sea voyage, progressing through depths of intensity. Visitors begin in the shallows with refreshing elixirs such as a yuzu vodka highball fizzing with ginger or a shiso-infused Special Daiquiri No. 2, embodying Caribbean purity. Deeper dives yield Twilight Zone gems like the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, expanding the navy grog with demerara rum, kola nut, allspice, and grapefruit, or Hemingway’s Papa Doble frozen daiquiri. The Abyss challenges palates with potent creations, including a Kong dram centrifuging bourbon, aged cachaça, banana, Cynar, and vermouth, or black magic summoning dark rums with cold brew coffee, sarsaparilla, and tropical juices.
- Communal punches like the Shattered Skull for two, blending Jamaican and Barbados rums with pomegranate, vanilla, and pineapple, elevate group experiences.
- King Pinky for four crowns tequila, hibiscus, and yellow chartreuse with golden pineapple.
- Non-alcoholic options ensure inclusivity, from nutmeg-laced coconut-pineapple remedies to fizzy botanical brews calming sea nerves.
- Beers like Presidente pilsner and Rockaway IPAs, plus sparkling cava, round out selections.
Events and Membership
Sunken Sundays bring the club’s legacy to life through monthly presentations on cocktails, history, exploration, and more, hosted in the club and private Gage & Tollner rooms. These gatherings honor traditions of knowledge-sharing, featuring captivating speakers. Private events can be hosted, immersing groups in the theme. Membership perks, shrouded in secrecy, await newsletter subscribers, alongside a shop stocking aloha shirts, flat brim caps, pins, passports, and signed copies of Tropical Standard for collecting nautical treasures.
The Bermuda Chapter
For those venturing further, the second chapter graces Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa in Bermuda, opened in 2022. This outpost requires reservations and operates evenings, extending the adventure to a resort setting with adjusted hours. Tuesday through Sunday dinners and bar service immerse guests in the same deep-sea lore amid Bermudan paradise.
Sunken Harbor Club stands as a pinnacle of Brooklyn’s bar scene, blending historical reverence with innovative mixology. Whether embarking solo or with crew, visitors emerge invigorated, toasting to depths explored and memories forged. This hidden gem rewards the bold with an unforgettable voyage.
Photos of Sunken Harbor Club
Address of Sunken Harbor Club
372 Fulton St 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States
Phone Number of Sunken Harbor Club
(347) 689-3677
Website of Sunken Harbor Club
Weekday working hours of Sunken Harbor Club
Monday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Saturday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Sunday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM
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