"The view of Gowanus Canal may be less than romantic, but Lavender Lake is a dreamy-looking oasis in this stretch of Brooklyn. The cavernous bar leads to an outdoor wood deck, including a fire pit used during colder months. In addition to a curated list of beer, wine, and cocktails, a robust dinner menu is available until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, the bar takes free reservations for large groups and offers optional pre-ordered selections of food and drinks." - Paul Schrodt, Stefanie Tuder