Banter Bar

If you want to watch football in Brooklyn — or indeed in New York City — then this is the place to come. During my four-week stay in Bushwick, I regularly came here to watch the FIFA Club World Cup, and I always had a great time. I met good people and enjoyed some good beer.

Gets packed in here on big match days like Champions League. The atmosphere is so good and the bartenders are attentive and friendly. Perfect place to watch the game.

Best sports bar. It has a killer foosball table and regular pick up games on Thursday evenings. Great staff, fun place. There is dart as well

best place for a soccer pub in town. great staff, friendly people. immaculate vibe. the food is significantly underrated as well (sandwiches & pretzel both gas), and they know how to pour a guinness 🙏🏼

Up there as one of the best spots to watch football in Brooklyn. I messaged their Instagram ahead of time and asked if they were playing a certain match and got back quite quickly with a response which was a nice bonus. They have all the games on and partition the TV’s to play one major game on one side of the bar and the other games on the adjacent, I asked if I could have one of the French league games on and the barman got one of the smaller TV’s switched over to it for me which was cool. Service itself is really friendly, I keep getting the same guy every time I go on the Saturday afternoons and he’s really accommodating, there isn’t really a food menu except bar snacks but they do have 4 types of Sausages like Argentinian Chorizo or Bratwurst and they taste really good, but don’t expect a full kitchen menu.

Hands down the best fútbol bar in Williamsburg! Kick things off with an Irish coffee, follow up with a couple of Guinness, and you’re golden. Don’t miss the delicious Mexican chorizo!

I recently had my birthday at Banter. I first started going to banter to watch matches around two years ago and it’s definitely one of the best neutral bars in Brooklyn, largely in part due to the people it attracts! Everyone is friendly and excited without being too rowdy or rude. The staff is great as well, always working hard and happy to help. The food is also excellent—my boyfriend and I often stop in while we’re in the area to just grab a bite to eat. When I started to plan my birthday party, I knew I would have a hard time finding a decent spot in Brooklyn on a Saturday night with enough space, a good atmosphere, and without a huge fee. I reached out to a bunch of places, but Banter immediately became the clear choice. Chris, who I believe is the owner, was fast to respond and let me reserve the back tables without any type of minimum spend or deposit. My friends all loved coming to check out the bar, the space was great, and it was the perfect option. I love Banter for both sports and socializing and recommend it to anyone in the area!

I was there yesterday for a game and ordered a bunch of drinks and food when all of a sudden I tried ordering 2 more drinks and the bartender asks me if I closed out already because he doesnt see my card. I told him no and he says well i dont see your name here and we dont have your card. I explained to him that I gave my card when I started ordering and I never closed it or got my card back. There should be no reason they dont have it. He simpy says we dont have your card are you sure you dont have it and forgot? Thats when I got upset and told him to keep looking and to ask the other bartenders. I couldnt believe he was trying to act as if I had the card and misplaced it. He starts looking around and they finally realize that one of the bartenders gave my card to another person and closed me out. Not only was this a huge inconvenience but to act as if I misplaced my card and trying to blame it on me was ridiculous! They gave me a half ass apology and simply said to write my number down and they'd call me if they happen to get my card back. Showing no sympathy whatsoever, not even offering to cover the rest of the night or at the very least offer shots or anything for the huge mix up they made. Will never go back there again! They need to learn to be more professional and somehow compensate the customer when they made such a huge mistake!

Awesome bar!! We came here during dry Jan to watch the football games and they had a lot of non alcoholic options which was perfect - they had a "not toddy" which was really good. Our bar tender was super nice and helpful, I'm sure it's annoying to have people not drinking but he was super chill and the overall vibe of the bar is super fun! We will def be back to have alcoholic drinks in feb and watch more games!

Best soccer pub in NY! Great atmosphere, drinks, staff, food. Always come here to watch soccer matches

Good sports bar. Been here multiple times throughout the years for different sport finals/ or games. If it's a major game it can get packed and there might be a fee. The pretzel is always good and fresh. Not pictured is a prosciutto panini w chips. Food is fresh! Good variety of beer on tap and a full bar for mixed drinks. The bartenders do their best to keep the place tidy and to remove anyone that's rowdy or gone. Overall good bar, vibe definitely depends on who and what sport is playing.

I came to Banter with friends to watch the Knicks game yesterday and had a good time. Your standard bar with TV's outside and inside. We had a good time. We had a couple drinks.

I did not have any food it was a Premier league Sunday Morning the place was jammed the service & servers were superb it was a blast despite the fact it had 2 sets of Opposing Clubs fans in touching room of each other. I would go back to Banter in a hot minute to check out the food and ambience on a regular day or night as the management & Bar team were superb they had to serve 80-100 pints of Guiness and it looked like it had just left the factory in St. James gate

I went to Banter to watch a basketball game with some friends and tried their Brooklyn apple cider rose on tap. Service was great! And the bar was the perfect place to watch the game. They have 4 TVs set up and seem to stream multiple games at a time. Also, if you're there to watch a specific game, you can let the bar tender know and they can change the channel to a specific game. It's a bit of a loud bar, so maybe not the best date spot, but there's lots of seating, making a banter a great spot to meet up with a group. They also have trivia! Note: no outside food allowed! I tried to bring in pizza and was told I couldn't bring it inside.

This is my new favorite bar in all of New York City -- certainly top for enjoying watching football matches. I joined a dozen or so friends to view the Liverpool-Chelsea Carabao Cup Final. After the match, Chris surprised us with some parting gifts. A wholesome and endearing gesture that I very much appreciated. And helped to make everyone's day, regardless of the outcome, a bit easier to endure. During the match, service was top class. Can't say enough good things. Owners were incredible hosts -- super friendly and very accommodating. They foster an environment that is welcoming (to supporters of all sides), fun, and intimate -- all at the same time. Absolutely amazing! Thank you guys!!

Soccer bar? Unprofessional and disgrace to true soccer fans. Reserved for Copa America Final w a group of 7, forced to pre pay which was fine. Our party arrived 645 and we were given a table outside and covered. After 10 minutes into the final (810) we are asked to give up our table and to sit at a Picnic table in the rain. At this point we ordered multiple rounds of drinks already. Apparently the group reserved earlier than we did and that entitled them to show up whenever they want and claim the table they want. No options are given when booking as to which table. Not sure where the bias lies. Their group was only 2 women at that point and incomplete still. THEY WERE NOT EVEN FANS OF THE GAME. Sat in the rain the entire night with a terrible view. If you care about a game, come here at your own risk!

Great place to go to for football games. Make reservations in advance if interested in watching some high profile matches. Great pies!

We stopped by to watch the pitt basketball game before dining in the neighborhood. The bartender was very kind to put the game on even though it wasn't a high profile game. They had a fantastic beer selection. Ton of craft and location options from breweries like Barrier, Mikeller, other half, finback, transmitter, and more. They also had some macro options such as Guinness to satisfy any beer drinker. They had a bunch of food options including pretzels, sausages, savory pies and more. Lastly, they have some board games as well as some fooseball for entertainment.

Came here with a page out of the Brooklyn Pub Pass. I have to say that so far, out of the entire book, this is my favorite place. I was a little nervous because I read it was a football bar and I figured I would be amongst die-hard English premier football fans but it was actually very chill. Their beer selection was very wide and their small plates were flavorful. The prices were also very affordable. We had a couple of hot German pretzels that came out piping hot with a side of mustard. They were delicious and complemented the beer well. For our "main courses" we had a prosciutto panini and a bratwurst sausage. The panini was served on what tasted like French bread. It was seasoned well and the cheese was gooey. The bratwurst was also seasoned well and came with its own bread that was similar to the panini. We were very impressed with the small plates that the bar had to offer. I tried a handful of beers here and it would be too much to go into detail about each one. They were all amazing. They serve an impressive amount of craft beer. The service was impeccable. Our panini came out a little late and the bartender was so empathetic that he gave us a free beer and potato chips on the house. We didn't think it was a big deal but the bartender did and he made us feel incredibly special and acknowledged for that small mistake. I will definitely be back to Banter. It was an amazing experience!

I dropped by Banter before an event nearby to enjoy a beer and watch some football. They have a great happy hour special right now - $4 Bitburger pilsners (possibly in the spirits of Oktoberfest?) from 5-8PM. The bartender was friendly and we engaged in some good-natured banter (haha, get it, HA). I noticed that they have a shelf of board games as well as a dart board and foosball table! A couple picked up the scrabble and was playing it over some beers. A television screen sits up top the back of the bar playing the sports game of the night.

This is the kind of place that doesn't need my excellent review. They've got a great thing going and everybody knows it. If you like football -- association football that is -- you should already know this dark bar that shows all Premier League, Champions League and everything else. They even serve pie! The Thai Chicken Curry was great. Now I'm an older Puerto Rican man and don't always feel welcome waking into a bar where nobody knows me. Not this place. They're Irish, proud and don't give a shit where you're from; the Irish are indeed among the most welcoming people in the world. I found it by just walking over the W-burg bridge and exploring. And I've crossed over again for the same welcoming, fun experience I had last time! Come on down and have some pie!

Best soccer bar in Brooklyn! They play all the soccer games, and they're an official partner of the Nycfc club. I watched an Nycfc game there and it was amazing, hardcore fans. The food was also good, not a big variety. No fried food. And they have a good fusball table, which is always a plus If you're a soccer fan , that's the place to be.

One of my go to places for watching Premiere League football. Atmosphere is fantastic especially for the big games and the World Cup! Be warned, if you are going to go for a high profile game, get there early as the place is not the biggest and does get packed very very quickly! Bar staff are very friendly, the beer selection is on point and reasonably priced. Additionally, I haven't been in to watch the footy in a while as I normally work on a Saturday and don't always have time on a Sunday to make it, but the manager/owner still recognized me and greeted me personally (he's a Liverpool fan but it's all good lol) and even had some banter (pardon the pun) with me about still supporting Man United so really adds a nice personal touch! A real must for any football (soccer fan) especially if you're from the Great British Isles as it's also a nice slice of home too! Keep doing what you doing guys!!!

Came here about a month or two ago before a Yelp Event and boy am I glad I did. I don't often find myself raving about craft beer bars in Williamsburg. I also don't often find happy hours that entail $3 select beers until 8pm. At the time there was also $4 wine/$5 wells/whatever is a root shot. But the Beer Selection is AMAZING. Tried the Brooklyn Intensified Coffee Porter for the first time ever even hearing about this sucker (11.8% abv) as well as a Black Cherry sour from Transmitter Brewery. Things from Finback, Grimm, Greenpoint, etc. all at reasonable prices and not exceeding $7. Chips and pretzels for purchase and really super friendly bartenders. Very laid back pub and they apparently really enjoy that game of soccer.

Great bar with a fun atmosphere. They have foosball, darts, and large TVs. The draft beer selection is great and I highly recommend it!

I only went into this place because they show The Walking Dead on Sunday nights. You know, it can be challenging for a bar to do a popular show "viewing" right, but they nailed it. It was well organized, they had the show on the big screens, and they turned up the volume just in time. Everyone was in the bar for the same reason so all conversations were saved for commercial breaks. It was a Walker Stalker's dream. As far as the bar itself - it's spacious, clean and has a lot of that pub charm. The bartenders smiled! Hey, that's a huge plus in NYC. They were very friendly, knowledgeable and willing to offer tastes of the beers on draft. You know a bartender stands behind his draft picks when he offers a taste before pouring a glass. They have a great selection of craft beers - even Unibroue, which is a Canadian craft that I sometimes have a little trouble finding in the city. I'd say this place is a real hidden gem. Check it out!

If you live anywhere near the South Side of Williamsburg, and you like... Excellent, varied beer on tap. Affordable drink specials. The friendliest of bartenders. Association football (soccer, you uncultured hick). Great music (plenty of awesome DJs come through, check the calendar). Fun. ...Then you've probably already been here. If not, I really don't know what you're waiting for.

Great place with a bartender from the same place where I lived in the Czech Republic! (Pardubice, for those keeping score.) Great, cheap drinks, yummy currywurst, a great place to yell at a friend. (Don't ask. Just don't.)

Nice sports bar in Williamsburg, perfect for grab a beer and watch a game. We went 3pm and it was full!

We stopped in while waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant. Its like an Irish-English football (soccer, to the uninitiated) pub but in the best sense--it didn't seem cliche or anything. They had bloody marys on special for $4. My friend said it was a little overly spicy and unfortunately did not have a chaser. They had magners cider on tap which i had and thoroughly enjoyed (no pear flavor though--boo!) Overall it seemed a decent place to stop into -- while visiting the area or if you lived there. It looked like they served food too.

Went for a game in the AM. Had the egg pie, it tasted frozen so not in love with it. $4 pints is OK but not an amazing deal. The bartender though was not very cool and the impetus for the review. She was annoyed every time someone would ask for something (i.e. Water, it was 9am). She yelled at an old man with a cane, refused to turn off her chick rock, and was generally surely. I say avoid the day shift, try it at night.'there are other bars playing EPL games.

I met a friend here the other night to watch a Cosmos away game and securing two seats at the bar, we comfortably settled in for the game. Starting out with a draft of Singlecut Kim Hibiscus, it soon became one of my favorite sour beers. It was delicious! I then continued with a pint of Bitburger, which accompanied a shared bag of potato chips and a currywurst for dinner. All in all it was a fun evening, and I'm a fan!

Neighborhood favorite good burgers and drinks chill mixed crowd and I enjoy their brunch menu

Cool place to get drunk and watch soccer. Bartenders are nice. The place is cozy. They have a happy hour till 8 with awesome deals

This place is absolutely amazing! Connor, Ryan, Chris and the rest of the staff are awesome and the service they provide is great. My boyfriend and I are regulars here and we usually get the Ham Panini with my Amaretto Sour and his Chivas and Coke. Banter is not only just a bar, when the soccer games are on, it is like a sanctuary to all fans. This is our favorite bar that never disappoints :) Thanks guys, muah! :D

I have been (idiotically) avoiding Banter because I thought the name of the bar sounded really hipster and I really am not down for being ironic... but it turns out that this place is actually just an Irish pub. Oops. I came here because a friend of a friend was spinning old school reggae stuff the other night, and bumped into another friend who I hadn't seen in a while, and then saw a bunch of other friends as well. This is exactly what is supposed to happen at an Irish Pub. The drink prices are normal, the bartenders are nice, and I could hang out here on a nice weekday evening if they have a good happy hour, which it seems like they probably do. The thing is, don't be deceived by the name like I was. This place is chill and if you, like me, are from New England (Go Sox!), it will probably remind you of home. Without the wicked bad accents, bub.

Full Disclosure: I came here for a Yelp event several weeks back and had a blast. But since it was an event with free shit from various sponsors, I couldn't write a review without compromising objectivity. And I left my lucky scarf there, but didn't realize it until I was halfway home. To me, it's important to rate a place based on a typical visit by anyone. Fast forward a few weeks and my former coworker wants to grab a bev. He just moved to Williamsburg and needed a suggested spot. He likes good beers, spirits and sports. Banter seemed perfect. They have a great beer selection, loads of unique liquors and Euro soccer on the TVs. At 4 p.m. the place was mostly empty. But that was fine as I got to take in how spacious the place was. While classic old-school in terms of wood and glass, it also has huge ceilings and great art. I also got to watch the bartender interact with the few other patrons. He was full of life, bouncing jokes to and fro. Some of which I'll steal. As time marched forward and the crowd got bigger, I enjoyed one of their Panini dishes and the barkeep never let our drinks run low. This was nice because when having a catch-up conversation with an old friend, you don't want to take time-outs to get help. Finally, after a few hours of drinks and food, we felt the need to move on. I joked with them about having a "lost and found," mentioning the lost scarf. After describing it, they emerged 2 minutes later with the lost item, wrapping it around my neck. These are good people. If you live near, go here.

I wish I could be more specific about what I liked, but I was so drunk that I kept reading the captions on the projected movies aloud in what my boyfriend purported to be "ridiculous accents." The bathrooms were definitely clean, the food was pretty good (I remember a lot of salad being like, really mediocre and really in the way of my delicious pot pie) and it's just a few stumbles away from my apartment. Oh, and there are many beers. I drank some of them -- they all tasted strong and beery. Isn't that helpful?

Big Airy Soccer bar With 3-8 Happy hour. Twenty-four beers on tap.

Banter-tastic. This place is great, especially considering it's a relatively new bar. I went here with some friends, and the whole place is just open and inviting, and lends itself to conversation and (wait for it) banter. They have a ridiculously large beer selection (the cider is amazing), and the service is great - extremely relaxed yet attentive bartenders really make the difference. Added plus - they have these great ltitle hooks along the bar under the counter so you can hang your jacket up, without having to worry about it falling on the floor or getting beer spilled all over it. Sometimes, it's the little things.

This place is more than a soccer bar. It's unquestionably the best soccer bar in Williamsburg, but it's more than that.

Last summer I was in Brooklyn visiting from Portland. I wanted to see the Timbers game but it wasn't on TV. The bartender got a laptop for me so I could watch the game. I thought it was pretty f'ing awesome!! I'll be there tonight to watch the PTFC play in the finals.

Showed up around 11 and asked the bartender if food was still being served, since there was a menu outside but no time indicating when the kitchen closes. He replied in the affirmative, and was really friendly, so based just on his response, my boyfriend and I decided to check this place out. We got the curry pot pie and the vegetarian sausage, as well as a few of the beer specials (Bitenburger? I think?). The food was really delicious, and the beers were completely worth the $4 price tag. The food is definitely more of a quick bites while you're drinking kind of place as opposed to a full restaurant. The curry pie had great flavor and just the right amount of heat, plus it came with a big, fresh salad. The (vegetarian) sausage bites had a nice snap and earthy flavor, and came with a perfect spicy mustard and a chewy roll which complimented it nicely. Really tasty choices for bar food, and off the beaten path from chicken wings and the usual deep fried whatever. There weren't many people there (Thursday night around midnight), but everyone that was seemed to have some kind of European accent, and quite a variety. The music was low, so you can sit and talk without screaming over something,. Posters and fliers advertise European soccer games as well as horror movie nights, so maybe there is a bit of an identity crisis going on, but who cares. The variety of well-priced beer, the delicious food, and the incredibly nice bartender all make this place worth checking out. I'm a fan. I'll definitely be back.

Soccer bar in Williamsburg!!! Love it.Prices are amazing,bartenders are beyond amazing and friendly.Two huge projector screens and board games incase your team is losing and still want to have a good time.I'll be watching all NYCFC away games here.

If you are a football fan, this is the place for you. In from out of town with my brother in law on a "guys weekend" gift from our brides. So where do we decide to go..bar with tons of football. Owner was our bartender. Great service and super cool atmosphere. Beer selection was very local but can't speak to the food as it was a liquid diet for us. Been to England pubs and if you close your eyes you would think yo are there. Definitely will repeat when back in town.

Not much to banter about. Stumbled upon this place with my roommate to hide out from the potential cloudbursting cat-and-dog weather. What caught our attention was the $4 pint glass Bloody Mary. Not bad, thought the celery salt is just a tad bit overkill. For the price and volume, you can't exactly complain. We walked into an airy room of testosterone, eyes fixated on the flatscreen monitor. If you're into soccer, you should definitely check this place out. They've also got a large screen in the back along with some booths which makes this place ideal for groups. This place serves paninis, and only paninis, as far as food is concerned. I do not recommend you eat here if you are looking to eat and drink. My roommate and I shared the portobello mushroom panini with fontina, fresh rosemary, balsamic glaze, and a side of mixed greens. In my experience, portobellos are the steak of mushrooms. This was bologna. This panini was pressed so thin, it was like a communion wafer dipped in balsamic vinegar - and nothing holy about it. I must say however, they do have a pretty impressive beer menu - bottled and on tap. If you're waiting around for a friend in the area and want to avoid the seige of hipsters, it's not a bad idea to drop in for a brew. The prices are pretty decent too. To each their own.

I was completely fooled by the reviews here on Yelp because reviews insinuated that Banter is some sort of Sports bar and I REALLY wanted to watch the US Open Tennis match on a Friday night. Hence I came here, only to find only little TVs far away from the back area where my buds were sitting. I was kind of disappointed. The bar itself was great with a great selection. I had a difficult time getting served since the bar was busy and apparently I am invisible. When I was finally up, I was carded... which is always fun for someone in their 30s, except when they don't carry their IDs.

It's refreshing to see a douchey/dorky sports bar in Williamsburg. The beer selection was quite varied, although not ones that I prefer - and the food seemed decently German though a little too Murray Hill for Hope Street. The Irish bartender was nice, though again, unsettling for being inside Williamsburg. If it was located anywhere else, I'd give it 4-stars for the good choices, though the small likelihood I would ever return. Just b/c it's located in Wburg, I shouldn't hold that against them though --- 4 stars.

I have to say when I first walked in this place, I didn't think I would like it. That sounds premature and terrible, but I was a promo girl in college and this place looked exactly like one of those douche bag bars where young, entitled lushes frequent. Never let first impressions fool you though, this place is pure awesome! I enjoy that it's not trying to be pretentious or trendy like way too many places in the general vicinity. First, the bartenders are all genuinely nice people. Seriously, no attitude. Hard to believe in Williamsburg. Second, the food is out of this world! Yes, as another Yelper not so kindly pointed out, don't go here JUST for the food (although I do on occasion) because the menu is limited, but do remember this is a bar that serves food, not the other way around. I'm a veggie and their mushroom panini is seriously one of my favorite dishes of all times! My boyfriend raves about the kielbasa and ham panini. Even the pretzels are tasty. Lastly, they have a fun, chill atmosphere. The bar is equipped with 20 plus different drafts and pretty much any other liquor your heart desires. This is the perfect place to watch football (both European and American), or just to hang out on a quiet Saturday afternoon. Definitely one of my favs in the burg, check it out, you won't be disappointed :) P.s. - $3 beers and $4 wells during happy hour, which is until 8pm everyday!!

Now I know where to go to watch my beloved soccer matches right out of work. Uber cool bar with a great beer selection. And if you check in on yelp, a free shot of whiskey. What more can you ask for?

They serve Strongbow Cider, which is a favorite of mine. The bartenders are friendly and personable. I love the high ceilings and the wooden decor. We were here when the Golden Globes were on and the bartender happily obliged our request to see it and turned the CC on. An excellent bar, with a good selection of beer.

My go to bar for soccer. All EPL, Champions League, MLS, etc. I've even seen them hook a laptop up to their screens for some second tier league games. Friendly staff, good beer selection, relaxed vibe.

I LOVE Banter. Loads of beer on tap, tvs, and not the loud, busy hipster crowd that you'll get if you want a couple more blocks towards bedford. The other customers keep noise at a reasonable level and are a respectful crowd. The bartender (who has been the only one there the 3 or 4 times we've came) is one of the sweetest and friendliest I've ever encountered. He asks you about your day, and is happy to either have a nice conversation or let you drink in your own thoughts. They also have great drink specials. Amazing!

We stopped off at Banter to grab a beer before an early dinner, having read that they had a good beer selection and happy hour every day of the week. It was a little disappointing to discover that there were only two happy hour options, but the bartender was friendly and helpful. The decor is ripped straight from the collective unconscious in regards to what any European pub should look like. Their chief hook seems to be in a sort of media focus. They showcase various soccer/football matches and were running a Breaking Bad marathon when we were in. A chalkboard advertised PS3/Xbox 360 FIFA Soccer on Tuesdays. I saw someone else in a review describe the beer selection as "unique". I'm pretty sure that person is either working for them or has just never been to another bar. Don't get me wrong, they had a nice range of taps, but not much more diverse or unusual than many other bars in Brooklyn. We were slightly miffed after drinking our two beers that there was a $20 minimum for cards, especially when a) it wasn't posted anywhere and b) federal law allows up to $10 minimum at most. But the bartender gave us two shots of Jameson and only charged us the $20, so they're decent folks. Overall if you're looking for a place to gather with friends and watch a soccer match or the latest episode of whatever tv show is most massively popular, it's probably a good spot for you, but I generally prefer my bars TV-free.

I never write views, but Banter is seriously the best pub in Williamsburg. With all the loud and yuppy bars in Williamsburg, Banter is the shining light for what a pub should be. Besides the awesome location, the beautiful wood interior and huge selection of beers and whiskey, the staff is phenomenal. The owners are amazing and hospitable, always down to share a drink with any of their patrons. The British tender, Conrad, is always nice, knowledgeable and apt to help any of the patrons choose a new beer. The American, Todd, is also extremely knowledgeable and eager to serve and help out as much as possible. It seriously is the best pub in Williamsburg and so far the best I've seen in Brooklyn. I haven't had much experience with the women of the pub, but I'm sure they're amazing as well.

Without a doubt, Banter is the cleanest bar I have been to in my 20+ years of visiting bars. Conor and Chris are top notch owners and the bartenders are cool and efficient. The panini and savory pies are outstanding! Looking for a great craft beer selection and a filling lunch? Check them out. I go here once or twice a month for lunch when I am in the area. Lots of big screen TVs for watching soccer as well and these guys are big fans and show all of the big games. I'm a suit and tie businessman and I am usually surrounded by locals who are not suit and tie guys and we all talk like pals because that is the environment Banter has. You feel like an old friend after a visit.

Banter is an easy going bar in South Side Williamsburg. It is one of my favorites. They have a great selection of beers on tap which rotates. Happy hour $3-$4 pints of good quality beer, also rotating. Solid selection of whiskeys from your japanese to your glens. Bartenders are always great, friendly - ready to chat or just to serve. Small food service, with mediocre sausages, and decent pretzels. However, try and resist them as when they're cooking up sausage in the kitchenette connected directly to the bar the delicious aroma permeates the place. Banter loves its football and connects a PS3 to their projector for midweek Fifa open to whoever wants to play. Otherwise, it seems like they favor their turner movie classics or whatever football is playing for the night. DJ sets on the weekend - not the best DJs. The place doesn't get dance-y as there is no real dance floor nor do I think they need one - this is a proper bar; not night club. Weekends do get busy. Weekdays seems like its the bartenders selection of music, typically indie rock. Very little to no rap, hip hop. Every once in a while they'll have a special evening event like an Ethiopian food night. Outdoor seating on small, red tables. Good for enjoying a drink outside and people watching on havemeyer. Personally, I believe the best time to make it to Banter is for an after work drink - you can take advantage of the beers on tap or the whiskeys on shelf, not have to worry about crowds, and when it's mellow enough for you to be heard talking to your buddies across from you. What makes Banter special is that it provides consistently good quality of service; a friendly, clean place to gather with your friends; a good selection of beers and whiskeys; and absolutely no pretentiousness or attitude in a 'burg known for it.