Maison Premiere

Walking into Maison Premiere feels like stepping through a portal to another era. This Williamsburg institution, with its patinated walls and marble-topped horseshoe bar, channels the romance of the French Quarter without ever feeling like a theme park attraction. It’s the kind of place where your bartender might be wearing a double-breasted pinstripe suit with a flower on the lapel—and somehow it all works perfectly.

The cocktail program here goes far beyond your standard Manhattan or Old Fashioned. With over 20 varieties of absinthe behind the bar and a menu that revives obscure drinks from historical bartenders’ manuals, Maison Premiere treats mixology as archaeology. The tableside cocktail service is worth experiencing at least once, whether you opt for the perfectly chilled Old King Cole Martini or explore their trio of Sazerac options. The Maison Absinthe Colada strikes a beautiful balance between silky sweetness and that distinctive bitter anise finish.

Don’t overlook the food—the raw bar punches well above its weight. Grab a pencil and mark your selections for a dozen chef’s choice oysters spanning both coasts, or dive into the bay scallop crudo dressed with tart green apple. The steak tartare arrives beautifully composed with crispy shallots and a luscious anchovy aioli, while the Montauk shrimp pasta delivers surprisingly deep, complex flavors from its slow-cooked shellfish sauce.

Whether you’re settling in at the bar for a few rounds or lingering in the lush back garden on a warm evening, Maison Premiere delivers one of Brooklyn’s most enchanting date night experiences. After more than a decade in a neighborhood that’s constantly reinventing itself, this place has earned its status as a genuine classic.