Fat Rabbit — A Girl's Guide to Drinking Alone

245 Dekalb Ave btw VANDERBILT AND Clermont Aves, Fort Greene

The Place: A diner in Fort Greene that was promised to be “boozy,” but instead was filled with children.

The Time: Friday May 31, 6:45pm. I usually work at The Rockwell Place on Fridays, but not tonight because of my own mistake (I requested off when it turns out I didn’t need to, blahblahblah). So instead I decide to check out somewhere in the area before swinging by my bar to bother my coworkers who ARE working tonight.

The Vibe: I’ve had Fat Rabbit flagged in my Google maps since it opened last year, mainly because I read this article describing it as a “fun, boozy diner” and I like all three of those things. It’s on the Dekalb strip in Fort Greene with all those restaurants, and because it’s a beautiful Friday, every single restaurant is packed to the gills. Once I step inside Fat Rabbit, though, I realize I’ve made the horrible mistake of going to a diner before 9pm: it’s kid central. And I am a notorious grinch when it comes to children in my adult drinking establishments. Nearly every table has at least one child. (The adults sitting outside sans kids clearly know what they’re doing.) Luckily, there are no children seated at the bar—in fact, the bar is empty, so I take a seat. It’s got a well-designed retro interior with pink neon lights, classic diner booths, a stamped tin ceiling. It kind of reminds me of Bandits or Little Ways, I think it’s a popular design aesthetic choice these days. (Though those spots are clearly catering to a 21+ crowd.) There’s a TV playing some old movie that I can’t identify. The bar stools swivel and are bolted down, which I really hate. The music is vaguely 70s rock and I wish they would turn it up so I don’t hear the sounds of children screaming. Again, I am a grinch.

The Bartender: A nice guy wearing a hat. That’s all I’ve got. At some point, someone comes in who he appears to know, and he lights up, but turns out it’s just another employee here to receive their tips. I’m really hoping for some workplace flirting action, but alas. They’re ~professional~

The Drank: I could use something stiff to silence the kid noise bouncing around my brain, but since I’m planning on continuing to drink after this, I go for a lower-ABV option. I choose the Chamoy Chelada, a beer cocktail with Collective Arts Guava Gose (one of my faves), chamoy and a tajin rim. It’s salty and fruity and spicy and bubbly, almost bordering on too salty (and I’m a salt fiend) but I just love this beer, I would drink it with anything. I had initially been planning on getting dinner here, but it’s obvi not a relaxing eating-and-drinking-while-reading environment, so I just get a snack: the dirty martini deviled eggs. They’re pretty good, but they’re just deviled eggs with olives. Probably my favorite thing about this place is that their cocktail names are “Hold Me Closer,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Count the Headlights,” “On the Highway,” ending with a nonalcoholic drink named “Tony Danza.” Obsessed.

Was I Hit On? No, the only other person who sits at the bar is a guy who has headphones on, orders a drink and a meal, then leaves. Then a child sits on a stool and swivels around while staring up at the movie, and I take that as my cue to leave.

Should You Drink Here Alone? Based on my experience, no. The vibes at Fat Rabbit could be good, but I think it really depends on when you go. Maybe this is a baller nightcap place if you live in the neighborhood and want a Tiny Dancer and a side of fries before going to bed. Idk, maybe brunch is great? But for me, I’ll leave this rabbit to the kiddos.