Littleneck — A Girl's Guide to Drinking Alone

288 3rd Ave btw President and Carroll Sts, Gowanus

The Place: A seafood restaurant plucked right out of a coastal New England town.

The Time: Wednesday June 14, 5pm. I had an appointment this morning where I was anticipating having to do a lot of waiting around. To my pleasant surprise, I was in and out before my actual appointment time, so I gained several hours in my day, which was lovely; however, I was kind of disappointed I didn’t get to do any leisurely reading while waiting for said appointment. I’m meeting friends for dinner in Gowanus at 5:45, so I left my apartment around 4:30 with the intention of getting in a drink and a chapter before dinner.

I initially set out to go to Black Mountain Wine House, a wine bar smack in between my apartment and the restaurant, that also happens to be open before 5pm. Turns out, they’re having a happy hour for PS32. My plans are foiled, but teachers need to drink more than anyone, how can I be mad? So I end up wandering around Gowanus until 5pm on the dot, when every other place opens, and find myself at Littleneck.

The Vibe: An upscale surf shack with a general nautical theme: ropes, anchors, sailors, whitewashed wood. There are some tables and booths, a nice small bar, a good looking outdoor space. Because they literally JUST opened, it’s only me inside, and two guys at a table outside. This is exactly the kind of vibe I was looking for – somewhere chill to hang out for 45 minutes, read my book, drink a glass of wine. I’m pleased.

The Bartender: A guy wearing a hat and glasses who hands me a stack of papers when I sit down (the drinks menu, the food menu, the happy hour menu and the dinner specials). Ironically this feels like my appointment again but I get a drink after the paperwork this time.

The Drank: A glass of rosé, a syrah/grenache blend from Provence that’s on the happy hour menu. Being here makes me wish I actually enjoyed oysters, because they’ve got them for happy hour and it would be the perfect little snack before dinner. Plus it’s fitting for the atmosphere, you know? Alas.

Was I Hit On?: No, I mostly just read my book. However I get very distracted when an older couple sits down at the bar a few seats away from me. The man asks for Tanqueray. They don’t have it, so the bartender talks them through all four gins. “What tastes the most like Tanqueray?” The bartender is really doing his best, but this couple tastes literally all the gins and they end up going with the one he suggested in the first place. (The lesson here: trust your bartender!) Once settled on the gin, the man asks for a martini, “really dry, like no vermouth.” (I have strong feelings about this.) And after all that, THE MARTINI ENDS UP BEING FOR HER. He asks for a Coors Light. Which they do not have. You can guess what happens next.

Should You Drink Here Alone?: Sure. Littleneck is a lovely little place for a drink and a bite, especially if you want to forget that the body of water you’re closest to is the Gowanus Canal.