FREEHOLD

"Freehold, a longtime bar and co-working space in Williamsburg, shuttered on November 17. It first opened in 2014 as a cafe, before adding on nighttime service the following year. Owner Brice Jones told Crain’s New York Business that their rent went from $17,000 in their first year to $75,000 in 2024." - Melissa McCart

"From 9am-11pm during the week, and until 1am on weekends, you can hang out in Freehold’s backyard in Williamsburg. They’re serving everything from BECs and coffee in the morning to pizzas and large format margaritas at night. Reservations are recommended and available through their website." - matt tervooren

"Coffee shop / restaurant / bar / co-working / event space / all of your wildest dreams come true. Admittedly, we were skeptical of the neighborhood newcomer, but have grown to love this freeform space." - Franklyn

"With string lights hanging over umbrella-covered picnic tables and turf floors, Freehold’s big backyard is so nice that we’d happily hang out there even if they only served blue drinks. Fortunately, that’s not a decision you’ll be faced with, as the drink menu at this Williamsburg bar ranges from excellent cocktails to large-format margaritas to 11-ounce pours of malbec for $12." - matt tervooren

"If Union Pool were a person, it would be a college junior who just tried tequila for the first time - and if Freehold were a person, it would that junior’s older sibling who just bought a studio apartment on the Williamsburg waterfront. It’s a little sleeker and slightly more grown-up, but it’s still very much a party on weekends. The space looks like a big hotel lobby without the actual hotel attached, and there’s a little dance floor in the corner that you should make use of once it gets late enough. Just be sure to get here before 10pm if you want to avoid a long line at the door." - bryan kim