A French corner bistro in Cobble Hill
Bar Tabac has anchored the corner of Smith and Dean for two decades — a Parisian-style bistro and bar named for the little tobacco-and-everything shops that double as neighborhood bars across France. It’s all zinc, mirrors, vintage posters and a buzzy terrasse, with live music nights and a day-to-night rhythm from lunch through late dinner.
The early-evening happy hour, around 5–7pm, is the easiest way in — a glass of wine or a cocktail at the bar before the dinner rush. Stay for steak frites and the jazz some nights.
The Happy Hour
Here’s what to know about Bar Tabac’s happy hour:
- Around 5–7pm — an early-evening, after-work window the bar promotes on its own channels
- Wine & cocktails — a French-leaning list, the natural happy-hour order
- At the bar — pull up before dinner service fills the dining room
- Confirm specials — the bistro doesn’t publish happy-hour pricing, so check when you go
Times can shift with the seasons and the terrasse, so treat 5–7pm as the guide and confirm at the bar.
The Drinks
Bar Tabac leans French — a wine list built for the bistro menu, plus classic cocktails and beer. It’s the kind of place to start with a glass of something at the bar and let the evening unfold from there.
The Food
Proper bistro cooking: steak frites, moules, escargot, onion soup and brunch on weekends. It’s hearty, traditional and built for lingering — the food is as much the draw as the drinks.
The Scene
Day to night, Bar Tabac shifts from a sunny lunch and brunch spot to a lively, music-filled bistro after dark — live jazz and DJ nights, a packed terrasse in warm weather, and a genuinely Parisian buzz.
The Location
Bar Tabac sits at 128 Smith Street on the corner of Dean Street in Cobble Hill, in the thick of Smith Street’s restaurant row. The F/G at Bergen St is a block or two away, with Borough Hall trains a short walk north.
Who Bar Tabac Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| A glass of wine after work | Early-evening happy hour, around 5–7pm, at the bar |
| Steak frites & a bistro dinner | Traditional French cooking in a Paris-style room |
| Live music night | Jazz and DJ nights give it a buzzy after-dark energy |
| Terrasse in summer | A lively sidewalk terrasse that’s the draw in warm weather |
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Bar Tabac FAQ
Does Bar Tabac have a happy hour?
Yes — the bar promotes an early-evening happy hour around 5–7pm. Specific drink pricing isn’t published, so confirm the current specials when you visit.
Where is Bar Tabac?
128 Smith Street, on the corner of Dean Street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn — a short walk from the F/G at Bergen St.
What should I order?
Steak frites is the bistro classic; the moules, onion soup and a glass of French wine are all safe bets. Weekend brunch is popular too.
What are the hours?
Open every day 11am–11pm — lunch Mon–Fri 11am–5pm, dinner daily 5–11pm, and brunch Sat–Sun 11am–5pm.
Bar Tabac’s happy hour (around 5–7pm) is sourced from the venue’s own posts; the bistro’s site doesn’t publish happy-hour times or pricing, so specific prices are omitted here. Address, hours and phone are from the official site. Details last checked June 2026 — confirm with the bar before visiting.