Hartley’s Brooklyn: A Cozy Irish Bar in Clinton Hill
Hartley’s is, by its own description, Brooklyn’s homiest Irish bar — a welcoming Clinton Hill spot serving the Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Bed-Stuy neighborhoods, built on warm Irish hospitality and the feel of a cozy shebeen where neighbors meet and chat. The drinks lean craft beer and well-made cocktails, with quality product the house prides itself on.
The kitchen does American takes on Irish comfort food — a grilled cheese with Irish cheddar, bacon, tomato, red onion, and Ballymaloe relish on potato wedges; a house-spiced beef sandwich on soda bread; Guinness stew with braised beef and root vegetables — all locally sourced. The signature draw is live traditional Irish music every Monday at 8pm, an authentic session in a genuinely warm room, and there’s a happy hour at the bar too.
The Bar
Hartley’s plays the cozy neighborhood Irish bar to a tee: a warm, welcoming ‘shebeen’ where the hospitality is the point and neighbors actually know each other. The drinks are craft beer and well-crafted cocktails alongside the Irish staples, and the room runs late — to 1am most nights and 2am on weekends. It takes reservations, which is worth knowing on a Monday, when the live trad session at 8pm fills the place.
The Food & Sessions
The food is American-inflected Irish comfort cooking, and it’s done well: the Irish-cheddar grilled cheese with Ballymaloe relish and potato wedges, the house-spiced beef on soda bread, and a proper Guinness stew with braised beef and root vegetables. The cultural centerpiece is Monday night — live traditional Irish music sessions at 8pm, the kind of authentic, convivial experience that earns Hartley’s its ‘homiest Irish bar’ reputation.
The Room
Hartley’s sits at 14 Putnam Avenue in Clinton Hill, on the edge of Fort Greene and Bed-Stuy — a cozy, warm Irish room that runs late. It’s open from 4pm on weekdays and noon on weekends, to 1am most nights and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and Monday’s 8pm trad session is the night to plan around. The G at Clinton–Washington Aves is the closest stop, a short walk away.
Who Hartley’s Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| A cozy Irish local | Brooklyn’s self-described homiest Irish bar — warm hospitality and a true shebeen feel |
| Monday trad sessions | Live traditional Irish music every Monday at 8pm, an authentic neighborhood draw |
| Irish comfort food | Irish-cheddar grilled cheese, house-spiced beef on soda bread, and Guinness stew |
| Craft beer & cocktails | A well-made drinks list in a room where neighbors meet and chat |
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Hartley’s FAQ
Does Hartley’s have a happy hour?
Yes — Hartley’s runs a happy hour at the bar, though it doesn’t post specific times or prices, so confirm the current deal with the bar. The bigger draws are the cozy Irish-bar atmosphere, the comfort food, and the Monday-night trad sessions.
Where is Hartley’s?
14 Putnam Avenue in Clinton Hill, on the edge of Fort Greene and Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn. The G at Clinton–Washington Avenues is the closest stop, a short walk away. It’s open from 4pm on weekdays and noon on weekends.
When are the live Irish music sessions?
Every Monday at 8pm — Hartley’s hosts live traditional Irish music sessions, an authentic cultural experience and the night the room really comes alive. It takes reservations, which is worth doing for the session.
What kind of food do they serve?
American takes on Irish comfort food — a grilled cheese with Irish cheddar, bacon, and Ballymaloe relish on potato wedges; a house-spiced beef sandwich on soda bread; and a Guinness stew with braised beef and root vegetables, all locally sourced.
Hartley’s runs a happy hour but doesn’t post specific times or prices; details last checked June 2026. Confirm the current deal with the bar before visiting.