The Gatehouses @ Kings County Distillery

Stepping into The Gatehouses feels like entering another era: this 1896 entrance to the Brooklyn Navy Yard is now Kings County Distillery's atmospheric tasting room. The distillery, NYC's oldest, pours its own creative award-winning whiskeys in a rotating selection of cocktails, flights, and neat pours, alongside New York wine and beer. Cocktails often feature their moonshine and darker spirits, with fresh juices pressed daily and ingredients from local makers. The interior is candlelit and moody, with a soundtrack that sets the vibe—perfect for a date or a leisurely hang. There's also a great outdoor space with picnic tables, and even the bathroom trip is an adventure: a spiral staircase leads downstairs to a basement that still bears Air Raid Instructions from its past. The staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the spirits, which include standout blends like Kings Code, made from private barrels sourced by the Master Distiller. Visitors can buy bottles to take home, join a distillery tour, or host a private event in this unique, history-rich setting.