La Bola Negra

Before

0.3 mi · 7 min walk - Downtown Brooklyn

Up the stairs on the second floor above Gage & Tollner on the Fulton Mall, fitted out like a ship's saloon with brass, dark wood and a long rum list. It takes no reservations at all and runs first come, first served, so going early is the way to get a seat. It is 21 and over after 7pm.

After

Long walk · 0.6 mi · 12 min walk; 2 min ride - Gowanus

A corner bar at Hoyt and Bergen inside the Boerum Hill Historic District, with a carved mahogany back bar, a pressed tin ceiling and a pool table through the arch at the back. There is no food, no television and no music loud enough to shout over. It is cash only, which is the fastest way to tell how little has changed.