Kili

I love Kili. I might be biased since I live just around the corner, but from the first time I stepped into the place, I thought it was a very cool little find. My only gripe would be that I wish they had more drink specials to offer. Its a great place though to stop in for a few drinks, or end up after a night of drinking (I’ve done both). They recently opened their kitchen and I must say, though I was slightly inebriated at the time, I really loved their cheeseburger and fries. The regular bartender is awesome and I love the cozy atmosphere it has. PLUS: they have a fireplace! and a basket of marshmallows + skewers to roast them! complimentary! If that doesn’t draw you in, what will?

Kili is one of those places I go to because I’m too lazy to walk very far from my place. It’s not bad… but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get there. The place is pretty unassuming but man… it’s time to update the décor. It looks like someone went crazy at a garage sale or something. Having said all that though — I’ve never had a bad experience here.
Prices are a bit high for drinks, not sure if they have any specials. Kitchen is a plus but last time I checked it was only open 2 days a week. I had some kind of salad. It was huge and decent tasting as far as salads go.
I recommend hanging out at the bar and talking to the bartenders or stopping by when they have live music, esp Fridays. Then go on your merry way to the place you were really trying to get to.

I love this place. It doesn’t hurt that it’s around the corner from my apartment.
I came here the first time because I’d read on Unilocal that it was good for a blind date. So I took my blind date here. It has a cool, cozy vibe with sexy lighting that I’m sure made me more attractive. I’ve been coming back ever since. It’s a great bar for deep conversations with friends.
The kitchen just opened, and I’ve only tried the cheesecake. It was delicious though. So is the apple cider cocktail.
In the winter, you can roast marshmallows in the fireplace.

My experience here was everything you could ask for in an establishment. Good atmosphere, good people, and reasonable prices. They are said to add food soon and my only complaint is that because of the quality too many patrons will visit making it one of THOSE places. For now, they are just fine the way they are

Cozy, hip bar with a fireplace. I smelled the smoked from blocks away and followed it there. It’s a small room with brick walls and not too much in the way of décor. It has a feel that’s maybe more like a coffee house than a bar, in the best way.
The partition between the bar and the bigger room divides it up in a nice and smart way.
Tuesday was billed as open mic, but it was actually a curated night of guys who play guitar and sing, all of them very well. In between the bartender played well chosen Prince music, including an Apollonia 6 jam the crowd was very impressed by.
I said «crowd,» but in fact it was very nicely underpeopled.
They have marshmallows by the fire for you to toast. A nice touch.
The wood they burn is very fragrant and you come home smelling of sweet smoke.
The whole front is windows onto Hoyt Street, which makes it a nice place to watch leaves come down in the fall and will do the same for snow soon.

stupid and expensive (and I went during happy hour.)

This place is pretty cool. I’ve been there a couple of times and each time the crowd is a bit different. Hipsters, nu-​soul, and alterna fans come together here. The music is eclectic. the first time I went they were playing Alicia Keys, the next Erykah Badu and Bob Marley, and also some alternative music. There’s a charming fire place and and the place is lighted candlelit tables. I wish they were more consistent with the strength of the drinks. One day they’re strong, the next you’re wondering if there’s any alcohol at all. Its a bit on the small side. I wouldn’t recommend large groups at all.

$ 2 PBRs in Boerum Hill circa 2009. Who’d have thought?

I recently went here on a date after a friend recommended it. It was not crowded AT ALL. It’s dark and comfortable with great music. (they played Erykah Badu the whole time I was there) There was a small crowd at the bar but the tables were perfect for the 4 couples that were seated. Great date spot for sure!

Really. The best bar in Brooklyn.

Nice friendly neighborhood bar/​lounge. When I was there recently, someone commented that Kili was designed to resemble a Swiss après-​ski bar. Maybe thats true… it has a dark, candle-​lit ambiance, a fireplace and a great oak beamed ceiling. Smallish place, but large enough to accommodate live music, and the wine I ordered was reasonably priced.

Don’t go on a weekend! The place is one tiny little room and if there are more than 20 people, it will feel crowded.
Popped in last night (a Saturday night) and there were about 20 people inside, all standing and talking loudly to one another. Not what anyone really wants out of a lounge environment. Thought SURELY there would be another room, but nope — just the front room, which is surprisingly small. We couldn’t find a place to sit where «standers» weren’t hovering over us, so we just walked out and headed into Manhattan.
Seems like a great place to go on a weeknight, but if you’re looking to unwind and relax and experience some ambience, don’t go on a weekend.

So don’t tell anyone, but Kili is my go-​to spot for first dates, esp. if it’s a blind date. Mainly bc it’s dark and located about 50 steps from my apartment. Hahahaha. Yes, I do date but I’m incredibly lazy about it, apparently.
Well there’s also cheap drinks, a fireplace, and a laid back atmosphere conducive to conversation. And if things go well…50 steps from my apartment! JK!!! Really.

A fireplace does not a chalet make… That said, I disagree strongly with all the reviews that play Kili off as a cozy ski lodge atmosphere perfect for after work gathering. I will preface my opinion by saying that I went on a weekend when the DJ was blasting bad hotel dance music (no hot 70’s beats as i expected except the static saturated snippet of James Brown) at an unbearable volume, making conversation impossible. Perhaps on a weeknight the atmosphere changes, but I’m not inclined to return since there was very little about the random atmosphere that created a mood interesting enough to revisit.
The décor feels unattended to and accidental, leaving a sense of loss in the visual realm. A modern chandelier with no distinctive decoration about it hangs over the main room of simple tables. Little interior design (except the B/​W art portraits hung randomly) exists in the space, making it easy to forget.
Yes, Virginia, there is a fireplace, but it’s not enough to create this snuggly secret atmosphere that Kili desperately needs.

Came here for the first time for a friends b-​day gathering. I like the atmosphere. I actually did not drink anything or stay all that long as I was under the weather. I am sure upon my next visit I will bump kili up to 4 stars-​the 3 are not a reflection of the location but more my frazzled state of mind at the time. It is within reasonable walking distance of my apartment and that is always good. Why go into the city if you don’t have to?

Terrific find tucked away on Hoyt and Atlantic, its a really cool little lounge with a partition that separates the bar from the couches and a little space in the corner for a DJ or an open mic, as was last night. I wish I found it earlier in the night, but I’d go back if its in the neighborhood. PBR option upon request.
Everyone was having a pleasant time, two women dancing, lots of conversation, the open mic was for fun and tongue in cheek, and the DJ was playing solid music that was right for the place.
The cool round circle of light over the couches is nice. Its just a great example of a Brooklyn bar: sometimes small, cozy, a little hip, a little variety, out of the way, and a solid find.

Slightly off the Smith Street path but only slightly. (A to Hoyt Schemerhorn) this place has the BEST open mic night. I cannot believe the talent you are able to see for free here. One of the ex hosts has been playing with the Roots this year, the other recorded with Dave Matthews. John Legend used to play here before he blew up! Claude the owner makes delicious food and great conversation. Decent beer selection from PBR to Fancy-​pants. Lovely fireplace for cold nights. Like a ski lodge with Soul-​Acoustic Tuesdays. Open mic is on Tuesdays and it starts late but it’s worth being tired for work the next day.