Legion

Be sure to count your change with this place. The female bartender kept giving us back the wrong amount and twice we had to ask for our money (such as saying we only gave a ten when we gave a twenty). Another time we gave a ten for a five dollar shot and had to chase them down to get change. Bad attitude all around, very holier than thou for a standard fare hipster joint.

Went to this place several years ago on New Year’s eve, extremely crowded with on friendly staff and unpleasant atmosphere in general. Only saving grace is that there was a white castle across the street, is it still there?

This is a very neighborly watering hole. Love the beer and shot special, and the music changes every time I’m here. The garage band space in the back brought me back to high school, and I like the outdoor area, although wish it were bigger.

Further down someone wrote «worst bar». That’s not true. Good bar, good music, nice people, AND German beer on tap, which is the best in the world!

Worst bar in williamsburg.

El bar en sí está bueno, la bebida es accesible y está bien dividido: al fondo tocan bandas y adelante se está tranquilo. Buena opción, pero nada del otro mundo.

The bad:
Terribly rude bartender. I have never felt so uncomfortable as a paying customer in my life. Having stumbled upon this place by accident, I did not know it was a cash only bar. I paid for my first round cash, and was waiting at the bar with a friend and soon getting another round as we wanted to go to the comedy show.
I attempted eye contact for more than 20 minutes, when the bartender reluctantly came to my side of the bar. I attempted to order the second round when he told me «you have to pay for service, that’s how it works.» Insinuating that I would not tip him. Attempting to explain that we just wanted two quick rounds and had every intention of tipping him were immediately dismissed.
Horribly uncomfortable, embarrassing patrons. I still left a tip ($ 6 on 2 rounds of canned beer) although it felt forced.
The good:
Atmosphere is cool. Alcohol is reasonably priced. The comedy show was absolutely hysterical, and free showcasing local talent.
Will not go back because of how the staff treated myself and others around me. Reading previous reviews shows this is an ongoing issue.

Cool place allot of outdoor sitting. Differnt live bands. Cheap drinks. Right up block from l train

I like this bar, but it isn’t something I would highly recommend to people. It is a little divey and rough around the edges, particularly on weekend nights. It is a good, low-​key scene most other times. They have one big TV, but it definitely isn’t a sports bar. Beer menu is OK, but nothing special. Djs have been all right. No food, but you can carry-​in.

I used to go here back in the day and it was packed every night. Good DJ’s, good shot & a beer special, good times.
Then it got too packed and Daddy’s became my go to spot.
Then 5 years went by and Daddy’s is too packed now so I came crawling back to Legion last night and just like sleeping with a favorite ex-​girlfriend, it felt like I had never left.
It’s not nearly as crowded as it used to be, as bars like Union Pool, Night of Joy, Skinny Dennis, and Daddy’s have claimed most of the young’n’s in the neighborhood, but that’s a good thing.
Legion still gets a solid dance party going on the weekends, and that’s mostly because they have great DJ’s. This is one of the few bars I can go to and find Jock Jams and 90’s R&B and 2000’s era rap and maybe it’s my age but that’s all I want to here when I’m dancing.
In a neighborhood where a lot has changed in the past 7 – 8 years, I’m real glad this place hasn’t.

Bartender was really rude and gives you an attitude. I have worked in food and bev for 10 years and there was never a day I treat a guest like that. :(sad

It must have been a bad night, but the bar was empty and I got a ton of attitude from the bartender. He made it perfectly clear that he is not enthralled with the owners and gets a ton of complaints about the place… not something to tell a customer.
Don’t get a whiskey sour – they use what I can only assume is pickle juice and won’t offer you a new drink because they, «warned you about it.»
Why don’t you just buy some sour mix if it’s such a problem?

Good venue space, nice bar staff, and a good environment.
The front end had an array of different (yet pretty) people, including some overly privileged dude who LOVED talking about himself to me. So if you’re looking for dates and don’t have personality standards? This place is for you.
The venue in the back rocked a good show. Great stage for stand up comedy or small bands (and events vary by the evening).

Came here for a friend’s show and found nothing overwhelmingly unique or exciting about Legion. The beers that were available we ok, and for ok prices. I liked the DJ in the front room, and I enjoyed my friend’s show in the back room. Both rooms, however, were way too hot and uncomfortable, even though it was the middle of winter. I’m pretty sure they started pumping the air conditioner when we left. The sound for the show was a little too loud and unbalanced for the size of the room that it was in. I won’t be coming back unless it’s for a show.

It’s Saturday nite and Legion is empty. Surprise, surprise. This bar would be good if they didn’t play crappy top 40, bad hip hop, and electronic. It’s Williamsburg. Play rock for god’s sake. And why does everyone here look like they belong at Burning Man?

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!
every time is ever come here I fall in love with everyone ever and it’s amazing!
Shane is the second best bartender ever!
Erika is the very best!!!
Come to legion and hang out with me and Kelly!

I think after the second time I come here, I’ll rewrite my review and give out a 5 for once. I really liked this place. I just wish I hadn’t gotten there at midnight or had a 7 ‘o clock train to catch in central Jersey.
I couldn’t dance to the music… I’m a very active person and expend a lot of energy living the way I live (extroverted). Energy I needed to save for work later. The music was amazing. Joy Division. LCD Soundsystem. It was awesome seeing European hipster chicks dancing and singing to Kendrick Lamar. Especially since I was the only black guy there and didn’t know any of the words.
Wha?
Speaking of dancing, there was a lot of it. Everyone was so chill, so hipster and just so about it. I love Brooklyn. And I loved this place.
I also love free wine, which the bartender gave me.
The décor was nice… there was tons of room despite how small the place was. It was like an intimate smedium really. The couches and that table from the dogs playing poker painting added a nice touch to the interior design.
It wasn’t a poker table, but the lighting above it made the guys sitting there look like they were trying to reenact that painting. I tried to Instagram it but it was too dark.
Also, this place isn’t a dive bar. It’s like, a really nice dive bar.

Legion is the lost, dirty step-​child of the anti-​neighborhood.
Sack Magic on Mondays can be fun, but I stopped going awhile ago because the comics always give audience members shit for being quiet. Look, if you’re performing for a group of 10 people, don’t expect hysterical laughter. Especially when most of you suck.
With that said, Louis Katz is great, and I support what they’re doing. I’ve had long conversations with a couple of the bartenders when it’s slow, which is really all I ask for from a dive.
Four stars because it’s not another stupid cocktail bar.

I just moved to the neighborhood and came into this bar last Wednesday. It’s a great place. I thought it would be shady coming from the outside, but i couldn’t be more wrong when I got in and sat at the bar.
The beer selection is good, and the shot and beer combo is the jam for that price. But the friendly conversation with the bartender made the whole experience easy and relaxing. She was super nice, attentive on the refills, and a great DJ to boot as she was playing music from her iphone. The cool, friendly vibe made it a great place to hang out and decompress after work. I’ll definitely be back to chit chat and chill with her. This place is a frontrunner if you’re looking for a favorite neighborhood bar.

Walking from the train to Il Passatore, I noticed Legion and we made a point to return here for an after dinner drink.
Walking in, you’ll find your basic bar in the exploding neighborhood that is east williamsburg. Comfortable bar with a cool performance space in the back. I would definitely come back here to check out some live music.
I grabbed an IPA and my commandant had a raspberry vodka special. While sipping away at our drinks, she decided to share with me some exotic tales from years back. I enjoyed every minute of these accounts, and threw in a few good stories of my own.
Bonding over beverages, while classic 80’s hits played like Huey Lewis, Genesis and even ZZ Top. How all this music could possibly be retro is beyond me, but it was fun times all around!

I dropped by Legion twice on my visits to Brooklyn. The front bar area isn’t pretty, but I wouldn’t call it a dump as other reviewers have. There’s a very long bar, and a couple benches in the front. The rear room had some kind of party going on when I first visited, and the second time around was empty. Beers and drinks are fairly priced, and the latter are especially strong.
Given other drinking options in the area, I wouldn’t recommend Legion unless other places were crowded and you were looking for a place to sit a couple of friends.