Two 80 Café & Lounge:

Bushwick’s Best Kept Secret

In the opinion of a new kid to the borough but seasoned bar go-er, Two 80 Café & Lounge, located on 280 Knickerbocker is the ultimate neighborhood bar for many reasons, not the least of which is the owner/bartender/chef Ali Chami – and while the marquee above the door reads Two 80 Café & Lounge, the bar is known by most as Ali’s. In his fifties he’s still one of the hardest working and well-witted men I’ve ever met, while running and operating the bar every day and night creating a familiar, friendly and consistent environment for new and returning patrons. Night after night I, along with new and old comrades, convene at Ali’s to take advantage of two dollar PBRs or five dollar beer and shot specials, to catch-up or just banter amongst ourselves. If beer and shots aren’t your cup of tea, Ali has a full bar with a good selection of spirits, and he’s able to create just about any combination you can think of. His mojitos are made of mint he grew himself and, like the margaritas, are only five dollars. The layout of the bar itself includes a front patio with half a dozen seats, a full bar, table seating in the back room and an expanded backyard recently equipped with a full size pool table. Another thing that makes this bar such an amazing find is the food: Specializing in Lebanese cuisine, Ali makes the hummus in-house, grows the herbs himself and sources all the meat locally. Yum! From the simple plate of hummus and flat bread, dolmas or buffalo wings to the hearty and delicious kefka wrap or falafel, you never have to wait more then ten minutes for food. Ali will take your order, pour you a drink and retreat to the kitchen to prepare your delicious meal (generally) no matter what time of night.

Inhabited with neighborhood folk and passersby, this benevolent bar will always greet you with handshakes, high-fives and a collection of characters guaranteed to hold your attention and entertain with interesting anecdotes. If you’re not from the area, it is still worth the train or bike ride for an evening of old fashioned revelry.

Share