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Watchlist // Red Hook
american · Red Hook, Brooklyn

Red Hook Tavern

Billy Durney's Red Hook tavern serving a dry-aged cheeseburger that's a perennial pick for best in New York.

//Camera status
No camera yetdamnlines hasn't pointed a lens at this line — yet.
197 votes — top venues get cameras first
//The line

The line here is a function of the burger and a very small room. The Infatuation reports that only a handful of seats are held for walk-ins - two bar seats, five window-counter seats, and roughly a dozen outdoor tables - while reservations open two weeks out on OpenTable and go fast. With that few walk-in seats, people queue on Van Brunt Street rather than inside.

BK Mag (May 2026) described 'the usual line ran down the block at the OG Tavern.' The Infatuation's walk-in advice is blunt: get there no later than 5:30pm to snag a seat, and ideally line up outside around 4:30pm, before the 5pm dinner open.

As of May 2026 there is a documented workaround. BK Mag reported that Billy Durney opened Tavern Next Door, a cocktail bar sharing the same kitchen and the same $34 dry-aged cheeseburger; on a Tuesday the bar had open seats while people were still queuing outside the original. We do not have a camera at Red Hook Tavern, so none of the above is a live count - it is what press and the restaurant's own site describe.

//When the line peaks
  • ▸Dinner opens at 5pm daily; The Infatuation advises lining up outside by ~4:30pm and arriving no later than 5:30pm for a walk-in seat
  • ▸Evenings and weekends are the hardest - reservations 'can be hard to get,' per The Infatuation and OpenTable listings
  • ▸BK Mag (May 2026) reported the walk-in line 'ran down the block' at the original tavern
  • ▸Weekday lunch (Thu-Sun, noon-2:45pm) and early weekday dinners are the quieter windows, per The Infatuation's advice to go on a weekday or early seating
Patterns as reported by press and regulars — not measured by damnlines. Sources below.
//Live lines nearby
//FAQ

Does Red Hook Tavern take reservations?

Yes. The restaurant's own site says reservations open two weeks in advance on OpenTable, for parties of up to eight. The Infatuation notes evenings and weekends book out fast.

Can you walk in to Red Hook Tavern?

Yes, first come first served. The Infatuation reports a small number of seats are held for walk-ins - two bar seats, five window-counter seats, and about a dozen outdoor tables - and advises arriving no later than 5:30pm, ideally lining up by 4:30pm.

How long is the line at Red Hook Tavern?

We don't have a camera here, so there's no live count. BK Mag (May 2026) described the walk-in line 'running down the block' at the original tavern, and the roughly six-table room means walk-ins queue outside on Van Brunt Street.

How do I get the burger without the wait?

As of May 2026, Billy Durney opened Tavern Next Door, a cocktail bar sharing the same kitchen and the same $34 dry-aged cheeseburger. BK Mag reported it had open seats on a Tuesday while the original tavern had a line outside.

What time does Red Hook Tavern open?

Per its own site: dinner runs 5pm-9:30pm daily. Thursday through Sunday it also serves lunch, noon-2:45pm; Monday through Wednesday is dinner only.

//Sources