Mockingbird — Restaurant in New York

When Park Slope Living teased the opening of this unique spot (and its stunning storefront font!) I bookmarked it immediately for a visit with a dear friend. We stopped by on a late Sunday afternoon, both chilled to the bone. She ordered a hot toddy, hoping to thaw out. The toddy arrived in a miniature teapot, half-filled with tepid water accompanied by an espresso cup. We were deeply disappointed and for $14 each we could have had many cups of equally non alcoholic piping hot tea. While their vision is admirable and service is very friendly, there are lots of kinks to work out still. The aesthetic feels halfhazardly-Wayfair, with a mix of sconce lights, overhead, and electric table lamps brought out in the evening with an unpleasant fluorescent glow. The music was loud techno which wasn’t conducive to the intimate feel my friend and I were hoping for tucked away in a cozy bar. At one point, someone accidentally hit a button that closed the security gate in front of the building and wasn’t sure how to reopen it, so we were locked inside for a bit. Of course every business needs a grace period for the first few months, but for my money I’d rather be in a cafe than a faux bar serving thimble...

Mockingbird is exactly what Park Slope needed—a sophisticated and welcoming space that stands apart from your typical bar. The owners are focused on creating an experience, and it shows. I found the atmosphere to be both relaxed and vibrant, making it the perfect place to enjoy a night out without the need for alcohol.

The drinks are very innovative, capturing familiar flavors without the downside of overindulgence. For me, the Wild Earth Sour was a standout, balancing complexity and depth reminiscent of a high-end cocktail. And the Vermilion Spritz? A must-try for anyone who loves bubbly drinks like me. While some drinks could benefit from bolder flavors, the creativity behind each one is undeniable, and I can’t wait to see how the menu evolves.

The staff is warm and friendly, ensuring that everyone—from those celebrating Dry January to those simply looking for a different kind of night out—feels right at home. I love that the owners are clearly passionate about creating a unique and inclusive environment, and I’m excited to see how they continue to refine...

Love the concept but the execution needs a lot of work.

Their sour mocktail had absolutely no citrus flavor or other source of sourness - it was just sweet. Another cocktail was extremely overboard on the egg foam - it was more like eating a pavlova. The egg foam was extremely stiff - I'm guessing from a nitrous foamer like you use for whipped cream.

I don't know what atmosphere they were going for, but it's extremely well lit, and with a lot of streetlight coming in. Feels more like a café (you could easily read a book in there), but yet not cozy. Some drapes on the door and window might help.

Will definitely come back to try again as...