It’s coming.
Every first Sunday in November, the city gets overrun — by runners — as thousands snake their way through all five boroughs as part of the New York City Marathon. And this Nov. 7 is no exception.
Brooklyn gets a nice fair chunk of the action, with 12 miles of the marathon winding its way from Bay Ridge to Greenpoint, And there’s plenty of good food and drink along the way, for both runner and non-runners a like. Here’s where to head to load up on carbs and booze, mile by mile.
Mile 2
Here’s some motivation to finish those 26-plus miles: Bay Ridge’s Longbow Pub and Pantry wants to buy the marathoners a beer.
Runners who find their way back to Bay Ridge after completing the marathon will receive a free 20-ounce draught (as long as they bring their official number tag with them, of course).
“We’re hoping for a lot of people to come out and celebrate their achievement,” said Longbow co-owner Jennifer Colbert. “Running 26.2 miles is quite a feat, the least we can do is buy them a beer.”
For non-runners doing their part to cheer on the marathoners, fill up on carbohydrates nearby at the Kettle Black. The bar and restaurant is offering a fixed brunch menu on Sunday from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. The “Not So Traditional Brunch” consists of a choice of flap jacks, steaks and eggs or special omelets for $16.95, as well as unlimited Bloody Marys, mimosas, or domestic draught beer. Because after all that cheering, you’re going to be thirsty.
If you’re looking for a family friendly spot to enjoy your morning, bring the kids to The Little Cupcake Bake Shop. This shabby-chic bakery has a variety of cupcakes ranging from carrot to cookie dough. You can also treat yourself to other treats such as pie, cookies, cakes and pudding! Open from 8 am to 10pm on Sunday, the bake shop has indoor and outdoor seating and uses certified green materials and products.
Also in the neighborhood: Century 21 Department Store
Longbow Pub and Pantry [7316 Third Ave. between 73th and 74th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 238-7468]; The Kettle Black [8622 Third Ave. on the corner of 87th Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 680-7862]; The Little Cupcake Bake Shop [9102 Third Ave. at 91st Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 680-4465]; Century 21 Department Store [472 86th St. between Fourth and Fifth avenues in Bay Ridge, (718) 748-3266].
Miles 4-6
If you find yourself in Sunset Park along the marathon’s long stretch of Fourth Avenue, grab your viewing spot in front of Eclipse Restaurant. This Mexican and American restaurant offers brunch from 11 am–3 pm on Sunday, perfect for marathon watching. With each item on the menu less than $10, you can choose from classics like pancakes and French toast or mix things up with a traditional Mexican dish of Huevos a la Mexicana (Mexican-styled eggs) — or try them all.
For fun for the whole family, head to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which is hosting “Family Funday” this Sunday, starting at noon. The event, which is $5 for those over 12, and $3 for children younger than 12, will include refreshments, games, rides and shop tables.
Also in the neighborhood: Green-Wood Cemetery, Toby’s Public House
Eclipse Restaurant [4314 Fourth Ave. at 43rd Street in Sunset Park, (718) 965-1602]; Our Lady of Perpetual Help [552 59th St. between. Fifth and Sixth avenues in Sunset Park, (718) 376-1620]; Green-Wood Cemetery [Fifth Avenue and 25th Street in Sunset Park, (718) 768-7300]; Toby’s Public House [686 Sixth Ave. at 21st Street in South Slope, (718) 788-1186].
Mile 7
Whether the weather is warm or cold, you won’t go wrong in stopping by the Chocolate Room for hot chocolate. There’s four different kinds to choose from, which may warrant seconds.
If your morning beverages need more of a bite to them, head to Pacific Standard, where you’ll have front row seats to all the marathon action this Sunday and can imbibe in the bar’s $7 Marathon Marys. Or, you can enjoy brews from all over the country, including Great Divide Samurai Ale, Stone Cali-Belgique and the brand new Sierra Nevada Estate Harvest, which is one of the hardest beers to get on the East Coast, all for $6 a pint. Hot dogs and anything else you bring will be grilling outside. Stick around for the Sunday Pub Quiz at 8:30 pm, where you can answer trivia questions in hopes of winning even more beer.
Also in the neighborhood: The Gallery Players, doing “Reefer Madness”; Old Stone House Historic Center
Chocolate Room [86 Fifth Ave. between St. Marks Place and Warren Street in Park Slope, (718) 783-2900]; Pacific Standard [82 Fourth Ave. between St. Marks and Bergen Streets in Park Slope, (718) 858-1951]; Gallery Players [199 14th St. between Fourth and Fifth avenues in Park Slope, (212) 352-3101]; Old Stone House Historic Center [336 Third St. between Fourth and Fifth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 768-3195].
Mile 8
You’ll need your protein from running (or drinking) all day, so why not stop at a bistro that dedicates Sunday to steak?
Fort Greene’s Chez Lola will be serving skirt steak and fries for $12. This Southern French bistro has a beautiful rustic décor as well as an outside eatery. And it’s just a few blocks away from the marathon track as turns up Lafayette Avenue, so you can get your fill of both steak and run.
For other food options, Mullanes Bar and Grill will be open early — well, 9:30 am — for the crowd of marathon cheerleaders. The race passes right by the bar, making it a prime spot for fun.
“The overall atmosphere of the restaurant is welcoming and inviting, it has a family feel,” said server Carolyn Crian. “This is the first time we’re opening up early for the marathon. We’re very enthusiastic about it.”
And few blocks away, Olea Mediterranean Taverna, will be offering brunch from 10 am–4 pm, Co-Owner Dan DeMarti says the marathon is like one giant block party (complete with alcoholic beverages.)
“We have a pretty great location for the marathon, as it passes just feet away from the front of the restaurant,” said DeMarti. “We fill up very early with neighborhood people wanting to either get some brunch before the racers really start coming, and then rush out there to see them, or people who want to leisurely enjoy their brunch with many ‘marathon intermissions.’”
Also in the neighborhood: Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Peter Jay Sharp Building
Mullanes Bar and Grill [71 Lafayette Ave. on South Elliott Place in Fort Greene, (718) 797-7606]; Olea Mediterranean Taverna [171 Lafayette Ave. on Adelphi Street in Fort Greene, (718) 643-7003]; Chez Lola [387 Myrtle Ave. between Clermont and Vanderbilt avenues in Fort Greene, (718) 858-1484]; [30 Lafayette Ave. between Ashland Place and St. Felix Street in Fort Greene, (718) 636-4100].
Mile 11
For front-row action to the race, grab a seat at Fabiane’s Cafe and Pastry Shop, a Bedford Avenue spot that also boasts outdoor seating. There, you can have your morning coffee, or indulge in the restaurant’s brunch, which includes some pretty darn good waffles. Leave room for dessert, too: the chocolate passion fruit mousse is to die for.
Also in the neighborhood: Radegast Hall and Biergarten, Egg, Sound Fix
Fabiane’s Cafe and Pastry Shop [142 N. Fifth St. between Bedford and Driggs avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 218-9632]. Radegast Hall and Biergarten [113 N. Third St. at Berry Street in Williamsburg, (718) 963-3973]; Egg [135 N. Fifth St. near Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 302 5151]; Sound Fix [44 Berry St. at Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 388-8090].
Mile 12
For marathon finishers, fill up on carbs with free bagels and ease your pain with $6 Bloody Marys post-race this Sunday at the Mark Bar, the destination for marathon runners, and those who just like to watch, in Greenpoint.
“We get a lot of post-marathoners,” said Bobby Levitt, Mark Bar’s general manager. “We’re an art-deco neighborhood saloon so quite frankly our Sundays are pretty busy anyway, but it’s a great place to be for all the specials on Marathon Sunday.”
Open at noon, the bar also offers an eight-hour happy hour on Sunday with $3 pint draft beers and $3 shots.
Located on Manhattan Avenue, the Mark Bar is just a block away from the race as it winds its way up McGuinness Boulevard before crossing the Pulaksi Bridge into Queens, where we stop caring about it, so spectators can enjoy cheer on the runners, and then grab brunch. It’s a win-win.
Also in the neighborhood: Five Leaves, Enid’s
The Mark Bar [1025 Manhattan Ave. at Freeman Street in Greenpoint, (718) 349-2340]; Five Leaves [18 Bedford Ave. at Lorimer Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-5345]; Enid’s [560 Manhattan Ave. at Driggs Avenue in Greenpoint, (718) 349-3859].
