From Lavender Lake to Industrial Chic: Gowanus

Happy hour house cocktails at Lavender Lake

When I moved to Brooklyn 32 years ago, the Gowanus Canal was rank with sewage and the only street life was the occasional rat. Now, Whole Foods anchors the former Superfund site and luxury apartments are sprouting next to restaurants and bars.

Lavender Lake, a bar that draws its name from the ironic nickname of the canal, sits just over the wooden drawbridge that separates Park Slope from Carroll Gardens. The inside is cute, with exposed brick walls and a long bar, but outside is where Lavender Lake shines.

The backyard at Lavender Lake

A huge backyards picnic tables, greenery, and a welcoming water bowl for pups. Unlike many other bars, this dog friendly place lets you walk your dog through the bar and sit with you while you sip a beer.

Everyone is outside on a nice day

The bar has a daily happy hour, with a couple of lower priced local beers on tap and reduced prices on the house cocktails. The Gowanus Mermaid, which combines local Greenhook gin, blueberry shrub and lemon juice, is refreshing. For a kick, try the Gungan, which has jalapeño infused tequila, triple sec and a paprika salt rim. It's a much more sophisticated margarita.

The food menu has a supposing number of delicious vegetarian and vegan food, with the Brussels sprouts and vegan hero must haves.

Or, pick up dinner on the way home at Whole Foods.