Leyenda

Last night I had the most beautiful cocktail — mezcal, tequila, a cherry liqueur. I much prefer drinking something on the rocks, but I’d heard the drinks were excellent and didn’t want to miss anything. HOO BOY. It was awesome. Sweet and flavorful, and I could still taste the booze. The food was good, the ambience is great, but I loved my drink.

I had bookmarked this place, recently opened on Smith St., to check out and see if I would be comfortable there when I’m out solo. Normally I might go to Bar Tabac or Los Lobos when I’m in Cobble Hill, but the other night it felt right to try Leyenda. Now it’s potentially my new favorite spot.
Walking into Leyenda, I knew I made the right choice in the moment. The place feels warm and inviting. A beautiful wooden bar on the left, complementary wood tables and benches on the right and in the back, overhead lighting mixed with votives on the tables and religious candles on an exposed brick wall… it all works together to say «Welcome. Have a seat. You’re going to like it here.»
So I had a seat at the bar. The restaurant on a Thursday night was at the enjoyable equilibrium of being busy but not crowded. The bartender was the perfect mix of professional, friendly, and talented and made an excellent cocktail. (Rereading that last sentence, you’ll have to forgive the «perfect mix» pun, because it turns out that the bartender was actually a co-​owner and her name is Ivy Mix.) I sipped on my glass of deliciousness, relaxed, and waited for one of my best friends, who had decided to join me for a drink.
I was hungry, so I ordered the Churrasco Skirt Steak. My friend showed up, sat down, was greeted by the bartender in that «perfect mix» kind of way, and then was served her own glass of deliciousness. (As an aside, if you sit at the bar, it becomes very clear very quickly why Ivy Mix is an award winning bartender.) My steak came out fast, hot, and was presented simply. I’ll admit my first thought was «oh no, this is going to be the weak link», but that thought was kicked to the curb because the steak was excellent, and a new thought entered my head: «exactly what I wanted.» I offered a piece to my friend (who had said she wasn’t hungry); «ooh that IS good» was followed by «another piece please».
We stayed for a second drink and Ivy engaged us with fun and interesting conversation. My friend left before me, slightly and happily intoxicated. I lingered and chatted and finished my drink. I thanked Ivy and as I left I’m pretty sure I gave her and Leyenda one of my highest compliments: «I’ll be back».

Delicious cocktails and great atmosphere. Cute little fireplace in the back. Friendly staff that know what they are doing.
Dem Apples and The Headless Horseman = amazing.

We saw the chefs in the kitchen not using gloves and touching the food with their bare hands. Gross!!! Very unsanitary and will not order food here again!
The food is also Overpriced for small portion.

Stopped in here for NYE and didn’t want to leave. Great atmosphere. Great food. And the drinks (the cocktails) are ridiculous –as in great! I will definitely be visiting Leyenda again.

We didn’t love our first round of cocktails, but we altered our selections for the second round and they were both much better. I liked that there are tons of items to choose from on both the cocktail and food menus without it feeling all over the place. This is the type of place you need to visit a few times to find your favorites because there’s a lot of tough decisions to make on both the cocktail and food menus.
The four food items my girlfriend and I chose to share were all amazing. Sorry for not listing specific items, my visit to Leyenda was about two months ago. I can recall the tequila-​flamed shrimp arepa and tamal flaco though, because I took pictures. I think the shrimp arepa was my favorite dish of the night, but I could have predicted that based on my taste, just from reading the description on the menu.
I know this is a cocktail bar first, and restaurant second, but we felt a little crammed eating a full dinner at the little high table with bar stools. We had to improvise a place to set aside our jackets and my girlfriends purse, which can be difficult since this place can get crowded. Overall though we loved our meal and had a nice buzz from our two cocktails. The service was good too, our waiter was helpful when we were deciding on our dinner order.

Great place, great service, food and drinks! I like that is not your typical Mexican place but it has a variety of Latin cuisine dishes. I had the mofongo and was pretty good and juicy. The environment was pretty lively and fun. There is a good list of cocktails. The prices are pretty reasonable.

One of my favorite places for drinks in Nyc! :) must try the Tia Mia, la sonambula, and the lil smokey!

Once upon a time, my slightly drunken but always classy wife texted me, «Come meet us! We’re at Leyenday!»
Well, that was a somewhat prophetic typo because that evening, and all other subsequent Smith Street evenings at this fine establishment, have combined ‘Leyenda’ with ‘Yay!’ Because this joint kicks ass.
To elaborate on that, here is a short list of Things I’ve Never Had At Leyenda:
1. A bad cocktail. From the nearly always appropriate Sonambula to the very boozy Cabezaso or the mezcal-​based Lil’ Smokey (perhaps my favorite so far), the cocteles are impeccable. The ‘Dem Apples is a nice seasonal one, if you’re into that. Try a mezcal flight if nothing appeals to you, and expand your mind, man.
2. Bad service. The bartenders (including Ivy Mix, somewhat of a celebrity in the world of alcohol) don’t just know their biz, they offer up genuinely friendly smiles that are only outdone by the adorable sweetheart who was running food this past Tuesday evening. She was more excited than I was about the tinga tacos I was getting, which is quite frankly, incredible.
3. My appendix out. I don’t think they offer that service here.
4. Anything half-​assed. Thought and care has gone into every aspect of this place, and I appreciate it. The effect of the candlelight reflecting off the gorgeous golden ceiling makes me want to sit in my seat and sip mezcal forever. Not even the garnishes are afterthoughts, but rather careful additions (candied ginger, dried apples, cooked pineapple) that add a little more complexity to already deliciously complex drinks.
5. Bad food. The plates are beautiful and for the most part, very tasty, Pupusas, flautas, arepas, empanadas… all damn good accompaniment to the booze, which is the star of the show in this particular establishment. I imagine the croquetas are good as well, as it seems that I like anything that ends in «as.» I have yet to make a decision about the panuchos or the rellenos.
It’s safe to say that I will be back, soon and often.

This place is excellent. Super cute space, really nice staff, and phenomenal food and cocktails. I can’t speak for a huge range of their food, but everything I’ve had has been delicious (though small portions). The cocktails on the other hand — they are all amazing. The best, by far, is the Cabezaso, I’ve honestly never had a better cocktail.

Easily my favorite bar in Brooklyn, most likely all of New York. The Buena onda and pan-​am sour cocktails are must-​tries. Chimichurri skirt steak, papas rellenas are the best items on the food menu. Moderate prices, quality is awesome. Really doesn’t disappoint :))))

I’ve been looking for some good Mexican restaurant reasonably close to us in BK, and finally Leyanda came on top! We came here on an early Sunday night after drinks at Clover Club across the street. It wasn’t busy when we walked in, but filled up nicely when we left.
Excuse my lack of use of Spanish words, we got guacamole, goat and chicken tacos, some appetizer that’s fried potatoes filled with ground beef, and pulled pork shoulders as entrée.
— Guacamole was nicely flavored, and my husband cannot stopped raving about their chips, which were crispy and freshly fried. Definitely not stale like our past few Mexican restaurants.
— Both goat and chicken tacos were great. Flavors were well balanced, meat were juicy and tender. Absolutely no complaints.
— Colombian papas rellenas, aka fried potatoes filled with ground beef was my second favorite of the night. It was not heavy like normal fried potatoes, instead, it was airy but full of flavors. I think it’s their play on coquette, only better.
— My favorite of the night, pulled pork shoulders, were simple but AMAZING. There’s nothing fancy to this plate, just some old fashioned pulled pork shoulders, filled with flavors. We licked every bit of it from the plate.
Ok, in addition to the food here, you have to try their drinks. The one drink I absolutely loved was Maiden Name, it literally tasted like a smoothie, with coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, and came with a flaming half lime on top that made the presentation on par with any other fancy speakeasy places I’ve been to.
Needless to say, I will be back.

I feel like I’m always on the hunt for a new fun place to catch up with a friend and grab drinks and bites. Leyenda came up on the map, and it was a perfect choice. Great craft cocktails– came for happy hour. Between us, we tried probably four different ones, all were really good! Da Hora was really nice though a little fruity for me. They sweetened my mojito no sugar order with muddled strawberries, excellent addition!!! And the shadow boxer was a great close, which might have grown a hair on my chest! Awesome combination of flavors, all making for a very enjoyable experience and an even better time ;)
Food– really fresh and tasty! Guacamole and salsa, could have been spicier, but still very good. Ceviche was really excellent and the highest quality of tuna! Really fresh!!!
Skirt steak cooked perfectly with an excellent chimichurri sauce on top!
Definitely will be coming back to try the rest!

Oh Leyenda how you have completely destroyed my liver and wallet. Dammit, I thought I was completely happy with what I thought were stellar cocktails at Maison Première and June, yet somehow, after discovering you (and having to see you 5 times in one week) I figured I could still go back to my old standbys for impressive drinks and would still be satisfied. Oh, hell no. June seriously tasted like I had gone from Pliny the Younger to Keystone Light, and Maison Première was just plain terrible. I used to be fooled by Maison Premieres Disneyland theatrics but last week I went and after Leyenda and my wife and I both felt like we were drinking crappy liquor smothered with fancy flowers.
Leyenda on otherhand just focuses on the craft of the cocktail and uses some crazy good ingredients. No attitude, no judgement, no fake theatrics… just insanely good cocktails. Yes, I will admit being a 6′-5 guy it can feel a bit strange ordering a drink that is topped with flowers and other less than manly decorations, but dammit are these drinks strong, and unlike other places, all these toppings are just pretty decorations but play into the flavor of the drink. Everything is just perfectly balanced.
Yes, I realize this is a spinoff of Clover Club, but it is so many levels better than Clover. I have lived in this hood for 14 years and while I love Clover club for the drinks (although sadly their best drink, the triboro, is long gone), the fake new Irish pub plasticy woodwork is just distracting. It just doesn’t work and then pair with the weird fake handlebar mustached 1920s actor/​bouncer at the door and I just gave up on them (despite greatly respecting their cocktails).
Leyenda is different. This spot had a series of failed restaurants and rather than gutting the place they kept the façade and then added in a few knickknacks to give character yet not feel pretentious.
Okay so I realize I am not listing specific drinks, even though I have had them all, but I have to say you can’t go wrong. Just talk to the bartender and go with what you like. Surprisingly, I found the rum based drinks my least favorite. The tequila ones really rock. Their signature Tia Mia is phenomenal.
The bartenders are really great. We have spent the most time with Amanda but Brian rocked it tonight. We finally made it to the happy hour and plowed through whole menu (hard to resist $ 6 cocktails of this caliber). The Chilcano was my favorite although I never made it to the Michelado which looks insanely good.
So the food is really solid but it is mostly small plates. We enjoyed everything we have had, but it is not like we would plan for dinner here… it is more that the cocktails are so strong and delicious that you can’t help but order the whole menu.
So yeh, this place is the bomb. And dare I say the best cocktails in NYC (which I guess isn’t that daring since Ivy Mix won best bartender in America… of course in the dozen of times we have been here we have never seen her).

Cocktail, please. And they give you just that.
If you are like me, an avid reader of local reviews, and read a review that made a drink sound like it was supposed to be on your Bucket List of Things to Have… that’s what happened to me. It made me curious enough to take the trek to Cobble Hill — and now I too, can attest, this place is one of those bars you Must Try. I highly doubt you will leave disappointed. And if you are disappointed. U need not leave so soon.
Leyenda, stands out on the block with its spanish tile roof, white cement wall, and arch windows and door entryway.
We happily enjoyed the Tia Mia, Brooklyn Burro, and Maiden Name — all made to perfection.
My man had the Churrasco Skirt Steak, which was cooked just as well as the drinks were made, garnished with cilantro and vinegar.
The place is small — so, the noise level can get a bit loud.

a welcome addition to the neighborhood! Clover Club has remained one of my favorite bars, and this is a great companion spot that i will undoubtedly add to my rotation. for food i had the Colombian papas rellenas and Ham & Cheese Croquetas — both quite tasty — while my husband had the Goat Picadillo Tacos, which were very flavorful. i wouldn’t say any of them were the best tapas we’ve ever had… but we were definitely content. we also had the churros for dessert, and those were excellent, i definitely recommend ordering them.
for cocktails, my husband ordered and loved the Cabezaso, and i had the Hey Suze and then the Brooklyn Burro (as the waitress explained it, their play on a Moscow Mule.) both were excellent — creative, tasty, and not overly sweet — i definitely want to go back and try more of their cocktail menu!
service was excellent — i really, really liked our waitress — and sitting outside in their backyard was absolutely lovely (the one thing Clover Club’s been missing is outdoor seating.) all around, very happy with our experience!

Don’t expect to bring a date in here and have any conversation it is so loud that you can’t even hear yourself think. The drinks are really good it’s more of a drinking establishment and eating establishment we did order some food including the skirt steak which was delicious and the mofungo pork which was also excellent. Service was present but I had to cut my visit short because it is so loud and the woman sitting next to me was wearing so much perfume that I couldn’t breath. Have an outdoor patio in the backyard, and when the doors open it tends to be very hot inside.
But it’s a cute little place.

Gracias Leyenda!
The cocktails are awesome. Some of the cocktails come with a «dividend», an extra small carafe with about a half a cocktail’s worth of additional cocktail for your cocktail.
The owner got her training initially in an underground mezcal bar in Guatemala and then at Clover Club across he street. She knows her stuff.
The food programma is also dope. Get the churros and the pupusas.
In a neighborhood with some great spots, but weirdly a lot of meh cocktails (except for a few very key places of course), I welcome Leyenda with open arms and have instantly become a regular.
I should also add, everyone who works there is really, really nice.

Cool new cocktail bar and restaurant from the Clover Club people. Had a great jalapeño tequila cocktail (Sonambula) very reasonably priced at $ 11. Also had dinner at the bar. Ordered the «Grandma Toress’ Pernil & Mofongo». The pernil was excellent, but the mofongo wasn’t very mofongo-​like. Kind of just a small clump on the side rather than a mountain of meaty mash. It was still good though. It was pretty busy on a Saturday night, but I would gladly return for day cocktails!

Excellent, excellent, excellent! Sat at the bar and the bartender was slammed but so very apologetic for me having to wait a few minutes longer than he would have liked, but I understand… The place was packed and he was crushing it! (If the owner wants to give props to the bartender, it was a young fella with brown hair and a beard … I think I just described most of Brooklyn)
Anyway…
I had 3 cocktails all outside my comfort zone of drinking and they were spectacular!
I didn’t eat cause I had an amazing dinner at Sunshine Co. in Prospect Heights but I did eye off the ladies food next to me and it looked/​smelled amazing!
Do yourself a favor and go !

Really cool little Latin cocktail spot. The drinks are excellent. They seem to be focused more on Mezcal, Tequila, Pisco, Cachaca and rum rather them whiskey, gin, vodka etc. Try a Shadow boxer. Especially if you like compari. The food menu looks really good, however I did not try any. The atmosphere is really nice to. Very laid back. The big windows in front open up which is perfect for the summer. I’m looking forward to visiting this new spot many times.