Lovers Rock Opens on Tompkins in Bed Stuy With Reggae and Caribbean-Themed Cocktails

A Caribbean-themed bar with all sorts of inventive cocktails opened in late July at 419 Tompkins Avenue in Bed Stuy.

Lovers Rock is across the street from BBQ joint Peaches Hothouse and around the corner from Bed Vyne Cocktail but its immediate block is mostly residential and, at the moment, teaming with the construction of big apartment buildings at 410 Tompkins and 420 Tompkins.

The bar features colorful decor with pink lights and vintage wallpaper, a backyard with strings of lights, and Caribbean themed drinks. The bartender was hand squeezing orange juice in quantity when Brownstoner stopped by on a recent afternoon.

Interesting sounding cocktails are too many to mention but include white rum and grapefruit soda, tequila with hibiscus soda and Aperol, a mint gimlet with creme de menthe and lime, a Dorothy Parker martini with gin and orange bitters, and a Mezcal cocktail with three kinds of bitters and an orange twist.

There are also snacks such as beef or vegetable patties and coconut bread. Eventually the plan is to open a kitchen in the basement, said the bartender.

Lovers Rock is a reggae bar and will feature DJs several times a week, noted DNAinfo, which was the first to write about the opening.

Community Board 3 did not support its application for a liquor license, but that did not stop the state liquor authority from approving the bar’s request. Residents and members of Community Board 3 have repeatedly expressed concern about the number of bars opening in the area over the last two years or so, as we have reported. GMAP

Update: One of the bar owners reached out to Brownstoner to let us know that in fact, despite the initial rejection, Lovers Rock ultimately did win the support of CB3 for a liquor license. Here’s what she told us: “In fact, our bar did receive CB3 support for opening. After we were rejected the first time, we were the only one of the three business owners that decided the community board support was important to our success in the neighborhood. We amended our proposed hours, presented our case, and got a signed letter of support from the community board on April 6, 2015.” Way to go!