damnlines for iPhoneLive lines & push alerts — freeGetdamnlines.comBilly Durney's Red Hook tavern serving a dry-aged cheeseburger that's a perennial pick for best in New York.
329 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
damnlines hasn't pointed a lens at Red Hook Tavern yet. The most-wanted lines get a camera first.
The line here is a function of the burger and a very small room. The Infatuation reports that only a handful of seats are held for walk-ins - two bar seats, five window-counter seats, and roughly a dozen outdoor tables - while reservations open two weeks out on OpenTable and go fast. With that few walk-in seats, people queue on Van Brunt Street rather than inside.
BK Mag (May 2026) described 'the usual line ran down the block at the OG Tavern.' The Infatuation's walk-in advice is blunt: get there no later than 5:30pm to snag a seat, and ideally line up outside around 4:30pm, before the 5pm dinner open.
As of May 2026 there is a documented workaround. BK Mag reported that Billy Durney opened Tavern Next Door, a cocktail bar sharing the same kitchen and the same $34 dry-aged cheeseburger; on a Tuesday the bar had open seats while people were still queuing outside the original. We do not have a camera at Red Hook Tavern, so none of the above is a live count - it is what press and the restaurant's own site describe.
Patterns as reported by press and regulars — not measured by damnlines.
Reservations: Reservations are on OpenTable and open two weeks in advance for parties of up to eight, per the official reservations page. Dinner slots are competitive — The Infatuation (Jan 2026) treats booking at the two-week mark as the reliable way in.
Walk-ins: Walk-ins are welcome first-come, first-served (official site). The Infatuation (Jan 2026) reports two bar seats, five window-counter seats, and roughly 12 outdoor tables are held for walk-ins — arrive by 5:30pm, ideally lining up around 4:30pm.
Dinner nightly 5-9:30pm; lunch Thu-Sun noon-2:45pm (official site).
Yes. The restaurant's own site says reservations open two weeks in advance on OpenTable, for parties of up to eight. The Infatuation notes evenings and weekends book out fast.
Yes, first come first served. The Infatuation reports a small number of seats are held for walk-ins - two bar seats, five window-counter seats, and about a dozen outdoor tables - and advises arriving no later than 5:30pm, ideally lining up by 4:30pm.
We don't have a camera here, so there's no live count. BK Mag (May 2026) described the walk-in line 'running down the block' at the original tavern, and the roughly six-table room means walk-ins queue outside on Van Brunt Street.
As of May 2026, Billy Durney opened Tavern Next Door, a cocktail bar sharing the same kitchen and the same $34 dry-aged cheeseburger. BK Mag reported it had open seats on a Tuesday while the original tavern had a line outside.
Per its own site: dinner runs 5pm-9:30pm daily. Thursday through Sunday it also serves lunch, noon-2:45pm; Monday through Wednesday is dinner only.
Yes — the official site says walk-ins are welcome first-come, first-served. The Infatuation reports the bar seats, window counter, and outdoor tables are held for walk-ins, and recommends arriving by 5:30pm (lining up around 4:30pm) to get one.
Sources: The Infatuation: At Red Hook Tavern, everybody orders the burger and nobody shares · Red Hook Tavern official site: Visit Us (hours + address) · Red Hook Tavern official site: Reservations · BK Mag: Red Hook Tavern Opens a Dark, Moody Cocktail Bar with The Best Burger in Town · OpenTable — Red Hook Tavern