Bushwick Public House
Rooster and I continued our search for the coolest coffee house. We believe our quest ended at Bushwick Public House. #Brooklyn #New York City #Bushwick #coffee house
When our son suggested we take the initiative and come up with an itinerary, Rooster did his research and stumbled across the Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn. My husband has the unique ability to find adventure jewels for us to explore. Everything I heard about this New York City community had a negative connotation attached to it. Still, I was interested in experiencing Bushwick based on the pictures my husband showed me on the computer.
Richard was excited about Rooster’s pick. Our son had recommended the Bushwick community to some recent visitors from back home. They rejected the idea, but we were up for it. The first diamond on Rooster’s agenda was the Bushwick Public House. Chris called an Uber and requested we be driven to 1288 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn. He said you can get there by subway, but the trip would take too long. Rooster had a long agenda. We needed to travel fast if we were going to work our way down the locations on his list.
An explosion of art
The Uber driver pulled to the curb and let us out underneath the elevated subway platform. We explored the impressive block where the coffee house/bar was located. Artwork decorated the storefronts of almost every building in the creative environment where we found ourselves standing. Coffee houses can slap paint on the wall, brew an expensive cup of java, and try to capture the atmosphere of cool. Most of them miss the mark.
The folks at Bushwick Public House were right on the money, generating a unique vibe of laid-back hipness. A patron can experience an excellent cup of coffee or a shot of whiskey surrounded by original works of art. The minute you step through the door of Bushwick Public house, you can feel an electric form of creative energy.
Local artists work on the walls
There aren’t single tables cluttering the floor of the establishment. Instead, long counters with stools run the length of the window where patrons can look out onto the artwork across the street.
Comfortable chairs are scattered throughout the room. As the customer makes their way through the door, their eyes are drawn to the pool table in the middle of the floor as soon. Colorful murals local artists have painted of Brooklyn legends adorn the wall. There are so much color and culture; it is hard for your brain to process what your eye is seeing. It was like spinning around inside of a kaleidoscope without getting dizzy but mesmerized. The establishment served alcohol as well as an excellent cup of joe. The place transforms into a whiskey bar for its late-night customers.
Bushwick Public House vibe
Our party of four spent an enjoyable hour soaking up the Bushwick Public house vibe. I’m not sure what rooster ordered for me, but it had a wonderful flavor. Nobody was playing pool, but there were plenty of people spread around the room working on their laptops. It made me want to bottle up the energy in this place and transport it back to Indiana.
This would be the perfect environment to spend an afternoon writing. I could picture myself typing the last words of my NaNoWriMo book between these walls. It might have been possible if I’d brought my laptop with me, and Rooster didn’t have several adventures left on his agenda for us to experience in Bushwick.
Who is Cameron Hughes
I’ve done a little research since we’ve been home to discover the origins of the distinctive ambiance. Cameron Hughes, the co-owner and the head barista, is an Australian transplant. The Melbourne native came to New York City to educate the locals about coffee. It appears people in his country are coffee connoisseurs. We American’s haven’t moved very far beyond the instant coffee phase in our journey with the hot or cold brew.
The establishment on Bushwick’s Myrtle Avenue is more a public house than a coffee shop, just as the name implies. One could only hope one of Hughes’s fellow Aussies decides to set up a similar establishment somewhere in the Midwest. Rooster and I would travel to spend time there. It would be the location I’d pick to end many of our adventures or spend a Saturday putting words on the page.
Who is Molly Shea?
Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana, who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh. To read more of her short stories and adventures click here.
Be sure to follow Molly on Twitter!
