Noorman's Kil Restaurant / Whiskey Bar

WILLIAMSBURG, NEW YORK –

Like vintage denim, ironic tattoos, and overgrown facial hair, whiskey bars are everywhere in Williamsburg, but Noorman’s Kil has paired aged malts with tasty, down-home comfort food to create a one-of-a-kind destination for hungry hipsters: a scotch and grilled cheese joint.

In fact, the owners tell patrons that this one-room haunt was inspired by nights spent eating sandwiches and swilling whiskey on nearby rooftops, and the indie rockers and after-work noshers who visit this minimalist hang will find an environment designed to be as chill and unpretentious as an outer borough penthouse perch.

They will also find wood, and lots of it. There are hardwood floors, a long wooden bar that was once an Amish candy counter, and wooden plank seating along the walls and near the large front windows – but few self-respecting drinkers will give the tavern’s timber more than a passing glance.

With over two hundred flavors of scotch and bourbon glowing on backlit shelves, this place is an unabashed mecca for spirits snobs.

Tenders here don’t just pour drinks, though; they also sling sandwiches, recommending a selection of unorthodox grilled cheese offerings to wash down the whiskey. The Betsy, for instance, is made with creamy Vermont Chèvre and apricot jam, while the Jane features New York sharp cheddar topped with My Friend’s Mustard on sourdough.

For flirty young couples who prefer craft beers to the hard stuff, there’s also a healthy selection of microbrews and a backyard garden great for soaking up the weather and the suds among vine-covered fences and carved benches.

A spot that caters to gourmands and sophisticated drinkers, Noorman’s Kil will leave Billyburg locals convinced that grilled cheese and rye go together like peanut butter and jelly – or maybe like skinny jeans and loafers.