A New Hub for Gifts, Food & Fun

New Yorkers are some of the most adept multi-taskers around, and we apply that skill to child-rearing, too. Come the holidays, that instinct shifts into hyperdrive. Which is why the news that urban market Brooklyn Flea and food extravaganza Smorgasburg are moving inside — to a space attached to food court/beer hall Berg’n in Crown Heights — is cause for celebration. Head here to shop, eat, and drink this holiday season, ’cause there’s something for everyone food and gift-wise, and room for your stroller when you grab a beer.

Interior of Berg’n photo: Mimi O’Connor

What It Is

You’ve probably heard of Brooklyn Flea, a massive outdoor flea market of vintage, handmade and all around groovy merchandise that takes place on Saturdays and Sundays in Fort Greene and Williamsburg, respectively. Its food truck counterpart, Smorgasburg (also well-known), feeds the masses artisanal bites in Williamsburg on Saturdays and Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sundays. The new kid in the Flea empire is Berg’n, a sprawling beer and food hall in Crown Heights, which opened in late August of this year.

 Brooklyn Flea photo: Brooklyn Flea 

What’s Changing (And What’s Not)

For the winter, both the Flea and Smorgasburg have moved inside to 1000 Dean Street, which just so happens to be connected to Berg’n. (We told you this would be easy.) Visitors to the mind-bogglingly large, 30,000-square-foot “Winter Flea” space will find the same collection of vendors, for both merchandise and food, as well as some new sellers.  A short list of the type of gift-worthy items you’ll find here include jewelry, ceramics, home goods, vintage and collectible items, art, body care, herbs and toys and clothes for kids.

Winter Flea vendor Sugar on Snow boots photo: Vivian dos Santos

What’s To Eat

Similarly, familiar foodie favorites and many more will be available at the indoor version of Smorgasburg. Bring your appetite — you can feast on bites from Porchetta, Bite Size Kitchen, Milk Truck Grilled Cheese, Oaxaca Tacos, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Butter & Scotch, Blue Bottle Coffee Company and much, much more.

Smorgasburg photo: Smorgasburg

All About Berg’n

If you’ve shopped ’til you’re about to drop (or maybe want to chill with a snack and a drink) make your way to Berg’n. The massive indoor beer hall and food court features a variety of seating options, from long, communal tables with benches, to individual tables for four, to a handsome bar running the length of one side of the space. (There’s even an outdoor area for when the weather is nice, with window service from Parlor coffee.)

Pizza Moto at Berg’n photo: Berg’n

Ramen Burger photo: Smorgasburg

Berg’n Food & Drink

The food vendors at Berg’n are some of the most popular eats at Smorgasburg. You’ll find gourmet pizzas at Pizza Moto, souped up franks and more from Asia Dog, brisket, pulled pork and the like from Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, and the so-weird it works Ramen Burger (a dressed-up hamburger served on two warm “buns” of ramen noodles) from Ramen Burger. For booze, Berg’n sells a wide range of domestic and imported beers on tap, in bottles and in cans, and wines of the red, white, pink and bubbly variety. They’ve got coffee, juices, non-alcoholic sodas for sale, too.

Berg’n bar photo: Mimi O’Connor

Berg’n Brunch

Berg’n hosts Berg’n Brunch on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4p.m., during which vendors offer items adjusted for a.m. eating. (Think the Ramen Burger take on an egg sandwich, or a sweet slice of pizza. Plus, big doughnuts.) Past brunches have included songs from kiddie cowboy entertainer Hopalong Andrew.

Berg’n photo: Mimi O’Connor

Winter Flea
1000 Dean St.
Crown Heights
Through March
Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Online: brooklynflea.com

Berg’n
899 Bergen St.
Crown Heights
Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m. – midnight
718-857-2337
Online: bergn.com

Where do you go to shop, eat and drink? Tell us in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor