This Sunday, at Hollywood’s Kodak Theater, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences will celebrate the best in cinema from the previous year. That same night, in Brooklyn bars and restaurants, a lot of people will be getting drunk in front of televisions. We’ll be recovering from the day-long lovefest that is Wedding Crashers, but here’s your guide to telecasts around the borough. And the nominees are (you’ll note that we stuck with the classic five rather than bloating to 10):
Mullanes Bar & Grill
Mullanes offers the red carpet treatment at no extra charge, complete with photo opportunities and rewards for Best Dressed. Event-organizer and Oscar-enthusiast Vincent Bonanno may not be handing out golden statuettes, but the staff at Mullanes will be giving away gift certificates and bottles of wine and champagne as prizes. And there’s a consolation to those who end up empty-handed: because it’s a sports bar there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Too crowded to view the projection screen? Try one of the seven televisions set up around the venue. We also received a note from general manager Todd Sample saying that in light of the Carmelo Anthony trade, the bar will have a few select screens tuned to the Sunday evening Knicks game, but on mute so you can hear every word of James Franco and Anne Hathaway’s witty banter.
71 Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene, 718-797-7606
Clover Club
A relatively new establishment with an old-time aesthetic, Clover Club exudes an effortless charm, which probably explains why they’re not overdoing the Oscar preparations. The hors d’oeuvres are set to include truffled and savory popcorn among other items, and the drink list will be built around what Clover Club does best: cocktails. General Manager Christine Williams seems to have a keep-it-casual-but-classy attitude about the Academy Awards. “It’s such a great excuse to drink champagne and dress up,” she said.
210 Smith Street, Cobble Hill, 718-855-7939
South 4th Bar & Café
The fourth-annual Academy Awards-viewing party at South 4th Bar & Café is a laidback affair, more concerned with comfort than counting category winners, according to Marshall Mintz, one of South 4th‘s owners. “Everybody here has a good time and has a good sense of humor,” Mintz said. “It’ll be like watching the Oscars in your living room with a large group of friends.” Aside from their usual eight beers on draught, the drink menu will feature six to eight Best Picture nominee-inspired concoctions priced between $5 and $8.
90 South 4th Street, Williamsburg, 718-218-7478
Remember when Cher won an Oscar for Brooklyn-set Moonstruck?
Anima Italian Bistro
This is Debbie Dangerfield’s 21st annual Hollywood In Brooklyn party. What started as a simple house party has morphed into the black-tie event of the evening. The $125 cover charge may seem steep, but admission includes a cocktail hour set to live music, a four-course meal at Anima Italian Bistro, and a number of raffles offering goodies such as a personal massage, free movie tickets and coupons for light bulbs from Home Depot. Yes, light bulbs. Dangerfield likes to give every year’s ceremony a theme and Sunday night’s celebration is devoted to energy efficiency awareness, so the “Best Dressed” contest is focused on green-colored outfits. The poster may advertise reservations only, but tickets can be purchased at the door.
458 Myrtle Avenue, Clinton Hill, 718-422-1122
Union Hall
Come Sunday, Joan Rivers will fill the screen with her red carpet commentary on E!, starting at 7pm upstairs at Union Hall. Cut her acerbic takes on the stars’ sartorial choices with a $3 Red Carpet cocktail–champagne and pomegranate liquor. The Park Slope staple has drummed up a whole list of drink specials in honor of best picture nominees. Order a True Grit and you’ll get a tall boy and a shot of whiskey. The Black Swan is a Black Russian made with Stoli Vanilla. Get there early to cast your Oscar picks ballot–hosts KiKi and Jinners will be giving away Oscar-night prizes including a bike and a snowboard.
702 Union Street, Park Slope, 718-638-4400
