Hated it

Now hate is really too strong a word for me to really use on this place but I just wanted to be as misleading with my title as this bar is with its name. The Pencil Factory, located just a hop-skip-and-a jump away from the aforementioned Lulu's in Greenpoint. It's an easy bar to find, but remembering it, I can't say the same. When walking up to this establishment, the most notable thing is their large outdoor seating areas on the street-sides of the bar. The bare-brick walls and darkly-stained wood bar look inviting as well on the inside with candle light giving the ambiance of a cozy whiskey bar. Unfortunately there really isn't much else going on at this place. The drinks are a dollar or two marked up from several other bars that are extremely close and besides the outdoor seating, what you see is what you get. Oh and it's cash only. C'mon guys! How this place keeps it doors open with just an average bar staff and overpriced drinks with so much competition nearby is still a mystery to me. To give them credit, the whiskey selections is decent, but again, not enough bang for my buck to want to go back..

A few drinks in and this place looks pretty nice, but once the lights go on...

There's nothing really special about it.

Loved it...

There are very few times when something sounds too good to be true and actually winds up being the real deal. Fortunately at Lulu's located at 113 Franklin Street in Greenpoint, a beer, shot of whiskey and pizza are just $5. Let me say that again... $5. Thats right, with the order of any drink combo, such as the previously mentioned "Low-Life" (the beer is a bottle of Miller Highlife).  To make this even more unbelievable, this pizza is legitimately good, A personal pan 10-inch pizza that you can add toppings for a dollar when you order.  The pizza man goes through about 250 pizza's a night so tip the guy folks, he's definitely earning his way there. 
When I lived in the are, I used to unabashedly tell people about my minor addiction to this place.. The atmosphere is always welcoming, starting with the friendly bar staff, who always seem to know how to offer excellent service without reminding you of what a great job they're doing  for you or forgetting that you exist, even on the busier weekends. While it's delicious free pizza and cheap beers that get me to come here, it's what else they offer that makes me stay. This place gives customers two floors of bar space, a performance area, pool table and arcade games to leave little room for complaint in this establishment. The bar also keeps a constant rotation of entertainment throughout the week along with their excellent music selection on slower nights.. Burlesque shows, trivia nights and live music are a common sites here. There really is just too much good going on here to get down all at once. All I can really say is that they had me at free pizza.