Maison Premiere
Maison Premiere is an oyster and absinthe bar on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg. The Maison Sherry Cobbler runs four styles of sherry against lemon and blueberry jam. A Napoleon-topped absinthe fountain stands in the room, and its twin is in the Old Absinthe House in New Orleans.
Why go
The oyster menu is one of the longest in the city, and the composed raw dishes change every day. The wine list runs traditional French at fair markups, with grower Champagne, back-vintage Muscadet and White Burgundy in it.1
A server stirs the Old King Cole Martini at your table. A cocktail averaged $19 in September 2026.2
The bar's own book was a 2024 Spirited Awards nominee for Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits.3
Order this / avoid
- Order: the Maison Sherry Cobbler, and ask which sherries are pouring.
- Order: oysters, and ask what the composed raw dish is today.
- Avoid: counting on the garden out of season. It opens in April and shuts in November.4
What locals & experts say
- PUNCH, on its venue page in November 2014:
Maison Premiere is a stage of precise service and misty nostalgia that inspires suspension of disbelief without exposing a seam.
1 - 50 Best: No.40 on North America's 50 Best Bars in 2026, and No.33 in 2025.2
Good to know
- Getting in: reservations run up to a month ahead.4
- The door: 298 Bedford Avenue, in Williamsburg. Brunch runs at the weekend.4
Verdict
should-visit — Reservations stop at six, so a bigger group takes the bar or emails about the greenhouse table. Give it an afternoon.