If you've spent any time in Williamsburg over the past decade, you have probably let loose with a liter or two at Radegast Hall & Biergarten. Since opening in 2007, Radegast has become a neighborhood institution, the old reliable refuge that is at once a local haunt, as well as a drinking destination for L Train strap hangers from the city and beyond.

Housed in a pair of adjacent former warehouses, Radegast's massive footprint is divided into two distinct dining/drinking rooms:

The "hall," with its dark wood floors and furniture, winding bar and Gothic chandeliers, has the charm of an old world watering hole, a room that harks back to a bygone Bavaria. If Radegast were a black and white cookie, this side would be the chocolate half.

The vanilla side, which is brighter but just as sweet, is the so-called "garten": a courtyard with brick walls and a soaring ceiling featuring retractable awnings that are left open in warm weather. This space is outfitted with large communal tables and an open grill in the back, where you can order several varieties of superb sausages and sandwiches.

A full menu of schnitzel, spaetzle and other Austro-Hungarian specialties is available in both rooms, as is over 80 bottles of beer and cider and almost two dozen German, Czeck and Belgian drafts. While that's reason enough to hit Radegast any night of the week, be sure to swing by on a Thursday, when you can partake in a pretty fantastic food and drink deal.

Every Thursday, a special selection of half-liters is served for only $6 (normally $8.00 and up), and for every liter you consume, you receive a complimentary bratwurst. Sold.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION:

-Total Cost: About $16 for two half-liters and a bratwurst. Tax and tip included.

-Radegast features live music nightly, usually after 8:00 PM.

-Tuesday-Friday, from 4:00-8:00 PM, there is a special food and beverage pairing. On Thursday evenings, $14 will get you an order of palancinki (a crepe-like dish) and a half-liter of Palm Ale. Another $10 buys you some very good strudel and a bottle of Kasteel Rouge.

NEARBY: Hit the honky-tonk at Skinny Dennis for cheap drinks and live Americana music. Or, catch a flick with some more food and drink at Nitehawk Cinema.