Bay Ridge, Brooklyn has had two nicknames in recent years, both playing with its official name.
 
Bay Ridge has been called “Bar Ridge” because of its many bars on Third Avenue and Fifth Avenue.
 
Muslims have established Middle Eastern restaurants and other businesses in the area, causing some to rename Bay Ridge as “Beirut.” Bay Ridge has also been nicknamed “Little Palestine” and “Little Yemen” for the same reason.
 
   
Wikipedia: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn)
Bay Ridge is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. It is bound by 65th Street on the north, Interstate 278 on the east, and the Belt Parkway-Shore Road on the west. The southern border is 101st Street. The portion below 86th Street is a subsection called Fort Hamilton. A small area east of I-278, bounded by 7th Avenue, is also part of Bay Ridge.   
 
Life
Bay Ridge is a largely middle class neighborhood and is one of the few such places remaining in Brooklyn. With its strong family presence, it is not uncommon to see third or fourth generation families living in the region.
 
Bay Ridge has many bars and international restaurants, especially along 3rd and 5th Avenue, its main commercial strips. The neighborhood is notorious for its disproportionate number of churches and bars; and is sometimes referred to as “Bar Ridge”. There are also many Middle Eastern Hookah bars, which have become very popular among Arabs and non-Arabs alike. 
 
Firehouse Forums
jensam433 10-13-2005 12:36 PM
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn…..grew up there and my dad still lives there….lots of apartments, public transit into “The City”, and its nickname is Bar Ridge….great pubs & restaurants
   
New York Times
March 6, 2006
An Imam in America
To Lead the Faithful in a Faith Under Fire
By ANDREA ELLIOTT
(...)
Over the last three decades, the European immigrant enclave of Bay Ridge has given way to Gazan barbers, halal butchers and Egyptian jewelers. But the newest settlers have not always been welcome.
 
“It became, ‘This ain’t Bay Ridge anymore, it’s Beirut,’ ” said Russell Kain, a retired community affairs officer from the 68th Precinct.
     
Free Republic
Welcome to the new Bay Ridge/ Beirut. But you’re right rising home values offsets the camel war factor any day.
42 posted on 03/07/2006 7:01:48 AM PST by freefdny  
   
Bay Ridge Talk
bklyngirl Dec. 12th 2006
actually I’ve called it “bar ridge” for as long as I can remember, especially when describing it to people who are not from around here who think we’re some hidden little place. Cause we’re so far south of manhattan, they assume we must be like a quiet little suburb…until they come here and see third avenue! 😊 
 
YouTube
BEIRUT RIDGE
Added:  December 13, 2006
From:  Opacus
How is it that the formerly Irish/Dago home of ‘Saturday Night Fever’ could turn into the Middle Eastern jewel of Brooklyn in as little as twenty years? How did this happen? Why would any non-Arabs live there? Why Allah, WHY?!!
         
The Brooklyn Paper
February 10, 2007 / Bay Ridge–Bensonhurst / Perspective / Yellow Hooker
(...)
“Everyone calls me ‘the Mayor of Bay Ridge’ because I know more people and shake more hands than any politician you will ever meet,” the Mayor, Walter Short, said.
 
As a former bar owner back in the days when Bay Ridge was known as Bar Ridge, the Mayor has developed into an iconic character who loves two things; his wife of 50 years and his neighborhood of longer.
 
Real Estate Blog
My Neighborhood, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Posted by Luke Constantino on 03/26/2007 11:15 AM
(...)
There is also a thriving bar scene, with residents frequenting the Irish pubs abounding along 3rd, 4th, and 5th Avenues, the main commercial strips of the neighborhood. The neighborhood is notorious for its disproportionate number of churches and bars; it is sometimes informally and endearingly referred to as “Bar Ridge”. Right-wing, anti-immigrant residents also sometimes refer to the neighborhood as “Beirut” (as in “Bay Root”) because of the high number of Muslim residents.
   
hitrecord.org
Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 7:22 pm
it’s in the southwest corner of brooklyn, across the verrazano bridge to staten island and across the east river from manhattan. there are pretty parks near the water, only about a 10-minute walk away. it’s also nicknamed “bar ridge” for the densest population of bars. the bars here are not my type of bars, as it’s definitely brooklyn down here. but it’s charming; i’m not sure if i’ve picked up an accent yet. (i’m originally from new jersey, and went to college at new york university in manhattan.) 
 
Chowhound - Manhattan
Hm… I don’t love falafel, but I find Mamoun’s to be a good snack and Karam has a pretty good falafel. Karam’s on 86th and 4th in Bay Ridge (Beirut.) The falafels are OK, but again I’m not a falafel lover. Their shawarma however is pretty incredible. My favorite shawarma = Karam. I also like their falafels, but maybe it’s just an emotional thing?
JFores Jul 22, 2007 01:23PM
   
Inthe00s
Subject: Re: Ask Me About the New York City Subway
Written By: AnnieBanannie on 07/25/07 at 2:13 pm
 
Ooohh, Bay Ridge is nice, I think I once burnt my feet there.
 
LOL, why am I not surprised you’ve been to “Bar Ridge,” Davey. 
 
New York City - City-Data Forum
08-30-2007, 11:10 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilkCity0416
You’re right. That is life in this city. Bay Ridge is a perfect example. It was and still is a strong Italian nabe. Now there are a lot of Arabs moving in some parts and you hear people call it “Beirut”. People just don’t like change. NYC is a city of mostly ethnic and economic nabes. When someone who is an “outsider” moves in, the historical population either protest or usually move out.
   
Beiruit is a pretty big city. You bring up New York, London, Paris, and eventually, you bring up Beiruit. It’s the equivalence of Paris, only in the Middle East. That’s what got it the nickname “Paris of the Middle East”!
 
Anyway, Arabs have been living in Bay Ridge for 30 years, maybe earlier if you count the 19th/early 20th century immigrants. It hasn’t changed the neighborhood from being an Italian/Irish one.