44 Must-Visit Brooklyn Music Venues

Brooklyn’s live-music scene is a kaleidoscope of diversity, and one of the most vibrant in New York. Intimate dive bars, DIY warehouses, jazz parlors, and enormous industrial clubs sit side-by-side, showcasing everything from indie rock and hip-hop to experimental jazz and global sounds. It’s a scene fueled by community, authenticity, and constant reinvention, promising a rich and varied experience for every music enthusiast.

74 Wythe (Williamsburg)

Once home to the legendary club Output, 74 Wythe carries that musical legacy forward inside its restored 1929 factory building. Spanning 15,000 sq ft, the venue features multiple rooms, a raised mezzanine with great sightlines, and a rooftop that feels like a summer festival stage overlooking the Manhattan skyline. With its high-fidelity sound, Art Deco character, and a constant stream of DJ nights, electronic shows, and dance-driven events, 74 Wythe attracts music fans who love to move. It's the kind of place where you come for the party, stay for the energy, and leave feeling like you were part of something big.

About Last Night (Bed-Stuy)

This bar-restaurant is billed as a “full sensory experience,” blending live DJs with Caribbean-inspired food and bottle service. The inclusive vibe welcomes happy-hour patrons, event producers, and nightlife lovers alike.

Acoustik Garden Lounge

A hidden gem for house-music aficionados. Expect a warm, plant-filled space with live DJs and one of Brooklyn’s best-kept lounge secrets.

Alphaville (Bushwick)

A beloved neighborhood bar/restaurant/music venue opened around 2014. Co-owner Skyler Insler upgraded from DIY bar Alaska to a more “grown-up” space with improved décor, a full kitchen, and a soundproof backroom strung with lights for dancing and rock shows. Great for fans of indie rock and local bands.

Avant Gardner / Brooklyn Mirage / Great Hall / Kings Hall (East Williamsburg)

Once known as one of Brooklyn’s premier dance complexes, Avant Gardner has entered a new chapter. While the sprawling open‑air Brooklyn Mirage is currently closed and undergoing demolition following the venue’s bankruptcy proceedings, the indoor spaces — the Great Hall (capacity 2,776) and Kings Hall (480) — remain operational and continue to host concerts and electronic‑music events inside the former steel‑plant structure. The Mirage’s future is uncertain, but its legacy lives on through the energy, production quality, and international DJ talent that still flow through the remaining halls. For fans, it’s a moment of transition — but the beat inside Kings Hall and the Great Hall hasn’t stopped.

Baby’s All Right (Williamsburg)

Opened in 2013 inside a former hot-dog factory, this 280-person venue has a retro “Wes Anderson” aesthetic with contoured ceilings and astrological charts. Co-founders Zachary Mexico and Billy Jones book indie rock, jazz, and experimental artists; its stage launched early performances by SZA and Billie Eilish, contributing to the rich tapestry of Brooklyn’s music history.

Bar Lunàtico (Bed-Stuy)

A tiny, rustic-chic jazz bar opened in 2015 by musicians Arthur Kell, Richard Julian, and Rosita Kèss. Using salvaged materials, they created an intimate space for jazz, funk, and global music, with a recommended $10 donation and no cover. Perfect for music lovers seeking a living-room vibe.

Barbès (South Slope)

Founded by French expats Olivier Conan and Vincent Douglas on May 1, 2002, to create an alternative community space for non-commercial music. The bar hosts residencies and has presented more than 18,000 events across genres, earning recognition as a top jazz/world-music venue.

Bargemusic (DUMBO)

A floating chamber-music hall founded in 1977 and housed in a converted 1899 coffee barge near the Brooklyn Bridge. With about 130 seats and panoramic river views, it offers an intimate “floating living room” experience and, in recent years, has operated from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse due to hull repairs. The programming is focused almost entirely on classical music, making Bargemusic a must-visit for dedicated classical-music fans looking for a unique, waterfront concert setting.

Bossa Nova Civic Club (Bushwick)

Launched in 2012 inside a former party hall, co-owner John Barclay designed this membership-based dance club to counter the artisanal-bar trend. Fog machines, dungeony lighting, and black-leather banquettes set a gritty vibe, and the lineup features cutting-edge club sounds and DJ residencies—a haven for underground electronic-music fans.

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival (Prospect Park)

Since 1979, this free, summer-long festival has brought diverse music, film, and dance to the Lena Horne Bandshell, drawing more than 250,000 attendees each year. Ideal for families and fans of global music; bring blankets for outdoor enjoyment.

Brooklyn Bowl (Williamsburg)

A hybrid bowling alley, restaurant, and 600-capacity music club opened on July 7, 2009, in the historic Hecla Iron Works building. Its green-construction design and eclectic bookings (from funk to jam bands) earned national acclaim and Rolling Stone’s praise as one of America’s best clubs. Great for groups who want to bowl while catching a show.

Brooklyn Music Kitchen

Marketed as a “newest music infusion,” this venue provides local and international artists a fully loaded stage to perform, record, and live-stream their shows—a welcoming spot for emerging musicians and audiences who appreciate diverse genres.

Brooklyn Steel (East Williamsburg)

Opened April 6, 2017, this 20,000-sq-ft former steel manufacturing plant has been converted into a 1,800-capacity general-admission music hall. Its scrap-metal décor, mezzanine, and raised floor ensure good sightlines, and the venue boasts three bars and 40 restrooms. Ideal for indie and alternative acts that have outgrown smaller clubs.

C’mon Everybody (Bed-Stuy)

A queer-owned bar and live-arts space founded in 2014 to amplify LGBTQ/QTPOC voices. Eric Sosa opened the venue in June 2015 with partners Sam Gilliland and Michael Zuco, programming R&B, indie rock, electronic, jazz, and hip-hop and hosting queer parties such as Yas Mama and Yes Hom. It remains a safe, inclusive space for the queer community.

Coney Island Amphitheater (Ford Amphitheater)

This 5,000-seat open-air venue opened June 25, 2016, within the historic Childs Restaurant building on the boardwalk. Early shows featured Impractical Jokers and concerts by Peter Gabriel, Sting, and the Beach Boys. Expect breezy summer concerts and seaside vibes.

Damballa (Bed-Stuy)

Created by the team behind Café Erzulie, this 2025 dance spot beneath the JMZ tracks features wood paneling and serpentine patterns referencing Haitian Vodou deities. Founder Mark Luxama intended it as a more mature, living-room-style space for young POC, spinning amapiano, reggae, hip-hop, and other Black genres.

Dead Letter No. 9 (Williamsburg)

An immersive cocktail lounge opened in October 2023 and themed like an undeliverable-mail warehouse. Guests embark on a 90-minute journey through rooms designed to encourage deep conversation, guided by prompts and performers. A hidden nightclub called Cargo hosts DJs on weekends.

Elsewhere (Bushwick)

Founded by the former Glasslands Gallery team, this 24,000-sq-ft community arts space opened October 31, 2017. It includes multiple performance spaces, a rooftop, and an art gallery, and aims to be a flexible day-and-night cultural hub—a magnet for adventurous music fans and creative communities.

Ernest Records

A combination record shop, studio, and rooftop venue. Artists can record during the day and perform on the roof at night, attracting local talent and vinyl enthusiasts.

House of Yes (Bushwick)

Part theater, part dance club, and part circus, House of Yes was founded in 2007 by Kae Burke and Anya Sapozhnikova in a loft to “make art and have fun.” After a fire and relocation, the current Bushwick location opened in the mid-2010s as a temple of expression emphasizing consent, creativity, and participation. Expect outrageous costumes, aerialists, theme parties, and a fiercely inclusive crowd.

Jolene Sound Room (Williamsburg)

This retro-themed, high-energy sound room, inspired by Dolly Parton’s fierceness, is a collaboration between Bar Lab Hospitality and Link Miami Rebels. It opened on March 17, 2023, at the Moxy Williamsburg, and features disco, house, and techno nights with a meticulously engineered sound and lighting system. Perfect for dancers who appreciate vinyl-sleeve menus and neon-drenched décor.

Jupiter Disco (Bushwick)

A retro-futuristic bar and sound system opened in 2016. Hidden behind an industrial door, it resembles a 1970s/80s sci-fi cantina with neon, analog technology, and a top-notch sound system. Co-owners Maks Pazuniak and Al Sotack drew inspiration from Dune and Blade Runner; DJs spin records on a Condesa rotary mixer and reel-to-reel tape player. Ideal for cocktail connoisseurs and sci-fi lovers.

Le Fanfare (Greenpoint)

An Italian restaurant and jazz spot from the team behind Epistrophy. Chef Adam Ross and staff make fresh pasta and bread daily, and the room hosts live jazz; the owners emphasize farm-to-table ingredients and simple cooking. Great for romantic dinners with live music.

Music Hall of Williamsburg

Formerly Northsix, this 550-capacity hall reopened in 2007 under Bowery Presents. Known for excellent acoustics and sightlines, it hosts indie-rock, punk, and electronic acts—a must for fans of emerging bands.

National Sawdust (Williamsburg)

Opened in 2015, this non-profit performance space and recording studio supports emerging composers and adventurous music. Its state-of-the-art acoustic design and curated residencies appeal to classical, experimental, and world-music listeners.

Paragon (Greenpoint)

A multi-level nightclub and lounge with a fog-filled main room and mezzanine. Expect techno and house nights, large LED screens, and immersive light shows. Popular with late-night ravers.

Public Records (Gowanus)

A vegan café, hi-fi listening room, and nightclub housed in a former 1920s ASPCA headquarters. Since 2019, it’s become a hub for analog-music enthusiasts, hosting audiophile listening sessions, live shows, and community events. Ideal for those who care as much about sound quality as they do about cocktails.

Roulette Intermedium (Downtown Brooklyn)

This experimental performance space began in 1978 in Manhattan and relocated to Brooklyn in 2011. The 400-seat hall hosts avant-garde music, dance, and multimedia art. Perfect for those who enjoy sonic exploration and risk-taking performances.

Saint Vitus Bar (Greenpoint)

*CLOSED* New York’s premier metal bar opened in 2011, featuring a stage painted black and skull-covered décor. It hosts metal, punk, and hardcore shows as well as weddings. Ideal for headbangers who like their beer dark and their riffs heavy.

Skinny Dennis (Williamsburg)

A honky-tonk bar opened in 2013, named after Texas country musician Skinny Dennis. Known for strong iced-coffee cocktails and live country music. Great for two-stepping and whiskey sipping.

Sleepwalk (Bushwick)

A 1920s-inspired cocktail lounge and music venue combining speakeasy glam with gritty art-deco touches. Live jazz and vinyl DJs fill the room—perfect for late-night cocktails.

St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club (Williamsburg)

A candlelit bar and supper club opened in 2013, featuring oysters, live jazz, and a hidden courtyard. It hosts romantic dinners and lively swing dances.

Superior Ingredients (The Roof + Room)

Located inside the same 74 Wythe building mentioned above, Superior Ingredients continues the legacy of Output by blending high-quality sound with a dance-forward atmosphere. While 74 Wythe focuses on large-scale events, DJ nights, and its multi-room layout, Superior Ingredients adds a more curated nightlife experience with its rooftop bar and intimate indoor club. Together, they form a complementary pair under the same roof—one offering big-room energy, the other providing a refined, house- and techno-leaning space for fans who miss the spirit of Output.

The Bell House (Gowanus)

Since 2008, this converted warehouse has hosted comedy shows, live podcasts, and indie-rock concerts. Its two rooms (a 500-capacity main hall and a front lounge) make it versatile for parties and showcases.

The Brooklyn Monarch (East Williamsburg)

A sprawling complex with multiple rooms and patios hosting hip-hop, dancehall, and punk shows. Expect mosh pits, food trucks, and a carnival-like atmosphere.

The Owl Music Parlor (Prospect-Lefferts Gardens)

A cozy listening room opened in 2014 by musician Wayne Horvitz. It seats about 50 and presents experimental, acoustic, and folk acts. Fans of attentive listening and genre-defying music will love it.

The Sultan Room (Bushwick)

Part of the Turk’s Inn revival, this 2019 venue channels 1970s supper-club glamour with lush carpets, kaleidoscopic lights, and Middle Eastern-inspired décor. It hosts live bands and DJs; perfect for those who love disco and world-music fusions.

The Williamsburg Hotel (North Williamsburg)

Opened in 2017, the hotel features a rooftop pool, skyline views, and the Water Tower bar, which hosts DJ sets. Its lobby and bar often showcase jazz and acoustic performances, attracting hotel guests and locals.

TV Eye (Ridgewood)

A DIY art and music complex opened in 2019, with multiple stages, a gallery, and a burger shack. It champions local rock and experimental acts and hosts markets and film screenings.

Umbra

A multi-purpose creative space offering jam sessions, comedy nights, and workshops. Musicians, poets, and artists gather here to collaborate and improvise.

Union Pool (Williamsburg)

Opened in 2000, this former pool-supply store turned bar and music venue features a stage in the back room and a taco truck in the courtyard—a beloved hangout for indie-rock fans and neighborhood locals.

UNVEILED

A subterranean, sophisticated lounge focused on sonic exploration. Expect deep-house DJ sets, stylish décor, and a strict dress code.

Xanadu

A free-spirited club where few rules apply. DJs spin house, techno, and disco until sunrise—perfect for clubbers who love to let go.

Wrapping Up

From floating concert barges and honky-tonk bars to massive dance complexes and intimate listening rooms, Brooklyn offers a live-music experience for every kind of fan. Whether you’re chasing cutting-edge electronic sets, candlelit jazz, or sweaty punk shows, these 53 venues are a great starting point for exploring the borough’s endlessly inventive soundscape.