Places To Go: Williamsburg, Brooklyn's Musical Renaissance

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Parent Category: Travel Info

Category: Things To Do

Published on Sunday, 09 May 2010 20:45

Written by Trebalert

I used to write reviews and conduct interviews with bands when I was in high school. I had a fanzine and did a blog for a little bit but stopped and took it down. I stopped -- the music wasn't there. But in this past decade, there has been a musical renaissance for people brave enough to siphon out the best sounds of basically every decade leading up to it, from every influence and every country. So I write again.

Now is the time to see the bands who have resonance and leave you feeling like you might have experienced some feelings. All these bands come through Williamsburg. Brooklyn NYC. So when the little grandkids ask you about Brooklyn in 2010, make sure you've taken the L train to Bedford Avenue and are versed on these venues -- the places where you can see and hear the future of music in the 21st century.

Bruar Falls
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn NY 11211
bruarfalls.com
Located on the exciting new corner of Roebling and Grand St, a place that could get you killed is now a hot spot of drinkers and music lovers. Bruar Falls is great when you see a band you love who is performing there and also just to hear new neighborhood talent. A good bar and and old school vibe, as they smartly choose not to go with the Mercury Lounge invention of blocking off the live back room.

Cameo - Lovin’Cup
93 N.6th Street
Brooklyn NY 11211
http://www.lovincup.com/
Behind the tables, behind the bathrooms is one of the coolest live music venues in Brooklyn. The sound is great and the minimal décor is non-distracting. This room is about the band on stage.

Coco 66
66 Greenpoint Ave
Brooklyn NY 11222
http://coco66.com/
A bit of a trek to Greenpoint, but once you’re there, Coco66 is the place to see live music. Big and recently redone, it boosts a sound system reminiscent of the old Continental Divide on 4th Ave, with the bass amps lined up under the stage. I love the bass in your bones, and the bartenders here rock.

Death By Audio
49 S. 2nd Street
Brooklyn NY 11211
You will not find a crowd standing still with their i-phones up in the air at this venue. The shows here can make you feel like you’re on the Lower East Side in the '80s.

Glasslands
289 Kent Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11211
www.glasslands.com
A space like this is becoming rare these days and is worth checking out for that reason alone. This venue throws the best dance parties in the area and it’s one of the few live music venue that has a balcony in Williamsburg. The door is always affordable and the vibe is very DIY. Go, have fun and respect this place while we still have it.

Knitting Factory
361 Metropolitan Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11211
www.bk.knittingfactory.com
What can we say? A NYC institution now exist in Williamsburg and is still doing what it does so well -- showcasing great bands in a great space with great sound. Good times.

Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 North 6th  St.
Brooklyn NY 11211
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
Here you will find the stagnant crowd watching their i-phones watch the band. But, the sound is one of the best for a venue this size and the space is dramatic in it’s
minamalism. Always on the forfront of featuring the bands that you want to see. I heard someone complaining that the place has the smallest bar ever. True, the main space has a bar in a janitor’s closet, but this person never looked around, go down the stairs!

Pete’s Candy Store
709 Lorimer St.
Brooklyn NY 11211
www.petescandystore.com
Great place to time travel back to the days of speakeasies and train cars. A small, intimate spot that still does open mic Sunday’s. Also a great bar with a big summertime backyard. Sandwiches too.

Rose Live
345 Grand St.
Brooklyn NY 11211
http://roselivemusic.com
A hidden gem. Go there with a date, or try to meet one there. This place has something that is kind of a deal sealer, (know what I mean). Maybe it’s the wallpaper. Good live music, mostly world, jazz and reggae. Mellow but fun with a secret down the stairs well worth the trip.

SpikeHill
184 -186 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11211
spikehill.com
Getting off the L Train at Bedford Ave in the summer can be like entering into a gigantic music festival that never ends. You’re welcoming party will most likely be at SpikeHill, a bar that has a bar next to it for live rock. Always free and insanley chaotic afterhours, this bar rocks.

Trash Bar
256 Grand St.
Brooklyn NY 11211
www.thetrashbar.com
A place that lives up to it’s name, the smelll of tatter tots will be on your clothes like cigarette smoke used to be the next morning. Carefull of the springs popping out of the funiture, but enjoy the great sound in the back room when your friend’s, friends band performs. And meet a metal chick, all you have to do is anty up some coins for the crowded pool table.

Union Pool
484 Union Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11211
www.myspace.com/unionpool
There is nothing like Union Pool. It’s worth the walk under the elevated BQE, and it’s desceptively huge.  Have a taco. Pay to get into the back room. Then dance your face off, if you want. But, please, one at a time and no debouchery in the bathrooms.

Warsaw
261 Driggs Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11211
www.warsawconcerts.com
Warsaw is a strange place and that’s what makes it special. They have few shows here, on the calendar for this summer is Kings Of Convenience, which is a hot ticket and will be like taking a vaction to Poland to see a band, except much cheaper.

Zebulon
258 Wythe Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11211
www.zebuloncafeconcert.com
There is always something fun going on here and it’s always free to get in. I find myself here randomly and catch the greatest, strangest shows. Don’t be surprised if that guy sitting on a box in the corner ripping sparse leads on guitar is Marc Ribot.

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