ShapeShifter Lab

Barbes is the type of place where you become a friend rather than just a place to hangout…read more especially if you live in the neighborhood. Everytime there is a different vibe, with a different theme and also different people, especially how the place is like a Jam session place for local artists so I would highly encourage you to follow their IG page so you can stay up-to-date with who is gonna performing and any other event. So if you thinking of a good place for a first date, Barbes will be the spot. Since if you get a mix of those drinks, great and energetic Musicians/staff/people. You will definitely feel warm and happy after your visit.

I have had such a nice time here every time I go. There is a wide range of musicians that play here…read moreand I have been pleasantly surprised every time I check them out. If not there for the music the bar when you walk in is cozy and the seating has been comfortable both at the bar and at the booth by the window.

See all

The bar

Union Hall

3.8(694 reviews)

0.3 mi•Park Slope

Great experience with plenty of tvs in a cozy living room/ library wood paneled vibe. A mix between…read morea dive bar and a more date night spot. Great for a drink or two Got the espresso martini which was standard, nothing too crazy but the ambiance is very social and great for mingling so that's the main focus of the place

Union Hall is one of those classic Brooklyn spots that just feels good the second you walk in. The…read morelocation is great, the drinks are solid, and it has that older New York, cozy-but-lively vibe that's getting harder to find these days. They've only got two bocce lanes, so just a heads up, if it's a busier night or you're going during peak hours, you might be waiting a bit. But on normal weeknights, it's totally doable to walk in, grab a drink, and play without any stress. It's very laid-back in the best way. Downstairs, they host comedy shows and other performances, which makes it such a fun multipurpose hangout. People usually grab a drink and chill upstairs while waiting for their show to start, and it creates this really nice, social energy without feeling chaotic. Overall, Union Hall is a quaint neighborhood staple, great drinks, fun games, and a little bit of that old-school local charm. Perfect for a casual night out or something a little different from the usual bar scene.

Beer bucket special (Any five cans in a bucket, take $5 off)

Comedy show downstairs!

See all

Downstairs

Lucky 13 Saloon

4.2(106 reviews)

0.2 mi•Gowanus

If you love music and a no-nonsense scene, Lucky 13 Saloon is one of the best. The whole place is…read morerad. It's old-school, gritty, & punk. Probably the best place in Brooklyn to see a show these days. It's got dark lighting and killer decor. I love the huge, black, stable-style entry doors. This is the perfect spot to grab a cheap beer, hang out, and catch stellar bands performing. Sound has always been spot on. They have an awesome back room for the live music sets and have hosted some incredible underground, punk, and metal acts over the years--including bands like Mortician, Profanatica, and Malignancy, plus tons of insane local talent and metal burlesque shows. Honestly, though, my absolute favorite time to go is when my best friend deejays there. Whenever I am in town, I always make sure to drop by when she is spinning. The energy in the room is always incredible, the crowd is super welcoming, and it is always a blast.

My first here and it was for a Sunday show. Cool spot…read more There's a bar and seating area when you first come in. And it definitely has a bar vibe to it. Cool bartenders which is always a plus. There's a small stage area in the back for live music which is awesome. There's aren't enough small music venues anymore. I'll be back for another show soon.

Metal and booze

See all

Freddy's Bar

4.3(259 reviews)

1.0 mi•South Slope

Freddy's Bar is like Cheers. They have a lot of frequent visitors that call this bar their own…read more The service is great and friendly. They have good food and a back room that is open for you to bring a large group of friends.

Great bartenders, great food, great shows. If you want a good night out. Freddy's will deliver. A…read moregood drink, a good laugh, a sweet song. Around and around the good times roll like a twirling ballerina. If you want a dope hook up for some eats. Look no further than Mo in the back. Mo is a L20 Diviner of Dinner. This man will craft you Freddy's variety of menu items don't hesitate to tell him how you like it. The man is a pleaser, just ask his girlfriend. If you're nice to him, he maybe even make you something special off of the secret menu. Dat Chopped Cheese Burrito. IYKYK.

1.7 mi•Clinton Hill, Bedford Stuyvesant

Miller High Life

Stella

See all

Entrance (accessible)

C'mon Everybody

3.8(68 reviews)

This happened on the night of the Knicks Championship game. The bouncer that night was Andy. Two of…read moremy friends and I rsvp'd to the watch party where we were rudely turned away at the door. The reason was fake IDs. We are 28, 26, and 24. Also, we were sober and properly dressed; Andy specifically said our IDs were fake. I have a Michigan license that I renewed to get a Real ID this January, my friends have a Wisconsin and Arizona license that were also valid. Andy barely looks at our IDs and says "nope, nope, and nope." We're stunned to say the least and they asked if we wanted a second opinion. We of course said yes and we saw them walk in, not talk to anybody, walk about, and said "they said I'm okay (to turn u guys away)." We also thought it was because of our out of state licenses (which would've still been shitty), but then Andy did this "fun" little show and tell game where they took this persons ID from Colorado and compared it to ours (again our licenses were from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona). Andy could not give us a straight reason on why our IDs were fake because yanno THEY WEREN'T! So we left! If they really thought our IDs were fake then why weren't they taken from us? After that, we went to a bar maybe 300 ft from C'mon Everybody and got in just fine AND got drinks. Same at the bodega down the street because crazy enough; our IDs are all valid and real! I will happily come back to show my ID again to educate the staff at Cmon Everybody on what a valid license looks like from Michigan. I am also seeing other reviews of people getting turned away for "unacceptable IDs" so this is obviously a continuing issue. Do better.

Great vibes and a fun place to dance in an area that is otherwise underserved…read more My only regret is not coming more often when I lived in the area.

Menu 1

See all

Talib Kweli, Rich Medina, D-Nice

Friends and Lovers

3.7(90 reviews)

1.5 mi•Crown Heights

What I have always appreciated about Friends and Lovers is how seamlessly it blends old‑school New…read moreYork nightlife spirit with a warm feeling of community‑driven connection. The programming is thoughtful and deliberate: great DJs who actually play what the crowd wants, live acts, and events that draw people of all ages without feeling chaotic. Even on busy nights, the staff keeps things running smoothly, and the crowd is respectful and upbeat. It's a place where you can enjoy good music, good company, a feeling of community thinking that we're all in this together, and a sense of authenticity that's getting harder to find in the city. In conclusion, 5 stars for the crowd and the club that keeps it happy

I have a love/hate relationship with this place…read more I have had horrendous experiences here where an entire birthday group of 15 people left the line outside to go elsewhere because bouncers were on a weird power trip beefing with random people behind us in line. I have also had fun nights here with great music, dancing, and vibes. I'm officially old now and my thoughts on the place are tempered --that I'm glad it exists and it's an important space for the whole community. This has been a fairly reliable and solid place to dance which a good mix of genres, crowds, and vibes for years now. Used to frequent as I lived right over in Clinton Hill while in college. Oftentimes it has been the only place close by to dance in that kind of setting. The drinks are fine and bartenders typically chill. They did look at us like we were crazy one night when we asked for two long island iced teas haha... ...but also like actually why not? Maybe I want that chaos in my life. They said no, probably for the best. Bouncers outside have been hit or miss over the years but honestly you can say that about any place, they keep BS out so i can't blame them. I don't think the place should really ever have a cover including when it was at its busiest, but I think it may be necessary for overhead. The bathroom line can get long and people take their time in there doing what they'll do.. Can be a wildcard for what it will be like inside, but if you come with a fun group, problem solved. Overall the staff is "no BS" to put it simply, so as long and you're chill and respectful, you *shouldn't* have any problems.

DJ playing good music after the comedy show

See all

The Bar

Sisters

3.4(505 reviews)

1.2 mi•Clinton Hill

The food & drinks were good but overpriced. We really loved the ambiance of this place & the…read moreservice was great! I would definitely come back, but as a vegan eater I would not come back hungry.

I visited this restaurant on a Sunday for a cute brunch/birthday celebration for a friend…read more We sat at the bar which was perfectly fine and it was not too packed. Service was great and food was amazing. I'm actually going to be going back this weekend.

GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

See all

Savory French Toast

The Bell House

3.8(423 reviews)

0.4 mi•Gowanus

Came to see Ben Palmer. It was my first time there. Entrance security is fast and easy. Food…read morechoices are meh so come full. The bar is ok though. Seating really truly is limited once they open the doors so you may be standing. Got there early so I easily got a seat. I thought everyone was nice. It's an easy walk for me and I didn't feel unsafe walking 20 min home around 10pm. I'd definitely return to the venue.

I was a little disappointed with this place. It was super crowded and they had tape on the floor…read morewith different rules around where you could stand. It was hard to see the stage from where we were and the podium was positioned right in front of the screen so we couldn't always see what was being displayed there. It's nice that they offer snacks and drinks though.

Southern Culture on the Skids 9/16/22

The stage

See all

Public Records

3.7(200 reviews)

0.4 mi•Gowanus

I'm shocked it took me this long to make it to Gowanus' most famous vegan bar. And when I finally…read moredid, it was for a special event vegan BBQ in their outdoor space. It was far too hot and humid, and I made the mistake of coming directly in office clothes. But the vibes were excellent, and the faina with mushrooms was incredible. My last experience with faina was having it as the base of pizza a caballo in Buenos Aires, and I had spent many years looking for this delectable chickpea pancake. It was even better than I remembered, here served under charred lion's mane mushroom.

Very very slow service. Expect to wait a WHILE. - Arrived…read morefor 1pm reservation at 1pm. - Seated outside, where there are flies and occasional trash smell drifts across. - We don't get drink and food orders all taken until 1:50. - Ordering a second drink took 25 minutes between placing the order and receiving it.

Room to focus with good music and coffee.

See all

Drinks

BAMCafe

4.1(88 reviews)

0.8 mi•Fort Greene

Disgusting facility. Super dirty. Snooty employees and ultra crowded place with little to no…read moreroom to enjoy yourself. Will not return.

This place has really went downhill... The ego permeates from every single employee... place has…read moregot down hill...treated like I was less then them because of a hat. I will never come back.

David Rivera y La Bambula - 4/2/26

Yaya Bey & DJ Ayanna Heaven Show - 3/12/26

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

3 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Vaughn H.

0

25

0

2 years ago

Always a good place to come and spend time and money. Bring yourself, bring a friend, bring your family.

Tony P.

0

3

0

13 years ago

It's a great space, very my type. Great music!!

J. C.

2

43

41

13 years ago

Good variety of wines :)

ShapeShifter Lab - musicvenues - Updated August 2026

People who viewed ShapeShifter Lab also viewed

The Bell House

3.8

(423 reviews)

Came to see Ben Palmer. It was my first time there. Entrance security is fast and easy. Food…read morechoices are meh so come full. The bar is ok though. Seating really truly is limited once they open the doors so you may be standing. Got there early so I easily got a seat. I thought everyone was nice. It's an easy walk for me and I didn't feel unsafe walking 20 min home around 10pm. I'd definitely return to the venue.

I was a little disappointed with this place. It was super crowded and they had tape on the floor…read morewith different rules around where you could stand. It was hard to see the stage from where we were and the podium was positioned right in front of the screen so we couldn't always see what was being displayed there. It's nice that they offer snacks and drinks though.

Brooklyn Paramount Theater

4.0

(87 reviews)

I came here for a concert and the venue was great. The sound quality was really good so no…read morecomplaints there. There was a long line outside, but it moved pretty quickly. I think it depends on the artist, but they were pretty easygoing about bags. One thing to keep in mind is that the restroom lines can get really long, so try to time your bathroom breaks well. The architecture of the place is gorgeous, and the bartenders were very nice and polite.

Gorgeous historical venue and not terrible acoustics. Incredibly rude staff and inconsistent bag…read morepolicies. I shouldn't have to pay for coatcheck if my bag fits into the size parameters. You can expect people to have laptops at a mid-week show where they are obviously coming from work. Combine this with the connection to Ticketmaster and I will reconsider any shows connected to this venue. Happy to support some of my favorite artists! It's too bad greedy venues and production companies are ruining the scene.

Brownstone JAZZ

4.7

(61 reviews)

Some friends and I attended an event here on a Saturday evening. We attended the 730pm slot that…read moreended around 9pm. The had another session after the one we attended because we saw people lined up as we were leaving. Please remember to bring the debit/ credit card you used to pay for the event. One of the staff was a bit adamant about seeing the card we used to pay even after we showed her our confirmation email and photo ID. The small and intimate sitting area was full. The staff are strict with seating arrangements to ensure everyone has a great view which is accommodating. You are allowed to BYOB. Now to the best part, the musicians. We enjoyed a hour and a half of pure bliss. The musicians were so talented and played from the heart and soul and you felt it. The music was low key to sit back and relax and then upbeat to do a little movement in your chair. lol. This is definitely a place to visit and enjoy some cool jazz in Brooklyn.

This is a one-of-a-kind setting and performance of jazz and bebop. As with most jazz concerts,…read moreimprov is encouraged so you may get other flavors too from the blues to an upbeat rag. As you ascend the stairs into a well-preserved 19th century brownstone, a man will take your coat as you admire the original finishings and molding. The jazz concerts have been operating in the same room for over 16 years, and currently do so from Fri-Sunday. The owners are so passionate about jazz and Bed-Stuy. When you buy your ticket, you'll see a list of rules, like a dress code of no jeans, hoodies, or backpacks. Years ago, these tickets used to include a fish dinner, but that ended with the pandemic. Get tickets as soon as you verbally agree to plans or else they'll sell out. Only about 20 patrons can fit, so you can bring a small group or even go alone. The musicians know each other well and joke together. The bass and piano instruments are a little banged up on the wood due to year of use, but the pitch is right on target. Although classy, Brownstone Jazz isn't too uppity and unapproachable no matter your musical knowledge. The vibes are intimate, vintage, soulful, and welcoming. The emcee, one of the owners, is excited about birthdays and audience involvement, so absolutely raise your hand if you're celebrating. If you speak another language, you may be asked to translate a song title just to get conversation and context flowing.

BAMCafe

4.1

(88 reviews)

Disgusting facility. Super dirty. Snooty employees and ultra crowded place with little to no…read moreroom to enjoy yourself. Will not return.

This place has really went downhill... The ego permeates from every single employee... place has…read moregot down hill...treated like I was less then them because of a hat. I will never come back.

Somethin Else

4.4

(13 reviews)

This place was too cute! I had been invited by the founder of the first ever rum festival in…read moreBrooklyn to attend their annual event. The after party was hosted at Somethin Else where they made specialty cocktails using a few of the rum brands featured at the festival. I had a few rounds with a friend. It's a really cute spot. Lots of bar seating and some comfy seatings areas all around for some more intimate moments with friends or a subtle date night. The bartenders were really friendly and the drinks were too good! If I'm in the downtown area I'd definitely stop in for a cocktail!

So I gave this place four stars because the bartender was really really cool. It was nice. I…read moreenjoyed this conversation & Co.. I didn't have any food unfortunately I just stopped by for a drink. I must say the place is pretty large. It's a nice space to have parties and go with your friends. The DJ was live as well too. He was playing very good music. Enjoy the music, but like I said, I went in there for a drink, and my drink was very mediocre. I was a little disappointed in my lemon drop. Especially for the price that I paid for it. It was given five dollar lemon drop and I paid 18 but happy hour wasn't so happy otherwise that I had a great time.

H0l0

3.8

(14 reviews)

Welcome to Ridgewood, aka the next Bushwick, aka the next Williamsburg. H0l0 does not disappoint…read more They don't typically oversell events but it is close quarters with other people. I can only speak on open air events, but the inside looked promising. You gotta walk through it if you're doing an outside gig. I don't recall free water and reasonable prices for concessions. Great vibe, good time.

A club with no pretense and where the music is genuinely what everyone is there for. I really like…read moretheir windowless, foggy dance floor reminiscent of spots in Berlin. No one had their phone out when I went, as there's not much to take photos of. You're really just there to vibe. The summer night I went, there was room to move around without bumping into anyone, and there's also a massive outdoor yard where I watched friends disappear into smoke circles. I didn't get creeped on, which I consider a win and I think is because it really draws a crowd who is there for the music. I did try to return recently with a group and got turned away because they were hosting a lesbian night. Some of my friends found the door person to be mean but I think they were just being protective of the space and I respect it. See, they're not just trying to commodify the space. I hope that's actually indicative of the space being protected from the likes of the people who make other clubs so whack. I'll definitely be returning this summer.

Lucky 13 Saloon

4.2

(106 reviews)

If you love music and a no-nonsense scene, Lucky 13 Saloon is one of the best. The whole place is…read morerad. It's old-school, gritty, & punk. Probably the best place in Brooklyn to see a show these days. It's got dark lighting and killer decor. I love the huge, black, stable-style entry doors. This is the perfect spot to grab a cheap beer, hang out, and catch stellar bands performing. Sound has always been spot on. They have an awesome back room for the live music sets and have hosted some incredible underground, punk, and metal acts over the years--including bands like Mortician, Profanatica, and Malignancy, plus tons of insane local talent and metal burlesque shows. Honestly, though, my absolute favorite time to go is when my best friend deejays there. Whenever I am in town, I always make sure to drop by when she is spinning. The energy in the room is always incredible, the crowd is super welcoming, and it is always a blast.

My first here and it was for a Sunday show. Cool spot…read more There's a bar and seating area when you first come in. And it definitely has a bar vibe to it. Cool bartenders which is always a plus. There's a small stage area in the back for live music which is awesome. There's aren't enough small music venues anymore. I'll be back for another show soon.

Littlefield

3.5

(34 reviews)

Went there for a Thursday night concert and was very pleasantly surprised. The venue was intimate…read moreenough to enjoy a good concert experience. Lighting and acoustics are fine and plenty of room to move around. The staff is courteous and very friendly. A nice touch is that the bar offers free water during the concert. I know it's a little thing, but it does go along way. Nice job littlefield!

Great venue for Lottie concerts. My 1st time n it was Johnny Cash birthday bash. Drinks are great n…read morereasonable. The concerts is standing room only. I would definitely come back.

Gemini and Scorpio Loft

4.2

(5 reviews)

This place was a huge disappointment. Super rude owner that makes you feel uncomfortable if she…read morewants to. Outdated music that no one dances to, and poor attendance. Speaking to the racist comment another person made, as a white person myself, the place looked like a blanket of snow. Saw only 2 people who weren't white out of a crowd of 20+. Was talking to one of the folk's who worked there who also had some unfavorable things to say about "Miss Scorpio"...super let down.

This space is amazing. It's a converted loft that they turn into a comedy club, party space, and…read morefrom I hear, even a venue for Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathons. I came by for a free improv class with Letter of Marque, which was awesome. They have a ton of seating options, a small stage, a full bar, and even an outside roof patio area. Definitely coming back for improv, but also going to watch a show in a few weeks!

Issue Project Room

4.6

(15 reviews)