I came here to end my night of birthday surprises, the night that I went they were having a 90's night which I love because as a baby of the 90's I love dancing to the music from that decade. My initial reaction to this place (and the people in the venue) was it looked like Urban Outfitters threw up all over the place. Which makes sense if you think about it because the 90's clothes, trends, etc are slowly coming back via hipsters and their love for flannel, choker necklaces and ironic t-shirts. The venue itself is a pretty good size: they have 2 bars and a few seats outside of the main room. The venue fills up pretty quickly so if you want coat check and a decent spot on the floor, I'd say come early-ish. The atmosphere is great, just a bunch of people ready to dance and have a good time. Although, I wish the floors were a little less sticky and the bathrooms were a little less stinky. I didn't really drink much while I was here but from what I could see, the drinks were cheap and they had a decent variety of beer and they had a full bar for mixed drinks. I'd come back to check out their other events. They played a good mix of music that will appeal to everyone (hip hop/rap, pop, rock) & and overall it makes for a good night out. read more

My first visit was for a Myspace party several weeks ago, but I only stayed for literally all of one minute. Last night, my girlfriend and I went to the monthly trivia night. We were sure we would cream all the losers there, especially since it was a Tuesday night and the people there did not look too smart. But then more people started showing up and our team of two started looking less and less invincible... we were David facing multiple Goliath-sized teams of almost 8 people. No matter, we got some beers, we found some stools and we prepared ourselves for the mental marathon. Pen in hand, group name chosen, we were off. First round, okay, second round, okay, third, fourth, fifth, sixth... at the end, we had found no magic slingshot and stone... we were dead last, receiving a very special honorable mention for our terrible performance. But what of it? The winning team got a $25 bar tab, meaning each player got a half a beer for their efforts. The crowd was laid back, the bouncer was cool, the solitary bartender was efficient, the trivia host looked like Jeremy Piven and Joe Rogan had a baby, and it all made for a fun night. I look forward to coming back many more times to redeem ourselves in trivia and to catch the wacky theme parties. read more

I don't frequent Brooklyn much except for Yelp Elite Brooklyn events. One thing I must say is that parking is easy to find. Although located in a warehouse/industrial location, once inside, this place is very nice. Lots of room. Big bar with stools and lots of small tables with chairs and couches. Very chic! Service at the bar was good, paid about $7 for a drink (gin & tonic). The bartender mixed good drinks. The bathrooms were clean. If you go to the back of the bar there is a whole other huge room for live performances. Would be a great venue for private parties as well. read more

Everyone knows the classic Toto song "Africa" by now, and if you don't, well, you should be ashamed. Hang your head like a flower in the rain* and see yourself over to a corner. I mention this important tune because of one particular line: "She's coming in 12:30 flight." Last night at the Bell House I also went on a flight. It was more like 6:30, not 12:30. And my boarding pass wasn't for African Airlines; it was for an Allagash beer and cheese flight. A crisp $10 bill purchased my boarding pass with 5 different types of Allagash, 4 of which I could try. Surprisingly, the glasses were pretty big! I was sufficiently drunk by the time I left. The cheese didn't really do much for me. Don't get me wrong; it was delicious and I LOVE cheese. But I thought it would be a cheese + beer pairing, when really the cheese was just served on a table in a corner (and they ran out of crackers pretty quickly). It wasn't a big deal though. The bartenders are extremely friendly and the crowd seems just as cool. Did this simple event make me like Bell House? You bet.** I really like the lounge area--it's big and spacious and warm; but be warned, on weekends it can fill to capacity pretty easily, aided by the draw of the concert room. They also have a photobooth, which I haven't tried or investigated enough, but it gives me an excuse to come back. Where are all the good photobooths in New York? I have to scout those out immediately. When words fail me, I return to "Africa": Bell House, it's going to take a lot to drag me away from you. Hurry pals, the Bell House, she's waiting there for you. __________ * I bless the rains down in Africa. ** I'm as sure as Kiliminjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti. Which is pretty damn sure when you think about it. I think. Maybe. Just kidding--that line is ridiculous. read more

As an avid concertgoer and general music junkie, I'm sort of embarrassed to admit that it's taken me until last night to finally catch a show at the Bell House. Very glad I finally checked it out. The Bowery Ballroom is to the Mercury Lounge as the Bell House is to Union Hall, sort of. It's got a relaxed vibe and I don't recall seeing any patrons you'd typically find in a place like T5, so that is a huge bonus. The front room and bar is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room to mill around, some couches to sit and chill, and a photo booth! Decent beer selection, too. The back room, which is the main event area, is separated by a set of doors and is sort of similar in size and layout to the Highline Ballroom. It's not particularly deep, but it's quite wide, with another bar against the far wall and bathrooms in the back corner. The ceiling is very high, probably over 20 feet. I saw a fairly low key, semi-acoustic performance, and the sound mix was fine, though I'm curious what it's like for a full on rock show, DJ party, etc. Regardless, it worked last night, and the sight lines are pretty solid and unobstructed wherever you are. The space is intimate, with a capacity of only around 350. Overall, I thought this place was real cool and will definitely go back. They do a lot of interesting and offbeat programming there, ranging from cook-offs, to comedy shows, spoken word, trivia, burlesque and the secret science club. The Rub, one of my favorite dance parties ever, is now hosted here as well (since Southpaw closed), so that's just one more reason to check this place out. read more

I worked in bars - all kinds of venues - for eight years, and have been to shows and events at a zillion more; I mention this to make it clear that I understand there are a lot of moving pieces to making a sold-out event run smoothly. Lines and crowds suck, not least for the people working there. I get it. I have never gotten so mad that I've walked out of a venue - and on my paid-for ticket - until tonight. I want someone to explain to me (seriously, please) what the point is of having a line of ticket-holders who are told, after waiting for at least twenty minutes, that there is actually a SECOND line they have to go stand in to get "checked in" with a stamp... and then come back and get in the first line again, only at the end of it because now they've lost their place. This system is moronic and accomplishes nothing. All the people have tickets. They all need to get checked in. Why two lines? Why all the shuffling around after people have already been waiting in an orderly fashion? Why can't IDs be checked and hands stamped as each person in the original line gets to the front of it and enters the venue? Why can't the (unbelievably rude) bouncers go down the line stamping hands if that's so important instead of just standing there acting like dicks and yelling at everyone? Here's what happens: strangers try to help each other out by holding places in line while trading off to get a stamp, not realizing that second line is just as long as the first. Eventually the person left in line one goes to see what the deal is with the stamp, finds line two, realizes she is now at the end of THAT line when she could have gotten in it ages ago but she was holding the place for the first person, who in turn now goes back to the first line and finds her placeholder gone and has to go to the end of the line... it's nonsensical, it does nothing but piss everybody off, and it's a mess. I might has well have lit the money I spent on my ticket on fire. After thirty minutes of this BS I bailed, and I wasn't the only one. Bell House used to have a ticket window system. I don't know why or when they stopped using it, but it made a lot more sense and, though just as long a wait, was far less infuriating. The manager needs to figure out a different system for these kinds of events. And hire new door guys, PLEASE. They don't have to be assholes to do their jobs. These guys were some of the nastiest I've ever encountered. read more

The Bell House is a true Brooklyn gem. They hold all kinds of events here, but I've only been for concerts. GET ON THEIR MAILING LIST NOW! Sometimes pretty big names come through this super intimate venue (Norah Jones, for example). The front bar is nice and spacious, with a great beer selection, and even some random couches in the corner - AND a photo booth! The event space in the back is rustic and wooden, with two big chandeliers and, of course, a stage. The acoustics in the room are fantastic, and every song I've ever heard performed here was magical. I saw Manchester Orchestra here last night, and Andy Hull sang a full acoustic set like an angel down from heaven. I freaking love The Bell House. I will host my wedding reception here (clearly with a kickA live band) one day. Mark my word. read more

Chill, hip, happening. I've been to this venue a couple times including for a Pete Davidson & friends comedy show and the free monthly first Saturday of the month 1990s dance party. A fun spot to see a show or dance with reasonably priced drinks ($10 cocktails) and a laid back vibe. read more

Conveniently located by several train stations, the Bell House is a great venue space. The front area is a bar with a tv screen and couches, which looked cozy. The back area, where the event took place, is huge with high ceilings. There's a stage, a bar, as well as an elevated area with some tables and chairs. The Bell House played host to The Cookie Takedown, an event that my friend was competing in, so I, along with a couple of friends, came down to eat 30 cookies, drink eggnog and support my friend. The staff of the Bell House that I interacted with were friendly and efficient in handling the crowds. The bar seems to have a good selection of booze. I had what they were giving out for free - bourbon eggnog! I'm not a huge fan of eggnog but it was good and went well with the cookies. The ladies bathroom was big and kept clean. I'll definitely keep an eye out for things happening at The Bell House from now on, as it seems they play hosts to a lot of quirky events. I know I'll be back for more takedowns! read more

The best and worst thing about The Bell House is that it's in the middle of nowhere. The first time I walked here from the subway, I had the feeling that I was in a movie and someone had told me to walk down an alley to pick up some awesome stolen goods, when really I would just get murdered... like Robert De Niro in Goodfellas when he tells Tony Soprano's psychiatrist to go pick up 'some dresses' in a back alley?? (random scattered references anyone???) I get this feeling all the time though, so it's no big deal. Haven't actually gotten myself murdered yet. - knocks on wood - Anyway... while the fact that it's hard to get to is bad in the conventional 'it's actually annoying to get here sense', secondarily, in order to draw people to a spot like this, you apparently need to have 1) an awesome bar/venue and 2) a calendar full of awesome events. The Bell House has both of these things. That's why a place in... gowanus?... can draw the likes of NY1 anchor / canadian god Pat Kiernan to do trivia night... and how awesome events like Secret Science Club and my friend Sunny's wedding get to happen. read more

Bartender was very rude and disrespectful. Did not give me the correct change back and then said it was my problem not his. Avoid this place. read more

"Sucky location"? I take offense! I live just a couple blocks from here, and it's great to have a place in the neighborhood with patrons young enough to still have all their teeth. It is hard to spot at the end of a long block full of warehouses and with no sign save for a chalkboard they stick out on the sidewalk. But hopefully that just means I won't get turned away or wait in line on a weekend night as I have at Union Hall. I mean, this is Brooklyn. If i want to wait in line I'll "schlep" into Manhattan. To be serious for a second, Gowanus is real ugly. But I love it. read more

The Bell House is categorically my favorite venue in the city. Now, it must be said that its most notable function is as a venue/event space for alt-comedy and NPR type stuff. I have always been there for that kind of thing. That said, if I lived closer I would gladly go there just as a bar. The selection of beers is very well curated, and I'm a really big fan of the pulled pork sandwiches and empanadas. As a music and comedy venue, though, the Bell House really shines. The theater is intimate but doesn't feel cramped, and the genius of the place is the way the theater has a large second bar area that is raised, which keeps you IN THE ACTION even when you need to get another drink. The kooky decor also contributes to a general feeling that you are at a special club for fun weirdos, which is sort of actually the case. read more

Just a wee-bit of a warning: the walk to the Bell House from the Smith & 9 Street G train is a tad creepy. Bring a friend. That being said, this place is great! The music venue is large enough to house a good size crowd - not too small that everyone is crammed together in a sweaty mess, or too large that the room seems empty. Nice full bar to the side of the stage, but would have been nice to have a few cheaper options (PBR anyone?). Chill atmosphere-a mix between an old barn and a brothel...is there a better combo? Seems like there's a lot of great music coming in the next few months, I'll be back. read more

Best put by a fellow Bell Houser we met on the way there: Be prepared to sweat. We came for The Rub and rub, we did. I mean that in a totally PG way. We danced. That's it. Anyway, The Rub is their Saturday dance party. There are 2 rooms, with the main room being substantially larger than the second room and understandably so considering it also doubles as a music venue. The night I went, the DJ was playing a mix of music that was at times good, at times not, and overall, not completely jiving. It was a shame because that room clearly had the better space and sound system. The much smaller second room was obviously more intimate, and depending on your jam, they played much better booty-poppin' music. We spent most of the night in this room while occasionally hopping into the main room to get that rush you get dancing in a room with hundreds of other people. The Rub's a lot of fun, and anytime I can dance with friends without having to get decked out in full-on club attire is a good time. Get your twerk on. read more

I went to this venue for the Shellshag concert and my bar experience completely ruined the night out. The bartender was extremely rude and asked for more tip after my date and I ordered some beers. My date, being very distraught after this, felt self-conscious and was unable to enjoy the concert in full. So he tried halfway through the concert to track down the bartender that served us to give him a additional tip. We couldn't find him but asked another fellow bartender if we had perhaps given too little of a tip amount. (We hadn't). Needless to say, this soured the entire experience for us and we won't be back to this venue, despite some of the cool bands they have lined up to play here. I've worked in the food service industry before, but this was completely unprofessional. Even as a waitress, I've never dared to ask for MORE tip from a customer. It would've been one thing if we had given NO tip (which is what he deserved after all that). Maybe that particular bartender was just having a rough night, but our night was ruined due to this rude, pretentious bartender so we wont be back. It's just not worth dealing with presumptuous people. On a side note, the concert process was flawless and hassle-free. No long lines and confusion at all. We walked up to the receptionist, stated our party name, got our hands stamped, and got in, problem -free. +1 additional star for having great bathrooms though. read more

I loved my experience here. I came here for the Mean Girls stage reading/drinking game. I wasn't sure what to expect as I hadn't previously been there before but they have three different bars which was great because it kept the lines from getting too long at any of them. The game itself was much more interactive than I thought it might be which made it a lot of fun and I definitely drank more than I'd expected. The only real downside was that we arrived 30 minutes early in hopes of getting seats but we hadn't anticipated how many people would get there even earlier so even though there were still seats available a lot of them were being held for peoples friends. They have so many interesting events though that I've already bought tickets for another. read more

Beautiful event space in Brooklyn with a well-maintained farmhouse interior and great acoustics. I had no idea this place was so lovely. They book great acts, too, from music to spoken word. Drinks are modestly priced. The outer bar has an outstanding, wide selection, but the bar inside the main hall is also very respectable. Bathrooms were in better shape than you would expect. read more

Super dope venue to see shows at. Most recently, Pete Davidson and friends. And before that, the long running dance parties The Rub. Drinks are fairly cheap and the sound and lighting is good. Checking in is a breeze once you get through the cluster fuck that is checking ID's. A terribly flawed two line system of showing your ID in one line and then without a stamp or anything get back into the entrance line. It's very odd but ok?! They could definitely use a few more bartenders during shows but once you are settled with drinks in hand, it's a really enjoyable place to spend the evening. Clean bathrooms and plenty of them. The only reason I don't frequent it more is because it's very far from my house on the UES. But anyway, I'll always come out for a good show. See you soon Bell House! read more

I vowed that when I wrote this review I would try my hardest NOT to use the word "ambiance." Fuck it though. The ambiance is fab. I love the old school, classy, retro yet chic feel of the interior. The lighting is quite romantic and the music really puts you in a "mood" too. I ordered a vodka tonic at one point and it tasted fab even though I forgot to ask for my usual greygoose addition. Basically that means that the bartender is spectacular. The bathrooms are clean. Which is great. I am really interested to see how this place is on a weekend night during a show. I would LOVE to come back and check it out. read more

This review is based on one visit, so if that's not enough street cred, get out of my profile. I was completely impressed. Traveling from the ues to here, my walk reminded me of all the things my mom from PA told me to be careful of in 'the city.' I came early, 10 PM, to skip an anticipated line. The cover was 10$... Aight. The crowd, music, and scene- completely worth it. So it was a night called "the rub" which apparently happens once a month (google.com). I will definitely be back. The crowd was so fun. It wasn't pretentious. Everyone was dressed down, laid back, and rocking out on the dance floor to "finally" and soul music. It was a nice break from over priced, over anticipated manhattan bars/clubs. You've gotta go. read more

I've been back a few times since my last review - twice to see performances in the back room. I really enjoyed their Johnny Cash birthday bash and live WTF with Marc Maron. I was disappointed I didn't get to their event showing classic "don't do drugs" episodes of 90's shows because I love me some Full House. Also, their "Little Mermaid" sing-along. What little girl didn't want to be Ariel growing up? I'd still love a long mane of red hair and a rack that looks that good in a shell bikini top. I digress.... Anyways, I've been able to enjoy Bell House for what it is best at now and am amending my rating. Their quirky events combined with great interior really make the place great. Oh and the drinks are pretty good too. read more

HINT! To avoid the creepiness of Smith/9th, take the F one more stop to 4th Ave/9th St (or 9th on the R). Same distance, much more drunken girl walking alone friendly. I like the space. But it feels like it really really wants to be in Williamsburg. The concert area inside is big and spacious, though. I'll probably warm up to the place over time. read more

The Bell House is a wonderful venue for live performances. The front bar space is beautifully quaint and - unlike most places - is laid out in a way that makes sense. Plenty of seating, but also plenty of space between the bar and tables to make movement possible. They always have unique and high quality micro brews on tap. The back space is really amazing. While it's an old warehouse space, it has been 'classed up' in a very unique way. The chandelier is a particularly nice touch. Again, unlike many concert venues, they nailed the layout. Plenty of open space, with seating around the edges, which allows for easy access to the back bar and to the restrooms. It's the kind of thing you don't think about, but after being crammed it other concert spaces, the feeling here is a breath of fresh air. Also, unlike other warehouse spaces, the sound quality here is very good. The beers are reasonably priced - and good considering that most places use live music/comedy as an excuse to shake us down for all we're worth on drinks. I haven't had the food, but it's from Urban Rustic and my friends had some last night and said it was really good. Score another uniqueness point - a concert venue with good (and reasonably prices) food. The bartenders - both front and back bar - are very much on their games. The only reason it is losing one star (really just losing 0.51 stars) is because I've noticed that the male patrons (NOT the employees) at this place seem to have an aversion to washing their hands that exceeds levels of hygiene ignorance at other similar places. Not sure why that is, but it's gross. I know it's not the Bell House's fault - their sinks work and the soap and paper towels have always been stocked, but I think it speaks to the general quality of people you'll meet there. read more

After reading all the great reviews about The Bell House, I decided to come on down with my friends 7/3/2011. I ordered my first round of drinks (2 beers and 1 cranberry juice) at the cost of $14, I unfortunately only had $15 dollars on me, I told the bartender "I will give you a much better tip when I get my next round, sorry" When I went up for round 2, I waited a few minutes until the bartender asked me what I want, half way through me ordering he looked at the couple next to me and asked them what they want. They ordered and got their drinks. I thought "Ok, he must of just forgot about me. No worries". The next couple came up next to me, the bartender came right up to them and asked what they wanted, they informed the bartender that I was there before them. He looked over at me then looked back to them and I quote "Don't worry about him, He doesn't tip." I was in utter shock, I was left speechless and infuriated. I remained calm and cool I tried to tell the bartender what I said when I ordered my last round up at the bar, but he just ignored my existence all together. All of this was even after paying a $10 cover at the door. I'm not going to lie the bar's atmosphere and music are great. The bartender (blonde hair, skinny, glasses and with a trimmed beard. You know who you are) on the other hand has to learn that he is employed for the sole purpose to pour drinks for the customer and enjoy it. I was going to give you a $10 dollar tip the second time around. In New Zealand, tips are actually frowned upon, so consider yourself lucky. read more

Great event space, solid beers, easy parking nearby. While living in NJ I came here many times via car - now that I'm in Queens nothing has changed. Great comedy options (Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival!) and good bands (We Were Promised Jetpacks a year ago) have graced this stage and enhanced my life. The only reason only 4 stars is how far from me it is, just not easy by subway. But for a venue in an industrial area that feels like an oldtimey lodge - down to the big buffalo overhead - Bell House is the bee's knees. read more

I went to The Bell House for the first time recently to check out Secret Science Club [http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-secret-science-club-brooklyn]. I can't believe that it's taken me this long to make it out here, especially considering how many queer events happen around these parts. The front of The Bell House is SO cozy. Comfy couches AND sexy lighting? Yes, please. The front of the venue provides a great space to catch up with a friend or five. Also seems like the perfect place to sit back and learn all about a new dating partner in crime. I spent 99.9 % of my time at The Bell House in the back room, because that's where the magic of Secret Science Club happens. The space is enormous. All draft beers are served in plastic cups in the back room, and there are about a half dozen to choose from. The rest of the available beers are served in cans, which is kind of neat. There's also a full bar, if that's your kind of thing. I agree with the other Yelpers that said that the back room has a very barn-like feel. It's very western-esque, and very home-y. The bathrooms are super nice, and very clean. I saw a photo booth out of the corner of my eye as I was walking out. Next time, I'll be all over that. read more

1.5 With the opening of Bell House, the owners have completed the noisome trifecta. Bell House is a miserable place to watch a show. Whether it's the space's natural acoustics, or just inferior equipment, the sound quality is terrible. Very muddy through the middle registers. And for a place that's about two light years from anything else, they're curiously afraid to turn up the volume or tolerate crowd antics. Atmosphere and decor are the same paint by numbers schlock that's brought you Floyd NY and Union Hall. Beer selection is fine and, I guess, decently priced...though in the creeping way that makes you "glad" you can get a Genny Cream for $3. read more

So squeaky clean and new, it still smells of fresh paint. The space is large, but feels intimate and attractive, not at all desolated: huge wooden beams and wall-sized windows add visual interest. By cleverly separating the concert area from the bar and making great use of low-lighting and strategically placed couches and chairs, the owners achieved a vibe that is both artsy and sophisticated, but yet unpretentious and easy-going. The concert space is large with decent acoustic and good view of the stage even from the back. There are couple of tables on the elevated platform right next to the open sound booth, so try and snag those if you can. read more

The Bell House is on a remote (at night anyway) industrial block, but strangely when you walk inside it has the feel of a great neighborhood hangout. There is a good selection of reasonably priced beers on tap including Miller High Life (yay!), and at least one good signature cocktail (only tried one of the many named after alternative bands and albums). It was a delicious version of a "Jim and Ginger". The food options are limited, but they do sell a variety of CHEAP dub pies http://www.dubpies.com/shop.php, which are pretty tasty and cheese and crackers with some sort of special Kentucky cheese. I'm sure they'll cut it for you if you ask. As for the concert venue part of the Bell House, it could use some sprucing up. It has a great warehouse ceiling with cool chandeliers, but not lacks the warmth of the front of the place. I know a big space like that is never going to be as nice as a cozy bar, but maybe some more furniture, or more than one bar in the back would help. Of course, they also don't have High Life in the back (boo!), and it seems like the prices at the bar are slightly higher. My imagination? Anyway, I enjoyed the show I was at (Phosphorescent), and look forward to going back and hanging at the front bar before another show sometime soon. read more

Went last week to see AC Newman. Sorry I missed the Elite event, but I somehow decided that, on a double-booked night, a lecture by an obscure Japanese architect would be more rewarding than partying with fun people! Idiot! Anyway, I am really really excited that this space is here. I work a few blocks away from here, and love to know that there's now a real option for happy hour on the Slope side of the canal, and one that has 2-for-1 happy hour? Nice. Maybe it won't replace 4th Ave Pub for sheer audacity in beer selection, but I'm not even talking about the fact that it's a music venue... Oh, right, it's a club. And wow, what a great place! I hope that they can keep up the quality of bookings, so that it continues to be viable. Great music in an otherwise pretty desolate area at night will make this nabe really great. read more

As a concert venue this place is just OK. Esthetically, it's beautiful, but the sound was off for the show I saw-- even the musicians were obviously having a hard time with it. Also, there is NO seating (like 4 tables if you get there wicked early). So if you're someone coming with any kind of chronic pain condition or injury, you have to ask for a bar stool, and they're not very happy about giving you one. The beer selection is great, and parking near the venue was no problem at all (free, on street parking). read more

Really interesting spot, it seems like warehouse, but you are greeted by a dark, seductive, long bar. very classy, and has many options as far as beer and drink. wrapped around the corner inside is the venue area, which is so tiny! i attened an event here, and i was shocked that this area hosted such a big event. theres also a bar inside of there too. It was a nice venue, and i liked the inside, but honestly i think people need to re think about how many people and what kind of event they want to host it--it can get crowded quick! read more

To truly experience The Bell House you need to commit to the destination. It is on a random street in Gowanus, but not too far from the F/G at Smith and 9th. What you get when you go inside is warm and unexpected. The front has a nice, big bar with plenty of room for a lot of people to hang out. This is a great place to go with a bunch of people. They have a good selection of tap beers in true Brooklyn fashion. Last time I was there I had Beer of Gods...enough said. The surprise is what lies in the back for shows. A fantastic back room for live music and comedy, probably could hold around 300, with arched ceilings with exposed wood beams. Also, a nice long bar in the back area, as well as very accessible bathrooms right by the bar. I saw the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival here on Thursday night and could tell how excellent a venue this would be for music. During the Mirman show, which was great by the way, we got lucky enough to have the guy from The Posies there who performed two songs in the middle of the comedy. The stage is large and there is not a bad seat or standing area in the venue at all. Wherever you are, you will be able to see and hear whatever is going on. A very intimate stage and overall venue. The even greater surprise is the programming here. If you look at the upcoming events at any time, there are plenty of things that you really want to go to. From comedy to good bands to special events with beer and wine, The Bell House definitely has that little extra that makes it totally unique and much more than just a neighborhood bar. read more

I recently saw two live "Gilmore Guys" shows at the Bell House. The location was a little...interesting, basically surrounded by warehouses (although there are a few restaurants around as well). The staff was friendly and kept things well organized (as the line to get in to one of the shows started to move, a few girls tried to jump in to it while standing at the bar and a bouncer politely explained that there was a line and they needed to go to the end of it, which I appreciated). They have pretty decent beer and wine selections and the bartender quickly took care of an issue I had. I ordered a beer and opened a tab when I arrived. Before the 2nd show I ordered some wine and asked to close my tab and was brought a receipt for $48! I quickly explained to the bartender and he informed me that other people had been charging drinks to my card. Luckily he refunded me for the difference (it turned out someone else had a similar name to me and there was some confusion) with no real issue. read more

Super cool music venue/bar. They had two stages, one was hip-hop and the other was I don't know..a mixture of current popular music? This was for the monthly party so it's probably different other times. The monthly party was awesome!! Great music, good vibe and just an all around jolly time! The bar was packed, but kudos to the bartenders for their hustle. You didn't have to wait long at all to get a drink. $3 bucks for coat check and the drinks were reasonably priced. Word of advice, come early because the line is LONG AS HELL!! And wear your dancing shoes =] read more

Great venue. The interior is all wood, which gives the place a very warm, comfortable feel. The bar has some similarly comfortable seating, but not much of it. They have DUB pies and one other nosh, but it's probably best to eat elsewhere. The drinks options are good, but just a little expensive. The acoustics are better than expected (giant wooden room, high ceiling), and the space is large and well organized. I'm not sure if tech changes with the show, but the sound system was great when I was there. Every staff member I interacted with was helpful and friendly. The bookings are solid. I'm not sure what else there is to ask of a music venue. read more

I love, love, LOVE going to see my favorite bands perform ESPECIALLY when they're performing at smaller venues. There is nothing like being in a room with people who share the same love of music as you do. As corny as this may sound, you really get a chance to feel the artist's energy. The Bell House wasn't packed but even if it were, there were good sightlines throughout the room. The front room was a good place to kill time before the show started. Comfy and cozy. The bars had a good selection of canned beers as well as local brews on tap. I think the only downside (not for me particularly) is that the Bell House is a trek into the middle of nowhere. If you dont have a car, its pretty rough to get to. read more

Came here for the Bacon...Takedown! Behind the main bar/lounge scene is another hidden room. I have been here previously for a culinary presentation. It was no surprise that this bacon event would take place in this back area. There's a bar and several tables for seating. The stage is situated in the middle of the room. Sandy C.' s got a very thorough review on the details of this bacon event. There were 2 winners (that came in first place): the judges' choice as well as the peoples' choice. Elaine's choices were as follows: 1. Avocado sherbet topped with bacon and sea salt 2. Bacon rice krispy treats topped with cinnamon apples 3. The bacon, almond brittle. Congrats to the above winners. You did a fine job with everyone's favorite: bacon. *applause* :D read more

I've only been to two events here, so my experience with the place as a regular bar is limited. The events, however, have been awesome. The first was a Secret Science event on the causes of Superstorm Sandy. It was very well organized, very warm and welcoming audience, and the host was gracious. The second was yesterday, the Vegan Cook-Off: Hors d'Oeuvres edition. I had so much fun! Bobby Phobia, the host, did a great job leading the crowds around and reminding them to vote, while providing commentary throughout. However, during the time that we, the event attendees, had to wait in the front bar before the cook-off started, there was atrocious heavy metal music simply BLARING and drowning out any possible conversation. I really can't stand when bars have music that's louder than a typical person can talk (live music notwithstanding) but this was a very niche genre of music that is not enormously popular with the majority of society, even in Brooklyn. I heard numerous people complaining to each other and to the management staff that the music was unbearable and to please turn it down. They did - maybe one decibel. Despite it being 90 degrees outside and humid as the tropics, my friend and I left the bar to simply give our ears time to recuperate. So, that's not every time, and that didn't happen the first time I was there. But that's firmly Not Okay in my book, and honestly, if it happened a second time, I'd never come back. read more