I've only been here once but I think this place is cool. Here's why: Originality - This is the only concert venue I've ever gone to that reminds me of a community theater and serves pirogies. Scarcity - I have a lot of favored acts who play at this sized venue and I can only recall a couple times when they played here. Of those, I managed to go to one - a Drive-By Truckers concert that kicked ass. Its also one of the scarce Polish-American cultural establishments to court popular music acts. Functionality - Some people think things could be cool w/o being somewhat functional. Not me. A funky looking watch that tells time can be cool. Jewelry = fashionable but I wouldn't call it cool. Anyway, the sightlines are very good here as the stage is rather elevated. Sound is good. Solidarity - A Polish political movement that was popular in the early 1990's. No concert place in the city embodies their spirit more than the Warsaw. Affordability - $4 beer. read more

Great cheap beer, Great intimate setting, Decent sound, Needs more chairs/benches/place to pop a squat in the main room, Great concert. read more

I came here to see a DJ spin. The doors open at 7, got here around 830 thinking that the main DJ is coming on around 9. At the door there was a sign that said now the DJ is performing at 1045 instead of 9. Okay, so we found the bar area and it is CASH only. 20 minute wait to get money out of the atm. Coat checked filled up after the first hour so we weren't able to check our winter coats. Good acoustics. Since I came with guy friends, they informed me that the male bathrooms were filthy and dirty. No one cleaned them from 7pm. By 10pm, it was filthy. Women bathroom had no tissues left to whip hands. Once you enter the venue, you cannot re-enter even though they give you a wrist band. There was no tickets, just names written on a paper that someone checked. The DJ gets the 2 stars not this place. read more

this is STILL one of my most favorite venues in all of new york. i never have a bad time here! it's never excessively crowded, it's not overpriced and you get all you need in ONE place. i enjoy the polish beer that i can't pronounce (Zwywiec) and i always get a steaming plate of delicious pierogies while here. this hall is big enough for everyone. the bathroom is the one bad thing - always has a line since they have one main restroom for the ladies. one time i resorted to using the men's restroom, since i just couldn't wait! regardless, i wish this place had more shows because it's one of the best. read more

The venue was just okay. I have a broken foot and they had absolutely zero ADA / accessibility options -- so beware if this is something you need. I saw the same show at Irving Plaza the next night (both venues managed by same company I believe) and Irving was 200x better. I'll give it another try but definitely will also consider other venues. read more

This is a huge huge space off of McCarren park, that is perfect for special events. I happened to be attending such a special event, a private all night blowout, complete with two djs, and bars & playrooms aplenty. What with costumery and merriment every which way you look, no room to complain. The owners & security seem chill and there for safety rather than harrasing people. Which is a refreshing thing to see. Very much enjoyed the place, and will definitely be back for other "special events". read more

Amazing food and a great venue to see a show. Kielbasa, hunters stew, and pierogies all on one plate. Yum! My only gripe... Only Zywiec? Really. Come on. Seriously you only offer 1 beer. That's all you got it? Not even bud. Shit I'd drink Heineken before I'd drink that swill again. read more

So upon arriving at the door of the Warsaw, I was greeted by a friendly Eastern European bouncer who, upon asking for my ID, I informed him that I was in fact, not 21 and would not be drinking.... So umm... apparently in Poland, under 21 means over 21 because he gave me a drink bracelet anyway. Once I entered the main room of the Warsaw, I was a bit confused. Actually I felt like I was at a bar mitzvah. I don't know whether it was the tacky disco balls, or the synagogue catering hall feel, or maybe the old Polish woman working the bar, but it just felt a bit off. While the room itself was fairly large (and it wasn't a sold out show,) the venue felt cramped, most likely because I was seeing The Polyphonic Spree which consists of around 23 members, on a small stage. I can't complain about the sound, because even though the speakers were buzzing during the downtime, when you're seeing a band that has a 6 person choir, a harp player, two drummers, two guitarists, two synth players, a flute/keytar/kazoo player, electric cello and violin players, plus two trumpet players, a trombone player and a lead singer and a few others, there's so much sound penetrating your earholes that you arent going to notice a little buzz. All in all, it was a very enjoyable show, made more enjoyable by the quirkyness of the venue, and the fact that the bouncers were pretty lax. I'd definitely go see another show there, without a doubt. read more

I came for Disorient and had a great time dancing all night. The DJs were awesome, and the lights really made for a psychedelic time. The side room was a bit crowded, but it allowed for different music tastes. They were out of Petron, but one could get a simple mixed drink fairly quickly for a decent price (but the sizes are on the small side). You feel like you're at a high school dance - in a gymnasium? - but the flow of the venue is great for having your own rocking dance party with your friends or dancing with new friends. read more

Patti Smith performing in the middle of Brooklyn? The punk dyke goddesses Le Tigre playing in Williamsburg? Yes, great things happen even in this borough! Warsaw, the Polish National Home, a cultural club for Polish Americans, has various programs for Polish people, a cinema that plays Polish movies (some with English subtitles, some without), and a music stage. But the music stage has long ago been diversified, and is no longer used just by Polish bands. The club is small enough so that you can see the stage from everywhere, but large enough so that you don't feel trapped. The sound is no Carnegie Hall, but it's very good for a club this size and stature. And the prices are great, with the most expensive I've seen so far being $20. Most of all, it's such a pleasure to know that even in Brooklyn, there are venues that play good old punk rock! read more

Just saw comedy there 03.31.06. Real polish eats, cheap. Huge venue. About one block in from Graham or McGuiness. read more

Great acoustics. Easy access to a bar. A freakin' pierogi stand in the back?! This place has everything you want in a music venue, plus a historic vibe, friendly staff members and chill security. I went last night for Lane 8's "This Never Happened Tour" and loved the way they handled putting stickers on phones to ensure the crowd adhered to the artist's strict no photo/no video policy. The cash bar was a little behind the times, but at least they have an ATM on site if you show up with a skinny wallet. I'm genuinely excited to return to this venue to experience more music in future. Brooklyn's got that cool venue game on lock. read more

I'll start with the good: the venue space itself is very nice. High ceilings in the ballroom, almost comically ornate with a grand stage area and marble walls. Acoustics are good. Sound travelled very well throughout the whole ballroom, which is pretty big. They serve some polish fare, and the drinks are decently priced. Now the bad: it's cash only, with no re-entry, and one very slow atm. The line for the atm was constantly about 20 people long. Bring cash or get pissed. Now, this is the part that really bugs me about music venues. You can tell which ones are curated and owned by music lovers and money-grubbers. Besides Terminal 5 (one of the worst venues in NYC) I've never been to a show where an enthusiastic crowd did not get their encore. The venue refused to let them come back, then promptly herded us out and slammed down the gates-- all within 10 minutes of the last song. These places really get me, because it's not unreasonable at all to have people hang around afterwards to have another drink and digest what they've just experienced. It's all very mechanical and corporate, snatching the money and shutting us out. That, and the fact that it's cash only with an inescapable $3 atm surcharge, leaves me to think that the people running this operation are greedy, tax evading little douchebags. It leaves me a bitter taste in my mouth and I don't enjoy feeling taken advantage of. read more

Awesome venue with no attitude, I have seen Primal Scream and The Kills among others here always a good show, the bar is fun and there are lots of local people, great spot GO read more

Came here for a taping of an MTV show via Gotham Casting. The lines are somewhat blurred between what the production company was responsible for, and what the role of the bar was, but if anything I can say that the drinks were very overpriced. A bud light, well shot, and glass of wine came to $22. Bottled water was $3. It looks like the inside of an Elk's Club or a Moose Lodge. The venue space behind the bar is actually very nice. I may come back for that, but I'll be staying clear of the expensive bar. read more

One of my favorite venues with easily one of the worst sound systems. (No. Really. Worst Sound Ever ) So don't go for the sound. Go for the great bar, the delicious pierogies and a scene that's offbeat and authentic. read more

security are AWFUL at this venue... Me and my friend each drank 1 beer across the street which was covered in a bag then went to the venue and the head security guy was acting so obnoxious and strange to us and kept repeating "nope nope nope not letting you in too intoxicated" after I had just taken the train all the way there to see one of my fav artists and bought physical copies of the tickets from people that had traveled there from Canada... such a sad night, this would have never happened at any other venue, for the record me and my friend were barely tipsy and had not been bothering ANYONE. he lied and said we were drinking beers all night and kept walking over there and trying to sneak in which is NOT TRUE.. never coming here again read more

Went here for a show Friday night. The drinks were cheap but very weak. This place is a decent place for a show but not a good spot for a dance show. The speaker system and lights are awful. Poor bass and bad coverage mean there are plenty of dead areas for sound; particularly in the back. Probably wouldn't come back for another show but would give it another shot for a drink or two before going somewhere else. read more

Can we give the night off to the old Polish ladies who don't know how to bartend and can't keep up with the crowds and don't understand anything you're ordering? Sorry, but waiting 20 minutes to order a vodka gimlet and then receiving a vodka soda IS NOT COOL. read more

First time there to see Oh Sees on Sunday Oct. 20th. Thought it was a great venue and liked the layout. Daughter had a platter of food for $6 and water $2 which is an all time low price for a NY concert venue. Great show and a cool place. read more

Great venue to see a show at. Do yourself a favor and try the Polish food from the "Bistro" concession stand! I had the Warsaw Special with pierogis, kielbasa, kraut (hunters stew), and rye bread and it was EXCELLENT at $6! read more

I used to live 20 miles from the nearest proper grocery store. Having some great acts play at a concert venue only blocks away is quite a boon. read more

Pretty cool place for a concert... I do enjoy a GA small setting where it feels really intimate and you feel connected to the artist. Unfortunately, these types of venues necessitate a real balcony, not just for VIPs, where you don't have to be in the pit of moshing/swaying drunkards/weirdos making out to enjoy the artist. My sister and I went here to see Mayer Hawthorne in February 2014. It was pretty fun, although there was an exorbitantly high number of really rude people at the event (did this have to do with the location or the artist? not sure...). The bartender was also pretty rude as well - she completed ignored me for almost 5 minutes even though I was front and center at the counter (I think she was hitting on the other gentlemen at the counter). When I said, "Is it possible for me to get a drink?" [not the most polite question but after 5 minutes, do you blame me?] and she was really nasty after that. It ended up getting a beer anyway but I really regretted giving her a tip... ugh. Never met such an unfriendly bartender at a NYC event. Anyway, the acoustics and lighting of the place is pretty good... I have to say that it was a really nice "goldilocks" experience - not too loud and not too quiet. Sound projected well as a previous reviewer said. I would consider coming back here to an event, regardless of the shortcomings. read more

if you can stand being in the mecca of hipster, smack in the center of billyburg and a stones throw from bushwick, the warsaw is off the chain. officially, the polish-american hall fostering immigrant programs and community mixers, the warsaw has recently(within the last coupla years) graduated to a legitimate concert venue. apparently, the building was bought(or is run by) by the same people that own irving plaza near union square. with the exception of the bookings, they've left operations alone. the place looks like a large gymnasium but the sound system pumps some good volume and it isn't muddy or worse than a lot of places i frequent. there is a small balcony in the rear and a coat check under the stairs. the adjunct room is top-notch, featuring a full bar with several polish beers on tap. were i not XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX drinks deep i would tell you more about the place, but all i seem to remember are hot polish chicks(and grandmas) bartending. if you have a hankering for sausage and kraut on the authentic tip, go to the show early, bring $5 and hang a right when you go into this bar area. the polish hall sets up a chow line where you can sample kielbasa and other delights. in review: bookings: solid, experienced crew gets it done roots: preserved NA ZDROWIE! JCTSFR: 1.55 (5.94 if hosting a euro-trash event) read more

Pretty rad, small venue. Sadly, it felt ultra shady. The bouncer asked me to check my purse in coat check, as "all handbags must be checked." Of course, when I got into the venue, all other women still had their purses. Weird and uncomfortable. Felt a bit scammy. read more

The classic ornate design here is lovely. I was here for a movie screening and it's evident that you can fit a great deal of people. Convenient location in the thick of Greenpoint life. read more

Just saw the Lemonheads here last night. Icarus Line opened and were a C- at best. now by bro and I (who I will mention is in a metal band called For All Dishonesty) love loud music but its gotta be good. this was super loud but not good, which = annoying. Evan Dando and his band were great, I actually just saw them at Southpaw a few months ago, so this was sorta a reprise for me. Crowd was energetic (odd mix of people) and the venue is cool. Did I mention $4 Zywiec's??!? that was definitely the best part. that and the fact that everytime I walked by the bar I had an empty beer and for $4 who doesn't keep buying? man, it was not my intention to get as busted up as I did but it made it fun! read more

My husband & I just saw a great show here..the venue is very manageable..They have a coat check & it is clean..loved the bar (cash only) & the Polish food options..we ate prior to the show..but had I known I would have gotten the pirogies read more

Great place to see a show: great sightlines, good sound, full bar in a separate room (where you can still watch the action on stage on the handful of TVs mounted behind the bar), and good food to help you pass the time away between sets and keep you from getting too drunk to see the band you came for. As another review stated, the room is a bit Bowery Ballroom-esque in layout and it also reminded me of my high school auditorium in sheer size. read more

Loved it. A good-sized venue for live music, Warsaw has charm and good accoustics. Sadly, I don't know who opened for Aimee Mann on 7/21, but he was good (let me know if you know who he is!), and then, of course, Aimee Mann rocked hard. *Good* beer for only $4. Oh, and get this: one of our tickets was actually only a receipt, but we were all let in anyway! = the nicest bouncers EVER. Check this place ouuut! read more

great hall, OK sound. It's basically a high school auditorium with cheap drinks and that is incredible. I do, however, recommend that you see a sweaty, loud band rather than something that requires a delicate palette. read more

This place makes me happy. It's like seeing a show at the local VFW back in the day before you could go to real venues. The disco ball lighting adds a certain "your cousin's wedding reception" vibe. Big. No attitude or pretension. Pretty much what I want in a venue. read more

Listen: So maybe we were trying to dance a little when we saw Matisyahu go all Jewish meets Rasta meets beatbox on us at the Warsaw, but who can blame us! We just had some pretty wicked cool kraut and hot dogs, the music was thumping and to top it all off: someone brought a menorah on stage for him to light! *see pics!* Be prepared for fierce crowds regardless of what you're here to see, as it's right off McCarren and draws big numbers. We did Festival of Lights a few years running and some indie gigs here and there, but by far the ever red and white nightmare of SantaCon beats them all! WATCH out for puking elves, Jersey Girls in wayyy too small outfits, and drunken frat antics! That's all I'm going to say, someone get that elf some assistance please, because it's not coming from the bouncer who looks less than thrilled to be knee deep in freaks everynight. All in all, a fabulous venue for music, borrows vibes like an old VFW, but it's anything but your pappy's bar! read more

Warsaw - Matisyahu - Music Venues Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Awesome venue, very old school style theater atmosphere. The acoustics aren't the greatest, but overall the sonic experience is pretty solid. It attracts a cool and diverse crowd, everyone from Polish hipsters to boogie down music heads, and this, of course, depends on the night, event, and promoters involved. I've been here only once, for a Giant Step party with The Brand New Heavies, but it was awesome - they have this deal where you get a plate of pierogies and a Polish beer for $5. I'd go just for that! read more

Had a great time at this out of the way Greenpoint spot. It's a former or current Polish cultural venue that is used as an alternative concert venue. Beer is cold and the people are friendly which is about all you need. read more

I had a legit good time at Warsaw the other night. I live right on the corner and had wondered what it was for a minute when my friend invited me to a show there. Not only was the band great, but the crowd was the perfect size, perfectly drunk, and perfectly breaking it down. After the band a DJ played some music, and everyone was in such a good mood that I don't even remember what the music was, I just remember a lot of sloppy dancing with strangers for hours on end. Good, low key, no frills fun. My kind of place. read more

I don't know how to rate this place. I was only here once (to see Thursday back in March) and enjoyed it. The polish 'bouncers' made my night. Next time I'm going, I'm having some food because my friends said it was delicious. And the beer selection isn't so bad, either. read more

Went to see La Femme in concert, a great band but the sound was really bad. The ambience and the place are very nice, the prices of the beer and food are also very reasonable, but the sound is one of the worst I've ever experienced. One could barely hear the singers and the instruments were saturated. There was a loud acute sound sometimes as when the microphones saturate. Horrible sound experience. read more

I've been to Warsaw and this venue is way less depressing! I first saw Lilly Allen here two years ago but that was before I yelped. This was one of the starting venues for Santacon and it was fabulous for a large group of people. The DJ was kicking (playing holiday music and girl talk at 10am) and the security look like scary polish people but were super friendly. read more

Truly a beautiful venue. The walls have large paintings and there are designs in the walls. Despite other reviews, my experience with the staff here was excellent. No other staff at any venue as been this nice to me. One bartender started a conversation with me, as we are both polish, and we found out that we have many mutual friends. I have only been to one show here (one of my favorites) but my family has been going here for years. This music venue is like no other, it feels like home. read more