It's got kind of dive bar feel which is cool. Good energy. And a good selection of beer. Fun for a late night. The back room with live music is a little hot and stuffy though. read more

Barbes is one of my favorite places to play music in the world. It is real and unpretentious with a smart an musically savvy staff. You can just hang at the bar as well and talk without interrupting the music as the rooms are separate. read more

Awesome spot. Cheap drinks, super friendly bartenders and live music.

Amazing music venue and friendly bar on 9th street on Par Slope. Enjoyed some wonderful bluegrass and fine wine. Great whiskey list as well. Bartender and waitstaff were very friendly. read more

Another great neighborhood bar hidden between a tanning salon and a bakery. It is candelight with dark red decor, catering to a laidback crowd. They also have various different shows throughout the week worth checking out. The scene can be spotty at times. It is known in Park Slope as the bar inhabited by the "nerdy" crowd but that is up to your discretion. Perfect bar for when you want to have a drink alone. read more

Great beer selection, knowledgeable and lovely bartenders. Really cool place with a really nice neighborhood feel.

I'm jealous. I want one of these in San Francisco. Located in a gorgeous little neighborhood. Tree lined streets and beautiful architecture surrounds. I almost missed this place as we were walking here. Very nondescript from the outside. But inside, pretty memorable. Beautiful little place. Deep red walls. Neighborhood bar feel. Surprisingly clean bathrooms. Not terribly loud. Get there a little early to get a seat in the performance space in the back. The bartender was fairly attentive and got my drink within 10 seconds of me approaching the bar. Though the waitress was a bit on the unfriendly side. The live music was AWESOME - saw Stephane Wrembel. They do have a suggested donation, with all proceeds going to the artist. Really a gem of a place. read more

Stopped by for a couple of rounds with a friend. Not really my scene but not very bad. Well-rounded beer selection, priced as expected given the location. The best part was the live African music. It made me smile. read more

I went here on a Monday to see Chicha Libre, a band that plays every Monday at Barbes and also owns the bar. The bar tenders were really friendly and it was the perfect dive. The only downside is that the performance space is so small and haphazardly put together, but then again, you wouldn't get the types of musicians that play there if it weren't that way. Stephane Wrembel plays there every Sunday as well and they generally have a good line up of musicians all month. read more

UPDATE: They have added a sign near the music room that says "10 dollar donation STRONGLY suggested." This sign is up 7 nights a week, even when there are only 3 people listening to the band at 11:45 on a Monday. I don't appreciate being coerced into paying. If you have a cover, just be straight with me and charge a cover - don't get me inside and then glare at me if I don't pay. Not cool. And 10 bucks? This is a neighborhood music joint, not Brooklyn Bowl. I have changed my 4 stars to 3. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Despite the strange smells that seem to pervade the air at Barbes so frequently, it is one of my favorite bars. I spend a lot of time here, and absolutely love the broad range of talented musicians that come through. Well rounded (however pricey) beer list and a comfortable atmosphere make this a great neighborhood spot. Only real complaint: the staff can sometimes be quite unfriendly. Don't get on their bad side! And arrive early for the music on weekends; it gets packed. read more

The stars are really for the live music and the programming policy. Tonight we saw Oran Etkin, the Israel-born clarinetist, with two West African musicians. Eclectic and fabulous. The place itself is very charming, small and cramped up. read more

Good relaxing vibe for a drink, (quiet, good music) but bartender has some sort of too cool for school thing going on. Plus $7 for a 12 oz Guinness is a ripoff read more

I love this bar's ambiance, music and intimacy. I wish it were just 14% larger.

Had such an amazing time at Barbès last night! Zemog was playing and they were both so entertaining and talented! They engaged the crowd and by the end of the night everyone was on their feet dancing. Plus the drinks are reasonably priced! DEFINITELY will be returning read more

Loved the live music, good drink selection, reasonable prices, and love the shitty Paris vibe.

This bar is one of the only of its kind in Park Slope offering live music. Fantastic musicians in an intimate setting.

I enjoyed it. What else can I say. Wait... let me put down my magazine of short people who are famous. I heard the phrase, "hey, lets go to barbes" and i immediately thought of a fat woman with a purple sweater who had 3 grown boys who all were raised as farmers but went into the hair-dressing. Unfortunately, I was suprised when this was not the case. It resembled a tiny bar that would be seen in a dark corner of Paris. I liked the familiar, but unidentifiable interior. It was secretive, artistic and had a sense of Moulin Rouge back-door actors. As he sat in a dark section of the narrow bar, the sounds of someone lyrically bleeding was heard. It was pleasing and I thought I was backstage to a Cirque De'Solei event. The bartender was a bit-off (but aren't we all?) and knew what to recommend when an uncertain customer approaches. The drinks are between expensive and cheap. You'll walk out drunk, but missing about 37 dollars. Not terrible. The bathroom was to the point. I didn't do much while I was in there. I didn't zip up, look up and attempt to "get" the artistic approach of the interior. Found in a great neighborhood for a night-life, this place is definently raven enough to pre-game at, or perhaps discuss sam shepard. god knows i did. read more

I've been here many times to hear the Mandingo Ambassadors play. These musicians are special- they will carry you away to another time and place. The space is really small, but sometimes it's less crowded than usual so people have room dance, and it's the best vibe you could ever ask for when that happens. read more

Great bar with a friendly staff. The live music here most nights is dependably great.

Amazing place to have a beer and enjoy the jazz music, great service, and wonderful ambience. I came for the first time one Sunday night and there was a jazz performance, they didn't ask for cover fee but you can give as much as you want (they're out of this planet, they're amazing) they deserve everything. read more

always liked this place. my heart, or heart-ish part of my brain, has soft spots for gypsy music and european ambiance. and i've been in the slope for seven years and have always gotten along with the servers. only one bone to pick-- i'm not a huge drinker, and they charged me $3 for a coke. i guess they get their soft drinks from the same exotic area up in the mountains, where it flows like a waterfall or or bubbles from an artesian well into crisp refreshing streams-- the same place the movie theaters get it. otherwise, a great little bar. read more

hit this last night for friend's band - gaucho, playing awesome gypsy jazz that reminds me of woody allen's "sweet and lowdown". it's got a small back space for performances. it's a quaint spot. i wish there was room to dance a bit. the bartenders there suck though. it's not a busy bar and the staff doesn't seem too attentive. my housemate got a disgruntled look when she asked to sample a beer. i might go back to check out the slavic soul party. i just wish they got better servers. read more

Blink, and you might miss this nondescript bar tucked away on a quiet stretch of 9th st. I came on a Sunday night that was surprisingly packed due to the featured band's newly hired (and apparently excellent) publicist. This narrow bar was a little too full for comfort on this particular evening, and the bartender gave me a pour that was at least 30% suds... but I enjoyed the band so much that I'm adding a bonus star. read more

Small place, but a good vibe. Came here to see a Mitra Sumara show in the back. Staff was always making sure we were happy in our seats, meaning that drinks were flowing. Would definitely come back to see another performance or to just have a drink at the bar. Nice neighborhood spot. read more

Very rude bartender and staff tonight! I don't recommend this bar at all. There are much better local bars.

This is a nice space with decent ambiance. Gets a little cramped but the live music is totally worth checking out.

Has anything so eclectic in life ever been so reliable? This joint holds a special place in my coming to Brooklyn, as I spent my first night in town here. And it never really disappoints if you come with the right people and the right mind. read more

A friendly, easy going vibe sets the tone for this special bar/music venue. Yes it is small, and the music room hot, but the bands are terrific and there's always room to dance up front. The bartender makes wel balanced cocktails even though the price is high for the size. I would go back anytime to enjoy the music. read more

I think Chinku G. went to another place. There's no food here that I know of. But there is a Slavic Soul Dance Party! Which I've actually never been to. I've heard a ton about it but mostly I like the upfront room and the ability to grab a glass of wine with a friend in a comfy environment. It also is a really great place to meet people, what type of person I will refrain from. But it's an eclectic mix and if you're just not feeling the more down and out rock vibe that park slope has to offer for bars this place bridges the gap between wine bar and bar slob. read more

Fun Tuesday night watching the brass band. Great selection of craft beers. The place is divy and has an international feel to it. Highly recommended! read more

Carter Park slope sixth and ninth this place is a little hidden not much signage but once you find it it's great. Feels like a dive bar but plenty of mixture in terms of patrons. Make sure you stay until the band plays because there's always a good mix of eclectic style music with complete instruments. The bend I saw I had five different musicians complete with cello viola saxophone in multiple guitars. No food here but poignant drink options for liquor bar and plenty of local beers including bottles from around the world. read more

This is a nice local neighborhood bar. It has a very relaxed laid back atmosphere which I like. And on some Monday nights they show free independent movies in the back. read more

I'm glad places like this exist in the neighborhood. Chicha Libre, a band which plays psychedelic surf music from Peru, is a lot of fun. I have also seen some interesting talks and movie shows here, as well as the 2008 election. Whenever they have unusual world music, like from Zanzibar, I sure check it out. I've enjoyed some of the world music acts more than others --- it's a little hit or miss. Sometimes the music is way pretentious for me though. Admittedly, I have never been into jazz and Barbes kind of specializes in this. I rather liked Rubias del Norte at first, but then I brought some relatives on another occasion and the band veered towards obscure classical fare. The room was overpacked and stuffy. Overall, I was embarrassed that I had invited my cousins all the way out from Manhattan to see the band. So to summarize: overall I will continue to support Barbes as a good landmark. It is a matter of personal taste, but for me I wish they would have less jazz and pretentious fare and more of the good world music fare. If there were more political and/or other types of events I would go more often. read more

This is one of the finest late night venues I have ever been to! I love the chic and francophilic, yet multicultural vibe of Barbes, and the eclectic variety of music which is played live by very talented musicians-such as trad jazz, traditional Romani/Gypsy music, and North African music. The cocktail menu harkens back to the 1890s through the Prohibition era-and even explains when each drink was in vogue. I love this place! read more

It's so loud in there! Saturdays are not the best pick to visit, but the music still rules and people are amazing and friendly. Gotta come back. read more

Fantastic joint!! Mandingo Ambassadors are just wonderful. Barbes is tiny, but what vibe! what character!

Didnt do it for me. Its overrated--my opinion only and this is one man`s opinion. I went to watch Slavic Sould Party perform and still dont get why do they perform in such a hole. read more

Barbes is just a really cool place! Definitely a cool scene and has some very interesting acts that play in the back room, which is a musical venue. The proprietors could benefit from turning the heat down a couple degrees, but that's a relatively minor issue compared to the sheer coolness of this place. I really enjoyed my time there and will be back! read more

LOVE this place! Fabulous live music! A truly great local bar.

One of the best live music venues in NYC, probably the world. Cozy, understated but beautiful bar gives way to cozier back room with great acoustics, featuring a HUGE range of music, from afro-beat to chamber music to early jazz to Slavic Soul Party to experimental improvised music... brilliant. Very intimate, you get right up next to the musicians. Usually two or three sets a night. Plus delicious beer and fine whiskey at reasonable prices. And run by good people. I'd give it 6 starts if I could. read more