Issue Project Room is the center of experimental music in NYC. Having moved around over the years…read morethey are now settled into their permanent space in downtown Brooklyn. Highly recommend a visit.

I went to the ISSUE Project Room for the first time back in February this year. ISSUE presented…read morethree different performance shows from February 23-25 in celebration of The Necks' 30th Anniversary. The ISSUE Project Room is a nonprofit performance space that facilitates this type of specialized programming. The night I went to ISSUE, it was a standalone performance with just the group. The venue is housed in a beautiful building with high ceilings and gorgeous archways. The floors are marble and the acoustics in there are amazing. You may catch yourself forgetting that you are in downtown Brooklyn when you are inside. The building is at the corner of Boerum and Livingston. It's a little tricky to find the entrance to ISSUE because there isn't obvious signage. Watch your step going in. On the night of The Neck show, there was a table set up where a person took your name and then directed you to enter a performance hall to the right. There were seats, but all of them had been snatched up by early birds. There were many people standing in the back, leaning against the wall, and sitting on the marble ground (I eventually was one of these people). However, it almost didn't matter where you were because the sound was spectacular in there. For the type of show this way, it's more about the audio and soundscapes created. I didn't want to lose my floor spot, so I didn't venture off into the main lobby during intermission. However, you could buy drinks (alcohol, bottled water) there if you wanted. After the show, I picked up a flyer with info about future performances and events. Definitely, I see myself going back to ISSUE to check them out.

This spot is multi-purpose and kind of dive-y. I'm not sure what the target market is based on the…read moredecor or the layout but it's definitely trying to do too much and unfortunately none of it particularly well. It could be good for a work-from-home situation during the day.

Came here for a networking event and learned it's a combo art gallery/bar/event space. The ladies…read moreroom was spacious and they do have complementary water available. Seating was nice near the front door and apparently they have events some Friday nights where you'll be able to hear live music (as was the case later on in the evening at my event). This is closer to the first place I lived in NYC so probably a great place to go if you live near the L train or like that artsy Brooklyn aesthetic. Not sure I'd return since it's a bit of a hike for me.

This place is shut down. Don't waste your time!! The website says it's open. We went on a Saturday…read morenight at 10. This place looks like its bees shut down for awhile. They need to update their website!!

Cool local spot in BK not far from Barclays. Stopped in on Friday night after a show around 1:30am…read more Bar was not packed but still charged $10 cover for me and $20 for my husband. Ordered a hookah which was $40 ( cash or cashapp only) flavor was good. Drinks were overpriced in my opinion, a henny and ginger ale and shot of patron was $40 in a small plastic cup. DJ was good bathrooms were typically nasty. Overall not terrible, smoked hookah had a drink and left after about an hour.

AUX is such a standout spot -- it perfectly balances energy, atmosphere, and experience in a way…read moreyou don't find often. The front bar has a small stage that makes karaoke feel fun and intimate without being intimidating, and the private rooms are a game changer if you're going with a group and want your own vibe. What really sets this place apart is how immersive it feels -- you're not just listening to music, you're inside it. The sound quality, lighting, and overall design clearly show a lot of intention and care. The service is fantastic across the board -- attentive without being overbearing -- and the entire space feels thoughtfully curated. The speakeasy cocktail bar tucked in the back is such a cool surprise and adds another layer to the experience. It's the kind of place you can start your night at and not feel the need to leave. Whether you're there for karaoke, drinks, or just the atmosphere, AUX absolutely delivers. Can't wait to go back.

Great vibes, everyone is cool. Bartenders were cool. Feels like a Cheers type bar for the Youngs…read more Karaoke-wise: You will have a couple of superstars / regulars that do like 4 songs for your 1 per/ hr chance. Their song service Singa is missing a lot of good music....compared to Karafun, which im used to in Chi.

Cozy and intimate music venue - feels like you're listening in someone's apartment. Nothing more…read moremagical than listening in a room full of strangers, connected by a shared love of music. Truly a spiritual and religious-like experience. A bare bones cash bar up front with a few rotating drafts as well as wines by the glass. If you don't have cash handy, they now started allowing you to send money via Venmo. Highly recommend coming by if your favorite musician is playing here, or perhaps come by on any night and discover something new!

My wife and I attended performance by our neighbors here .it's a bar in the front and a…read moreperformance space in the back . It has a old school feel to it and cozy . There was no fee to get in but a bucket was passed around for tips. And the bartender accepts tips also.

Been to the clubhouse numerous times. Pretty cool, small spot…read more Pool table *check* Live DJ (on certain nights) *check* cheap drinks *check* Cheap, tasty food *check* What more do you want from a bikers club?! The upstairs has sofas, a flatscreen tv and oddly enough, a stripper pole in the center of the floor lol. Theres also a kitchen up there and a restroom. I've been told they have a "dirty" room up there but I never went investigating. I guess that's where you go after your drunk and had a few twirls on the stripper pole. The main floor has the pool table, a little stage where the DJ sets up, a bar, minimal seating and a small dance floor. The negative is the smoke room which is located downstairs. I like the fact that they keep the smoke away from the bar and "dance" floor but they moved it downstairs close to the restrooms. I don't know about you but when I drink I have to use the bathroom a lot. I'm not a smoker and don't really like holding my breath everytime I have to go into the "dungeon" to use the bathroom.

My adventure out to the Purgatory club was to see the performance of an artist from Japan named…read moreIsiliel. This show was the first of two in the USA with the second being on the West Coast. It would start on the very early side (3PM) so I headed out there via the MTA and while the ride was long, it was more straightforward than I would have first thought. There are currently quite a few clubs for shows like this in Bushwick and Williamsburg but today's adventure was going to be my very first time at Purgatory. Once onsite, I went in to meet with the artists manager since I was going to do some PiercingMetal stuff at the show. The bar part was not yet open but its a nice sized bar with plenty of chairs around it and a couple of smaller lounge areas that I really liked the vibe of. Outside in the front there were a number of small tables and chairs forming a sort of patio space. Their rather remote location probably let's them do this with relative ease and the train is right near them so if you're out there you can watch them go back to the city or deeper into Brooklyn. There was also a photo booth area downstairs if you like that kind of stuff. Upstairs is a small but rather awesome concert/event space. The stage is a tight one and I felt that the room itself would fit about 75 people. Spatially speaking, if you've a three piece of guitars, singer and drums you'd be okay but the kit needs to be small or digital and you need to be mindful of the space you have to share. This might be great for an intimate acoustic event or even a live podcast of some kind. I felt that the lighting was good for the artist I got to see and the sound was solid and a nice surprise. There is an upstairs area reachable by a gated stairwell but I think this is for tech and artists waiting to go on stage. There is also a small bar upstairs and an alcove for artists to sell merchandise. I was there to see an artist from Japan named Isiliel, and this was one of her two US shows. I didn't see any notion of food being served at this place so I apologize if they do and I didn't make note of that. There was an open Wi-Fi signal which let me do some social media between groups. Depending on who the performance is from I'd definitely come here again. I don't know the general area so cannot even determine what other options might be around here but the folks behind Purgatory have really set up a cool spot.

Drinks are amazing and service was enjoyable. I use to live in the area, I think this will be my…read moresummer spot

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.