WOW! I've been walking past this place almost every day for the past six months and for some reason have never gone in. Finally, I went recently with a friend and it warmed my heart. They have live music in the back room which is a cozy, tight space that pretty much ensures you'll make eye contact with the performers. I'm not sure if we just got lucky or if the talent is always that good but the two bands we saw were both so great in their own way. There's a great variety of genres and clientele. Finding seating in the main front area can be tough but there was plenty of seating in the music area and the back porch. This is the kind of place I want to become a regular at! read more

Solid dive bar that ended up being the perfecttttt spot for a little post wedding after party. We arrived around 11ish to a few reserved tables and our big-ish group had a great time here. Even before we arrived it was a packed house, so it looks like this is the spot to be on a Saturday night. Good vibes Good drinks Great loc Nothing not to love, especially if you like a crowd. read more

Real quirky spot in Brooklyn close to McCarren Park. Came for an open mic set on a Sunday and also a comedy show. The bartender was nice. It's a dive bar, and very intimate setting for people to try out material or new songs to check the vibe. read more

Pete's Candy Store is quite a unique dive bar with a vintage and fun house feel. There's a backroom with live music and a backyard patio as well. I came here to grab some drinks with some friends. It's a casual spot to hang and quite a unique gem in Brooklyn. read more

One of my favorite venues in Brooklyn to play at and to see a show at. It's such a cool set up in the venue part in the back. It looks like an old train car, and I love the stage set up itself. I've done full band and smaller acoustic shows, and it's really spectacular for both. The sound person here is always super nice and does a great job of engineering to the room. Plus, not a bad seat in the house! It's also a great hang spot post gig too! The outdoors is really fun and they usually have tons of room to chill and the front bar is also neat. The grilled cheese is awesome. Definitely a good bar bite. Great list of cocktails, beers and NA drinks - all of which are fairly priced for the area. Though it is a bit of a walk off the train, it is so worth to see a show here and get a grilled cheese and red wine while you're at it. read more

Pete's Candy Store - Music Venues Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Hosted my 25th here, and had a wonderful time!! Super easy to schedule (thank you Jon) and the actual day-of had great service from bartenders. The back room and lights were super vibey :) would definitely recommend this to friends. My friends loved the espresso martinis! read more

Pete's Candy Store - Friends friends friends - Music Venues Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Pete's Candy Store is an adorable little spot in the heart of Williamsburg. I came here tonight to watch one of my friends play, and it didn't disappoint! The bar itself has an adorable and homey vibe to it. It's dimly lit, and the front of house has individual tables, as well as your standard bar stools. I didn't get anything to eat, even though they do have a limited food menu. I ended up getting a vodka pineapple, my go-to- and I was genuinely surprised by how good the price was. For a well-poured vodka pineapple, it was only $8. Even though my interaction with them was very brief, the bar staff is also very nice. As for the room where musicians play, I thought it was a very cool concept- basically, the room is set up in a way that replicates a train car, with a curved ceiling, with seats in a row on both sides. Super cute, and a great place to spend your Saturday night listening to good music! read more

Pete's Candy Store - Vodka pineapple & the stage - Music Venues Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Pete's Candy Store is a dive-esque live performance venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It is close enough via walking distance to other businesses that include eateries, other hang-out spots, etc. It is accessible via public transportation that includes the L train to Lorimer as well as the G train to Metropolitan and walking to the establishment. Once you arrive there, you will see that the front entrance looks gives an "old-fasioned candy / ice cream / soda shop" vibe. Some of us went to Pete's Candy Store earlier this year in January 2023 to see Impossible Odds & The Odds Band. Pete's Candy Store is quaint w/ the bar area and limited dining tables/ seats in the front separated by a door that divides it the other section that has limited seating w/ a stage in the back of the place. The great thing about Pete's Candy Store is that every seat is considered "good seating" as it is all close to the stage area. Sitting towards the back produced a good view of Impossible Odds & The Odds Band in all their glory. Music sounds awesome as you can hear it all regardless of where you are seated. However, because there is limited seating, it gets crowded quickly, which means there are lots of individuals standing and watching the shows. People run the risk of not being able to maneuver in & out of the entertainment area easily if you want to order something off their menu, if you want to get to the bathroom, etc. Once Impossible Odds & The Odds Band ended their set, other bands came on the stage, and they were equally as amazing. There is a bucket available to place donations that are dispersed to the music groups. Please listen to Impossible Odds & The Odds Band as Andy Blanc, aka "The Odds," gives you the epitome of what he calls "gentlemen hip-hop,"w/such a terrific band. "Pristine" is a fantastic song. Instagram - @impossibleoddsmusic Impossible Odd & The Odds Band also has a YouTube channel. Petes Candy Store Information - Website - www.petescandystore.com Instagram - @petescandystore Hours of Operation - Mon. - Thurs. - 5pm - 2am Fri. - 4 pm - 2am Sat. & Sun. - 3pm - 2am One can use the website to view Pete's Candy Store's full calendar of events, including open poetry mic events, comedy shows, trivia nights, live band / musical performances, their poetry series, etc. Pete's Candy Store has a bar that serves cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, beers, etc. as well as sandwiches & snacks. read more

See all

I saw a show here a few weeks ago and it was packed. The room where the musicians/bands play is pretty small, but it makes for a great intimate live music experience. The rest of the bar is really cozy. I would definitely come back! read more

Every Sunday over the last month or so, I've been traveling all the way from Oceanside Long Island to Pete's Candy Shop. They have an amazing open mic and they are so worth the drive (for both performers and audience members alike). Afterwards there's even chess being played on about 3 or 4 tables.. and anyone can jump in and play, how cool! I've been having such a great time that I'm even throwing myself a bday party here on Thursday March 2nd. If you happen to read this review and are 21+, consider yourself invited! From 8-10pm. they'll be an open bar in the mainroom for only $30 and a free open mic in the stage room from 11pm-1am. The vibes here are great. Plus they have several delicious non-alcoholic beers for those who are going sans alcohol. read more

This place rocks. Great vibe, and an awesome music room with live performances in the back room. Excellent sound. Highly recommended spot read more

Pete's is the preferred watering hole of my former colleagues who have moved jobs. I trusted their opinions, they were my work/drinking buddies and after I heard Pete's referred to as a dive I was excited to go. I showed up there after having stopped somewhere else first and my friends and some of their current colleagues had been there already for about 2 hours. I started a tab and joined them. I'll be honest, we camped out for hours and as the bar got busier and busier I didn't feel rushed by staff, not that they really could; they were super busy behind the bar but there weren't any passive-aggressive stares or anything. In fact, I got a drink on the house, again we camped but we didn't nurse drinks. My tab was substantial, but even with let's see...a round of shots, 4 beers, 5 cocktails and a reluctant Narraganset and Fireball (it was that kind of night) along with grilled cheeses I'd say things ended up square. read more

Pete's was an amazing place to host a birthday party. They set us up outside with our own area with heat lamps and a cute little picture machine. The drinks were great and they were super helpful read more

I've been going to Pete's for years now. It's exactly what you want in your local watering hole, none of the stuffiness that's becoming too common in Brooklyn. There's always a cool show or a fun event to take part in, the pumpkin carving one fall sticks out in my mind. The service is great and whether you're hanging out at the bar or lounging in the in the backyard, you're sure to have a great time. read more

This is the perfect local spot. Interesting people, music, and staff. If you are a musician looking to start playing out, this is one of the few places that really supports that. The staff is friendly. The sound guy was mildly grumpy, which is a 10 out of 10 as far as sound guys go. Check it out! read more

I have had this place on my list for unique date spot for a long time and finally felt comfortable enough to check out the small indoor venue recently. They do shows at night every hour, but check the schedule before you go to find which artists you want to watch. The space is very intimate, but a really cool experience. They pass a bucket around at the end of the show for a $5 donation, so a cheap experience too. The bar itself is also worth checking out on it's own, as they have a cool indoor and outdoor space to chill. The backyard is huge and especially cool, even good for groups. Definitely a place I will come back to, maybe even with some out of town friends. read more

Pete's Candy Store - Moxie Knox at Pete's Candy Store - Music Venues Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My friend and i are waiting for one of my friend to join us tonight. Mostly I let her pick the place she wants to hangout. This place is one of the place she skips because she just looks from the outside. Today i come with another friend and we decide to try and we find out they havea beautiful backyard! So we are waiting to that girl to come and she will see that she miss a good spot by her judgement, lol. We already have 2 rounds of margaritas but the girl still at school. read more

See all

Do NOT recommend this place. Sadly my friend drank too much, could have been drugged, and we had to call an ambulance. The response from the staff was so cold and unsympathetic - prioritizing their business (though there was maybe 10 people there), and demanded he leave and sit outside waiting for the EMTs we had called - instead of showing an inkling of concern and human compassion. On top of that, the sound guy was super unprofessional, and the management was very rude to me. This place doesn't care about the artists that perform, and overall had a bad vibe that I had not experienced before. read more

Here is a list of all the reasons I love Pete's Candy Store 1. If you look really closely you can see the candy store that used to be. 2. The only food item sold is a grilled cheese sandwich. Perfect! 3. There are a bunch of nooks and crannies to comfortably sit in privacy with friends and hang out. 4. The performance stage is AWESOME. Cozy and adorable with great acoustics and the sweetest stage! 5. There is an excellent backyard with lots of tables, providing even MORE comfortable places to hang 6. There is a check-in offer on Yelp for a free shot 7. Drinks are affordable. No $14 craft cocktails here! 8. The staff is super nice. 9. The whole place is bathed in low lighting, the kind of lighting that makes everyone look better 10.There is an ongoing rotation of bands every night, playing any and all kinds of music! read more

Pete's Candy Store - Empty. Who will be next? - Music Venues Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Honestly love this place. Their prices are right and the food offerings per NYS regulations are They have a dog during the daytime and a cat during the nighttime! The patio is nicely decorated and the vibes are right wether you sit out front or out back. read more

Pete's Candy Store - Music Venues Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

People watching extraordinaire! Fantastic bartender with Greg with REALLY GOOD HAIR made the best expresso martini!!' We will be back, they have live singers and kareoke nights. Go check out for some eclectic fun! read more

See all

Came here for the last ghostown comedy night of the year . Ghostown town takes place on the third Thursday of every month in the small live music venue room located inside Pete's candy store at 7 pm ! Visiting this place had been on my bucket list for awhile so I'm glad I got to check it out especially by attending their monthly comedy show about being ghosted or ghosting someone! Lol we've all been there right ? The show didn't start promptly at 7 but I'd still recommend you get there 10-15 minutes before any scheduled performance that you want to see as space is extremely limited . I'd say there were about 24-28 chairs and that's being generous . There were quite a few people awkwardly standing in the in the back . All shows including this one are donation based so bring cash ($5 suggested donation )and be ready to have a good time at one of my new favorite Brooklyn haunts ! read more

See all

I have been wanting to come here for years now and finally made it to see a jazz gig on a Monday evening. There was no cover but there is a donation jar for the musicians. The space in the back for the performers is very interesting it is long and narrow and the seats are lined up against the wall. We really can only fit about 10 people comfortably. The cool thing is that you are very up close and personal with the musicians. You have a great view it almost makes me feel like I'm in a New Orleans type of a far situation. Up in the front there is a decent size bar and on the Monday there was one server but he was very attentive and made me a beautifully crafted cocktail with Earl Grey infused tea and oatmeal. I think I would definitely get that drink again because it was really a unique concoction. He crafted it with care. I also like that right past the bar area there is water that you can take at your own leisure. It's kind of odd how you have to walk to the right and down around to the back to get to the performance space if someone is performing but it is because they need to close the glass door to prevent the sound from traveling. I think the cop that was only around $12 or so so I feel good about the prices and they had some interesting drink specials such as a beer and a shot combination. I hope to come back and I'm curious if it gets very crowded on a weekend. It was pretty quiet but since I performance room was so small that performance room was quite full. I also caught some amazing musicians including organ players and the guy who sang and played drums at the same time. I would definitely go to see him again. read more

See all

If I could do zero I would. Service was abysmal, plus one of the bar workers is unprofessional and problematic. Management has poor considerations for the artists and the overall ambiance is poor. read more

Fun ambiance and I enjoyed my drink. Great location and trying to make it back for a show as well. Eclectic and easy.

Traveling from Portland, Maine I want two things in a venue/bar, affordable drinks and amazing atmosphere. Well Pete's has both. You walk into the bar and it is perfectly dark. The lighting is sparse and it lends to that great vibe of music and drinking. The stage in the back, where I came to see a friend's son play, was small but mighty. It highlights the performers and the acoustics are excellent. Get there early if you are trying to get a seat in the performance room. It's long and narrow and there aren't many places to sit. The back patio was the highlight of the night after the band. It was covered in strung up lights, had plenty of places to sit, and was perfect for catching up with an old friend I hadn't seen in years. Pete's Candy Store is the kind of place I would frequent if I lived closer. Everything about it says, "come over, drink here, and listen to music". Bonus: Yelp Check in offer even gives you a free well shot, awesome! read more

See all

Pretty good grilled cheeses but some people had mad BO Too hipster for me. Nothing else foodwise on the menu. read more

Wow. Just wow. Never had more fun in my life, Berkeley the bartender made me feel seen and heard I can't wait to tell everyone I know to come here, if you're looking for a good time look no further read more

First off- there's no cover or drink minimum for live music- which already makes this a great place to unwind or enjoy music on a regular basis. Second- there are three different environments in this one venue, so you can choose the space that suits you best- the front pub with bar stools and dive bar atmosphere, the intimate street car performance space with small chairs and a few tables, or the open-air courtyard in the back with benches, tables, and chairs. Small collection of beers on tap ($6-$9) and in bottles, but a full bar otherwise. I was there on a Monday night and happy hour deals were $2-$3 beers and $3 well liquors between 5-7pm, music started at 8pm. The crowd might depend on the music acts playing, so if you expect to get a seat in the music space for a band you know can pack them in- you'll want to arrive early and maybe sit through a music set to claim a seat. This is my new favorite place to see small live music acts! I'll definitely be back!! read more

See all

Follow their ig / social media for live music schedule. Really enjoyed the tequila + Yerba mate combo. What a great spot!

First time here I must say this is a pretty cool place. There is a back room where every hour they do something different like playing live music, poetry, reading club and some other things. The bar is pretty well stocked up. Unfortunately as food wise is pretty limited just grilled cheese with ham and potatoes chips..if you are just for a couple of drinks then you should be ok here.. read more

See all

If you are in your 20s and a hipster who doesn't believe in bathing, then this place is for you. Went here specifically for trivia night which was ridiculous as everyone had their phones out googling answers. Bartenders had major attitudes, one specifically with the longer hair and bandana. Asked three times how we wanted our drinks. I imagine she may have been drinking and that's why which is fine for me but pay attention. Drinks are weak. The place is dirty...but almost what you expect from a hipster Wburg joint. It smelled like the 19th century. Again, this is for a certain clientele and my friends and I are not it. read more

Pete's is a great place for live music and performances (in the recognizable domed back room), but not great for actual drinking/eating. I live in the neighborhood, so I have dropped in fairly often on weeknights to see a performance, usually a friend's. Sound quality is good in the back room where the performances are -- it's an intimate, red-hued space with yellow lights arched over the stage, which is at one end of the narrow room. I usually get a Bengali IPA on draft and a sandwich when I hang out here. The bartenders are fairly ambivalent and don't want to be bothered by patrons. They also won't tell you that guests have to get up and take their own sandwiches from the pickup window behind the bar, so try to figure that out before your grilled cheese congeals. read more

Pete's Candy Store - Artist residence performance! - Music Venues Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Super chill and relaxed bar where you can sit wherever and go up to the bar to get your drink. Vibes were pretty good and it was popping still at like 2 am when we left. What I LOVED about this place was the $4 shots as well as the super strong cocktail (I got this red slushy thing with tequila) and it was pretty enjoyable and effective! Overall a chill and non-snooty bar, perfect for when you just wanna chill with some pals. read more

fun, intimate, and different spaces for different folks music, they live drinks, they vibe crowd, they dedinitely the type to high five it was real fun 10/10 would return psa they dont have candy...well unless you looking for eye go single, with a date or a crowd read more

Five star dive bar. Add an amazing bourbon drink. Order the King Clarence. Came in for the comedy show. Will definitely be back.

The way back room is what I believe to be an exact replication of the Country Bear Jamboree set at Disneyland. But cooler in that you're not at soul sucking Disneyland but less cool in that there are no full grown men dressed as Country Bears who play Banjos. Andy R. (the finder of all things internet amazing) posted a link to an article in the SF Examiner (the only time the Examiner has broken ANY kind of a story) about how all the people in character costumes at Disneyland were getting crabs and pubic lice because Disney never laundered them. That is fucking DISGUSTING. Also, Disney was a huge anti-Semite and prolly liked to do it dressed up as a mouse. So I guess Pete's has nothing on Disney in the HOLY FUCKING SHIT department. Also, my friend lives right next door and says that the bar is incredibly respectful of its neighbors as far as noise is concerned and I think that's cool. read more

Pete's Candy Store - the view of Pete's backyard from Adri's apt! So respectful, they are! - Music Venues Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The true spirit of Williamsburg! Loved the venue (a bit retro and vintage, very picturesque stage where several local artists perform every day) and fell in love with the backyard! Prices ok. Definitely an amazing place to spend an afternoon/night with friends to get boozed and listen to some good music. In the beautiful Greenpoint. read more

What an extraordinary excellent place to go to. I had always wanted to visit this place but since it is a "Bar" I was a bit hesitant because I am not much of a drinker. One day I called and they told me they have live music everyday from 4PM to 12PM. The first time I went, I couldn't get a space inside the music room, it was packed, I had to be by the little hallway, the music was soft and pleasant, however I left too soon, too many people, it was a weekend. Then, I decided to give it another shot on a Monday after work. I went with my dirty work clothes to a bar!...lol So for that night, I was able to see 3 live music artists, Matty, Jamie Drake and someone else. https://www.facebook.com/jamiedrakemusic?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser&pnref=story Matty was really, really great, his songs were sooooo fcking touching, it brought tears to my face. Good thing the lighting was dark and people couldn't notice that. The Jamie Drake was fantastic, my God ! her voice is lovely, the best of the best for that night and moment, she really took me somewhere and gave me some healing in some magical musical way. She is also in a play in the city. I just love the way she changes her voice naturally with different tunes. So that was an amazing live music free show, can't get any better than that for what I believe is the best Brooklyn spot right now. What else can make this Bar any better?, ... well, the crowd is mature, not too many 20's patrons there. People are there to enjoy the show and not all over you at all. As a female alone in a bar, I really felt comfortable and enjoyed a great time alone. The bar space is a bit small, so you can expect a few people bumping into you frequently. read more

See all

The most expedient road to Pete's coincided with the same route I took every morning and some evenings during NYC's Adult Lap Swim program at McCarren Park Pool. So, as I approached and then passed by the park, my whole body tingled with memories of warmer mornings gone by. It was the Thursday of the first week of my first full time job in 9 months and I was exhausted. It was also bitterly cold, especially in contrast to the annoyingly balmy breeze that had teased through the city until that very same morning. So, I made haste to the only possible venue on a desolate, classic block of Greenpoint. I liked this place immediately. Even when I saw a full house fogging up the windows from the inside, I didn't feel anxious or annoyed. It was toasty inside, and there was a seat right at the warm wooden bar, along with hooks underneath (thank God) upon which to relegate winter baggage. Along with several other approachable deals chalked out on quaint boards overhead was a sign for a $5 PBR and shot of one of them brown liquids. Any other place offering this type of combo will use "well whiskey" at best or dishrag rinsewater for all we know, so imagine my surprise when the bullet they were serving with the piss poor PBR was Jim Fuckin Beam. Meanwhile, a very cute guy with a 30% chance of being gay chatted me up whilst demanding pickles from the well-shouldered bartender/food server. When I expressed my surprise that you could just get pickles upon request, the stranger gave me one of his pickles, and proceeded to coach me through the proper way to take a shot of Jim Beam (breathe out your mouth and inhale through your nose, apparently). After imparting this kind advice, he departed, right in time for my friend to arrive. By this time, I felt a nice buzz kindling in my veins, and became enthusiastic about the real reason I'd come - to see the Chapin Sisters perform traditional country songs for free. Surprisingly, I felt comfortable enough to just leave all my shit hanging on the hooks, defying anyone to pry into my meager belongings. I already felt like this place was my house. As I walked towards the back area, I realized there was a window to order food (but my friend's friends talked shit on the paninis, so I decided firmly to stick to drinks). There was also a large picnic table in a seating area outside two unisex bathrooms. Somehow, there was no odor. Somehow, it wasn't as clusterfuckish as most areas outside of bathrooms. Then, there was a little glass door. I peered in, and couldn't believe my eyes. The sisters, dressed in lengths of velvet and organza and looking like Nordic twins in a Free People catalog, were singing on a tiny stage, bathed in soft stage lighting mirrored by candlelight on tables flanking the narrow space. Plenty of people were standing, and I could see that the tiny room was stuffed to the gills. A sign deterred anyone from entering through that door, so I walked around to the side, where there was a narrow kind of throughway where one couple annoying yapped with one another but where everyone else was standing quietly and respectfully, just trying to get closer to the music. A totally harmless guy took notice of me, and cheerfully asked if I was going to try my luck. People looked our way, but without judgment or irritation. As the strains of music reached my ears, I grew fidgety and started tiptoing. I thought I saw a spot. When I expressed this sentiment, the same guy said, "Well, you don't know unless you try and find out," and moved aside, permitting me to squeeze past him. Then, something amazing happened...all the other people between me and this maybe-spot moved aside without hissing or hating. They made room for me. And I found my spot, thankful for once for being short lest I obscure another person's view. At first standing in the direct line of sight of the performers (that was a bit awkward, because I kept making sustained eye contact and feeling alternately creepy and cowardly about it all), then sitting on the rich wooden floor, I reached complete and total bliss amongst non-annoying, eclectic music lovers who hadn't begrudged me my own little space. My mom confessed that, when she was a little girl and the radio first came to her village, her instinct was to believe that whole orchestrasof musicians were contained inside the machine. Sitting there as the harmonies washed over me and murmurs of admiration and satisfaction rippled through the gathering, I knew exactly what she must've imagined. For, I was inside just such a radio; a little music box of tiny entertainers captivating listeners inside and out. When the concert dispersed, I ran outside looking for the dude who'd encouraged me to go inside, wanting to bankroll him a drink. No luck, so I found my friends, collected my stuff, and spent the next couple hours getting silly with younger strangers, comparing our styles of applause. I didn't want to leave. read more

See all