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Manhattan's known for its song and dance numbers, but in Brooklyn they celebrate original live music. This New York City borough is home to some of America's best music venues, including these five gems.
1. Littlefield: Arts Come First in Gowanus
Image via Flickr by adamdoesit
Once a textile warehouse, Littlefield is now an eco-conscious cultural hub with tabletops made from old bowling alley lanes and chairs crafted from recycled cork. It bills itself as an art and performance space rather than a bar, so it's little surprise that you'll find live acts, not DJs, entertaining music lovers most nights of the week.
Local and international indie rock, electronic, soul, jazz, reggae, hip-hop and experimental acts treat crowds who aren't afraid to listen to something new. Littlefield's eclectic musical line-up is complemented by art exhibitions, film screenings, and literary events.
2. Brooklyn Bowl: See Bands and Bowl
Image via Flickr by jgullo
Much more than just a live music space, Brooklyn Bowl also allows you to enjoy a game of ten-pin bowling and a meal of greasy Americana favorites. This retro themed venue is happy to book a bluegrass act one night and a funk outfit the next. The tunes sound better when washed down with a brew from the exclusively Brooklyn-based beer menu.
3. Sisters: Live Music With Gourmet Flair
Sisters only opened last November, but already Clinton Hill's first concert venue has garnered an enviable following. Its back room features a DJ booth and stage for an eclectic lineup of jazz, funk, and soul artists. Music lovers can grab a bite before the show at the restaurant up front which focuses on bar-dishes created with seasonal, locally sourced produce. With former Flatbush Farm chef Chris Nichols at the helm, this dining space has already earned rave reviews.
4. BAMcafé: More Than Just a Pit Stop
Image via Flickr by Yusuf C
For many people, the BAMcafé is nothing more than a place to grab a bite before performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House. However, this café in the Fort Greene neighborhood is much more than a preshow pit stop. On Friday and Saturday nights from September to May, it hosts BAMcafé Live Events, free gigs celebrating the talents of rock, pop, jazz, and world music artists. The café's small sharing plates are the ideal accompaniment to the tunes.
5. Music Hall of Williamsburg: Expensive But With Quality Acts
Image via Flickr by Amanda M Hatfield
Sure, a night here is expensive with tickets to most shows sitting around the $30 mark. And it's too large to possess the soul of many of the music venues on this list. But there's no denying that the Music Hall of Williamsburg, an offshoot of the Bowery Presents booking team, attracts some of the biggest names in the borough. Despite its size, the sound is always superb. Hardcore music aficionados might insist that Brooklyn has better places to see bands, but most of them don't attract the stars of the MHOW.
No matter what sounds you're into, you can find it in Brooklyn at one of these excellent live, and dare we say Brooklyn's best music venues.
