uberPOOL to Brooklyn’s Best Music Venues
New York’s music scene is as diverse as the people who call this city home. It’s where some of music’s biggest legends got their start—The Strokes, Blondie, and Talking Heads, to name a few. Today, the indie tradition continues, each venue playing to a different crowd. From larger-than-life stadiums to dive bars and intimate spaces, there’s no shortage of places to see great live music in Brooklyn. Plus sharing your ride through uberPOOL with someone who also happens to be going to the show that night is a fun way to meet new people who enjoy the same music you do.
Barclay’s
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Barclays Center is host to the world’s most renowned performers. It also doubles as a sports arena on game day for the Brooklyn Nets. While many people first notice the sheer size of Barclays, it’s the green-friendly design that’s most noteworthy. If you get there early, snag a table at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club, or stock up on sweet treats and savory snacks at one of the center’s many concessions stands.
Brooklyn Bowl
Eat. Drink. Rock. Roll. That’s the slogan at Brooklyn Bowl, where music culture takes a surprising turn. Housing a 16-lane bowling alley and a 600-person capacity music hall under one roof might sound tricky, but the odd combination actually works. If you’ve never gone bowling mid-concert, it’s quite the experience, especially with top performers like The Roots, Lauryn Hill, and John Mayer taking the stage. Whether you’re singing or knocking down pins at the lanes, you can feast on classic American fare like fried chicken and sloppy joes from Blue Ribbon.
Music Hall of Williamsburg
While nowhere near the size of Barclays, the Music Hall of Williamsburg is spacious enough to feature multiple levels, including balcony seating. It’s part of Bowery Presents, which is affiliated with some of New York’s top venues, including Mercury Lounge in the Lower East Side and the Bowery Ballroom. As for the type of music you’ll hear, it’s a mix of many different genres; one night it might be indie rock or electronic and the next, it’s country or folk.
Baby’s All Right
For an immersive music experience that plays to your senses, head straight to Baby’s All Right. Ranked among Brooklyn’s hottest venues, there’s generally a large crowd and long entry lines—but the wait is definitely worth it. Once inside, you’re greeted with a rainbow effect: think a swank, sepia-tinted lounge, an All-American diner, and antiquarian cartography. On the weekends, the space is filled to the brim with patrons taking full advantage of their bottomless boozy brunch special.
Saint Vitus
For something more offbeat, spend an evening at Saint Vitus. This Greenpoint music venue pays homage to the rock-and-roll days of decades past, with dramatic decor like all-black walls and dead roses dangling above the mahogany bar. While it might feel like you’ve stepped back in time, the now-sleek space was once a social club and plumbing school. As far as music goes, Saint Vitus mainly sticks to hardcore metal bands, with some punk sprinkled in. While it’s dimly-lit and not unlike a dive bar, many find charm in the no-frills appeal of Saint Vitus.
Claire