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The Bell House

Rock Club, Bar, and Event Space

Gowanus, Brooklyn

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The Bell House

8.7^/10

1,372

ratings

Ranked #10 for dancing in Brooklyn
The experts at Time Out New York and Gothamist recommend this place
"Great space for comedy shows as well as panel discussions."(6 Tips)
"Keep tabs on when Ask Me Another is taping."(4 Tips)
"Look for one of Matt Timms amazing food Takedowns"(3 Tips)
"get there early, get a dub pie and beer before the show."(3 Tips)

144 Tips and reviews

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Samantha CoulsonAugust 17, 2016
So many great events - I've been here for 2 Dope Queens, Secret Science Club, Spice World Sing Along, and more. Good selection of beers, and good views of he stage from just about anywhere in the room
Upvoted 1 week ago
KEAugust 8, 2016
Shows, podcast tapings and dance parties here are so fun. The sound is great! My advice: bring $3 cash so you can use the photo booth :)
Upvoted Mar 9
TK 🍦🍷December 29, 2013
A wonderful venue for live music in an odd corner of Bklyn. The hall's not so big wherever you stand, there's a good view. Staff: kind & mellow, beer menu: interesting, plus: there's a photo booth!
Upvoted Mar 1
Olga StrachnaNovember 7, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Was my first time here and love this place already! Awesome crowd and spacious back room stage space. Will definitely come back for a show/ event. Bartender was really nice also
The Brew NoobAugust 30, 2013
Come for the shows/concerts/cookoffs, stay for the selection of craft beers! It's not the largest set of drafts in town, but they keep a variety of styles and usually a couple local brews.
Concert Ticket AgencySeptember 12, 2012
Stellar two room music and events venue. great bands, the best indie comedians. plenty of unobstructed views. Secret Science Club a must for all nerdlings.
Sean SmithOctober 4, 2015
I've caught a few shows here and like the space. Lots of great comedy. Good beer on tap. Make sure to show up a little early and grab a good seat!
loran jonakJune 9, 2016
Great place to see a show or hear some good music. Get there early or be happy standing. Good beer choices plus wine and drinks
Ear Candy Go: MusicJanuary 12, 2012
Grab a draft, best selection hands down for a quality venue. They get a lot of great last minute shows too so be sure to follow them on twitter. Finish the night w/ a photo booth session. Read more
Fodor's TravelSeptember 9, 2015
One of the top music venues in the borough, the Bell House hosts big-name rock musicians, cult comedy acts, and weekly trivia and karaoke in the bustling front bar area. Read more
Bobby HankinsonSeptember 9, 2014
Hands down my favorite venue in Brooklyn. Whether it's a dance party, a comedy show or a touring artist, the Bell House is the best. Drink cans of Sofia and feel fancy.
Kevin BannonDecember 6, 2010
Been here 5+ times
A bit off the beaten path, but one of the best music venues in the city. Friendly staff and great drink selection. Stand just to the right or left of stage and you can usually get pretty close up!
Juan HernandezJune 17, 2016
Great venue for a concert or then Taping of NPR's Ask Me Another. The main room is huge and there are no columns in the middle of the room, so there really are no bad views.
CMJAugust 29, 2012
In 2009, Japandroids began their inexorable rise with a Post-Nothing era show at the Bell House for CMJ that is still shaking the cobwebs from the ceiling to this day.
Meg LewisApril 21, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Amazing place to see a comedy show, live band or even podcast recording! Unique space, great beer selection, and cheap-ish tickets.
Manda ShettletonOctober 28, 2012
Love the events here, but the mixed drinks/wine are not good value. Pricy $$ and lackluster "cocktails." that said, where else am I going to sing-along, secret science club, or monster mash?
Buford BarnesJanuary 28, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Venue that also hosts the monthly Secret Science Club (see http://secretscienceclub.blogspot.com/), and annual Carnivorous Nights Taxidermy Contest.
Dave KnapikJuly 27, 2013
Whilst most NYC venues have a load of attitude, this is the nicest venue staff I've encountered. I just asked the hand stamp check girl if they sold ear plugs, and she just gave me a pair. Way cool!
raymondweilOctober 11, 2011
Converted from a 1920's warehouse, The Bell House was called "a welcome oasis" by TimeOut. It's also voted as one of the best music venues! Because Independence is a state of mind.
Mike LMay 13, 2014
Best to arrive at comedy shows here early. Seating very limited. Tho, probably shouldn't tell you that. It's gonna make me have to get here earlier. Know what? Forget I said anything. Plenty seating.
L. T.December 24, 2016
Been here 5+ times
A great place to see a concert. The sound is amazing, actually. Who would have thought?!
MazdaNovember 17, 2010
Try one of our 12 draft beers, our refreshing cocktails or just sip down something from our large bourbon selection. Our food menu includes Dub Pies and our own delicious Kentucky Beer Cheese.
Michael HarperJune 2, 2019
A variety of fun and wacky events
Upvoted Feb 21
Taiowa WanerJanuary 18, 2017
Been here 5+ times
A good place to see a niche live show and grab a good drink or some interesting food.
Tim DengAugust 18, 2018
They host events here. Had a great time at emojicon. Comfortably large venue
Ruth TupeDecember 9, 2016
Was here for a show an fits a great venue. Love the bar on the left side.
Ryan GallagherNovember 29, 2019
Really nice place to see a show. Two bars with good drink options.
Nate FolkertJanuary 16, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Bottles of Kaliber, which get poured into the same plastic cups as everything else, concealing your sober shame. #nonalcoholic
TicketWebJuly 21, 2011
You can hang out in the bar and listen to the band without actually paying admission. But it's a teaser because you'll end up wanting to hear more! It's great way to check out the scene before you go Read more
ShahSeptember 18, 2014
Hands down the best comedy venue in Brooklyn. Mixed seating, get there early.
Andrew CJune 26, 2015
Been here 10+ times
A great, unpretentious spot to see comedy, music, and even a science lecture
Afi Yellow-DukeOctober 16, 2015
gorgeous venue… came here for a Brooklyn Book Fest party and had a ball.💃🏾 drinks are reasonably priced too!
Leah FundraisingHelpMarch 4, 2014
One of the really cool places near my house! I gotta get on the email list so I don't miss any neat events
Matthew FergusonMarch 24, 2018
Fun venue. We went here for a Buffalo, NY themed event.
ChelseaOctober 5, 2014
The photobooth's always broken but the giant space is great for a concert or dance party.
Chris FNovember 11, 2016
Been here 50+ times
After nearly a decade open, still haven't figured out a good door policy to let people drink at the bar while waiting to get in.
İpek A.January 25, 2015
It's a nice party place. A bit out of the city centre but w/ F & G you can be there in half an hour.
Sally RichardsonApril 1, 2016
A friendly and fun night out. No horrible big groups of lads like back in the UK
The Corcoran GroupAugust 27, 2010
Huge bar up front, huge performance space in back, nice outdoor patio. Great drinks, food festivals, shows and more.
Chris FAugust 3, 2013
Been here 50+ times
Their ability to process tickets and get people into the show has gotten pretty abysmal over the last year - seems to consistently take at least an hour just to stamp hands and get a crowd in. :(
Meredith PharisFebruary 19, 2014
You must bring your ID with you in order to enter, including for npr shows.... Definitely forgot mine :(
Brownstone Living NYCApril 1, 2016
Great event space. Enough versatility for all of life's special occasions.
AskMenFebruary 8, 2010
The Bell House is known for rising to the occasion: Sometimes that occasion is bacon; sometimes it’s chili; yet other times it is cookies. Check it out.
James CDecember 8, 2014
Nice place for an event. Cookie takedown was good. No egg nog like was advertised. Very disappointed.
JoAnne KaoOctober 15, 2016
Great venue but don't expect any places to eat afterwards
martha dentonAugust 4, 2019
Been here 5+ times
At the end of the night; the security is extra cruel.. and the deejay plays basic tunes on 90s night: go elsewhere
Alisha SedorSeptember 11, 2014
Been here 10+ times
The Kentucky Bourbon Barrel on tap is delicious (and has a high abv so be careful)! :)
Tiffany LangstonAugust 21, 2014
Great intimate music venue. Good beer selection
KateJanuary 1, 2012
show up early. get your hand stamped first, then stand in line. seating is a free-for-all. don't be afraid to get tough - it is gowanus after all.
Chad LavimoniereJanuary 22, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Secret Science Club is no longer a secret. Arrive very early if you want a seat (or, ideally, stay away so there are seats for the rest of us).

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