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Categories: Lounges, Music Venues [Edit]
30 Lafayette AvenueFulton St (G)
Lafayette Ave (C)
Atlantic Ave-Pacific St (2, 3, 4, 5, M, N, Q, W, R, B, D)
"Cozy, hip bar with a fireplace. I smelled the smoked from blocks away and followed it there. It's a small room with brick walls and not too…" read more »
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The space in the cafe at BAM is awe-inspiring. It's huge and has a great deal of aesthetic appeal starting with the space, to the lights, to the stage. It's a great place to catch free shows on Friday and Saturday nights. I caught a show from the Sounds Like Brooklyn Music festival and it was a great mix of jazz, blues, and classical music. I would definitely say it's worth visiting for both tourists and New Yorkers. How can you go wrong with a free show? It's also not far from the 2 or 3 train.
If you're going to catch a show at the BAM Cafe, I recommend showing up early. Seating is limited. It wasn't packed on a Friday night, but there were a great deal of people who had to stand along side the walls and around the bar because all the seats were taken. They have bar food here and serve good cocktails, but it is a little pricey.
Wow! BAM Cafe is beautiful. I can't believe my first visit to this place came more than eight years after moving to NYC! They have free music performances on Friday & Saturday nights. Yes, I said FREE. You just need to make sure to show up about an hour before show time so that you can get a table. There is a really nice bar in the cafe, so you can sit and have cocktails while you wait for the show to start.
They offer a few bar munchies like fries, pizza, chicken satay, etc. We ordered the rosemary pommes frites and while they were very good fries, they totally skimped on the rosemary. And the giant bowl of fries only came with one small side of ketchup. Some mayo would have been good with them too.
Wines range from $6 to $12 and they have special cocktails like a jalapeno margarita and a drink called The Coltrane, which was YUM! Cocktails are around $10. A little pricey, but you're seeing a show for free so it's kind of hard to complain.
The space is cavernous, with really high ceilings and lots of twinkly lights. It's really gorgeous and worth going at least once just to see the space. BAM Cafe, I will see you again soon!
One of the most stunningly beautiful spots where to have a drink in NYC.
Very spacious, with barrel-like ceilings as high as a cathedral, with beautiful lighting[1], I never fail to stop at BAM Cafe before a performance at BAM, and I never fail to be impressed by this place. I also come here occasionally to listen to live music and DJ shows.
Last time I came here the bartenders managed to reconcile me with the art of making a good cocktail[2]: my BAMhattan was nice and dry the way I like it, and my gf had a jalapeno margarita that was one of the best spicy cocktails this side of the East River[3].
The only minus point was that that night there was no music on, which was a bit odd...
This would also be a fantastic space for a private event.
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[1] http://www.h3hc.com/in...
[2] see my review of The Vanderbilt... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
[3] Kampuchea makes a phenomenal spicy cocktail with Cambodian katiev called Bon Om Tuk.
I love this venue. So spacious, beautiful, nice tall ceilings with beautiful lights. But what I am still salivating over is their kick-ass jalapeno margarita. Its a little spicy and all margarita ;-) MR had a BAMhattan and that was made very well too! When we went, it was almost 7:30 and there wasn't anyone playing, and the cafe just seems a bit weird without music. Bring on the music!
I will go back just to have a few more jalapeno margaritas!! The best ever!!
Came here again for a night of female DJs spinning...
Nice place to relax, listen to some music,…
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Please tell me the last time you enjoyed totally FREE (but actually good) musical entertainment on a weekend night within a completely gorgeous, spacious indoor setting.
That's what I thought.
BAM.
We've been here a few times and apparently it doesn't blow if we kept coming back. I'm not in love with it or anything, it's just that "free" is my favorite word.
The first time we rolled in, we thought it looked really sexy in there, especially with the naked body art sculptures that hung from the ceiling but are sadly not there anymore.
You have to get in line downstairs at least an hour before the actual show if you want a good seat upstairs. Keep that in mind. If you think you're going to jet over 20 minutes ahead of time, prepare to stand up during the show. Or go up front and sit on the floor like it's "Woodstock" or something. I don't roll like that, so I'm there an hour up.
The entertainment is free so whether they suck or not has nothing to do with it. Sometimes you're pleasantly but mildly surprised and other times you're just glad you're not bored to death on a saturday night. It's never ever absolutely to die for. But you do get more than you paid for.
The food is very fatty but tasty. Doesn't matter what you order. But it works like this: you get up from your seat, go over to the bar and pay, chill for a bit, then pick up your order at this table in the back. It's a weird scene, nothing I've ever encountered, but I don't hate it. Shoot, I don't even eat the food there anymore because it's mostly fat.
But if you're into that, eat up.
Oh, and sometimes couples will have to share tables with other couples as the spots are 4 chairs per table. It's highly likely that you'll encounter self-important jackasses who don't want to share the tables and then things get foolish. I've seen that a couple of times, one time between two people who almost came to blows. I am really losing my faith in mankind.
Keep an eye out for the hostess. She is pretty good at what she does and is very attractive. My girl and I like to look at her... :)
Okay bye.
If you are fortunate enough to find the enterance, and then again to find the cafe you're in for a treat.
I don't mean the food, I mean with the people.
I've witnessed break-ups, arguments over where a complete stranger should and should-not sit as well as numerous behind-beatings from mother to child.
Why pay the fare for a film when I can get my entertainment for free?
Great venue to listen to live *often FREE* music. It's in a great old building that resembles a church but it has crazy cool fiber optic light displays instead of stained glass windows......so it's basically a temple of good music.
Not too crowded at all, nice staff, not too far from the subway.
I haven't seen a film here yet, but they have lots of revivals and art films with unique speakers that I need to check out. Oh BAM, why can't I live next door to you??
I came here last Saturday night to watch Heather Park and Mahasin. I don't think I've ever been to a "cafe" with an escalator. Talk about fancy.
Both artists were fabulously amazing.
The crowd however, was not. I'm not really into being subdued. It's kind of awkward when you're the only one using vocalizations (instead of the more subdued applause) to show your love for artists at the end of a song/set. Just a little awkward.
I was also slightly agitated about the lack of seating. Being the midget that I am, of course "mister tall man" would always hover right in front of me. Just my luck. Plus my entire bottom half of my body was so tired from all the walking around the city I did previous to the show. It was brutal having to stand especially while so many other people were enjoying their tables, chairs and cocktails.
So I suggest coming extra early if you're expecting to be comfortable. This way you can snag a table, chair and cocktail and enjoy the lovely FREE music every weekend night. That is, if you're a subdued kind of person.
I was just here for a free show (came to see Takka Takka) and it was really nice save for all the people who were clearly not interested in the music and talked the whole time and got progressively louder with each overpriced cocktail they threw back. Bitter much?
BUT. With that sad. I love the space upstairs. It's so large and airy and the floating body casts are really awesome. And even though it was so large the acoustics were still really good, there wasn't too much echo or anything.
I look forward to going to more events here!
I adore the BAM Cafe. I ended up there one night with a male friend, when the movie we were planning to see at the BAM Rose Cinema was sold out. We started our night here, before making our way to Bembe for some dancing.
The bartender was so friendly; he made us drink after drink. My companion, very much a man's-man was not the slightest bit shy about sucking down several Malibu Sunrises (bartender's suggestion.) He said they were delicious--the best mixed drink he's had, if I recall correctly! I was amused. We relaxed here for several hours. It is a very beautiful, minimal, wide open space. I'll be back, as I live close by; never got to try their food, but I shall, soon.
They have some wonderfully chill musicians perform here on Friday and Saturday evenings; reason number 4580439539 to come back. I'm open if someone wants to take me on a date :)
whenever i'm planning out my weekend, i always forget that BAM is a viable option ... a kick-ass convenient one since it's only a 15 min walk away from my apartment.
i went here on a date - first one! - with this guy last year. he lived in the BK too, and since i'm used to hanging out downtown on the weekends, he was trying to introduce me to cool things going on in the 'hood which i gotta give him props for because it's pretty thoughtful.
we were a bit early and i remember having trouble finding the escalator that went upstairs to the cafe. i THINK it only started working when it was close to showtime, but don't quote me because the memory's kinda fuzzy.
i definitely don't know the name of the singer, but her music was soulful, R&Bish and catered to the laid-back, yet packed audience. methinks that she's a local performer who had a strong following in the BK. i totally understood why.
since admission was free, the only thing we paid for were stiff drinks - hence, this a great recession-friendly way to spend a night with good company. because funemployment has made me into THE recessionista, i'll be back. soon.
Check this S@#t out ! Free music on the weekend with a full bar in downtown Bk! Getting a drink is as easy as getting an HJ in the meatpacking district thanks to the fully staffed bar. Even if the music is awful, Erin and her Bass, you'll still have a good time soaking in the glowing ambiance. The food is tasty and their Jalapeno infused Margaritas will make you scream "Odale Guey! Vamos a la luna!" It's tough to find a seat because it's free but that won't hold you back from some decent people watching.
Upstairs, airy and calming.. beautiful arched windows.. relaxed boho atmosphere... and what? yes.. there is a very groovy bookstore with nearly any kind of book you would need for your hipster collection..
poetry, architecture, taschen books on design... novels.. non fix...
enjoy.. take your time..
Came here on May 16th for BROOKLYN UNCORKED. What an awesome event. The venue was perfect. A bunch of wineries from Long Island came together to showcase their wines. But we experienced more than just the vino... They had oysters from Long Island (Widow's Hole) and cheeses from Whole Foods. Oysters were outstanding! They even had an ice cream/sorbet bar that served wine flavors. Some yummy finds include: Corey Creek's Rose, Osprey's Dominion 2002 Reserve Merlot, and the Roanoke 2006 Chardonnay.
At the top of an escalator from the ornate lobby of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which also houses the BAM Rose Cinemas, you'll find this gorgeous, spacious restaurant -- the perfect place to dine before the show or have a drink afterwards. The food I've tried there has been really excellent and quite fancy. I seem to remember an outstanding fish dinner and incredible dessert. There's also live music on Friday and Saturday nights and a Gospel Brunch on Sundays. I've performed here, and it's one of the most beautiful spaces to play or catch a live act in the city. Admission is always free, with a $10 minimum at tables.
There's no need for heavy pockets if you're looking to enjoy a decadent meal (perhaps followed by or following a movie at their cinemas) at the BAM Cafe. I was awestruck upon my first arrival here. The atmosphere was calming and the staff was very pleasant and inviting- not at all snobbish.
Everything you'll need from appetizers to desserts can be ordered from the $21 prixe fix menu. I had a wonderful salad, followed by tender short ribs with mashed potatoes and a DENSE (I'm talking two bites-will-leave-you-more-than-satisfied dense) chocolate fudge cake. My experience was nothing short of wonderful. I know you'll fall in love with this place just like I did; but beware! If you get hooked one particular selection their menu has to offer, don't be surprised if one fine day it fails to appear on the menu- typographical error? no. It's just a seasonal menu change.
BAMcafe is located upstairs from the main level of the BAM complex. The cafe is where one can sit and eat dinner on certain nights (between 5 and 7 ONLY) or choose from the skimpy bar menu. I don't recommend this. There are plenty of decent restaurants in the 'hood. What the cafe is good for is grabbing a table with a bunch of friends, having a drink and enjoying music. The space is HUGE and there are plenty of bartenders. No crowding and shoving to get through or get served. World music is the order of the day, with lots of internationally famous musicians coming through here. The comfort and convenience of the whole complex, with its cinema, theatre, dance and music spaces, makes it ideal for a weekend visit.
bam cafe is awesome. i go for the free live music on friday and saturday nights. its a great way to hear different types of music from up and coming performers. the crowd there is generally chill and diverse. the space is gorgeous with high ceilings and huge windows. its one of my favorite spots in brooklyn. the only drawback is that a glass of wine is slightly overpriced.
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