Your Guide to Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn’s Best Music Venue

The Space

While many Bowery Presents venues share a vibe, Brooklyn Steel is bolstered by its raw, found materials, all repurposed from the steel works factory the space used to be. The main room has a movable stage allowing for capacities of 1800, 1500 or 1200, depending on the show. Towards the back of the room there’s a raised platform (similar to Music Hall of Williamsburg), and the balcony railings spread out like a V as they go closer towards the stage, allowing for more natural sightlines. “Sound and sightlines are always our biggest priority,” said Bowery Presents organizer John Moore. “We wanted to have everyone be able to see well, but also to have some soul and character to it.”

Brooklyn Steel is outfitted with three bars, all decorated with pieces from the steel works factory. There’s also repurposed corrugated metal in the venue’s foyer entry space on Debevoise Ave. The entry space leading to the main bar and merch table is large enough to accommodate concert goers, so no one waits on the street before the show.

The Neighborhood of East Williamsburg

If you haven’t ventured past the Bedford or Lorimer stop into East Williamsburg, now’s the time to get your feet wet, before the rest of the five boroughs wakens to its obvious appeal. Not only are there plenty of amazing restaurants and bars near Brooklyn Steel, but most (if not all) come at a cheaper price than what you’re used to paying when attending shows in Manhattan.

Right around Brooklyn Steel, you have One Stop Beer Shop and FourFiveSix Bar, both of which are perfect to accommodate a pre and post show drink. If you want to make a full night of it, head to East Williamsburg early to grab a meal at any of the local jaunts. At Mesa Coyoacan, you can enjoy Mexican food favorites such as enchiladas, mole, and mezcal cocktails. At corner bistro Humboldt & Jackson, you can choose from a list of American small plates and cheeses while sipping on locally sourced microbrews. For something more eclectic, hike towards the BQE for Indonesian food at Selamat Pagi, or Korean food at Little Dokebi.

2023 Brooklyn Steel Event Calendar

Primarily featuring independent, experimental, and alternative artists, Brooklyn Steel manages one of the most riveting events calendars in the city. Flogging Molly, Death Grips, Matt & Kim, and Broken Social Scene—all in one month? Brooklyn Steel, you’ve done it again.

Scroll below for Brooklyn Steel’s Upcoming Events, some of the best concerts the city has to offer this summer.