Not sure where to start with nightlife in Brooklyn? Pick your area by mood: Bushwick for dancing, Williamsburg for rooftops and bars, Greenpoint for open-air events, and Downtown Brooklyn for comedy.
Brooklyn is one piece of a much bigger picture, and you can find the rest of the city in our guide to new york nightlife.
| Item | Key fact |
|---|---|
| House of Yes hours (Bushwick) | Wednesday-Saturday; closes at 4 AM, or 2 AM on Wednesdays |
| SILO (Bushwick area) | 500-capacity space |
| Rooftop Reds cover charge | $15 per guest, reservation required |
| Brooklyn Heights Promenade length | Over 1,800 feet |
| Water taxi to Lower Manhattan | Can run as late as 9:18 PM |
The figures come from Your Brooklyn Guide and Time Out. Hours, prices and schedules can change, so check the source and the venue before you rely on them.
Bushwick and East Williamsburg: where the dance floors are
If your night is about dancing, Bushwick is the usual answer. In its June 2024 reader roundup, Time Out said the Lower East Side, Williamsburg and Bushwick were mentioned the most. It called Elsewhere, Bossa Nova Civic Club and House of Yes the obvious venues.
Time Out also pointed to newer spaces that have added to the area. Here is how that list breaks down:
- Red Pavilion and SILO: Red Pavilion is a bar and clubspace that opened in 2023 and is inspired by Wong Kar-wai films, while SILO is a 500-capacity space that holds reggaeton parties, according to Time Out.
- Paragon: it opened right after the pandemic and now hosts world-class DJs.
- Trans-Pecos and Market Hotel: Trans-Pecos is having a techno revolution, and Market Hotel has new parties that have taken over the space.
House of Yes is the performance-forward pick, with cage dancers, live music, cabaret and themed parties. Your Brooklyn Guide lists it as open Wednesday-Saturday until 4 AM, except Wednesdays, when the club closes at 2 AM.
Most Friday and Saturday events are themed, and guests are highly encouraged to dress to match. Plan your outfit before you head out.
Williamsburg: rooftops, cocktails and old-school spots
Williamsburg is easier to read than Bushwick. Time Out said you won’t find the most subversive nightlife here, but there are still some great options.
The most notable recent opening it named was Gabriela, a two-story bar opened by nightlife legend Eli Escobar and friends. For a rooftop moment with breathtaking views of Manhattan, it suggested Westlight atop the William Vale Hotel.
If you want a glimpse of the area before hyper-gentrification, Time Out sent readers to Caribbean Social Club. You can get cheap drinks there and listen to Spanish music all night. All of this comes from Time Out’s June 2024 piece, so confirm a spot is still open before you go.
Greenpoint and the waterfront after dark
Time Out wrote that Greenpoint has been a hot area since the early 2000s. The park under the K Bridge has since been converted into a giant event space, which in its words makes the neighborhood feel new. See Time Out’s June 2024 piece for the details.
Not every good Brooklyn night involves a club. Your Brooklyn Guide suggests these quieter ways to see the skyline:
- Brooklyn Bridge Park: it offers one of the best views in the city, especially at night, with Jane’s Carousel lit up near the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Brooklyn Heights Promenade: it stretches over 1,800 feet atop the BQE, and benches make it a good spot for a to-go dinner.
- The Brooklyn Bridge walk: it is just over a mile long, and the guide says it is often one of the least crowded times to do it, unless it’s a holiday.
If you’d rather ride back to Manhattan, the same guide says the water taxi to Lower Manhattan can run as late as 9:18 PM. After that, walking the bridge is the backup.
Downtown Brooklyn and the Navy Yard: comedy, games and wine
For a night that starts with a laugh, Eastville Comedy Club is billed by Your Brooklyn Guide as the oldest comedy club in Brooklyn. It sits in Downtown Brooklyn near the Barclays Center and, per the guide, is one of the only NYC comedy clubs with no drink minimum.
The Royal Palms Shuffleboard is a primarily walk-in club with 10 courts. You can sign up for a court and enjoy food trucks, DJs and tropical drinks while you wait, according to Your Brooklyn Guide.
At the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Rooftop Reds is described as the world’s first commercially viable urban rooftop winery. You need a reservation, and guests who arrive without one will not be allowed in. There is also a $15 cover charge per guest, and the winery may be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so check the guide’s notes first.
One caution on freshness: the same page says the Skyline Drive-In permanently closed in 2024. Venues come and go, and Time Out itself notes that venues shut down, parties die and legendary promoters retire.
How do you choose the right Brooklyn area for your night?
Start with the mood you want, then work backward to the neighborhood. These steps keep the plan simple:
- Decide whether you want to dance, drink, laugh or look at the skyline.
- Match that to an area: Bushwick for dance floors, Williamsburg for rooftops and cocktails, Greenpoint for events, Downtown Brooklyn for comedy.
- Check each venue’s current hours and any reservation rules on its own channels.
- Choose your last stop before you head out.
For that last step, read the answer to what time do bars close in nyc so your plan fits the clock. If you want more ideas beyond Brooklyn, our list of the best bars in nyc covers the rest of the city.
Frequently asked questions
Which Brooklyn neighborhoods do people name most for going out?
Show answer
Williamsburg and Bushwick lead the Brooklyn picks. Time Out’s June 2024 roundup shows readers naming both most often, next to Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
How late does House of Yes stay open?
Show answer
Later than most places, though not every night. Your Brooklyn Guide gives a 4 AM close on its open nights and 2 AM on Wednesdays, so confirm the night you want with the venue.
Do you need a reservation for Rooftop Reds?
Show answer
Yes, Your Brooklyn Guide says a reservation is required and guests without one will not be allowed in. It also lists a $15 cover charge per guest.
Where can you see the skyline at night in Brooklyn?
Show answer
Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade are the two main spots Your Brooklyn Guide points to. The guide also suggests walking the Brooklyn Bridge, which is just over a mile long.
