Bell House Bar & Restaurant Review

Fun place. Not far from R train. Saw Emo Phillips who was hilarious. Can't wait to see Jen Kirkman on nov5. Not much food offerings so plan accordingly.

I am in love with this place. Nice staff and quality food at a reasonable price. Overall experience was amazing at this place. I had enjoyed my food here.

Always enjoyable to watch an NPR show at a great bar

So many amazing comedians and acts come through the Bell House! Hard to get a seat though, you have to come super early and wait in line. Otherwise a chill, ok bar.

Lots of fun! Would like to see more attention to bathrooms...ugh. we had already eaten, but beer choices were good.

The sound is iffy on the sides but excellent in the center.

Beautiful, huge space (and very down to earth) plus home of The Moth!

I ve been here a few times for events and I really like it. They have a nice selection of beer and some good snacks. Nice atmosphere.

I seem to end up at The Bell House once a week or more, just because they host so many awesome events (many of which are free or cheap). The Secret Science club meets here, which I love. Also lots of bands I like, and Wasabassco Burlesque. Then awesome one-off events like the Brooklyn Beardfest & Stache Bash, or all the food competitions.

Here are my tips: there's a bathroom right by the bar in the front room, but the one in the main event space is larger and better. Many events (like Secret Science Club) are only partially seated, so it really pays to show up well before doors if you want to grab a chair. For almost all ticketed events, you need to get your hand stamped at the box office before you enter the main room, so don't just get in line for the main room or you'll probably get turned away. The box office usually also has a coat check available. That's pretty much it - it's a good space, friendly staff, decent sound.

...the Bell House is probably my least favourite venue in the greater New York area. While the employees are friendly and well-meaning, it basically comes down to three issues that happen time and time again:

- The check-in system, where you speak to the person at the door and then get in line, is counter-intuitive and always results in confusion. People inevitably get into the line without checking in, causing them to get turned away when trying to enter the showroom, meaning they have to get BACK in line after checking in and losing their spot. There really isn't a better way to do this?

- For comedy shows, the room is ALWAYS oversold. People have to stand in the aisles, along the back, around the bar. For this reason, if you want a chance of getting a seat, you need to arrive at least 45 minutes early, and probably more for sold-out shows.

- With that in mind, the doors NEVER open on time. Count on them opening at least 20 minutes later than stated. So if you arrive an hour early, CONGRATULATIONS! You're actually an hour and twenty minutes early! Hope you like standing in line (and possibly standing throughout the whole show).

The Bell House must be really good to performers, because they love working there and come back time and time again. The Bell House does not extend this courtesy to their audience, who are subjected to awkward procedures, inaccurate show times, and an uncomfortably crowded room.

I only go here if it's a comedian or musician I REALLY love.

Located in the middle of nowhere in Brooklyn, the Bell House is a bar/venue that has a cool vibe. You can catch music shows or just catch a drink with a couple friends. They host a weekly dance party called the Rub every Saturday which is great. If you're into science, they also host the monthly secret science club which you should definitely check out. Overall, the spacious bar and beautiful stage make the trek out there worth it.

Gone for some stand up shows and Moth events, love the place!

The place is really dope a d big... the stage area was really kool. The dj working the night for the 90s party was a tab bit wack... I also noticed that everyone that didn't get a bracelet at the door was under 21(mostly girls)... which made notice that the men there look like guys u see on "how to catch a predator" lol... maybe it waz just me...

Great vibe, great beer choices and good prices. Disappointed they didn't have food at all when we went. Their website claims to have it 'some days'. Great place to see a band - really nice vibe and feel.

Last night I was fortunate to attend the Bob Odenkirk and David Cross show. My group arrived just before showtime and I found a space against a back wall. A fellow patron noticing my handicap offered me her seat but I politely declined. At that point a gentleman who identified himself as the Manager approached me and asked if I would like a seat. I said yes and he managed to find my 3 friends and I seats at a sold out show. It was very kind of him and his staff to do this for us and made a good night that much better. Thanks for the kindness!

Some good beers on tap and they have great shows as well. AND they have a photobooth that prints out 2 copies of each strip! Deal.

Went to a comedy show... Very Basic Bar... Nice venue for up and personal show.

Warm and rustic venue. Good selection of beers. Check out ask me another, which is taped here.

Great venue for live shows with a good selection of beers and drinks and decent food options. Staff is friendly and courteous!

My girlfriend and I went here to see a comedy show and, since she had a long term injury from being hit by a car, she asked for seating -- which was provided, but because she wasn't limping on the way out the bouncer Sean (he wouldn't give me his last name) asked her "why aren't you limping, you were hit by a car right?" Which spurred a confrontation with a customer who got aggressive with my girlfriend and I, and then not only were we not allowed to speak to a manager, but we were told there was nothing they could do about the customer or the bouncer. Nice way to treat disabled people bell house.
Update: I also wanted to add that I contacted the Bell House (by phone and email) about this situation. They did not respond. (And as you can see they haven t responded to this review at all). I am not the only one with an awful experience with the door staff. For more terrible experiences, I suggest checking out their Facebook reviews.

Came for my friends birthday. It was 90s night! Fun to come with a group. It is free for entrance.

Really cool bar and awesome spot to meet up with friends.

Came here on a Saturday for a party called The Rub and had a blast dancing to the greatest hits of the last two decades.

Great venue to see a lot of interesting shows. Especially stand up and podcast tapings. I've been a bunch and the only downside is that it's become really popular lately, so you do wanna try to get to shows pretty early to check in and then get in line. There's a lot of annoying worry about getting a seat at these general admission venues, but I've always ended up grabbing one. I'm just glad there's a space for the kind of stuff I love.

Really enjoy the Bell House for comedy and other interesting events. There's good light food (sandwiches) in the bar area. Make sure to get there early, as seating is limited and unreserved.

Great beer and ambiance. They also host secret science club and other great events.

It was pretty fun for a first time experience. Though coat check was filled up pretty quick into the night. Beer was descent and music was good.

An awesome venue with all kinds of different and interesting shows. I've been to a couple of events here and each one was unique. There are two bars with a diverse selection. Not much seating overall, it's a general admission standing room kind of place.

Seen here:
Kyle Kinane

The show was awesome and the hospitality was incredible!!! I suggest anyone and everyone who wants to see a great show have great drinks and great Ambiance go here.

The Bell House gets tons of great live shows (Ask Me Another is a regular event here). The beer selection is solid as well!

Cozy venue that hosts surprising, quirky acts at very reasonable prices. Industrial neighborhood is a bit of a hike.

A great, casual venue with really friendly staff and lots of different beers. The room where the performances take place is large yet intimate. Great place to see a comedy show.

Bell House is the gem of Gowanus! Awesome programming, great drink selection and friendly staff. I spent the saddest election night of all time (2016) here and still love it.

They had great seasonal drinks here - boozy hot chocolate and got toddies, plus a great selection of local beers on tap. The concert venue has great atmosphere and the staff are friendly. I'm definitely visiting again!

I came here for the Guactacular festival, a fun evening of unlimited samples of guacamole from amateur contestants, chips and beer specials at the bar. I would recommend that you get here early for food-related events as they ran out of most of the guacamole after the first hour (the event was scheduled for 3 hours!). The venue is spacious and has a nice layout with a box office, stage space, an indoor area and outdoor seating. Getting here on the subway (N or F trains) was easy enough.

Every time I come here, I wind up having fascinating conversations with strangers.

I have been here a few times for some events and trivia and it's always a pleasant experience.

The bar in the waiting area is well stocked and the bar in the event room is huge.

The events are always well run.

Fun venue to see spoken word and live radio events. Can be very crowded. If there is any seating at all it's usually limited, so get there early if you want a shot of sitting down.

Great shows and events. Check the calendar, there's something interesting here almost every night.

Great local venue for comedy, concerts, and dance parties of all types.

I went here for the Cruel Summer party: based on 80s and 90s songs. I think the people are nice but it's an older crowd and the song selection wasn't the best. You might enjoy it.

Fun venue with great events and quite decent beer selection

Went there for a talk organized by the Secret Science Club. Great place!

The Bell House is a neat venue. Old school charm and classy. It's definitely a Brooklyn vibe but you dont have to be from Brooklyn to appreciate it. I thought the place was beautiful and the lighting was great. Plus this is a place where a lot of, now famous comics, got their start in NYC. This place is off the beaten path but well worth the trip. The staff was friendly and the sound system is great. Great collection of beers local brews especially... try the cidar. Go visit you won't regret it

Not only is the Bell House a great venue for comedy shows, they are really great about accessibility requests for physical disabilities. They always get back to me super quickly and work to accommodate my needs-- other venues never even respond. Thanks to the Bell House staff!

Where to start, the drinks are awesome! Especially the big tequila bottles being serve with anything you want in them! Just not sure if there actually worth the $18 they charge for them. The chips and salsa they give you at first is pretty tasty! So going to the food, super big portions!! Like I honestly think that with one plate two people that aren't starving could definitely eat from there! Overall the food was good, but I felt that it was pretty bland! Maybe a bit more flavor next time. The drinks overall are great! And there's a free flan when you check in. Which wasn't a big deal either.

Great music venue. Also check out the "secret science club" on some Tuesdays where they feature a guest lecturer on something nerdy/cool. Age of the geek baby!

Nice selection of beers, staff are very friendly, the place has a cool vibe just to hang out too.

I went here when going to Star Talk. They didn't have enough seating to support the event but it was still great. Typical Brooklyn vibe. What I really like are the variety of events that go on. There's the secret science club, vegan cookoff, and a bunch of other things. I recommend it, not so much for the place itself, but for the great events they provide.

Best nightlife spot in Brooklyn! Everything from comedy and club nights to concerts. Great staff, nice decor, laid back crowds. Love it!

Very fun venue sad i didn't get to try the food its smelled so good but great beer selection and great price for a venue spot

Standing Room only - wear comfortable shoes unless you have a V.I.P. booth. Friendly atmosphere.

Went to see Thrilling Adventure Hour. All around good time. Great beer! Wish there had been more seating, but the view standing was good. Very cool place!

Excellent venue. Went and saw stuff you should know live... great times! Chairs
/seats could be better though.

Had a great time. The staff I encountered were all very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Small venue, cash bar and snacks. Cups and large (think construction job site) water jugs available, self serve and free! (Starbucks charged for a small cup of water when we bought two grande drinks; I really appreciated seeing plenty of water freely available!) The place was packed but quite comfortable. Not a bad spot in the house; the stage is visible wherever you are. The sound was good. I would definitely attend other events here, or consider it for an event of my own making.

The stage is easy to see and the atmosphere is wonderful

Nice staff, reasonable admissions, great bookings and quality sound. Only desire is that they would have on site food vendors more often because no other choices exist nearby.

Decent drinks, hipster ambiance. Service is nice and look for the events they host.

Fantastic venue with plenty of space to be able to view the stage for whatever program you are there to see. Intimate feel and really friendly staff!

Fun and interesting venue. We were there for Wunderkamer 2018 but I'm told it's a popular spot for live music. Good selection of beer on tap.

I went here for the "The Rub" and was highly underwhelmed. Play some current music!!!!!

Came here and saw Michael Che, Councilman Jam, and Archer and what a show. Insider tip: if you plan to sit at the front bench, be sure to pack your ball gag and or a sock for your mouth because they literally hear everything you say and breath from this corner. Great space