Public Assembly

Public Assembly used to be Galapagos before they moved to DUMBO. I’ve seen a few shows here and its fine nothing spectacular. Okay, to be honest I liked it more when it was Galapagos, but that is just my opinion. It had a different ambience now this place is pretty ordinary venue that books bands and serves alcohol.

Went here recently for that zine festival. Yikes! Did not expect it to be THAT crowded. So crowded in fact, there was a line to get in, and a ten-​twenty minute wait. So I checked out a nearby record store, came back to Public Assembly and got in.
Inside it’s an okay place. It served it purpose with the zine show, which was free by the way. There was good beer on tap, but I didn’t order any. Instead I checked out all the tables. There were these tiny stairs that led up to a stage where more zine tables were. Public Assembly needs to replace those stairs asap. Cause they were not only creaky, but it felt as if they could break any second. Other than that, a good time.

Public Assembly was amazing venue. However, the staff and the people the staff associates (promoters!) not so good. RIP. Forever.

Came here to see Reggie Watts a looooooong time ago and more recently for the BK Zine Fest. Both events were great fun. Both times the venue was totally over crowded, so if you’re claustrophobic… never, not ever should you go in there. Other than that, public assembly is a solid venue.

Its a small venue but its perfect for watch a performance since its small its very personal. There’s only one bar but the drinks are reasonably priced.

We were there for the Japan Sunrise Fest commemorating the 2^nd anniversary of the devastating 2011 Tsunami. Cool concert hall.

.CMJ FESTIVAL ALERT.
Came here yesterday for Brooklyn Vegan Party here. It was part of the CMJ festival. I had not been to this location in years so it was nice to be back. There were some drink specials, $ 3 PBR cans, most drinks were $ 2 off during the performances. Sailor Jerry Rum (92 Proof) was being passed out at different times during some people’s set times.
–Got to see the Back Room and the Main Room and I liked both actually. Kitty Pryde was performing in the Back Room, had a pretty big crowd to see this Florida based White Girl Rapper. Miguel was also here as a surprise guest and Yes, he did sing ADORN last and it was crowded in the main show area for him. Brooklyn Beer is normally $ 6, I looked at the chart there. I don’t know how I never went here in the past for the «Monday Night Burlesque»!!! Monday nights are my all time favorite nights at Public Assembly.
*I would come back here for a really good show.

I’ve only been here for free events (such as Masters of Social Gastronomy, see my review) so I haven’t had to deal with cover charges, but the venue still lacks something. Mostly it lacks lighting: the bathroom is lit like a 1970s darkroom, and the stage lighting is never really on point.
Drink specials are normally pretty good, though the overall beer selection is pretty small. It’s certainly not the worst place in the world, and easy enough to get to from the L train, but my friends and I all sigh when we get ready to go in, wishing we’d brought a flashlight.

Ground zero for all that is hip.
I have only been here for «Bunker» events. Maybe its different with other promoters.
30 bucks at the door. And the place is tiny. Stinky hipsters flailing their elbows packed like sardines.
Some random woman comes up to me and says «don’t I know you?» and later tells my friend no smoking allowed while a whole row of hipsters are smoking away behind us. Meanwhile, they are allowed to keep on smoking.
Some people are allowed to take photos while other people get yelled at.
Different sets of rules for different people.
Now that’s hip.

Meow, Brooklyn!
Headed to this hipster haven for a cat whiskers party over the weekend. You don’t know what the hell a cat whiskers party is? Well neither did I! Basically, here’s the deal: Show up to the bar with cat whiskers painted on your face (think eyeliner if you’ve got brunch plans with the in-​laws in the morning, and a sharpie if you want to stretch your purring out all weekend) and you get in for $ 5. No whiskers? You’re forking over $ 20 just to get in the door.
Since I did not win the Mega Millions drawing, I went with the whiskers. Though skeptical at first, I let loose and went with it, donning my flannel shirt (in mid-​July, mind you) and got my dance on as the beats thumped.
Drinks are cheap, music is loud, smells are not particularly pleasant, but a good time is had by all. This was one pussy party I won’t soon forget.

This place rocks. Not too loud, and the sound system was pretty good.
The bouncers were pretty good at recommending a place to eat, and they were friendly. All the people that worked there seemed to be nice, and a lot of times at venues like this everybody is rude. Not at Public Assembly.
There is two huge rooms for shows to take place, and when it becomes quiet in 1 room, the music from the other will leak into the quiet room. This isn’t so bad because why would it be quiet at a rock show? Well maybe before the next artist comes out… hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
The drinks are pretty affordable, and the bathrooms like any crazy rockstar place are terrible.
Good thing is they have a backroom, and backline for the artist.
Pretty rad,.

Fabulous night of
Tequila, firefighters,
And a trade school prom!*
*also, we saved japan

I
Don’t go
As often as
I should but they
Do try to host fun events and music.

Okay so I went here Sunday night for a queer femm night… there was supposed to be side show acts and a dance party… all I can say is that there was certainly side show actors present and that it smelled like B. O!!! I mean it was AWFUL!!! The smell was soooooo bad. It smelled like 20 cats died and then someone dumped spoiled eggs and dirt on them! UGH!
We couldn’t think of anywhere else to go so we tried to get over and have the best time that we could.
Pro: the DJ played really good music!
This was my 1^st time here and I have to believe that there has been and likely will be better events with guest who actually smell like they have heard of soap! So I think I will go to another event in the future… it gets a 2^nd chance

Maybe I’m getting old… but everytime I see a show here I feel like I am just trying to survive in a battlefield of drugged retards, as opposed to enjoying a musical experience.
They oversell this place terribly, so if you don’t enjoy being packed into a concert like sardines, I wouldn’t recommend going to see any remotely popular musical act here. Most of my time spent in this venue has either been claustrophobic, right in the middle of where everyone is trying to walk, or completely in the back of the room.
Seeing The Magician this past Halloween was the last straw for me. The crowd and the venue totally killed the experience for me. I think that was the only concert I ever left early in my life. And the music was great– the venue killed the experience.
The only saving grace is that they have Porkslap cans.
Beware, concert-​goers. You’ve gotta be a tuffin’ to hang here.

Perceptor: Ultra Magnus, a cursory evaluation of Hipster capabilities indicates a distinct tactical deficiency!
Ultra Magnus: In other words, Perceptor…
Springer: We’re outnumbered!
and with this altered quote from «The Transformers: the Movie» (1986), we wrap up Saturday night’s action in Occupied Williamsburg with a mashup party at Public Assembly!
$ 6 beers is a little pricey, especially when the best stuff on hand is Coney Island and Brooklyn Lager — yes, they’re good, but anything more than $ 5 is somewhat ridiculous. $ 4 PBRs is what all the beardos were enjoying.
they need more bartenders — 1 per bar is kind of inefficient.
the sound system was pretty good. admittedly, my hearing has been altered by years of listening to metal, so take that into account. it was pretty loud, but you were still able to talk to people, and the sound guys clearly knew not to just crank up the volume to heavy distortion levels. as a former (and occasional) sound guy, I tip my nonexistent hat to you.
I liked the size of this place — it was packed but you could still move around.
the event itself was awesome. had a great time with fellow Unilocalers Danielle, Sam, Matteo, Catherine, Jose, and Ileana. the rest of y’all missed my «dance moves», although it probably looked more like I was having a 5-​hour seizure.
decent place for a party/​concert, I’d return.
and speaking of Transformers and music… YOU’VE GOT THE TOUCH! YOU’VE GOT THE POWER! YEAH!!!

wub wub wub wub wub wub wub wub wub wub WUB WUB WUB
The place is rather small, but it doesn’t even matter because when that bass starts kicking, nothing begins to matter. I went to a dubstep party thing they had going, along with a friend who also made a review that will be the opposite of what I am about to write.
It was awesome that everyone, or mostly everyone was bugging out to that bass. I must say, I kind didn’t even realize someone was rapping until like 2 hours in lol
The place is dark/​red, which is great cause I don’t care much for the brightness of any light source. I could be something like a vampire, I suppose.
It was great fun and I look forward for next months dubstep show. That being said, let me know if there is a dubstep party at

I came on a Friday night, and I’ll break it down like this:
— - cover
+++ music
+ vibe, people
+ service
+ space/​layout (including random tables to leave our coats on)
— not being able to climb the ladder to the loft

Formerly Galapagos, when did it change!!! I feel like I’m out of the loop.
When it was galapagos they had this reflecting water space in the front as you walk in. There is an excellent scene in Jarmusch’s Coffee and Cigarettes called Cousins which provides an excellent view of how it used to look!
Anyway, it’s still a performance space, stage and bar on the Eastern side of the space, walk through a hallway and come to a round room, another stage, and a smaller bar.
I was there for Lee Coombs show, which was awesome spinning, but with a rather sparse crowd. I can’t explain the whys or wherefores, but it was a fun night.
Checkout the vid above though…

Let’s be clear, my vote is mostly about The Bunker party, which used to be hosted here every Friday, but has just turned monthly. I pretty much never come here otherwise. Other nights may be very different, as is the case for many clubs, which is often why I wonder why folks go one time to a place and then advise folks based on thinking that’s how it is every night. Anyway…
Another important thing to be aware of for The Bunker is if you aren’t into less pop-​oriented (i.e. ‘hipster pop’) oriented EDM (that’s Electronic Dance Music for the less aware) and label it all techno, trance or electro, you are less likely to be pleased. The Bunker has been at the forefront of EDM scene changes we are now seeing in NYC (which I think is good, btw).
Traditionally, NYC’s nightlife has been a house music town, mostly catering to fans of classic, deep, latin, tribal-​tech and soulful versions of the genre. As a result of too many things to list, this is changing and we are seeing new forms of minimal techno, deep minimal, deep tech, tech house, and what some might call nudeep house, that is being created by a host of new producers, live pa performers and djs. Many of NYC’s DJs who are legends, have been around for ages, so it’s nice to see some new performers with newer sounds doing it with some success.
The Bunker, and a few other parties are the center of this new scene, which also cares less about going to ‘bobo paradise’ clubs in the MPD and Chelsea that are not cheap to get into, have strict door/​dress code policies, and cater to more B&T crowds with $ 14 mixed drinks, bottle service, etc.
Public Assembly is a raw, bare bones club that might look like a beat up warehouse to some, especially the back room, but the parties I’ve been to there have been top notch. The Bunker has been booking incredibly talented, sometimes popular, sometimes not so popular, performers both locally and often out of Berlin.
However, they expanded the bar in the back room, which was far too small and caused too much crowding when trying to get a drink. I am suspecting future Bunker parties will continue to use the entire space instead of just the back room, which allows for more performers, easier access to getting a drink, and larger crowds. Drinks are also inexpensive compared to Manhattan, and served in plastic cups.
I like the place also because has a very international crowd, and most people are very friendly, including the DJs who are often acccessible for conversation when not spinning (not a good idea to talk to a DJ when they’re spinning… and of course don’t ask for requests).
Right now, this is amongst my favorite clubs to go to in the city.