The Best Bars in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Bushwick has one of the densest, most creative bar scenes in New York, and the range is the whole appeal: a themed neon cocktail bar and a raw warehouse dance floor can sit on the same block. Here is how a local sorts the best bars in Bushwick, grouped by the kind of night you are trying to have.

For dancing

• Bossa Nova Civic Club is the neighborhood's beloved tropical-themed techno club: small, dark, sweaty, and all about the DJ. Phones down, dance.
• House of Yes blurs bar and spectacle, with aerial performers and themed nights. It is as much a show as a night out, so check what is on before you go.
• Elsewhere is a proper multi-room venue with a rooftop, so you can catch a set, then keep moving.

For a cocktail with a concept

• Mood Ring leans all the way into astrology: pink-and-purple neon, zodiac drinks, and a free shot for your sign. It is one of the most photographed bars in Bushwick for a reason.
• The Sultan Room, above Turk's Inn, pairs a plush, maximalist room with live music and a rooftop, which makes it a great early-and-late spot.

For live music

• Ornithology Jazz Club is an intimate, listening-first room for live jazz, and its rooftop hosts sunset events in warmer months.
• On the bigger end, Elsewhere and the neighborhood's DIY spaces keep a steady flow of touring and local acts.

For a full evening in one place

• Syndicated is a bar, kitchen, and movie theater together, so you can drink, eat, and catch a film without leaving. It is the easy answer when the group cannot agree.

For a low-key drink

Bushwick still has its share of unpretentious neighborhood bars and backyards, the kind with cheap tallboys, string lights, and the occasional free comedy show or open mic. These are the spots you end up at, not the ones you plan around, and they are worth wandering into.

A few tips for bar-hopping Bushwick

• Stay near the trains. Most of the best bars cluster around the L (Morgan, Jefferson) and the elevated M and J on Myrtle-Broadway, so you can walk between them.
• Check for cover and tickets. The club-leaning spots often sell tickets in advance for weekend headliners.
• Weeknights are underrated. Some of the best DJ sets and cheapest nights happen Tuesday through Thursday.

Bushwick's bars change fast, with new openings, one-off parties, and pop-ups nearly every week. For a broader plan, see our guide to things to do in Bushwick. And if you would rather have the week's best nights out picked for you, drop your email below or check what's on this week.