Meet The Brooklyn Bazaar

The Family has been talking a lot about how much we miss live shows. We’ve been in a reflective mood and thought we should share our nostalgia with some of our favorite photographers. Join us as we wax nostalgic on those loud beer soaked nights spent in these special places through the magic of photography. 

Want to support a small venue near you, but aren’t sure how? Why not start by taking a look at Save Our Stages, a collective effort by the National Independent Venue Association to help keep small venues afloat through the pandemic. We want to make sure these places are still there to go back to, when it’s time to get back to live shows!

Ah, Brooklyn Bazaar, the magical and dare I say bizarre multi-floor, multi-stage yet somehow still dive-y small feeling Greenpoint mainstay. Though BB has departed Greenpoint, there’s always a chance at revival. The Greenpoint Ave/Polonaise Terrace location was the reincarnation of this DIY funhouse, after similar real-estate shuffles shuttered the original Norman Ave, Brooklyn Night Bazaar. Here’s hoping the ashes reform and this beautifully weird bird flies again.

All photos were taken by Billy Devine

A portrait of Brooklyn Bazaar’s exterior by, Billy Devine

Describe Brooklyn Bazaar to us in your own words.

The ultimate multi-use punk rock party palace. It had a restaurant, game room, karaoke cave, banquet hall, ice cream parlor, and bar/venue in it. I believe it was a Polish banquet hall before it became the Bazaar.

Some Questions with Billy Devine

How were the bathrooms at Brooklyn Bazaar?

The nice big one was too far away, and the close one was too small. Just how they should be.

What did you get from the bar at Brooklyn Bazaar?

Water and ear-plugs. Sometimes a coke. I don't drink myself.

What kinds of shows did you see at Brooklyn Bazaar most often?

Death metal, punk, emo, some electronic, post-rock... if it was loud it was there. The last few shows I shot there were fun and memorable. Exhumed, Gatecreeper, and Necrot. He Is Legend. Wear Your Wounds. Touche Amore. The He Is Legend show was especially insane because it was a last-minute show. My friend and I found out like the day before, and we got tickets and the tickets were for this Christian Podcasting thing, and some Christian post-hardcore band. But we figured, He Is Legend, why not. We get to Brooklyn Bazaar and we missed the podcast but caught some very earnest singer-songwriter stuff about Jesus and fentanyl. Then He Is Legend came out and it was very clear they were the odd ones on the bill, the crowd visibly took steps backward while the 12 people who showed up just for He Is Legend came right to the front and had the night of our lives.

Who would you have loved to see perform at Brooklyn Bazaar?

The Dillinger Escape Plan or Every Time I Die or The Armed or The Antlers, but I wish I could see them everywhere always.

How was the staff at Brooklyn Bazaar?

Always great.

Could you write us a haiku about Brooklyn Bazaar?

Much too much too fast,
We never got to love you,
you Brooklyn Bazaar.

What did you order from the bar at Brooklyn Bazaar?

I liked the food, they always had a rotating pop up restaurant in the game room/lounge area. Fried chicken, rice and peas, ice cream on the way out on a summer night.

Any final comments about Brooklyn Bazaar?

This space never got to reach it's full potential. One night I saw Baroness there, but there was also a gallery showing and meet and greet with John Baizley. All the prints were auctioned off for charity. And he did a live drawing demo. That's the type of event that space could host. It was so much more than a place to see shows. It could have been something really special in Brooklyn. Now it's going to be another condo building, or WeWork, or something.