Warsaw At The Polish National
(718) 387-0505
261 Driggs Ave
Brooklyn,
NY
11222
40.7225
-73.9483
Neighborhood: Greenpoint
What People Are Saying About Warsaw At The Polish National
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Brooklyn's Polish National Home, a meeting room-cum-performance-space for the neighborhood's Polish community for nearly 100 years, is leading a double life in the new century. In 2001, Village Underground and former Tramps guru Steve Weitzman convinced the old guard to open the doors to its ornate 800-capacity ballroom (complete with fleur-de-lis plasterwork and framed oil paintings) a few nights a week for music more suited to Greenpoint and Williamsburg's hipsters, the new breed of Brooklyn immigrants. And Warsaw was born.
The Draw
Monday nights are free, featuring spinners like DJ Cheyney, who pump out old and new wave. More notably, Warsaw is becoming a performance destination for indie-rock icons and up-and-comers, likes Luna, Le Tigre, Cat Power and New Pornographers. At the bar, enjoy a cheap ice-cold draft beer in a plastic cup--or an ample cocktail--while an inter-generational mix of locals shoot the breeze (and pool) in Polish.
User Reviews
holden_smith
September 16, 2006
Doors at 7 huh? How about 7:50 waiting in the snow? Yeah, that's Warsaw. i couldn't figure out if I was in New York or Poland. Worst sound system I've ever heard and by the most inept front of house sound guys I've ever had the displeasure to have to listen to. Upon closer srutiny, I could hear several speakers either heavily distorting or blown completely. The band couldn't hear the monitors. There was feedback on stage and in the house. The food made me sick. The drinks so weak, I had to spend $60 just to get a slight buzz. The glasses where dirty. The staff, rude and unitelligble with thick Polish accents. I thought I was at a gulag rather than a rock show. Warsaw? Yeah, this is how I thought it would be like in Poland. What a joke! A Polish joke. Avoid this venue like the plague.
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Anonymous
August 09, 2005
Technically, Warsaw is billed as the Polish National Home, a cultural club for Polish Americans. It has various programs for Polish people, a cinema that plays Polish movies (some with English subtitles, some without), and a music stage. But the music stage has long ago been diversified, and is no longer used just by Polish bands: it has hosted the likes of Patti Smith, who headlined a benefit against building a nuclear plant in the area, and Le Tigre, a cutting-edge femme band. The club is small enough so that you can see the stage from everywhere, but large enough so that you don't feel trapped. The sound is no Carnegie Hall, but it's very good for a club this size and stature. And the prices are great, with the most expensive I've seen so far being $20. PROS: Cheap, good sound, good bands CONS:
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susanchenelle_citysearch
December 19, 2002
The ballroom is a great space, and often hosts great acts--from Jello Biafra to Amon Tobin to the Butchies--but the sound and lighting systems suck, the security people are rude and obtrusive, and the bar staff can be nice, but is often not, and pours some of the weakest (though also cheapest) drinks you'll ever have.
read full reviewThe Details on Warsaw At The Polish National
Know Before You Go:
The $5 menu is made up of traditional Polish foods, including pierogi, kielbasa, potato pancakes and blintzes.
Category:
Unclassified, Bars & Pubs, Nightclubs, Bars & Clubs
Payment Methods:
Bar & Club Type of Music:
Funk, Soul & R&B, Rock & Pop, Alternative Rock
