Barbès — Restaurant in New York

Barbes is a small bar that smells a bit funky - perhaps fermenting beer somewhere. It is very narrow and the main hall is dominated by the bar itself with a few seats on the side of the wall. So this is where you start scratching your head, what's all the 5-star reviews about.

This is not an "upscale" place. This is a very blue-collar, down-to-earth, grit and grime friendly type of place. You know it's been around, and you know this is not where you dress fancy but rather comfortingly confident.

The beer is good, the service is good. And there's generally a good vibe. But so are hundreds of other bars. Then what's the secret?

There is a mini music stage behind the bar and it almost feels like you have this massive underground talent that just simply jumps on stage and starts to play amazing music live. The back room fits about 20~30 person tops and some sit in there, others peek from the window or the door, but also, the music flows throughout the bar all the way to the front.

On the day I visited, literally the pianist played classical Chopin. Not jazz. Not some rearranged version that is bar-crowd friendly. She just started ripping out Fantasie Impromptu. I have never been at a bar that is run-down, listenining to top notch classical piano, and having an amazing time.

Barbes is special. Both for the locals, the musical talent in the city, and for...

We went to Barbes on October 4, 2014. That night at 8:00 p.m., Raquel Rivera and Ojos de Sofia were performing. Barbes is a small bar with a back performance area that isn't much bigger. The bar had a decent selection of beers on tap and the prices were in line with the rest of the city. For the performance itself, they had about 15 or so chairs set up so unless you arrive early, expect to stand. The 8:00 p.m. performance was free but there was a suggested cover charge that the bar made clear goes directly to the performers. This was great for us because we were able to enjoy some great music without spending a lot of money. We are always looking for inexpensive entertainment options so Barbes is definitely going to be a place we check out again. If you have a chance to see a performance by Ojos de Sofia, you should definitely do so. They...

Barnes in Park Slope is a fantastic spot for anyone who loves a laid-back bar atmosphere paired with great live music. The cozy, intimate vibe of the space makes it perfect for enjoying local talent up close while sipping on a well-crafted drink. The live music adds a vibrant energy to the bar, with a range of genres that keep things fresh and exciting on different nights.

Whether you’re there for a casual evening out or to catch some great performances, Barnes is the kind of place that feels both relaxed and lively. It’s a neighborhood favorite that really shines because of its friendly service, great drink selection, and the fact that it’s always bringing in talented musicians to keep the crowd entertained. If you’re in Park Slope and want to enjoy live music in a welcoming setting, Barnes is definitely the spot...