At Bar 4, Talent Abounds

Photo by Will Yakowicz

“The intimate corner bar, located at Seventh Avenue and 15th street, hosts not just any open mic night—it has been a neighborhood for the past seven years. It’s a tradition that has launched bands like Wakey! Wakey! and musicians like Steve Waitt and Tarrah Reynolds into the New York City music scene…”

- Will Yakowicz

Must-See Music Venues In Park Slope

Photo by Annie Reuter

“Bar4 is so much more than a neighborhood bar. Couches surround the interior walls with a perfect view of the stage while a candle-lit copper bar creates a laid-back vibe. On a nightly basis an eclectic mix of jazz, rock, and country bands can be heard. Additionally, an open mic night that features spoken word artists and singer-songwriters continuously bring new talent to the stage. One of the most respected open mic nights in New York, bartender Kevin Johnston said it’s what first brought him to Bar4.

Specifically a fan of the venue’s “supportive music culture” and intimate space, Johnston is amazed at how the open mic night evolved into its own and says Bar4 is a “good, supportive spot for local bands and bands from all over the world.” Going on six years strong, Bar4′s open mic nights provide entertainment and diversity.”

- Annie Reuter

Critics’ Pick

Bathed in the velvety red glow of darkroom lights, this swanky corner bar offers a welcome alternative to a long ride home on the F train for city-weary denizens of Park Slope. Like the customers, the atmosphere is relaxed, with cushy, broken-in couches and armchairs where the jeans-and-rumpled-polo set lounges and sips drinks from the well-apportioned bar. DJ styles vary by the day, ranging from hip-hop to indie rock to soul. Aspiring troubadours should look into the open mic night, Tuesdays at 6:30pm. The drink list features a bevy of flavored martinis—everything from white chocolate to grapefruit—which the casual patron would do well to sample.

Photo by Andrew Karcie

View Slideshow

— Andrew Wang

This eclectic little spot, just a stone’s throw from the F train, features a changing daily roster of DJs and themes – including the long-running Tuesday open mic series that allows anyone with something to sing (or say) to take to the stage. The space is dark and extremely laid-back, typically filled neighborhood folks, post-work happy hour seekers and the occasional firefighter from the station around the corner.

Photo by RJ Wafer

Know Your Bartender: Rich Varroney, Bar4

Bar 4 is cozy, dark, and dreamy, with two large couches instead of tables and a slowly-twirling disco ball providing the bulk of the interior lighting. The focal point of the small barroom is a stage, and there’s something going on every night of the week. ”

Scene by Laurie:

The Best Bars in Park Slope

Lounge Bar – Bar4

Quintessentially Park Slope, Bar4 is a warm and inviting lounge bar with a relaxed vibe and crowd. Mood lighting, exposed brick, and cushy, colorful sofas and arm chairs make for a comfortable setting to kick back and enjoy some music and creative cocktails; the drink list features flavored martinis like blueberry and white chocolate. DJs or live bands play most nights with the music spanning a huge spectrum so you never know what you’ll find but it’s also hard to be disappointed.

“This particular venue is interesting. The bar is cozy, but not too small. There is a tiny stage, and couches and candles add to the ambiance. Yes, this is your typical lounge bar. But what I found interesting was the energy of the crowd that this venue attracted. The clientele was a mix of neighborhood folk, musicians (some of whom had traveled all the way from *gasp* Manhattan) and newbies like myself who just came to see what all the fuss was about. What followed was one of the best open mic experiences I’ve had in a long time. It wasn’t just the wide range of talent that impressed me, but the warm and welcoming atmosphere the bar created. By the time I left, I wanted to give everyone a hug and then sing a song about it.”
– Katharine Heller

 
One Tree Hill’s Next Musician: Grubbs

“Who’s the next big thing in Tree Hill? None other than Grubbs, the bartender of TRIC who’s always ready with the perfect elixir. Of course this role is very familiar for him as he has previously bar tended at Schiller’s Liquor Bar in NYC. Recently, this character’s storyline is about to get a major boost after tonight’s performance. The character Grubbs is played by musician Michael Grubbs, lead singer and songwriter of the Brooklyn indie rock band Wakey!Wakey!

Grubb’s involvement on OTH was really a chance of fate. OTH creator Mark Schwahn was impressed with Michael Grubbs, who he found at an open mic night at Park Slope’s Bar 4.”