When Southpaw opened in 2002, it filled a gaping hole in the area's music scene. Park Slope had lost out to Williamsburg and the Lower East Side for the top mid-level music shows due to a lack of venue aside from the band shell in Prospect Park. Enter Southpaw—and now the 'hood is almost mandatory as major acts blow through. Showcasing everything from indie rock to rockabilly to hip-hop, with the occasional burlesque show and DJ, there's always something going down. On busier nights, the downstairs lounge (the Downsouth) offers up couches, a plasma TV and a projector, plus a second full bar where you can escape the madness upstairs and chill out, in a space laid out not unlike an old-time bomb shelter.
Getting There
Cross Streets:
Sterling and St. John Streets
Parking:
Street
Wheelchair Access:
Yes
The Basics
Hours:
Vary with showtimes; doors usually open at 8 p.m.
Price Range:
$ (Under $9)
Reservations:
Recommended.
Well, not so much reservations as tickets, but they sell many shows at Southpaw, so plan ahead.
Dress Code:
Anything Goes
Alcohol:
Beer, Wine, and Full Bar
Smoking:
No
Music Style:
Rockabilly, Goth, Country, Top 40, Hip Hop, Indie, Eclectic, Industrial, Emo, Metal, '80s Music, Pop, Acid Jazz, Punk, Acoustic, Reggae, Alternative, Rhythm & Blues, Blues, Rock, Children's, Classic Rock, and Funk
Audience:
All Ages
Features
Atmosphere and Personality:
Edgy, Celeb Spotting, Dive, High Energy, and Tourist Spot
Live Music:
Yes
Cleanliness:
Up To Par
Noise Level:
Bustling
Romance Factor:
Fun and Flirty
Features:
Disc Jockey, Live Performances, and People Watching
