Step Inside: Warsaw in Brooklyn, Where Pierogis Meet Punk

Nothing pairs quite as well as pierogies and punk, at least that’s how performances are delivered at Warsaw in Brooklyn, New York. Located in the borough’s northern Greenpoint section, Warsaw’s neighborhood has often held the pulse for the heart of the city’s historical Polish community. In more recent years, the more-than 100-year old venue has become a broader beacon for locals, music-lovers and artists alike. Learn more about Warsaw and what makes the Brooklyn staple special below.

Warsaw History

Warsaw exudes its community bonds, from its longtime history as a social gathering space for locals to its relatively unusual and intimate location nestled in the residential Greenpoint neighborhood. Originally constructed in 1904 as the Polish National Home, the building was used by Polish immigrants and their families as a community center for decades. At the turn of the century, Warsaw began to host concerts as a means of community fundraiser. By 2001, the space had become a full-fledged music venue.

Eventually earning the slogan “where pierogies meet punk,” Warsaw maintained its Polish heritage with homespun decor, relics of the community center’s storied past, and of course, authentic pierogies and kielbasa served fresh. On the other hand, the venue stood out in its uniquely eclectic roster of largely independent, alternative rock, punk and hip-hop acts, including Jack White, Joan Jett, Patti Smith, Public Enemy, Weezer, Lorde and The Black Keys.

In 2016, Live Nation began booking shows at the venue, and in 2022, Warsaw underwent its largest renovation project in years. Completed in September 2023, the months-long effort expanded the balcony, updated the bars to accept cashless payments, improved ADA facilities and services, and remodeled the green room. An additional bar and lounge space was also added. Despite all the new amenities, nothing can shake the Polish charm of the neighborhood fixture.

Get to Know Warsaw

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Warsaw Concerts (@warsawconcerts)

Venue Features

Warsaw is a multi-level music hall that spans 19,000 square feet of event space between the main ballroom, second-floor mezzanine and sideroom bar, bistro and lounge. Personal touches reflecting the venue’s history as a Polish cultural center give Warsaw a welcoming and lived-in feeling, while the performance hall’s massive dancefloor and elegantly adorned ceilings evoke the years of raucous celebrations that have taken place for years within its walls.

Although there is no designated venue space outside, guests can take in the two-part mural commemorating the 1944 Warsaw Uprising in Poland. The captivating work, created by Polish-born, New York-based artist Rafal Pisarczyk, has been displayed on Warsaw’s side wall since 2014.

Seating and Viewing Options

Events at Warsaw are almost entirely general admission and standing room only, including on the balcony level. Although VIP is offered at select Warsaw shows, guests with general admission should have no issue accessing both levels of the main ballroom as space allows.

Warsaw holds a capacity of up to 1,100 guests. To view the various venue configurations, check out Warsaw’s seating chart.

Venue Accessibility

The latest round of renovations at Warsaw in 2023 elevated its accessibility options across the board. Warsaw offers ramp access at the entrance as well as ADA-compliant bathrooms, concessions stands and merchandise booths. Although much of the venue is general admission standing room only, an ADA section on the balcony is accessible via elevator. Guests can purchase an ADA ticket and enter the section with one guest. Additional accommodations can be arranged with staff upon arrival.

Parking and Admission at Warsaw

Warsaw is located at 261 Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Although there are no designated parking areas, free street parking can typically be found in the surrounding neighborhood. For public transportation, the venue is steps away from the Nassau Avenue train station, which serves the G line, and a short walk from the L line at the Bedford Avenue station. Meanwhile, the B43, B48 and B62 bus lines all intersect at the corner of Manhattan Avenue and Driggs Avenue down the street.

The queue begins under the signature red awning outside the front entrance on Driggs Avenue with doors opening one hour before showtime, though event times may vary. Ahead of entry, be aware that the Warsaw bag policy prohibits any bag larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ as well as any backpack. Additional items not allowed at the door include selfie sticks, professional photo and video recording equipment, illegal substances and weapons. Find the full list of Warsaw’s rules for admission on the venue’s visitor page. Ages restrictions for concerts at Warsaw vary by event.

Nearby Attractions

Food & Drink Near Warsaw

Inside the venue, the Warsaw Bistro offers a variety of Polish delicacies such as assorted pierogies, blintzes, kielbasa and hunters’ stew. For local favorites, check out the restaurants and bars lining Manhattan Avenue two blocks away from Warsaw, or grab a drink and light bite at the refurbished McCarren Parkhouse in McCarren Park, which stays open until midnight on weekends.

Hotels Near Warsaw

Given Warsaw’s neighborhood setting, hotels are hard to come by in the near vicinity. The closest accommodations can be found in the bordering neighborhood of Williamsburg, with The William Vale, Coda Williamsburg and The Hoxton among the closest hotels to Warsaw. The Henry Norman Hotel and The Box House Hotel lie in Greenpoint proper.