Bembe

Address:	81 S 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA
Phone:	+1 718-387-5389
Site:	bembe.us
Rating:	4.2
Working:	8:30PM–3:30AM 8:30PM–3:30AM 8:30PM–3:30AM 8:30PM–3:30AM 8:30PM–4AM 8:30PM–4AM 8:30PM–4AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 12

Chedine Perrin

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE 20 mins I spent in this "speak easy".. ok so boom on the walk in they was only letting in couples and females who looked towards the European family. No problem it was myself and my Panamanian American Female friend and a Jamaican male. We get in fine he goes to the bar we go to the bathroom. on arrival to the bathroom its a womans and man bathroom but we are told by management its unisex so we can use whatever one we want. We opt to go inside the male cause that was the first one free. A bouncer is screaming we cant go two at a time but I was confused because two white females just came out so how did the rules change when my black self walked in? Okay we go in we pee he is banging on the door like a drunk " whole time thinking he is a drunk patron cause nothing on him said security"we exit the bathroom its a whole security team and the manager telling us we were ignorant and drunk meanwhile we hadnt gotten a drink and didnt speak anyone. I ask for a manager I get a guy in baggy jeans and a baseball hat telling me the night is over take my ignorant ass on.... safe to say this place is for a mixed crowd until your the black person not liking how you are treated then its not "ignorant for You" no matter how big you are no matter how much you spend or if you are right or wrong. Never again!

Vineet Singh

Love this place, probably one of its kind in NYC. They play everything from Afro caribbean,Afro Brazilian,SambaAfro cuban - bomba beats, rumba and reggaeton beautiful Panamanian musical delights with dancehall reggae and cumbia and some throw back pop tunes fused in.The drinks are also great. I always get the coconut drink which is so plain and simple- coconut vodka and fresh coconut water, with chunks of real coconut in there. Its such a refreshing, delicious, and strong drink. Watching them make it might perhaps be the best part! It gets pretty sweaty in there but its an awesome crowd with such a unique diverse mix of people from all over the world.Live drummers jamming out, between & with the D.J add to much more fun. FYI - Guys at 10 bucks on weekends after 10.30

Chris Cook

The music is killer, the gendered admission policy a little less so. This is a tiny bar with amazing Afro-Caribbean & Latin dance music, and live drumming. The scene is definitely focused on picking people up as well as dancing though - women and male/female couples get in for free (sorry gay couples I guess!!), and the cover for single men is about $20. The bar itself is very small, but there is *excellent* salsa dancing going on in there. Despite the slightly weird culture, its an amazing spot - worth checking out at least once on a Friday or Saturday night. Get there before 11:30/12am though to avoid a long line.

Sara Bess

I like listening to techno/EDM music occasionally, but Im not the type of person who can listen to it all night. I searched for a club that broke away from this mold, and I found Bembe. The space is small, but the vibes are great. The music is amazing - they play Afro-Caribbean, Samba, Reggae and Latin music. The drinks are also tasty. Staff was very friendly - the bouncer, the bartenders, and the woman at the coat check were all pleasant. Like I said, the space is small, so come early. Make sure you bring cash. Its a bit of a walk from the J/M trains, but its worth it.

Nica Motles

I went on a latin music night. I dont know if this is every night or just when I went, but my experience was like this: Good music but the line was long, the place is tiny and there was barely enough room to breathe, so forget about dancing. I was disappointed to finally find a place with cool latin music but sadly it was just impossible. We lasted an interminable 20 minutes before deciding to go somewhere where we could distinguish complete human forms instead of a sea of sweaty mismatched limbs. Not my cuppa tea, but if youre into robed orgies, drop by.

Jasmine Lorenzana

Great music with live band depending on the night. Has more of an old school Caribbean vibe if your into that.They play alot of Regea, Soca, and Latin- Regeaton, Salsa, merengue, and Bachata. Only downside is that the place is very small and gets overcrowded. You have to wait a while for it to clear and be able to dance. Other than that the crowd was cool. Mix of people from different cultures represents the diversity in Williamsburg. No cover charge is a plus. Good bar tenders. Have been twice and would go again!

Pierre Williams

This is a great spot to go dancing with just a couple of friends. A big group will have a long wait getting in if going after midnight. Girls are free and guys are $20 all night unless accompanied by a girl, so keep that in mind. Gets really packed inside as its a small space, so if youre not good in tight crowds youll want to avoid this place. If youre okay with that then youll have a great time dancing to the live African drums that accompany the DJ. Cash only bar with average NYC drink prices.

A Private User

I have been there a nice few times Music is really good JUST lately its attracting too many drunks that are getting more and more out of control and at times way too violent and the Bar staff really dont know how to handle it, there is no Security guard..! and they are really in need of one... so if ur planing to check it out then just be somehow a little ready to get a little pushed around or actually even punched at..[no kidding ...] so just be careful look out for yourself !

Monica Santiago

My favorite place in my favorite borough! With every night having something great to offer, Thursdays are the best night for me. I love everything about Bembe. I always feel like Im I vacation when Im here, from the Caribbean sounds to the smell of incense. This is the only place I have no problem with crowds and getting sweaty. I come here to dance! I almost never want to go anywhere else when Im planning a night out. Bembe will forever be my go-to place to have the best time!

Olivia Beteta

Bembe is such a great little hole in the wall. I can only speak for a Friday night but it is almost always packed right up until closing. This is the perfect place to go out salsa dancing and even those who dont know how to dance will have a good time. It does get pretty hot in there so keep that in mind. The only reason it is not 5 stars is because there is a $10 cover charge for guys. Its about a five minute walk from the J tran and definitely worth checking out.

Melissa Brockway

So, I was there forever ago the night the fire department came in and shut down the downstairs and aside from the downstairs still being off limits, nothing about this amazing space has changed. This is my favorite spot for a good sweaty dance party in an intimate (super tiny), low-lit space with amazing music. Live drumming, the best DJs/music, and good sangria every time. Dress lite and bring cash to avoid having to use the ATM. Cash only.

A Private User

I have been going here for the past six years and I still frequent there at least a hand full of times per year. Was just there this past Saturday and my friends and I had a blast. Come prepared that its going to be packed and hot but the drinks and music is the best. Just find a spot to stand where you can avoid getting bumped around....I put 5 stars on the previous review but only one showed up..