Luxe new rock club Brooklyn Made opens in Bushwick

By Scott Lynch

If you’re looking for that divey, DIY vibe of such legendary Brooklyn spots as Death by Audio and Glasslands … you’re in the wrong place. Brooklyn Made, a spanking-new, multi-million dollar concert venue, cocktail bar, coffee house, and general hangout spot that opened last night on Troutman Street, is one of the better well-appointed (and more comfortable) rock clubs to open in this city since, well it’s been a minute

Singer, songwriter and Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy did the honors on opening night, taking the lattice-backed stage in front of a sell-out crowd of some 500 fully vaccinated fans (and/or capable forgers). The audience was reverential as Tweedy worked through a set of solo classics, Wilco numbers, new work, covers and everything in between, alone with an acoustic guitar.

“You guys are some real Jeff Tweedy fans,” he half-joked between songs. “Lucky me.”

The main room is wide rather than deep, with good sight-lines from everywhere except if you land behind one of those three columns, which presumably do a good job of holding up the ceiling but will annoy about 5 percent of the audience on any given night. The lighting design, by Jeremy Roth, is notable in that it’s hard to ignore the lighting design.

Scott Lynch

Brooklyn Made is owned and operated by a pair of industry veterans: Anthony Makes, who once ran Live Nation’s New York office and worked at Bowery Presents, and, representing the artist side of things, Kelly Winrich, who also plays in the band Delta Spirit. They have spared no expense to create a memorable new venue, which will be all the more memorable for acts performing here.

“We wanted to create the most amazing club and I know we’ve accomplished this with Brooklyn Made,” said Makes in a statement. “The bells and whistles with this place are so far ahead of anything we’ve ever seen and we know that every single artist and fan that comes here is going to be blown away by the experience.”

Scott Lynch

You enter Brooklyn Made through a trippy red corridor, or via a cocktail lounge called Connie’s, which features a horseshoe marble bar, full-sized pool table, and front courtyard with fireplace. Connie’s is pouring drinks every night whether there’s a concert or not, as will the adjoining Standing Room, a coffee house by day, wine and tapas bar by night that’s opening soon.

But the really plush amenities at Brooklyn Made are reserved for touring artists, who can lounge in one of four greenrooms, or on one of several furnished outdoor terraces, or in their own actual apartment, complete with vintage jukebox, in the complex’s carriage house, or, heck, swim in their own private pool on the roof.

Scott Lynch

“Having played venues and festivals of all sizes across the world, there are a handful that really stick out,” said Winrich. “Our aim is to make sure all artists that come through our rooms have an unforgettable experience. From hospitality, to sound, to lights, we want it all to be next level.”

The initial lineup skews heavily toward dad rock. After Tweedy comes the likes of Okkervil River, Band of Horses, Jesse Malin, City of the Sun, and the Mountain Goats. On weekends a series of Vinyl Brunches will get the place hopping during day-drinking hours.

Scott Lynch

Scott Lynch

Brooklyn Made is located at 428 Troutman Street, between Wyckoff and St. Nicholas Avenues. Proof of vaccination is required to attend all shows. ADA accommodations are available. (brooklynmadepresents.com)