Bembe

Really fun, small club. We went on the Thursday and it was full. The music is upbeat Latin dancing/pop music. On DJ was good, the other was so-so.The drinks are $10 per shot, or $15+ for a mixed drink.Our cover was $15. Worth the entry fee.

There is no other place in the area for music like this. They play a mix of dancehall, Latin, Soca and more. Live drumming on the weekends. The ONLY complaint is it gets tightly packed in there after 11pm on the weekends, but I guess businesswise that’s a good problem to have! Drinks are also normal price for Williamsburg.

Bembe is a great spot if you’re interested in Dj mixes and live percussion. During the weekends they play mixed music you can dance to all night. The staff are very friendly and down to earth. You will see a mix of older and younger crowds but definitely a mature group of people looking to have a good time.It is a small venue so it can get packed fairly quickly. The bathrooms tend to be clean. The drinks a reasonably priced. Since it is Williamsburg parking can be a little difficult.

Went on a Wednesday, beautiful bar and drinks were great. Place is tiny but nice vibe and DJ was excellent.

I had a great time here. I recently visited for my birthday with some friends. Parking was relatively easy to find in the area and it’s near the bridge too.I loved the live percussions which gave me a taste of clubs in Miami but minus the indoor smoking and minus the money machines. Haha.The also have red stripe which is a cool beer from Jamaica. The DJ played good music. I would visit this establishment again. The only thing that sucked was the $15 cover charge 🙃

Its a good club. They play a good mix of genre for the audience. Its a diverse crowd, you could almost fine any nation in there. They got a lil band too. Very small space. My only take away is it being blinding dark, i couldnt see where i was going in some areas of the club. Plus its being so small, ive been here years ago i think they could have even had a little downstair area. Overall its still good and i would go back. Check them out...

Amazing live music and bartenders were very accommodating!! A must go to spot if you love dancing and socializing

We went to Bembe last week Friday - we love this place and have visited several times. Unfortunately, the cover was now $15 and we felt this was the worst night. We had 8 people in our party and had just left a FREE space larger than Bembe because we wanted to dance to afrobeats and show our out of town guests a good time. The music was disappointing. We like the diverse crowd but Bembe fell short and the cover left a bad taste. We stayed for an hour. At this point we are not sure we will come back - very disappointed.

$15 cover seems much for an empty Friday night. And then How much for a basic drink? ...Pass.What happened to the place? It was the only House music place for locals. Grifting, along with gentrification? Smh.

Ok so this spot is nice if youre into crowded, dark lounges who play afro beats the entire night. The drinks are weak and expensive. I did not like this place. The positive is the crowd is mixed and everyone dances until they are sweaty.

I visited this lounge/bar on Friday night, it wasn’t too busy at first but it eventually filled up. They do offer some specialty cocktails and also a full standard bar. Drinks were pretty strong, no food menu, Dj was pretty good but space is too small, there’s a $10 entry fee and the crowd is on the younger side. It was good but my opinion is that there shouldn’t charge. It’s not a club, it’s a small bar.

Went for afrobeats night, and it was a vibe. The DJ played RnB and hip hop, but it was all good. The reggae was on point.

I don’t understand the $15 cover charge when it’s just a regular bar with music like anywhere else. No offense. The scenery is good. The music isn’t bad. But the crowd is very bland and lame. It is not a club it is a regular bar. Many places in the area offer the same exact thing with a way better ambiance, more floor space, better crowds. Over priced for no reason when better spaces are in the area.Bartenders were great. Front door staff very unpleasant and rude. They beg for tip to just enter this bar that is not a club / has a small dance floor. Overall, an overpriced joke. Lasted one drink with my friends as better options are in the neighborhood.

Nice music and sweet bartender but guys in there are pushy so go with a few friends

Nice little place, but this is not a club to be charging $15 cover fees. This is just a tinny bar with good music.

Live atmosphere, energetic dj, live music, diverse crowd playin all the hot cultural Latino and Africana sounds you love to catch a vibe with🪬🎶

Just a great space to dance. Cant beat Afrobeats Wednesdays. Its fairly small, but that just makes it more fun and intimate.

My favorite place ever to dance in NYC since 2007. Great music and vibe.

Bembe Wednesday Afrobeats Night you don’t wonna miss it ☺️☝🏾🫶🏾

Great place, had a lot of fun dancing and the DJ was amazing.

One of the only great spots we’ve found for dancing in Williamsburg. Live drummer plays with DJ, it’s always live in here

Me and my friend recently came here to wrap up our night on a Friday. The crowd was mixed, which we LOVE! We are a group of Hispanic women who love a crowd of beautiful different people, but the music was just confusing.I cant talk about the drinks as I didnt personally have one, but this review is more for the vibe than anything.Now youre probably wondering what happened with the music, and the answer is nothing, and thats the problem! We walked in, and there was a salsa song playing again. We LOVE Spanish music, but this music played for 2 hours, and my feet could not bare to salsa dance anymore. If you can salsa dance for hours, I inspire to be you, but I could know. There needs to be a more diverse music section. Oh, one more negative was the cover fee. I dont know when they start that, but its about $10 per person.Overall, we will be back to ensure we can have a feel for the entire experience.

Ive been coming to bembe from 2018 Saturday February 3 2023 I was passing bembe a female( manager) and the bouncer was at the door wanted a cover charge Usd25 .. I was only planning to get 1 beer and leave ...so I changed my mind and let the premise..I Return to pass through February 20 2024 no cover charge and the bouncer Said no entry and he would call the cops...Bembe thats discrimination and your buiness will close soon due to lack of equal rights and Justice !!! ⚖️

Best world music place in New York if you like to dance, this is the place to go ha ha ha ha we don’t like to dance !

This place is dope. Went first time ona Friday night and it was wild. Small space, big/diverse crowd, DJ blasting with a drummer playing to the Beats.Highly recommend for a night of dancing. Music is mixed from all genres.

Definitely a nice spot to enjoy some dancing with your partner. Different nights, different music. My favorite part is when they start playing the drums 🥁. Saturday night was a cover charge $20. Tuesday was free entry.

Great place to go dancing thats been around for as long as I remember, so at least 20 years.

I went on a Wednesday which is for Afrocentric music. This is the type of musics that gets you dancing all night. Im not kidding if you love to dance go on a Wednesday night and you will understand what Im talking about. The place is small but the music is mighty. Drinks are a bit pricey but its New York and a night club. Be open minded when you go and let yourself let lost in the rhythm. All people who enjoy dancing, African, Carribean ladies and gentlemen I recommend you try wed night.

CASH ONLY! Great music and fun vibe (DJ and percussion)! It was SUPER packed Saturday night and when we left at 11:45pm there was a line waiting to get in (see pic). $10 cover.

A great afterparty spot!! come around 11p and stay allll night!!! Dont come here if youre just gonna stand around and stare at people!! Come here to Laugh, Love and Dance!

Its a nice vibe, dimmed lights and cozy. I never had food there. I only go to dance and stuff. In Wednesdays they have Afro-beat night and thats pretty lit 👌 🔥

Excellent dancing club, is a very small place and dance floor, be ready to have your body rubbed against strangers who are dancing to the beat. Latin music which will keep you moving all night long. Small place, Loud and fun for a great night out.

Cant tell you how lucky we were to find this place. It was their second night opening back up after a long break. Great drinks. Great vibes, and both the DJ and drummer were only in town for a short time. $25 cover but well worth it. A safe space with a responsive security person making sure guys werent being pushy and creepy, and the one I saw doing that got kicked out quickly. The other patrons were kind and everyone was too busy dancing to be impolite. Truly a vibe. I hope to be able to come back the next time I visit BK.

Love this tiny spot! Always great music and dancing. Djs and bands always on point, and the people who come here always respectful. Just a great dance party with good vibes.

If you love Afrobeats, makossa, soukous, and Colombian music, this is your spot. Its a small space but chill. Never eaten here so unknown if food is available in the daytime. Best times for a club atmosphere are weekday evenings because weekends can be packed.

Caribbean-Latin music atmosphere, with percussion and live DJ; a somewhat busy bar, more for dancing. Good people and at a good price...located in a good area of ​​Brooklyn...

The vibe here is great! Fun, safe and the music wow non stop great music... Definitely the place to be.

I was recommended this bar as a great place to go dancing so some friends and I showed up Saturday night expecting just that. When we arrived we were met by a bouncer with an aggressive demeanor. We showed him our IDs and he informed us it would be $20 to enter. My boyfriend politely asked “is that per person?” To which the bouncer replied “are you not listening to me? That’s exactly what it means”. I don’t see the harm in the question that warranted this reaction. My boyfriend was taken aback and said hey it’s just a question you don’t have to be like that to which the bouncer replied “you have a problem? I get off at 4”. I am shocked at the lack of professionalism and how quick he was to escalate a situation where there was no altercation between him or anyone in my group. It sounded like he was looking for a fight. It’s safe to say we won’t be returning to try this place.

I’d give it a three but the music was really nice. Loved the crowd. Very respectful. But the caipi i ordered. Not good. I tasted my friends drink. NOT GOOD. Might as well order a beer. Have a good night!

Security guy with hat on tonight the black man from New York was so rude. Say thanks to him because I will never ever visit this place and will share to my friends and family members not to come here ever!

Place is nice but they could do a better job describing the type of music you will find at their event/parties. They advertise themed parties and all the music is the same

For as long as long as my girlfriend and I have been going to Bembe, weve never had any issues. Infact, the staff has always been pleasant and accommodating...until we went there one Tuesday night (5/30/23) and was told to leave by a bouncer weve never seen before. He told us to leave because my girlfriend and I were in the bathroom together after she asked me to accompany her. We werent doing anything innapropropiate. I was simply waiting inside and had planned on using it right after her. Thats when this short bouncer came repeatedly knocking very agressively on the bathroom door while my girlfriend was still on the toilet. Once I opened the door, he didnt even explain why he reacted agressively as if the building was on fire. I figured he was upset about us being in the bathroom together, but he did not express that until I asked. He just kept telling us to leave. I then asked another bouncer who was with him that night if there is a such a policy which states that a couple cannot occupy the single bathroom space at the same time in which he replied yes. There could have been multiple reasons as to why we were both in there together. She could have been throwing up or needed my help with her garment...or anything.My issue is not with the so the policy, but the lack of professionalism and level of agression displayed by the bouncer. It was unnecessary and provoking. He seem to have a napoleon complex with a confrontational demeanor. We have been at Bembe on multiple occasions and have never experienced anything like that. We went to Bembe that night anticipating a good time, but ended up having a horrible night.I strongly recommend he gets training so that he can learn how to not abuse his authority, interact with people in a more professional manner and learn to diffuse or deescalate situations like that.I dont think someone with such an aggressive attitude is a suitable fit for your establishment. Hell only deter friendly paying patrons.

Music is always a wonderful fusion of DJ and live. Dope place and fast service. One of the best places to swing by last minute and two step the night away

Great spot for dancing and a little more ;) Highly recommended if you wanna take our your bomboncito to a fun bar

It was dead and even though they let 6 girls in without paying they made me and my friends pay for the cover. I used to come here before the pandemic and used to be packed because they music was good but I can see why they charge to come in. Just trying to make money I guess.

Used to be a go-to spot for dancing and meeting ppl in the community pre-pandemic. I went this past wknd, and discovered they now have an arbitrary/racist “dress code”. Men/masc presenting ppl can’t wear shorts. Never mind the fact that it was 80+ degrees. That coupled with a $20 cover for such a small venue is wild. I’ll take my Black dollars elsewhere.

Really cool place aesthetically, but thats about it. The staff was incredibly rude and uninviting. The quality of the cocktails did not match the price. The music was great, but it does get packed and hot very quickly. For people who live in the city, its just not worth the trek, but I imagine its a neat spot for locals.

Small establishment but very nice. Great dancing music, when I went it was a mix of Latin and carribean. Good place to go as a lady alone, I did and had fun. Cool people, no pressure, or pushy people. It filled up by 11pm and everyone send to have a great time. But you have to bring cash. Cover charge and everything at the bar is paid only in cash. Thumbs up.

If you are open to listen to music you never heard before around some people that are there to dance and have a good time you are right at home.

Music, drinks everything on point. LOVE GOING ON A TUESDAY NIGHT

Came here for a cool night out with some of my friends. I haven’t been in such a place since my early twenties. I found that I still can enjoy them, tho.We had a reservation for a Saturday night. All four of us decided to try the rum punch, advertised as homemade. I personally enjoyed it quite a lot, it was something unique and for a while I felt like I’m on some tropical island on a sunny day. Next time I’ll try the Coco Loco (because of the cute name  ).The place was full, but not too overcrowded. The staff seem to know how to handle it without being rushed. They helped us pick the punch, by the way.Like I said, I haven’t been in such a place since college, but I enjoyed it quite a lot. Of course the rum punch and the music helped a lot. I loved the music. It brought me back to the time when I danced every day. Sometimes I forget that I’m latina. We’re already planning our next “ladies night” destination and we surely know the place – Bembe!If you’re with Mexican blood and you want to remind yourself to the taste of your childhood – that’s your place.

Nice atmosphere, great music... one of my favorite places!!

Fun place! Came on a Sunday night around midnight and there was still live salsa playing and the crowd was very fun. It was also just the right amount of people to make for a nice atmosphere. Ive also tried to come on Friday and Saturday nights where it is a lot more packed, and I would say its not worth it then. You would have to pay a cover and theres too many people, but on the other nights its free and much more worth it when you can spend the money on drinks.

This has been one of my favorite bars in BK for well over a decade. Its authentic vibes have helped it withstand the the constant waves of changes in the neighborhood.Every night there is a different vibe. I have seen some great bands and musicians perform here. Its a relatively small location. The bands get to party with you on the dance floor.Granted, Bembe has a reputation for being a bit of a meat market - dudes aggressively picking up ladies and ladies not resisting much. If you are into that, this is the place to be but if you aren’t just come with a group of friends and enjoy great music, dancing, and even better people watching. Either way, you will have a great time.

The vibes were good but we came at night and requested bad bunny and literally me and my girls were the only ones dancing and he couldn’t play not one song of bad bunny while we were there! It was DJ Gato playing. We requested it two times and then left when he didn’t play it the second time. It is a Thursday night by the way and nobody was there! We asked a couple of people at the bar and they agreed that they wanted bad bunny as well. We also opened a tab and the bartender closed our tabs after we had literally just ordered our first drinks, so idk why he closed our tabs. So yea get a friendlier bartender and DJ.

The place was nice and the Music too... A.little too dark, lighting for me

So happy they are back!! This is the best place to go dance and listen to world music. Ive been going here for almost a decade and the vibe and diversity of people and music is always just amazing.

Fantastic ambiance. I was there a couple of months back for a good friends low-key birthday party. The mood is set by dim lights and traditional African masks adorning the walls, among other decorations. It mightve been a Friday or Saturday, but there was a live performance on bongo drums that accompanied/accentuated the music playing through their speakers. The performers were kind enough to let the birthday boy flex his skills on the drums for a bit (hes been practicing and playing well for years now). He received a gracious applause that probably made his night. Id definitely revisit.

Amazing. Good music with live drums. If you love Caribbean/African/Spanish rhythms and love to dance, this is the place to be. Went on a Saturday night. Was packed, but it ebbed and flowed as people left and other people came in. It was $10 for couples.

Awesome place for dancing and getting good a** drink with stay in the neighborhood feel. A true New York club and bar motif.

Great atmosphere of people and great music to dance too/ have a good time with friends. The only downside I would say it is a tight space so its hard to walk from one area to another. Theres no way you wont be bumping into/touching other people so if youre claustrophobic then you wont like it. Its $10 to get in and cash only bar.

It was great. I met a girl there. She was cute and Russian. Her friends danced on her. The atmosphere allowed for all sorts of dancing and the girls left behind a big bottle for my friends and I to gulp down.Then a great band called Morales and Ballis performed. Good space, attracts good people and good music. Id definitely come back with my friends again on a Sunday night.

Nice bar to enjoy a few drinks and dance, i went on a monday and they had live music.

If you like salsa music, youll like this place. We found it on Google while looking for a place to go after the Vice Food Market.Its tiny and rammed. Somehow people still find the space to dance.Theres a live drummer to accompany the music the DJ is playing, which was cool.

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.

Bembe is so fun! Ive heard about this place and now I know why. The music was diverse and great to dance to. The drinks were okay. The room is small so the place gets crowded quickly. We had a blast dancing till the early morning

I love this place when it comes to dancing, the live music and dj are a surprisingly good combo. People can walk in and just dance. The drink prices aren’t bad however if you’re not a beer person then you may find the drink menu small.

This club is good as far as the music and everyone dancing. Decent guy to girl ratio (though not optimal). What I dont like is the fact that the mixed drinks are watered down and the club is just way too small for the load of people that comes in. They just continue to let people in without restriction and before you know it your like sardines in a can. No room to dance or even move.

We miss this place. Music makes anyone to dance (without drunk , need not to be a dancer :) ) . Live drummer adds very rhythmic beats to the music. We had been here more than 20 times , were waiting in long queue without caring for cold weather in winter .

I take all of my friends visiting NYC dancing here. Love the live music/DJ combo but be prepared to pay $20 for a small venue.

A really chill lounge with great music! Tuesday was reggae night. The music is always amazing, props to the DJ. You dont have to be dressed up to attend this establishment. Just look presentable.

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.

The line to get in seems long but passes very quickly. The $10 cover is too much for the venue in my opinion. The music is the best part of this place, as its hard to find any other spot that plays music like this (reggae/ salsa). The downfall of bembe is that the space is very small, almost impossible to navigate and sometimes not even enough room to dance. Also, its all cash only.

Went for the Afro beats Wednesday and the DJ started to play regular music after a while so I left. If that wasn’t the case I would’ve had a 5/5 time.I purchased beer (pricing was like $10+/- )Place is kind of small.I would go back to give Afro beats another try.

Place is nice, love the genres of music they play. The 1st time i went i really liked it; the last time not too much. The club was clearly over capicity and it was difficult to move around; this can happen to a club, but i feel that they just continued letting people in, knowing well that there was literally no more room.

Great atmosphere. Went here for a friends bday and the music was great and the staff was very friendly and attentive. Drink prices were reasonable too. However, it is so small. It was great when we initially got there but later on it became annoying as people needed to walk past the main area for the coat check and the tables at the side were in the way.

Everyone wants to salsa dance, but theres literally no room. Otherwise great place. The bartenders are cool, youll meet some interesting barflies when you want to catch a breath from all the dancing. Drinks are moderately priced. The dancefloor heats up by 11

Excellent music, good crowd. BUT if youre going as the only guy you must pay 20$ for entry which doesnt even reimburse for drinks inside and the coat check has a 3$ charge. But the whole vibe is simply amazing.

Come her ready to dance ... Tuesday is reggae night , Wednesday Afro beat , Sunday Latin fusion , Friday to Saturday a little more crazier with bridge and tunnel crowd but nice quick pull up during the week... great date spot ... for dancing ... cocktails could be better but not the worst ....

The atmosphere, the Beat the people , everything is perfect. I went there several times with a friend and the beat is so devilishly indulgent. Danced for 4 hours straight. Great place to discharge your tension, meet new faces get drinks. it is all vibrant, it is all Bembe.

Living in the area, youd think Ive been, but I havent. Stepping in, the venue was smaller than I thought with a bar on one side and seating directly on the other side. Theres not much room for dancing, but people make it happen and its great, great, GREAT music to dance to varying from Latin to Hip Hop to Top 40s. Great atmosphere (note: cash only).

The beats the DJ is spinning will give your behind a life of its own. The place was packed to the rafters , the space is small and everyone was dancing crazy - it was part of the whole atmosphere and I loved it! The cocktails are strong though getting the barmans attention can be a bit of a pain

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.

Love Bembe, been a minute since I graced the place but it never disappoints. The beats and dancing is what has always brought me and kept me.

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 Nice little bar with a DJ and a cool staff. We went on a Monday and they had a latin night theme. Lots of people dancing and the music changes between latin reggae and hip-hop. No social dancing though more a disco type of thing.

Music was good just that the place is way to packed for any good dancing a large portion of the night spent trying not to get squashed into other people. Would be better if they didnt try to over fill the place allowing for enjoyment when dancing or trying to move to get drinks from the bar without having someone spill them on you.

Small, great vibes and good people. Went for Reggae night on Tuesday where the DJ played a nice selection of Lovers Rock and old Rub-a-Dub. Cool place to go with a group of friends, not so much alone. Bring women and get there early. Dont go with a big group of dudes or youll end up waiting outside and paying a $20 Cover. Cash Only

Trendy crowd and great music. Really delicious specialty drinks, and only 7 bucks for a cocktail. Really small venue though about the size of a big long hallway. Unsure if they have a second floor because it was roped off.

Came to dance salsa and bachata but the dj played carribean Soca 90% of the night. When approached on the side by multiple people to ask for some bachata, he put his headphones on and ignored everyone. There are better spanish bars around

Like every other positive review said, the music, the people and energy. Great place for a fun weekend night. Always packed, but worth the waiting. and remember to dress to dance. cant resist the beat. If you plan just sit around and sip your beer, go other places. Bembe has not room for you to be still :) (I am speaking of weekend nights 11pm-4am)

It was perfect for a quiet fun-filled evening. The DJ was on point with the reggae music. The drinks were cold and the servers were friendly.if youre looking for a starting point before you go haywire, go to Benbe and get your groove on!

Went to Bembe for the first time. I read reviews and was in the mood for some Caribbean music. So headed to BK.. the spot is small but the music was good it was different I guess what you would call world beat.. and there was a guy playing african drums. My boyfriend enjoyed that. We got there early and didnt stay long so I cant say what the music or crowd was like later but I will go back again.

I give this place one star! if I can give it a fraction of a star I would have, heres why, I went to this place because I was in Brooklyn and looking for a new place to hang out for me and my wife, so I just did a Google and this was close to where I was, it had at least four stars, so I said lets do it got to the place it was at the corner building it looked like a bar, I really dont want to call this a club or not even a lounge, it was like a small pub/bar, didnt know what to expect inside, they had to doorman outside frisking people and ID them, paid a cover, got inside and it was packed I thought wow this place is happening 10 min. later I realized that it was packed like sardines because of the size of the joint, on the photo that you see thats about the size of the place, from the exit sign, to where the photograph was taken from, and from the bar to the tables that you see in the photo, thats what you get a Sardine Can on a Saturday night. but that alone would not make me give a one star, the people that go there seem to be a bunch Thugs, and the guys rubbing up against all the women as they passed by taking full advantage of the crowd, and thats not all, try standing at the bar for 20 min. and being ignored because of the two inexperienced bartenders, and a cocktail waitress arguing with the customer at a table, because they didnt give enough tips, thats not all, we managed to get a corner of a table to order two cocktails from the waitress and brings me two cups of toilet water with lime,because thats what it tasted like and No liquor, then I ordered a Hennessy straight it tastes like cognac but not top shelf Hennessy, not to mention that my wife didnt feel safe, took me about 10 min. or so just to get to the exit, I must have stood there at least one hour. only because it took 10 min. each way from end to end. and a lot of characters outside to say the least. Dont waste your time and your money patronizing this place, the music was good but not like all the fuss is about on the reviews, I think they have a lot of friends posting reviews for them, dont believe all the hype about this place, you will be disappointed, theres a lot of nice clubs in that area though, your better off checking those out. And Im from Brooklyn and I know the deal, I have never posted a negative review in my whole life, but I wish I would have read a real review like this one, would have saved me a lot of time and effort.Good Luck!PS. I forgot to mention there is an upstairs second level, but is just as small as downstairs, we went upstairs but people coming down these little tiny steps as wide as a ladder, single file so its like if theres no second level, because you can barely get up there, and not worth the wait because its was another Can of Sardines upstairs. oh yeah I forgot to mention I never felt any air conditioning, if they did have one it was barely strong enough to feel, if you like sweaty bodies rubbing on you and love Body odor, this is the place for you.

Extremely packed, tiny little lounge that has a freezing cold wait outside due to proximity of the east river. Only thing to do is dance because there is no room inside what so ever. Even as packed as it is they decide to keep the barstools at the bar which takes up a LOT of room. Drinks were pricey, I think a PBR was the cheapest at $6 or $7. Place was fun for what it was but not worth a long wait.

Security guy is THE WORST HUMAN being on the planet!! How come you hire such a rude guy ? He is the worst I have ever seen. Never ever here. NEVER going to come here again!!!!!

Its a small spot. Music is so-so, drinks age good. Definitely a place to pregame before hitting up a bigger venue.

I only went to this bar one time when I was visiting and had a great time. The music and the vibe was cool. The DJ was playing music and they had some live musicians complimenting the sound. It made for a cool experience. Worth waiting in the line.

Bembe is a fun place that plays a great variety of Latin and Caribbean style music. Its small, but youre guaranteed to find folks packing the dance floor as of it were 3 or 4 times is actual size. The fact that its small ads to its charm. The atmosphere is lively and exciting! If you love to dance, if you love Latin music, Bembe is where you want to be!

Got there a bit after midnight, had to wait about 40 minutes just to get in. A good mix of people inside, but the venue is very small, sign said capacity was 74 people. Great music and atmosphere for size.

We just so happened to be here on Latin night! We all dance Salsa so the music and atmosphere was brilliant.The only downside was a lot of guys basically on the prowl for women and needed to know their boundaries. Great hospitality though :)

A classic infamous spot - but always just too small & over packed. They should cap the amount of people for a better dancing experience.

The music is great! Just really small. Cash bar only!The dj played a great selection of music. I went on Thursday. Each night is a different theme. Ill go again.

It was my friends Birthday on that Monday night we visited this bar that had pretty good reviews but that night the bartender was awful not remembering what she had to make and when she did make them it taste nothing like it should. We asked her several times to remake a simple drink like a margarita she kept putting way too much lime juice. Instead of her apologizing or make a excuse she got angry walking away from the party and started burning sage. THATS A BIG NO NO. I WILL NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE IF ITS RUN LIKE THAT. MY one star is way to much

Great place for dancing the night away, latin and afro sounds followed by live drummers!

Great music, it is a little small but the atmosphere was good, no fighting just people dancing to great music. Really enjoyed myself. Birthday weekend turning out to be a success

Cash only. Bar is a little cramped, and the design is unfortunate in that anyone who cones in has to go directly through the dance floor (which is only 3-4 people wide) to either use the restroom or drop off a coat at the coat check.They have in-house percussion that I guess is supposed to augment the regular music that they play, but I dont get it.

Love it. Nice staff and patrons. Usually go on Monday or Wednesday evenings. Dancing is sacred for me. The folks playing drums during the djs set help enliven the place.

I went there on a Saturday. I must say I liked the atmosphere at first, but the Dj was awful. I like drum beats, but as a Dj you have to mix it up; and it was just drums and the same rhythm all night... even though we asked for some suggestions, the Dj was rude and didn’t listen to us at all. I could see people were dancing but just bc they had already paid for it not because they really liked it. If you are looking for some place latin... you shouldn’t come here.Also, drinks weren’t good.

A small place with good vibes, good music and a good host. I would like the space to be bigger so I can dance better, but I recommend it

This place is one of my fave bars in NYC. I used to come here all the time. I remember when the downstairs was open but has been shut down for almost a decade due to fire code issue (or something of the sort). The price is have gone up significantly though. The mojitos are $13 (as of july 2019). The bartender was not the best but the bar backs were super attentive

I recently had my wifes 50th Birthday celebration here and everything was great. The food and the DJ were on the money. I definitely recommend this restaurant for great food at a reasonable price. we decided to spend Valentines Day here as well

Bembe is a great place with excellent music complemented with live percussion. Although its greatness attracts way too many people for the amount of space it has, the crowd creates a feeling of closeness that keeps it from being annoying. I definitely recommend it and I recommend the rum punch (best I ever had!)

I love this place. 💓💓💓💓💓Wear flat shoes. Dress light, even if its winter as it gets hot inside. Drinks arent very expensive. Get there early so you dont end up standing outside. Come to dance and be danced with. Come with a welcoming heart and enjoy the music. My new favourite night is on Fridays, Latin fusion, afro beats with a side of reggae and soca.Enjoy yourselves

Usually a good spot but bouncers need to learn how to separate the riff raff. This place is getting too popular I guess they dont know how to handle it. Music is lit once inside if you survive the line.

Cool bar, that plays reggaeton, afrobeats and Latin music in the late evening with a dancing vibe and dj

I absolutely love this place. They have different feels for different nights. I usually go on Latin/ Salsa nights. Great Dj’s and sometimes love percussionist. The ambience is super dim and sexy and they have a great assortment of Brazilian and regular drinks. Try the caipirinha if you’re into Mojitos.

Great music and atmosphere just like everyone else says. Its a fun time. Everyone is friendly and dances with each other. The crowd is very Williamsburg (for some people, this is good and for others not, so I leave that to you).

First time at Bembe and I know after tonights experience....Ill definitely be back...the DJs played well.....the crowd was mature and just right for a Tuesday night..cozy lil spot..a great mixture of different races..very nice .love it

The music and vibe here is pretty great, very lively. I went on a Wednesday and it was easily the best dance party in Brooklyn. Definitely an under-rated place for a fun NY night.

Very small soace. Only $5 to get in. Steong drink, had a mojito. Cool atmosphere. People chill having a good time. Live music, which was cool, but played one genre that night. I prefer when places switch it up.

Stumbled into Bembe on a Sunday night an was greeted by a vibrant live wind, horn, string percussion band playing a global rendition of Fernando. Friendly atmosphere, accommodating staff. I had a great time.

Went there on the 4th of July. The DJ was good. Place was packed. Drinks were just OK.

I used to go all the time and recently invited a first date to go with me. I quickly realized I was the only black woman which isnt bad... Though it appeared to me the crowd was sticky black men and white women.. only. Yes. I let it rub me the wrong way. I used to love the club with the mixture of ppl was organic now it looks like an edited scene from the movie Get Out.

Its a great place for a good time. You gotta arrive there around 10 to get a table because it does get packed. My favorite part is the live drums that are played by the band in compliment of the music thats playing.

Always a good time. Great music and bongos!!!! Afrobeats , Latin and just fun music. Great place to go if you want to dance. Crowded and sweaty but still fun.

Ive been going to Bembe for the last 8 years or so. Went this Friday and unfortunately gentrification has taken a hold of them. This place is known for their good drinks and I had the worse mojito ever. Bar wasnt even that crowded at that moment for the bartender to rush. Next the crowd has drastically changed. Barely anyone was dancing. People were chatting and taking selfies everywhere. This place is known for being very crowded, sweaty, and dancing is a MUST! Drummer had glow in the dark drum sticks..... cool but again not the type of spot for that. Music was okay. More layered with EDM than Caribbean dance music.My rating is based on on what Bemve used to be versus now. Some people may like this new style but its definitely not the same anymore. Hopefully itll be better in the summer Ill give it another try...

I was injured by a patron at Bembe and I incurred $1400 (ambulance and emergency room) in medical bills. Unfortunately, at the time I did not have insurance. I reached out to Bembe several times and heard nothing back from them for months. It was only when I said I would seek legal counsel if I didnt hear back from them that they finally responded. Esdras was the person I was speaking with. I sent him pictures of my injuries that have left permanent scars and explained to him what occurred. It was a Saturday night which was over capacity as usual and there was only one security guard inside near the back by the bathrooms and I believe another outside carding people. I was attacked by a woman who was visibly intoxicated according to the Lieutenant who came to the scene. It was impossible for the Bembe security guard to see what was happening because it was so crowded. The situation went on for a while and escalated and no one intervened because I imagine it’s very difficult for only one security guard to see an altercation in a dark, loud and overcrowded place. By the time he figured out what was happening I was badly hurt. Esdras agreed to pay for my medical expenses (i have the email) but with the condition that I sign a waiver stating that I would not seek any further legal action against them. I said I needed to speak to a lawyer first. I emailed Esdras back and told them I would sign it and I never heard from them again. It seems that once I explained to Esdras that the $1400 was a financial burden for me and I was having a hard time paying it, he figured I couldn’t do much as far as suing them and then dismissed me. I tried to hire a lawyer to represent me but unfortunately the retainer was more than the medical bills so I ultimately had to give up. I’ve been going to Bembe for over 15 years. It’s my favorite place to go dancing and bring all my friend’s and family there. I was very surprised and honestly hurt at how Bembe handled this situation. They were dismissive and obviously only became concerned when they thought they were being sued once they figured that wasn’t happening they dismissed me. I would still very much liked to be reimbursed for my injuries that I have to deal with on a daily basis. A club owner is responsible for the safety of their patrons and are responsible for controlling the conduct of persons on the premises by make sure they have enough staff, making sure they aren’t over capacity and making sure they are not serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons.

I went there a summer night 2 years ago and it was lit. The dj played a variety of music (i.e., socca, raggaeton, afrobeats, salsa). I went back a week ago and the dj only played salsa and bachata. The place was packed as hell and I dont even know how folks were supposed to dance on that. The bar is cash only.

Cash only, roots dance spot. Mixed live bands and DJs play anything from samba to afrobeats to a crowded bar on a given night.Go early in the week for fun, later in the week for a cover and tough door.

Its a nice bar, with plenty of Carribean cocktails available. The music is good, mainly Afro, reggae and latin style. The place was a bit small, but good.

This is the only club I know where everyone is dancing and there to get down! The drinks are great and the music the best. Its my wife and I favorite

My first visit but I can definitely rate theTuesday night Dj as one of the BEST selector ever I came across! Sorry I didnt get his name but the Coolest White Fellow, this guy knows his music n can Spin anywhere!!! Champion Selector no talking either!

Incredible venue for latin dancing, live band occasionally, sometimes a cover for dudes and ALWAYS SO CROWDED YOU CANT FIT OR WALK, BARELY DANCE!! I like crowded but this is literally sardines-crowded. Not for the friends that complain!

If I could I would give this a ZERO! Wife went here, hated the service, the barman was rude to her and her friend, the place is super tiny, music is not Latin, horrible music, no place to sit. Basically a complete disappointment. We come from Colombia to enjoy the NY experience to find out bars are better in Bogota.

Place has different music every night. Expect to be hot and crowded the place is small, very small. Expect to over pay for cocktails and beers. Has a good vibe to it though.

Id been hearing about this place all summer and finally went on a Friday night recently. Its small inside and got pretty packed, but it has a good vibe for dancing to soca, afrobeat, latin soul, etc. Not a fan of the $10 cover charge.

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.

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.

This place was buzzing with energy on a Saturday. Great crowd. It is a small place so you get to know people there. Music was mostly Latino. If you are around this place, don’t miss it. Hold cash as they don’t accept card.

So nice music with amazing gust and crew.

Good music, this is for Tuesday reggae night. However the space is small and gets crowded around 1230. Drinks are on expensive side.

Very inaccurate updates (covid-related and otherwise). Says that its open when its not. My friend and I both traveled 40 minutes to get there; not only is there no Thursday night dancing (which is what the website seems to indicate), not only is there no outdoor seating, the place doesnt even look like it exists anymore. We walked up and down the block just to see if we missed it -- we didnt, it seems to be fully closed / no longer exists. No signs, no awning, nothing.It should be noted that earlier that day, and again when I arrived, I tried calling the number listed on Google, only to receive a this number does not exist notice. I should also mention that this entire time, Bembes listing stated 8:30 pm as its opening time.I get that Covid is a thing; I get that it limits a lot of bars and restaurants and causes temporary closings. I get that maybe Bembe even closed down permanently. Still, you owe it to your customers to publish updates so that people dont travel 40 minutes for no reason. If you guys open a new location, Ill be sure not to give it my business.

Love the live percussion and some of the djs but not my cup of tea otherwise-too small and they keep packing ppl in. Also, its kind of a known and talked about meat market for white girls to meet and grind up with black guys. Lastly, my friend left me for 2 minutes and I was grabbed at several times. NO thanks.

One of the greatest dance bars of Brooklyn. Always lively, friendly staff, great music. Bembe is a must go for those who love to drink, dance and meet super cool strangers. The owner of the place is a sweet guy if you are lucky, youll get to say hi. BEMBE FO LIFE

A tiny, narrow bar which plays lots of Spanish/Afro-Caribbean/Reggae/other music with awesome live percussion. Gets super packed after 11:30pm on a Friday night, and it also gets really, really hot (top tip - get under the ceiling fans at the beginning of the night...)

The music is amazing, and there are always live drummers fusing with the DJ - great if u love to move your bodyThe inside is not that nice and cant really hold a large crowd

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!

Love this place ,different days different music vibes. Live performances some nights .You definitely get a mix crowd here, the people are friendly. Oh and its cash only.

The place is only a mix of African music with electronic music. There is no merengue, bachata or salsa. Its very small and it gets full and crowded after 12 am. We thought it was more Latino stile

Went to Bembe for the first time. I read reviews and was in the mood for some Caribbean music. So headed to BK.. the spot is small but the music was good it was different I guess what you would call world beat.. and there was a guy …

Its a night club with great music. Great selection of alcohols and beers, the cocktail drinks are wonderful. Music is Latin vibes and Afrobeat, and live Afro drummers. **** CASH ONLY ****

Always great music! I have been going for 2 years and since then the cover charge has gone from $4 to $10 but the great music and dancing makes it worth it!

This is a regular bar. I had the worst experience ever. Not recommending anyone. The bouncer is there just to check IDs ... Inside the bar is not safe at all. If youre looking for a nice bar just try another one in Williams Burg

Went here last night after a few cocktails in Williamsburg. Great music and djs, rnb to reggaeton to afrobeat and back round again. Packed out dance floor, everyone in there was loving it.

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 securitywe 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 forYou no matter how big you are no matter how much you spend or if you are right or wrong. Never again!

Nice ambience, can be a little bit crowded, but when is the right night and crew everything go! Music is great if you love jazz, and Afro Latino caribbean sound

My first time going on a Tues night and absolutely luv it. Too bad tonight is the last all Reggae night. Looking forward to the new all Reggae night location with the same djs.

I discovered that place on a NYC 10 days stay on a sailing trip in 2010. We re from Montreal and had high excpectations about NYC nightlife but while walking Williamsburg trying to find a great place to go out, we just passed a bunch of americanised , unflavored pubs day after day. Then, Bembe was recommanded by a Brasilian girl we randomly met....great ! As soon as we get in we enjoyed the great vie, nice decoration, warm and chill ambiance, awesome house music going sometimes more latino and beautiful multiethnical and non jugemental crowd. It was a bliss to walk in that club and spend the night in such a space. We came back on the stay and I do every time I go to your great city. Love

Very cramped location and the music is definitely uncommon. The music is an interesting mix of afro lounge with a hint of salsa, etc. Ive also seen guys playing congas while the DJ is mixing music, so definitely an eclectic place.

Love this place, probably one of its kind in NYC. They play everything from Afro caribbean,Afro Brazilian,SambaAfro cuban - bomba beats, rumba and reggaetonbeautiful 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

Small cute spot but cozy with a warm atmosphere. Fantastic spot on a weekend with great live music fused with a dj for Hispanic, African and reggae tunes.

Love love love the afro beats night only thing they played way to much Latin music which we danced to but we went for afro beats.

One of the Best hangout spots Dj was playing reggae and the music was on point everyone there was having fun and smiling. Rustic look on the inside which makes it perfect for taking pictures with friends.

I had so much fun here, everyone from the door man to the bartenders were super friendly, they were playing live latin music the night I went which was fun and I didn’t have to pay to get in which is even better! I’ll be going back for sure!

The drinks were not strong but the music was amazing. Had a blast dancing with my date. Must go here if you want to dance and youre near.

You dont go here for a quiet night out, its a party house. The place is fully stocked with drums, hot bodies and house made liquor. I love going when I feel like making the trek into no where ville and am only disappointed when my party tires out. I have not been here recently because I am getting old but for you youngins, go and dance, be free and shake your bembe.

They play good Spanish music. People that goes there are open to socialize and dance with you. If you need to meet new people, this is the place to go.

It’s get’s real crowded in here but it’s one of the few places I like to dance and hang out at night. The crowd is diverse hailing from numerous backgrounds and cultures. It is pretty safe and low key.

Nice interesting Brooklynn space. Good pre game spot. World music. Familiar crowd but not cliquey. Go!

Wednesday night it was empty but for a few people at the bar. really nice chill bar that is kinda closed off from the outside - just my style. i prob wouldnt go in if it were later in the eve or on the weekend.

PARTAAAAYYYY! Small party place with banging music and good drinks. Its good Brooklyn has one of these little gems. Girls go with your friends...guys no more than the 2 of you and all should be crazy good!

Loved the music and the drummer. I went on a Saturday but am looking forward to checking out a Thursday, since I hear its a bit more mellow then.

I had no idea what type of music they were playing but this was the best night of my life!! The drinks were cheap the atmosphere was chill and the people were so nice to us!

A very unique club off the beaten path, I have been going here for more than 10 years, it always make make me feel the beautifully vibrant energy of the music, the happiness of the people’s and the sweat of bodies all together. This place make me feel human.

Looking for a nice spot to hang? Have a few drinks? Dance,play drums!! This the place especially on Tuesday nights,the atmosphere is real chill vibe

Its not always 5 stars but this particular night was LIT! Thats the thing. You gotta go on the right night. Unfortunately they dont do the fresh coconut drinks anymore and I dont think they take cash. But this has been a fave of mine for years.

Little Bar with dance floor that plays music from all over. If you love dancing this is the place. Bring CASH for the bar!! They don’t take cards at least from my experience

Nice cozy spot for some rhythms. Great during the week but on the weekends can get a little tight. Depends what youre looking for but always a solid choice in my book.

Bembe is a good place to go any given day of the week. I like the fact that they stick to their script of playing non-conventional, worldly music ,and they keep a very diverse crowd of all cultures.

Passed by this place so many times in the past few years... I honestly can’t believe it took me this long to make it inside! Absolutely love this establishment with and its live music. Can’t wait to go back

It was an amazing night with nice beats and cool people drumming away :)

Kind of small...music isnt bad. Maybe because I dont live in NY but drinks were over $10 and were small.

Went there on a friday night, it was crazy fun, the ladies are hot, the drinks are great. not enough space which is great, so no its all tight if you know what I mean ;-) but I loved it.

Another great bembe experience last night. This is prob my favorite bar to dance. The best jams all night long. Two new fave jams from last night!!!!

We came here after a romantic dinner and wanted to party with some of our gay friends. This place is so sexist! Brett Ashley was treated like a piece of meat, and the guys would not buy us drinks first. EW!!Sorry, no scrubs can get with me!

If you dont want to feel alive, dont go to this place. Its hot, sweaty, full of great people and amazing music. Definitely NOT a place you should visit if you want a boring and dull life.

They have a mixed showcases different music every night salsa hip hop afro beat ... Very small packed place thou good vibes

Great spot for live music and dancing.

Had a great time!

I wish this place was a little bigger but other then that place is great, music is awesome everyone is friendly so how when my boo comes to Brooklyn we always end up there at some point of the night haha totally recommend

It is small, but the atmosphere is 10/10. Great time with my girl friends.

What a night! I went there on a Thursday night I think (African night) and it was liiiiit.Went by myself and I meet so many people.The music! I couldnt believe my ears.Go go go and enjoy

Great local bar/club. Its either really happening (packed) or fairly quiet. Both good! Great music and a down to earth crowd.

Came here on a Saturday night. Small bar/lounge. Good music. The live drums add a bit of flavor to the Djs music.

Very packed on weekend nights. Great music, small space, cash only. Great spot for those who love dancing and arent the prententious sort.

We heard it was a great spot but it was sardine packed and pitch black. We could barely get to the bar. We also paid a $10 cover.

Its a cool spot, but its cash only, its a mix of Brazilian/beats music, can get super packed, drinks a bit pricey for the area.

Just kots of good music...the only headache is that they started charging $10, which is not bad...plus drinks are cash only and not cheap, maybe that is why they started charging at the door. Place still packs it in