Spike Hill has closed.
Spike Hill is located on 184/186 Bedford Avenue, between North 6th & North 7th Streets – there are actually two spaces, a bar at 186 and a smaller bar & venue at 184, ‘Spike Hill Music’. It lies right in the middle of the most active part of Bedford Avenue, just off the L subway stop. It is one-and-a-half blocks southeast of Cameo, two-and-a-half blocks southeast of Music Hall in Williamsburg and the former Public Assembly, four blocks northwest of Union Pool, and in the Williamsburg area with those venues, Death By Audio and Glasslands.
The venue stretches back from the street, past some tables & chairs, then along a bar, until opening up in the back, with a stage floor & stage. The back area is quite dark, with the stage floor elevated a few feet from the stage floor (and steps up to it in the middle). There is a curtain behind the wide but rather thin stage, and a few high tables on the sides of the stage floor.
Spike Hill, even ‘Spike Hill Music’, is really more of a bar than a venue. Located right on the most popular block of Bedford Avenue, it gets lots of foot traffic, but mostly for the bar, not the bands. The venue can feel a bit like an afterthought, way in the back and in the dark. However, the sound & lighting (on the band) is better than you might expect, especially considering the place is almost always free (only ticketed during festivals like CMJ & Northside). Easy to reach, but is better as a bar than as a venue.
Capacity: 115
21+, free
Address:
184/186 Bedford Avenue (between North 6th & North 7th Streets)
By Subway:
L train to Bedford Ave. – walk south on west side of Bedford Ave.
QRO Coverage:
-Dani Mari, October 25th, 2014 (CMJ) – photos
-ARMS, with Yellerkin, June 15th, 2014 (Northside) – Northside coverage, ARMS photos, Yellerkin photos
-The Venetia Fair, with Courtesy Tier, June 14th, 2014 (Northside) – Northside coverage, The Venetia Fair photos, Courtesy Tier photos
-MiniBoone, with Sunset Hearts, June 16th, 2013 (Northside) – Northside coverage, MiniBoone photos, Sunset Hearts photos
-MiniBoone, June 13th, 2013 (Northside) – photos
-The Putz, with Conveyor, October 19th, 2012 (CMJ) – The Putz photos, Conveyor photos
-MiniBoone, with Ski Lodge, Ravens & Chimes, Field Mouse, and Starlight Girls, June 16th, 2012 (Northside) – Northside coverage, MiniBoone photos, Ski Lodge photos, Ravens & Chimes photos, Field Mouse photos, Starlight Girls photos
-The Pass, with Miracles of Modern Science, Port St. Willow, and Beady, June 14th, 2012 (Northside) – Northside coverage, The Pass photos, Miracles of Modern Science photos, Port St. Willow photos, Beady photos
-DOM, October 22nd, 2011 (CMJ) – photos
-Slowdance, with Luke Rathborne, Grand Rapids, and Radical Dads, June 18th, 2010 (Northside) – Slowdance photos, Luke Rathborne photos, Grand Rapids photos, Radical Dads photos
-MiniBoone, October 23rd, 2010 (CMJ) – photos
-Red Wire Black Wire, with Ava Luna, October 19th, 2010 (CMJ) – Red Wire Black Wire photos, Ava Luna photos
-Quiet Loudly, with MiniBoone, June 21st, 2010 (Make Music NY) (outside) – Quiet Loudly photos, MiniBoone photos
-Electric Tickle Machine, October 24th, 2009 (CMJ) – CMJ coverage, photos
-Savoir Adore, June 13th, 2009 (Northside) – Northside coverage, Savoir Adore photos
-Coyote Eyes, June 12th, 2009 (Northside) – Northside coverage, Coyote Eyes photos
-Himalaya, June 11h, 2009 (Northside) – Northside coverage, Himalaya photos
Himalaya, Brooklyn, NY, 6/11/09
