Gabriela

Gabriela is one of my favorite venues, full stop. The ambiance and use of space is immaculate and the DJs (up to, and most certainly including the owner, Eli Escobar) are world class and spin music you don’t find anywhere else. In particular, Romance Thursdays are a *free* celebration of love, longing, and what it means to be alive in a complicated world. It is my home away from home and I wouldn’t change it for the world. For those upset about a door policy, this is a common practice in venues around NYC (and the world). With the popularity of the venue and its location in bustling Wburg, it’s a practical reality. Bring your best, most authentic self and I’ll see you under the red light soon.

I went in with a bit of hesitation after reading some door reviews, but my experience was entirely positive. Entry was smooth and respectful, and once inside I had an amazing night. The music and dance-focused vibe were great, the crowd was friendly and welcoming (especially the women), and I felt comfortable and at ease the whole time. Staff were professional, kind, and attentive throughout. I’m really glad I didn’t let the reviews discourage me — I had a fantastic time and would absolutely come back.

I have photos and videos from every night at Gab’s, but none of them truly capture how incredible the vibe is. I love every night there, but Romance Thursdays with Eli are genuinely soul-enlightening for me. There’s something special about how local it feels. Right in my neighborhood. how close it is to the water, catching that perfect summer breeze, and how genuinely kind everyone who works there is. And the spicy mango margarita? Always has me completely on my ass in the best way.

I’ve never had a bad night here!! Thursdays are my favorite, music is amazing and there’s different areas to hang out inside depending on your vibe. coat check is cash only fyi!!!

Experienced some of my best nights out at Gabriela. The sound and vibes on the dance floor are unmatched. I've been frequenting gabs for two years and never had an issue at the door, whether arriving alone or ten deep. To those commenting negatively on the door policy, have you ever been to a club in nyc? Please. But really, the bouncers are actually really lovely once you get to know them.

My friends and I have been coming to Gabriela for years now, we adore Eli and this spot! But last night there was a bouncer (or host?) in a fur coat who had an attitude upon entry to every one of my friends (and there was at least 15 of us sporadically coming by). When we arrived at the door my friends and I were each individually questioned "what are you here for" and "why are you here" and "who do you know" on a regular Friday night with no specific private event...? It was giving exclusivity in a way that was not the vibe for Gabriela, especially in Williamsburg. I also feel like he was especially discriminatory towards the Black and Latinx folks in our group. I'm not sure if this guy is new, we've never seen him before, but the attitude and indirect aggressiveness was completely uncalled for and a poor representation of the inclusivity that Gabriela was built on and represents. I think there is a kinder way to ask those "probing" questions. I understand it was Santacon and maybe they're trying to vibe check folks before entering (but thankfully, we do not celebrate Santacon). We are a group of 15 queer folks who felt othered by some man in a faux fur. I suggest he conducts his own vibe check before his shift. Anyway still love the space, love the bartenders, wish the Mango Margarita's were non frozen year round!

So I’ll just confirm everyone else’s bad reviews here: The bouncers are not nice and pretty discriminating. I thought folks were just hating for no reason, but nope. This is legit. My party arrived around 11pm, no line, nothing. Was told Gabriela was at capacity and to come back at 12am. I was in a group of three people total. Then I see five people and one more person (that’s SIX) be let in with no problem. We tried asking if it was okay to wait. They told us to beat it and come back at 12am. And that hanging around isn’t helping us get in faster. I was looking forward to seeing Eli Escobar play, but I guess I’ll just have to wait for another time and at another venue. I will not be attempting to come here or support this place again. Enjoy! EDIT: Three months later and 10 likes on this review. Proof that this is not an isolated incident. EDIT #2: 20 likes on this review as of January 2026. Don’t go to this club! Support another business that wants your money! EDIT #3: 20 plus likes and I also noticed that this business got a whopping 24 additional reviews that are all 5 star rated within the last few hours🤣 damn, y’all really trying to hide your bad behavior huh?

Don’t listen to reviews from people who couldn’t get in. Be respectful and come ready to dance. If you come to get trashed and stand still in the middle of the dancefloor leering at women, this place isn’t for you. The music is always great, and the crowd is fun. You can always trust an Eli Escobar party in NYC. Sorry guy-in-a-hoodie, i don’t have sympathy for you.

August Thursday the 22nd of 2024 was my second time ever going to Gabriela and it had not failed me. Just like the first time visiting, Gabriela stills to continue on its atmosphere of providing an intimate dance scene on a dance floor that does get crowded which gives it that personal vibe. The water is on the house as it should be for any and all patrons. The cocktails are swell! Should there be any suggestions to give concerning arriving and guaranteeing a spot into the dance club it would be: Get there 45 minutes to a hour later after it opens. Granted it can change due to a DJ's popularity. Nonetheless this has worked for myself and i have not been denied entrance nor waited. Best time to do this is Thursday (also it's free on Thursdays)!

The drinks here are tasty and the music was great! We had a good time here and would come again when visiting the area

One of the best spots in the damn city. If you're looking for a sexy, anonymous dance floor on which to shake your rump alongside other sweaty, warm bodies, get. over. here.

The key is to come before 10pm for free entry and get a stamp, so you can return later. If you come afterwards, there's a cover charge of $20, which isn't worth it in my opinion. The dance floor gets extremely crowded on the first floor, but I enjoyed the upstairs area. It's a good bar/club on a fun night out. On a humid summer night, the strong AC blasting in here is worth the visit alone. The bartenders were pretty quick with the drinks too, so never struggled to order.

Happy to see the local DJ Eli Escobar dream became a reality, an amazing cozy club with extremely good cocktails, vibes and music curation. Bartenders and bouncers were friendly. My advise: Arrive early, as any other hot spot in Williamsburg it gets packed quickly! I had a great experience with friends, there were multiple areas with different atmospheres to hang, and two full bars, one per each floor. A must go if you enjoy dancing and house music. Definitely a welcoming place I'll be visiting again hopefully soon.

Bouncers are fucking shit, I was one guy, inside I had a group of friends (only girls) that was waiting for me inside and they said "sometimes you enter sometimes you don't" without proving any explanation. Fucking bullshit people that's why when you come to Europe everyone makes fun of you because you are fucking stupid assholes

Came a few times with friends who live nearby. I enjoyed the DJ sets (Escobar, Andi) and the cozy couches. It's ok early hours on a Thursday. Otherwise there's hardly any space to dance. $20 cover on weekends which I wouldn't mind if there was a proper dance floor. The drinks are expensive and weak, but at least you will be sober enough to get up and down that spiral staircase

I was super excited to check out this new bar with a group of friends. We waited in a long line and as we started moving towards the front, one of the bouncers (wearing glasses and a beanie) approached us and said "there is no chance of you getting in." When we asked why he responded "have you ever been out in New York?" I have never experienced this level of rudeness at any establishment in the city I've called home for 7 years. Please do better, Gabriela.

I went to this club last Saturday night. The place is really cool, there is ac so it's pleasant to dance. Kim Anh played and she was amazing. Thanks for this beautiful party.

Good vibes, really tasty drinks and the crowd is super chill even though it got packed towards 12am. My only complaint is the music. It was so boring! It sounded like the same song was playing the whole time I was in there. Not fun dancing music!!

My phone got stolen here and none of the employees cared. It's happened to at least two other people on different occasions as well and the friend that I was with so hold on very tight to your belongings everyone.