The Keep

Oh, where do I even start with The Keep? This hidden gem in Ridgewood feels like stepping into a living museum of Victorian elegance—every corner bursts with intricate details that make you want to linger and explore. From the antique chandeliers dripping with crystal to the ornate wallpaper and vintage curios tucked into shadowy nooks, it's like the owners curated a time capsule of old-world charm just for you. I could have spent the entire evening just wandering the space, admiring the thoughtful touches that turn a simple bar into an immersive experience.c6f112 The people here? Absolute angels. The bartenders are not just pros at mixing killer cocktails (their seasonal gin fizz was a revelation—herbal, effervescent, and perfectly balanced), but they're genuinely warm and attentive, chatting with you like old friends without ever rushing. The crowd has that effortless cool vibe—diverse, friendly folks who strike up conversations over shared sips, making it feel like you've stumbled into the best neighborhood secret in Queens. And the live music? Pure magic. We caught a sultry jazz set on a Wednesday night, with the saxophonist's notes weaving through the room like silk. The intimate stage setup means you're not just watching—you're part of it, the melodies bouncing off those detailed walls in the coziest way imaginable.5c327c It's the kind of spot where time slips away, and suddenly it's last call, but you don't want to leave. If you're craving a place that's equal parts art installation, social haven, and sonic escape, run (don't walk) to The Keep. It's not just a venue; it's an event every time. Can't wait to go back—highly recommend for date nights, solo vibes, or rallying the crew for an unforgettable evening. Cheers to more nights like this! 🎷🍸

Very cool, relaxed vibe. Music got a lot louder around 10:30 on a Saturday. Really cool drinks and nice staff. Great hangout bar!

The vibes are elegant yet also dark and grimy, which gives this spot a very unique energy. I love it. Friendly bartender. Cash only. It's a good spot to sit down for a bit and recharge over some casual drinks.

Without a doubt the coolest bar of my trip so far. Gothic, Rococo, cabinet of curiosities vibes... Really stylish. Well-crafted cocktails, over the top, tasty, fair prices, friendly staff. Cool music, though slightly at odds with the setting, it was an electro mix, pretty cool but unexpected. Spotless, well-maintained, truly unique. Excellent experience. Highly recommended.

Love this place. Misha is an incredible bar tender, making all patrons feel super welcome and at home. The cocktails are fantastic and the decor is eclectic, engaging, beautiful, haphazard yet curated, and there's tons of comfy seating. Can't rave enough about Misha! Food is also high quality, affordable, and delicious. Drinking here is super affordable too - tons of regulars, but welcoming space.

They have Gypsy jazz at night. Cute decor, with a vintage, hodgepodge, spooky feel. Good drinks. I got the blood orange and my partner got a whiskey neat. They let you bring your own food. Smells good. Cash only but there’s an atm.

So magically decorated this space feels like you’re entering a dream. They also have a good south side on the menu so this is a must-visit for me

🎶🎼Jazz 🎶 🎼 Lovers !! Best Dream 💭 Bar delicious cocktails 🍹 ! always great musicians, can’t not miss the Keep when visiting Bushwick !!! Great prices ! A true Brooklyn Jazz Bar , Patio .

Love the atmosphere love the decor they always have a good band a good DJ or a good jazz group playing. Blood orange basil drink is always delicious!

I went specifically for the oddities. Pleasantly surprised by the pieces. I had a plethora of gin cocktails which were all great! Think I favorited the lavender! Service was phenomenal, Diego the owner, was so welcoming and shared back stories about the pieces. Overall ambiance is quaint and I loved it. I'll be going again, just wished it was closer to me.

Most beautiful bar in Bushwick and best cocktails for sure! The decor is unique, a mix of quirkiness and theatrical elements cover every piece of wall and ceiling in this one of a kind bar. The music selection was on point though-out the day, offering a genuine and authentic proposal. We came for afternoon cocktails and ended up staying until late night to enjoy the live DJ and performances. Diego the owner serves the bar and is a great mixologist, cocktail list is innovative and tasteful. We had the habanero, mezcalita and maple, all delicious. We had a chance to talk to Diego and he is a lovely person, he shared stories with us and even send us some drinks on the house. The time we spend in this place was magical. Immediately upon entering and watching the ceiling dome allowing the light into the space and the quirkiness of all its decor it became my now favorite bar in the neighborhood. They also offer full bar service, with good beer selection, have a nice back patio and ATM inside as the place is cash only. If you want to experience a unique night I would definitely recommend checking this place out.

Love this place. My old fashion was strong and the jazz performance on a Thursday night was a vibe. The bartenders were moving quick and got drinks out fast. I loved the religious imagery the Keep is inspired by. Will be coming back when I'm in Brooklyn.

12/8/2024 Bartender was flicking the middle finger off to customers Saying ppl were being disrespectful when she was obviously inebriated Being delusional having ppl wait for ever for a cup of ice She is definitely not equipped to be behind the bar Do it right She was playing the drums when ppl wanted drinks What a joke I've been going there for years this is bad

This bar is really nice. The vibes are very chill with very cozy hints too. The music isn't that loud so it's a bit relaxing. The drinks pair well a lot. I brought a few close friends so we got to talk a lot while drinking. The staff was also very polite and chill.

I was invited to The Keep by my best friend and few years ago and ever since that day, I'm a regular customer. The Keep is not only a bar, it's a multicultural environment that gives you a sense of belonging. Super friendly atmosphere with people who I now called my family. From Aiden the veteran bartender who I called my little brother to the newest team member Andy, who I called my little sister. There is no place like The Keep. The experience is amazing. Go and experience yours.

The best bar in NY!!! Bartender Andi is amazing and has the best customer service. She is knowledgeable and funny and makes the best drinks. Would definitely come back again whenever she's bartending she is amazing

A really cool looking bar. I like to bring people here because it really is unlike any other bar I've seen. It feels like an antique store bar due to having so many weird things inside of it; it's full of stimuli wherever you look. They also have a bunch of board games to play. The only downside is the drinks are a bit more pricey than Bushwick bars and the cocktails aren't that great.

Vibe transports you to another place. Warm, dark vintage - a mish mosh of decor from taxidermy to doll heads in every nook and cranny. Live jazz, cheap drinks, a great patio, easy to chill and hangout - attracts interesting walks of life here till 4am. Connected with waves of engaging strangers over a fire and a lost cell phone. Definitely a memorable bar I would return to.

Went there last night again...there was a live female singer performing and she was awesome. I brought a friend telling her let's go to this cool bar that has jazz music...she was not enthused. After we got there, she had a big old smile on her face, was enjoying the singer and later even enjoyed the jazz session so much she started posting on her gram . I need to know how to get informed when live singers and other acts are playing here. VERY cool joint.

Live music, cool decor and ambiance. Drinks were good as well. Nice spot for a slow weekday.

Really chill bar with some comfy seating. It's great for having convos next to each other and they don't play loud music.

VERY cool and unique. We came here before Nutcracker Rouge for a pre-show drink and it was perfect. Loved the antique atmosphere and all the different knick-knacks everywhere. I got a cucumber drink which was super refreshing and my husband got an espresso martini which was one of the best we've had. We were the only people in the place which I was surprised, but it was also the Thursday before Christmas so assuming that might have been why it was slower. It's also cash only - but they have an ATM in the back. We don't come out to Bushwick much but this would be a place I would definitely come back to if in the area!

Such fun ambiance. Basically an old antique shop turned into a bar! Cash only so be prepared.

This is hands down one of my favorite neighborhood gems. Nothing ever seems to make sense and that's the beauty of it. Random seating throughout, cash only bar. Feels a lot like walking through a market in the movie Aladdin but with taxidermy and vintage trinket vibes. You never know what characters you'll come across here or what performances you'll catch from boylesque, accordion performances by clowns, or the best Balkan jazz you've ever heard.

Dripping with atmosphere. Great feeling and the band playing that I saw that night fit right in with the setting. No real stage but the lighting made it obvious where the performers were. The crowd seemed into the jazz music that was being played and the space was large enough to accommodate the people who just wanted to hang out and talk with friends. The closer to the performers you were the more attentive the audience was. The jazz was more standards so different musicians in the crowd who knew the group could plug themselves in and the original performer could step out for a rest.

Vibe . Yelp requires I use more characters , but I need only the four : V I B E All love always .

Wow what can I say? Stumbled into here during the break in a different show at the Knockdown. The decor is wow, there was a live (really good!) jazz bar, drinks were cheap. It made me wish I lived in the neighbourhood and this was my neighbourhood bar. You have to check it out if you are around!

Cute, homey, eclectically decorated bar. It's like an antique shop exploded here and then the owners decided to put in a bar. I'm on board. It's also incredibly spacious with a sizable backyard which makes it great for large groups. Only downside is that it's cash only here.

I just discovered this place a few weeks ago. Great staff. Personable and attentive. I love the decor. The live music was fun when I visited. Just a very chill place.

I really wanted to love this place great decor,but the staff were very rude and obnoxious...Very stuck up for such a small venue... Never been as fed up before in my whole life..Never will return...

If you're into kinky style this place definitely will be go to place on a Sunday nights! I had amazing experience and enjoyed every bit of their performance! Tips: *there are no cover charge but their suggested donation is $10 *drinks are very yummy! *be ready to tip (after you watch the performance it's hard not to tip ;) *relax and enjoy your time!

There's a lot of cocktail bars in the buschwick/ridgewood area that I've been wanting to try but I barely go to Brooklyn. This weekend however, I trekked to this borough and had high hopes. I came Friday night and it wasn't too crowded, it was easy to order a drink, and there was a lot of free seats available which is always nice. They have a macabre style throughout the bar and I like the vibe. They also have live music and that's a plus. Which, is why I gave it another star. What I didn't like about the bar were the cocktails. I yelp searched cocktail bars and The Keep was pretty high up on the list so I assumed the drinks would be great. Also, they have their own menu for cocktail bars displayed everywhere. I tried the "The Haberno" and my friend tried one of their maple cocktails. We both tried each other's cocktails and the balance all the ingredients were so off. The Haberno tasted like straight up BBQ sauce so if you're into that be my guest. I think it was the blueberry liqueur that just ruined it and the my friends maple drink tasted like cinnamon toast crunch.... I'm not a fan of sugary drinks and neither is my friend so it made us just not want to try any of their cocktails. They are also cash only which can be inconvenient for a lot of people. There's an ATM in the bar and also the deli next door but if they took card we probably would've tried more cocktails.

Cool ass spot! Very eclectic feel with burlesque to boot on Sunday night. You walk in and feel like you've entered a den of fun & entertainment. The decor is exploitative, artful & archaic. Statues, books, license plates etc., etc., Grab a drink at the bar or sit amongst the dancers & couches on the side. Come on thru. You'll be entertained.

Totally amazing spot! They don't have an actual drink menu but instead ask what kind of alcohol you like and then if you want a drink that's more like a martini/old fashion (aka strong) or if you want something a little lighter and the bartender makes you a special drink based on that info. I ended up with an amazing tequila ginger drink. I'll definitely be returning and bringing more friends!

This place is unlike any other bar! Basically it's an antique store with a bar! Very fun place to go any night of the week. Always has great DJs and vibe. Cheep beer and shot special, or moderately priced specialty cocktails. I personally love the Rosemary margarita :) They also let you bring in food and eat it there if you want. There's a Chinese and a pizza place right next door

Great bar and amazingly special decoration. You can bring your own food. Owner/bartenders make delicious cocktails, the poeple are so friendly. It is great for chilling and parties.

This bar is not open when Yelp says it is. The last few times I was here the crowd was really strange and made me feel uncomfortable, which is unusual for me. They do have a great tap beer selection though.

The keep has winning service and a great atmosphere! I come here to write during the week when it's not super crowded and I love drawing inspiration from all the eclectic antiques they have. There are also lots of interesting events and DJs here. Great place to spice up your life with some freaky people

If there are more bars like these... I think I'm going to be an alcoholic forever. I love the vintage touch to this place; from the antique sofas to the random fixtures decorated across the lounge, I'm smitten. My friend and I enjoyed our visit in the bar area. We only ordered beers ($6 on draft). One star knocked off for the bartender assuming that I had finished my beer. I wasn't done, and she took it away. Quick tip: Pizza place next door is AWESOME and doesn't close until 2am!

Cool spot with good music and a good staff. Good as a neighborhood drink spot and can get a dance floor going as well.

Cheap drinks, guaranteed a good night. It's a small place has a lounge,bar, outdoor patio and a dance room with sofas. I saw two full service bars one once you walk in and another in the dance room. There's numerous bathrooms too! C'mon comes in handy after all those $6 beer and shot kick in. Lol. Oh! no cover fee, ever! Woooo

Wow! Best birthday ever! I flew in from Atlanta to hang out with my sister and her boyfriend Tim he brought us here. The live music, dancing, drinks, ambiance was perfect. It was my birthday and I hate cake so they made me a Happy birthday grilled cheese it was ahhhhhmazingCan't wait to go back

I came here to see a play a friend was in--wonderful performance, by the way. It was interestingly placed in the basement, which you go down into on a flight of stairs that look a little scarier than they actually are, due to a sudden decline in levels. Hard to describe, but basically, you really gotta watch your step. Anyway, the service was pretty slow, but not seemingly for any particular reason, so that was kind of irksome. Prices seemed pretty steady; I got a basic mixed drink and a shot for $13, which is certainly not the worst charge I've gotten for that combo in NYC. The real kicker for me was what clearly gives this place its atmosphere: the antiques. Taxidermy pieces, old mirrors, furniture everywhere! This place is an antique hoarder's dream come true. Literally the bar is overflowing with decor, and even with a small audience, it felt very overfull within minutes. I could maybe enjoy the eclectic mix of items and such if I felt I had more breathing room between bodies and things. I also wasn't a fan of the extremely dim lighting. It felt very Sleep No More, which is a perfectly great thing to be, but I needed more space to truly appreciate it. Four stars instead of three because I really admire the way this place has fully committed to the aesthetic. At least they know what they're about!

I have a sick family member and I'm working from home. Why must we hear music from the top floor of our house that is an entire 2 blocks away? It is very frustrating and upsetting. You could still have a good venue without blasting music and killing people's hearing.

This place has character! I came here one afternoon with a friend who lives in the neighborhood, and I immediately fell in love with the interior. Apparently the owner has been collecting all of the bar's antiques since she was a little girl. The staff were really friendly and welcoming as were the few people who were at the bar with us. They offered food and stories. The drinks were unique and reasonably priced. I will be visiting again soon!

A very special place. Cash only. If you like to experience cool bars, it's worth the trek.

Love love love this place.. every visit is different the vibe, the music, drinks, everything about it is different... enough people and yet still have space to find a spot to sit and enjoy a drink.. cash only, bring your own food without a problem or just enjoy what's being offered... welcoming happy place .... love Steph,Diego and Ian..

The bar is beautiful, music is great, and one of a kind all around. The best part for me and why I keep coming back is the excellent service from a magical fairy behind the bar, Ceci. Not only did she make me the most delicious cocktail I've ever had. She made me feel at home, remembering my name and drink order after only my second visit. Can't wait to see her again and have one of her amazing cocktails.

One of the best places in Bushwick so far. Jazz nights on Wednesday Beautiful and comfy couches, bartenders are super cute even tho the service is kind of slow. Cocktail menu is dope. Go for the Rosemary if you are a fan of tequila. Cheers! The keep it real!

This is one of those bars that the owners put in their lives and souls into. It is off the main street, secretive, excellent vibe, great interior deign, and most importantly, great drinks and service. This is an excellent bar to show off to your tourist friends when they visit New York.

The sprit of the season is alive at the Keep. Warm friendly staff. Lively and cool people. Beer and shot specials. Outdoor patio killer music.

I'd love to come back here! This place is decorated really cool. Never boring. They even have a motorcycle inside. I wonder if it still runs? The bartender was cool and approachable. Graffiti in the bathroom is cool. Backyard would be good on a summer night, but inside is more entertaining. They have live music on the weekends.

This place has good vibes and great decor inside. The drinks were just ok but I liked the setting and ambiance.

The three stars are for decor! What a wonderful feast for the eyes and plenty of conversation starters. If I were to rate the quality of drinks, it would be in the minus! The well drinks were terrible, tasteless and alcoholess. I got a whiskey sour which stated in the bitter and watery end. Figured, everyone makes a bad drink once in a while (me included) so gave it another try and ordered a gin and tonic. It barely resembeled a gin and tonic, and again it was watered down. A bit of a dissapointment. If the drinks would be anything like the decor, they would be great. Will not be coming back here for a cocktail. My friends had beers, which they enjoyed.

I'm surprised this spot doesn't have more reviews. It has more character than any other bar I've been in. And it's not manufactured pipe lighting and rustic furniture generic-gentrified character either. I'm talking, I think they have a full-time curator. You'll feel like Arthur at his round table, a King in his court. Check this place out.

Giving the Keep the 5 stars because the vibe is awesome More of an after hours spot for sure. Pretty good dive bar that's kind of off grid. The drinks are always good and the music is great. It's never uncomfortably packed so that's a plus but everyone's having a great time. 10 points for the memorabilia decor all throughout the space. Makes a good vibe when you're out with friends and want to get some cool pics in.

I'm still having dreams about the "Sage" cocktail. Tastiest drink I've ever had! The ambience in the place is a little bit burning man meets dr.frankensteins laboratory - just plain cool! Good music when I went on a Thursday for a small dj event. Can't wait to see how this place turns out on a weekend.