Barbes

For those who wouldn't think of leaving Manhattan to catch a live band, consider this: Folks who're regulars at Park Slope's Barbes have no intention of passing up the free shows here. Who can blame them? The two French musicians and long-time residents who run the smart, cafe-styled space are committed to exposing their crowds to as many different types of music as they can find, leading them to book everything from opera singers to East European funk acts to Mexican bands. Performance space hosts other events too such as readings and film screenings. A great find especially if you plan to stay in one of the newer Brooklyn hotels.