The Brooklyn Lyceum

It’s one of those things that I just stumbled upon, it was right under my nose but it took a guy handing out flyers and his utterance of the word “free” to command my attention.  Steep stone steps led me to The Brooklyn Lyceum on 4th Ave. in Park Slope, once known as Public Bath #7.  This solid wide arched Beaux Arts gem still retains traces of its past life with MEN and WOMEN etched above the two entrances and terra-cotta mosaics up near the roofline depicting water scenes.

Inside the Brooklyn Lyceum

Largely abandoned since the 1970s, computer consultant turned arts patron Eric Richmond reopened it as a multipurpose arts venue in 2002. Today the main space, a 3,600-square-foot brick-lined theater with cavernous ceilings and folding chairs on risers not only provides musicians and artists a venue to perform but also gives the rest of Brooklyn some space to hang out. Beyond the indie film festivals, cabaret shows, and free live music, it’s common for the cavernous bare brick interior to be converted to a half court for pickup basketball or batting cages for some indoor grand slams. Creativity reigns anew when open mic sessions and drum circles take over in the evening.  A small on-site cafe, El Cafetin, sells coffee, beer, scones, and other light fare during performances, but also opens early on weekday mornings catching commuters rushing to the Union St. subway station just outside.

Visit this highly adaptable public space via the R subway to Union St. Station.  Walk 1 block down 4th Ave. to #227 

photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Lyceum