Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)

The Basics

BAM sees a busy schedule of live performances and events. The Peter Jay Sharp Building in Fort Greene serves as BAM’s home base. There you can attend a show at the 2,000-seat Howard Gilman Opera House, watch a movie at the Rose Cinemas playhouse, or grab a drink at the BAM Cafe, which also hosts regular free live music performances.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Most live performances and cinema screenings are ticketed, and prices vary. Advance booking is recommended.

• The BAM Cafe serves pre-show food and snacks, as well as a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

• All of the venues are wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

Brooklyn Academy of Music has three venues. The main stage is the Peter Jay Sharp Building on Lafayette Avenue. There is also the BAM Fisher venue next door and BAM Strong venue, just a few blocks away. All locations are near to the 2, 3, 4, 5 at Nevins Street, the G at Fulton Street, the A, C at Lafayette Avenue, and the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, R, Q, W at Atlantic Ave-Barclays Center subway stations.

When to Get There

Events take place daily at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, with most film screenings, exhibitions, and performances held in the evening. Check out the event calendars for more details, and look for annual events such as the Next Wave Festival (Oct-Dec) and the African Dance Festival in spring.

Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Neighborhood

The Brooklyn Academy of Music is in Fort Greene, a neighborhood that's worth exploring. The Brooklyn Cultural District—centered around BAM—is at its heart, but additional highlights include Fort Greene Park, and the beautiful brownstone buildings along South Oxford Street. Art lovers can also visit BRIC Arts Media House and the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, and there is a large selection of independent boutiques, art galleries, bars, restaurants, and cafes dotted around the neighborhood.

Ways to explore

BAM hosts a busy schedule of live performances and events throughout the year. The Peter Jay Sharp Building in Fort Greene serves as BAM’s home base. There, you can attend a show at the 2,000-seat Howard Gilman Opera House, watch a movie at the Rose Cinemas, or grab a drink at the Adam Space (BAMcafé), which also hosts regular free music performances.

From there, be sure to explore the offerings at the cultural organization’s other two venues: BAM Strong, host to the Harvey Theater and the Rudin Family Gallery, and BAM Fisher, dedicated to affordable community programming.

Accessibility

All three BAM venues are accessible to wheelchair users and have dedicated wheelchair seating areas in the main performance spaces.

Age limits

Kids under 5 are not permitted to attend live events aimed at adult audiences, and kids under 6 are not allowed in Rose Cinemas screenings that aren’t specifically aimed at children.

What to pack

Water bottle, tickets, layers in case of air-conditioning

What to wear

If you plan to attend an opera or other major performance at BAM, it’s a good idea to wear smart-casual clothes; otherwise, the dress code is flexible.

Not allowed

Bottles or cans, noisemakers, pets, using devices during performances

Amenities

Coat check, café and concessions, Wi-Fi

Address

The Brooklyn Academy of Music has three venues in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood, including the flagship Peter Jay Sharp Building. The area is well-served by public transportation, and you can choose between multiple subway lines, buses, and the Long Island Rail Road. Taxis and rideshare services offer another way to get there.

Driving

While driving is not generally recommended in Brooklyn owing to congested traffic and parking restrictions, there are several large parking garages near BAM if you do need to drive.

Public transportation

By subway, take the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, or R trains to Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center station; the C to Lafayette Avenue; or the G to Fulton Street. Alternatively, take the Long Island Railroad to Atlantic Terminal.

Best times to visit

That depends on what you want to see. BAM offers a wide range of programming, including movie screenings, musical performances, talks, and more, at various times of day.

Best days to visit

BAM is open daily, with a range of performances and activities to choose from. Note that BAM’s in-person box office is closed on Sundays.

Best months to visit

While BAM offers year-round programming, summer is often quieter in comparison to winter, fall, and spring.

Special events

One of BAM’s top events is the Next Wave Festival, hosted every fall and “[showcasing] contemporary innovation in dance, music, performance art, theater, visual art, and more.”