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Community Corner

More Than Rock

The Rock Shop is more than just a music venue

The Rock Shop should really put pictures up on their website, because it’s much cooler and has more to offer than it lets on. First and foremost, it’s an intimate music venue with shows every week. Secondly, it mixes the seemingly incompatible spaces of a sports bar with a cool open rooftop where you don’t have to fight for a spot.

On a recent Friday night, the Donkeys play downstairs in a cozy (but not overcrowded) narrow room with exposed brick that widens in the back. Showgoers sip their drinks in between some light head bobbing and dancing.

Outside, groups of friends sit in clusters, catching up in cool casual attire. Most everyone wears jeans and tees, but some of the crowd is a little dressier. They still don’t seem out place, even the woman in the skin-tight leopard dress and heels.

“We actually come here because it’s not a hipster bar,” said Mark Kessel, an artist who lives in the adjoining South Slope neighborhood. He was hanging outside with some friends who recently finished a show together at the Museum of Arts and Design.

Upstairs it's pretty dude heavy, but not in a bad way. It has a more sporty vibe with plenty of flat screens and a pool table. Guys sit at the bar eating burgers and watching their games. Even with most professional sports in season, including two in the playoffs, they had everything covered.

This bar has what must be one of the best cross breezes in Brooklyn. With the big New Orleans-style windows and wide open back, you can sit inside and still enjoy the cool outside air. It seems unlikely that they would have to use the air conditioner except on the stickiest summer days.

Every other Friday there’s a dance party with a DJ in the same area as all the TVs and sport watchers. Somehow it works and everyone seems to find a spot.

The Rock Shop almost feels like three different bars, but not in a bad way. It’s just that there actually might be something for everyone.

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