BONA2018 | Best Venue Northeast: House of Yes

House of Yes is anything but your typical nightclub. Located in Brooklyn’s eclectic Bushwick neighborhood, this rhinestone studded fun-house has become a haven for all things artistic. While dance parties are among the venue’s most popular offerings, House of Yes is also home to immersive cinema, performance art, circus, theatrical and community group events. Its unique layout makes it especially versatile and ideal for their ever-popular schedule of “costume required” theme nights which range from glitter balls to ‘70s style disco takeovers. You won’t get hassled by jaded bouncers at the front door, either. More often than not, guests are greeted by friendly drag queens, dressed from head to toe in gowns, sequins and other fabulous accoutrements that embody House of Yes’s all-inclusive vibe to a T. Underneath two giant blinking eyes is a double door entrance to the stunning main room. Inside, thrill seekers are graced with unique experiences crafted to tantalize the senses thanks to a bumping sound system, cage dancers, LED projected visuals and a soaring ceiling from which high-flying aerialists dangle. It is here where scene heavyweights like Skrillex, Claude VonStroke and Moon Boots have made legendary appearances, but it’s also important to acknowledge House of Yes’s impeccable ongoing roster of resident artists which include names like Eli Escobar, Dmitri From Paris, Sander Kleinenberg and eight other emerging DJs from the local NYC scene. While this dancefloor may be one of the Big Apple’s most enviable, there are truly no dull moments to be had at the 550-person capacity performance space, which also features a lively bar (usually showcasing more DJs on modest decks), an outdoor courtyard and “The Onyx Room”, an intimate mini-club room that has been known to house communal hot tubs on special occasions.

“We founded the House of Yes with the mission to create a space where people of all walks of life and backgrounds can come together, connect, be themselves, express themselves, and make art,” says Co-founder Kae Burke. “It's an honor to be recognized as one of the best venues in the Northeast and know that our mission is reaching people all over the world!”

Local community feedback has been key in making House of Yes one of Brooklyn’s most welcoming arenas. “Figuring out how to grow while staying true to our DIY community-oriented roots and while keeping our events accessible to folks of all backgrounds has been the best learning experience of our lives,” Marketing Director Jacqui Rabkin tells DJ Mag.

WORDS: MEGAN VENZIN