In anticipation of The Bell House’s grand opening on September 18th (following a private opening on the 17th), I did a little reconnaissance mission this past Thursday in order to get a firsthand look. My curiosity was rewarded, because Jack (Skippy) McFadden - co-owner and booker of the Bell House (and booker at Union Hall) - graciously agreed to take me on the grand tour of the premises as the fully realized vision of the space continued to take impressive shape around us.

Armed with a camera and perhaps an inappropriate number of questions, I compiled the following picture tour to give you 20 vicarious views of Gowanus’s newest gem, The Bell House. But first, here’s what Skippy had to say in a press release circulated just hours after my visit there…

Gowanus, Brooklyn (September 4, 2008) – In the shadow of the famous and brooding Kentile Floors sign in the burgeoning and classic neighborhood of Gowanus, The Bell House, a gorgeous new and unique music venue and lounge, will open its doors on September 18 at 6pm with free admission to the public. The Bell House is a magnificent two-room music and events venue located at 149 7th Street between 2nd & 3rd Avenues. It was crafted out of an old 1920’s warehouse once used as a printing press, but more recently used as a fly-by-night shipping company.

Conceived and created by the friends behind Union Hall (Park Slope) and Floyd (Brooklyn Heights), The Bell House are thrilled to be pioneers of sorts adding a prominent performance space to Brownstone Brooklyn. The main space boasts 25 foot wooden arched ceilings, a 450 square foot stage, and unobstructed views from any part of the room. “Brownstone Brooklyn needed a major music venue and event space, and we found a beautiful old building near the Gowanus that was seemingly designed for live music,” said co-owner, Jim Carden. “We’ll be able to graduate the bands we’ve championed at Union Hall to a space like no other in New York City and be able to host acts that were simply too big for the stage there”, adds co-owner and talent buyer Jack McFadden.

The storefront features a comfortable 150 capacity lounge which will be open seven nights a week as a friendly neighborhood bar and gathering space featuring beer from independent and local breweries.

The live sound in the performance space has been outfitted with flying EAW speakers, 5 monitor mixes, an Allen & Heath console, and a gorgeous lighting set up with a Hog 500 controller. Capacity for the main space is 350 with an option of having seating for 200 plus standing room only on special occasions. Musicians and audience will be thrilled to find the same charm, hospitality, and professionalism that Union Hall has brought to Park Slope for the past 2 years.

Very exciting. Now, let’s go on a little tour shall we?

1. Located on the sleepy industrial block of 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave, the humble exterior gives way to lots of good stuff within.

2. The view from inside looking back at the entrance to the music venue. There’s a separate entrance to the front lounge off to the right.

3. This is a 180 from picture 2 and shows the box office that greets you upon walking into the live music side of the venue.

4. Unfortunately, they were buffing the wood floors in the front bar when I was there so my only shot of the separate lounge was through this little porthole. But trust me, it’s pretty great; a similar vibe to Union Hall with the patterned wallpaper and relaxed vibe.

5. And finally, walking into the music venue, the stage! Though something’s missing, don’t you think?

6. Ahh yes, much better. Let there be light! Skippy put on the stage lights for us to give a better feel of what to expect.

7. Another view of the stage with the lights bathing it, nice vibe, yes?

8. An even closer view. Note: the speakers you see here were about to be hoisted into the rafters, so the sound configuration will be different than what you are seeing here.

9. A view of the performance space’s bar. They had just installed the chandeliers moments before I arrived.

10. View of the bar from the mixing board.

11. Up close and personal with the bar. Bars are important, essential, everyone knows this.

12. This is the VIP/friends and family/separate seating area along the back wall next to the mixing board.

13. An alternate view of the VIP area.

14. The workers are busy. All the furniture you see here will be put back out in the front lounge once the floors are done.

15. View of the sound booth as well as a semi-glance at the room’s incredible vaulted ceiling.

16. This is the view from the stage.

17. View of the bar from the stage. Thirsty performers, take solace. That drink is just within reach…

18. When the crowd is ravenously calling for an encore, this is the view you would see whilst peeking out from backstage. One more song! One more song!

19. Backstage, on the way to the green room.

20. Door to the green room, helpfully labeled. The green room will have internet and Guitar Hero for bands to fiddle with before and after the show.

And here’s the initial lineup of performers and events, for which tickets are already on sale:

Thursday, September 18: LILYS / MATT POND PA / two more very special guest * FREE

Friday, September 19: THE NEW YORK BURLESQUE FESTIVAL

Wednesday, September 24: DIEGO GARCIA of ELEFANT

Thursday, September 25-Sunday, September 28: THE EUGENE MIRMAN COMEDY FESTIVAL

Thursday, October 2: BANG ON A CAN office night with M SHANGHAI STRING BAND / GET HIM EAT HIM / MELOMANE / BABE THE BLUE OX / more

Friday, October 3: Popular folk/rock from MELISSA FERRICK

Saturday, October 11: THE VEILS from New Zealand / very special guests

Saturday, October 18: Oakland’s hip-hop pioneers CROWN CITY ROCKERS

CMJ week: October 22-25: THE ROSEBUDS / SAM CHAMPION / THE LADYBUG TRANSISTOR / THE JEALOUS GIRLFRIENDS / CRYSTAL STILTS / more

Saturday, November 15: AC NEWMAN / special guests

Tuesday, December 2: VIENNA TENG

For more show information, head HERE