St Mazie Bar & Supper Club: Why This Williamsburg Basement Still Feels Like a Secret

St Mazie Bar & Supper Club: Why This Williamsburg Basement Still Feels Like a Secret

Walk down Grand Street in Williamsburg and you might miss it. There's no neon sign screaming for your attention. No velvet rope. Just a modest storefront that looks like it belongs to another century entirely. Honestly, that’s the whole point of St Mazie Bar & Supper Club. It’s one of those rare spots in Brooklyn that managed to survive the hyper-gentrification of the last decade without losing its soul or turning into a theme park version of itself.

Step inside.

The air changes immediately. It’s thick with the smell of old wood, candle wax, and maybe a hint of rosemary from the kitchen. You’re greeted by a long, curved bar that feels like it was ripped straight out of a 1920s brasserie. But St Mazie isn't just a bar. It’s a multi-level experience that feels like a fever dream curated by someone who really, really loves New Orleans and Paris in equal measure.

The Magic of the Main Floor and That Garden

Most people come for the live music. If you’re standing at the front bar, you’re basically on top of the performers. There’s no stage, just a corner where some of the city's best jazz, flamenco, and gypsy swing musicians cram in with their instruments. It’s loud. It’s intimate. It’s kind of chaotic in the best way possible. You might find yourself leaning against a weathered brick wall while a fiddler narrowly misses your cocktail with their bow.

But then there’s the back.

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The garden at St Mazie Bar & Supper Club is legendary among locals. It’s an ivy-covered oasis that feels completely disconnected from the noise of the BQE nearby. While the front is all dark wood and intensity, the back is airy and lush. It's the kind of place where you lose track of time. You go in for one drink at 7:00 PM and suddenly it’s midnight and you’re discussing the merits of obscure jazz recordings with a stranger.

Downstairs in the Supper Club

The real transformation happens when you head into the basement. This is the "Supper Club" portion of the name, and it’s a different beast entirely. It’s darker down there. Sexier. The ceiling is low, the lighting is amber, and the vibe shifts from "neighborhood bar" to "clandestine meeting spot."

The food here isn't an afterthought. That's a mistake a lot of jazz clubs make—they focus so much on the horns that they forget the kitchen. Not here. The menu leans into New American territory with a heavy emphasis on seafood and classic techniques. Think oysters, mussels, and a steak frites that actually tastes like it came from a kitchen that cares. They do a Three-Course Prix Fixe that is surprisingly affordable given the quality of the live performance happening just a few feet from your table.

What to Actually Order

  • The Cocktails: They don't do those over-the-top drinks with dry ice and edible glitter. They do the classics. The Sazerac is a standout because they actually know how to use absinthe without overdoing it.
  • The Oysters: Always fresh. They usually have a solid rotation of East Coast varieties that pair perfectly with a crisp white wine.
  • The Music: Okay, you can’t "order" it, but check the calendar. Sunday nights often feature different vibes than a Friday. The flamenco nights are particularly intense and worth the trip alone.

Why St Mazie Bar & Supper Club Still Matters in 2026

New York is a city that eats its own history. Every week, a beloved dive bar closes to make way for a luxury condo or a sterile "concept" lounge. St Mazie Bar & Supper Club shouldn't really work on paper. It's too specific. It’s too niche. Yet, it thrives.

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It works because it’s authentic. The owner, John-Paul Skov, and the team there haven't tried to "update" the experience to fit whatever is trending on social media this month. They understand that people don't go to a supper club for a digital interface or a minimalist aesthetic. They go for the friction. They go for the sound of a double bass vibrating through the floorboards. They go for the flickering candlelight that makes everyone look a little more mysterious than they actually are.

It’s also one of the few places left where the "dinner and a show" format doesn't feel like a tourist trap. In Midtown, you'll pay $150 just to sit down at a jazz club. At St Mazie, it feels like you've stumbled into a private party. There’s a grit to it that keeps it grounded.

The Logistics You Need to Know

Don't just show up on a Saturday night at 9:00 PM and expect a table in the cellar. You won't get one.

  1. Reservations are mandatory for the supper club downstairs. Use their website or whatever booking platform they’re currently using. If you just want to hang at the bar and listen to the music from a distance, you can usually squeeze in, but be prepared to stand.
  2. Dress the part. You don't need a tuxedo, but maybe leave the cargo shorts at home. The room deserves a little effort. A nice jacket or a vintage dress fits the "Lost Generation" vibe of the place.
  3. Bring cash for the band. While there’s often a cover charge or a built-in fee for the music, tipping the performers is the right thing to do. These are world-class musicians playing in a tiny room.
  4. Check the schedule. The music ranges from traditional New Orleans jazz to Brazilian choro. If you have a specific preference, look at their lineup online before you go.

A Note on the Neighborhood

Williamsburg has changed. A lot. The area around Grand Street is busier than it used to be, and the crowd at St Mazie Bar & Supper Club is a mix of old-school Brooklynites, international travelers, and people who just moved to the neighborhood last week. It’s a democratic space.

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Interestingly, the bar has managed to stay relevant without becoming "Instagram bait." Sure, it's beautiful, but the lighting is so low that your phone probably won't take a good picture anyway. That’s a blessing. It forces people to actually look at each other. To talk. To listen to the music instead of filming it through a six-inch screen.

Actionable Insights for Your Visit

If you want the "perfect" St Mazie experience, here is exactly how to do it:

Book a table for the late-night set in the cellar. Aim for a time around 8:30 or 9:00 PM. Arrive thirty minutes early and grab a drink at the upstairs bar first. This lets you soak in the high-energy vibe of the main room before descending into the more intimate supper club.

Order the Sazerac or a St Mazie Sour. For dinner, stick to the seafood specials or the duck leg confit if it’s on the menu. Once the music starts, put your phone away. Seriously. The acoustics in the basement are surprisingly good, and the performers often engage with the audience between songs.

When you leave, walk a few blocks toward the water. The contrast between the 1920s bubble you just left and the modern skyline of Manhattan across the East River is the best way to end the night. It reminds you that while New York is always moving forward, places like St Mazie are keeping the best parts of the past alive.


Next Steps:

  • Check the Live Calendar: Visit the official St Mazie website to see which residency is playing tonight. Flamenco usually hits differently on a weeknight.
  • Secure Your Spot: If you’re planning a weekend visit, book your cellar table at least 72 hours in advance.
  • Plan the Route: The bar is a short walk from the Bedford L or the Marcy Ave J/M/Z. Avoid driving; street parking on Grand Street is a nightmare.