You’re standing under the elevated M train tracks at the intersection of Myrtle and Broadway. It’s loud. The metal screeches. But if you look at the triangular building right there, you’re looking at one of the most resilient, chaotic, and legendary DIY spaces in New York City history. Market Hotel Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn NY isn't just a venue. It’s a survivor.
Most people think of "hotels" as places with concierges and tiny soaps. Not this place. It never was that. It’s a multi-use creative space that has lived a dozen lives, survived police raids, and navigated the brutal bureaucracy of New York City’s Department of Buildings. It’s Bushwick’s beating heart, even if that heart sometimes skips a beat due to a lack of a liquor license or a sudden inspection.
If you want the real story, you have to look past the stickers on the walls.
Why Market Hotel Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn NY Stays Weird
The building at 1140 Myrtle Avenue is a "flatiron" style structure. It’s awkward. It’s cramped. But that’s exactly why the acoustics for a punk show or an experimental noise set feel so visceral.
The venue was founded by Todd P (Todd Patrick), a guy whose name is synonymous with the mid-2000s Brooklyn DIY scene. Before the Barclays Center was a thing, before every brand had a "pop-up" in Williamsburg, there was a raw need for spaces where bands could play for $10 without a corporate sponsor. Market Hotel filled that void. It started in 2008 as an unlicensed, underground spot. You’d walk up a sketchy staircase and suddenly you were in a room overlooking the subway tracks, watching a band like No Age or Dan Deacon while the floor flexed under your feet.
It was DIY in the purest sense. It was also, legally speaking, a nightmare.
That’s the thing about "cool" New York. The stuff that makes the city interesting is often the stuff the city tries to shut down. In 2010, the cops finally did exactly that. They raided a show, and for years, Market Hotel was a ghost. People thought it was over. But instead of folding, the team behind it spent years—and a massive amount of money raised through Kickstarter and donations—bringing the building up to code. They needed fire sprinlers. They needed ADA-compliant elevators. They needed to prove that a DIY space could actually play by the rules without losing its soul.
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The Long Road to Legitimacy
Getting a Certificate of Occupancy in Brooklyn is basically a marathon through a field of red tape. Honestly, it's a miracle they pulled it off.
By the time Market Hotel officially "reopened" for real-deal, legal public assembly around 2016, the neighborhood had changed. The gentrification of Bushwick wasn't a rumor anymore; it was the reality. Yet, the venue stayed true to its roots. They didn't turn it into a high-end cocktail lounge. They kept the windows that look out onto the J/M/Z tracks, which remains one of the most iconic views in any music venue worldwide. Watching a train scream past during a quiet bridge in a song is a peak New York experience.
The programming is still wild. You might see a hyperpop rave one night and a hardcore matinee the next.
What to actually expect when you go
First off, don't bring your parents here unless they used to hang out at CBGB. It’s loud. The "lobby" is basically a staircase.
- The Sound: It’s better than it used to be, but it’s still raw. It’s a room made of hard surfaces.
- The Vibe: High energy. The crowd is a mix of art students, neighborhood locals, and people who traveled from Jersey because this is the only place the touring band is playing.
- The View: This is the seller. The stage is framed by those massive windows. When the train passes, the light flickers through the cars. It’s cinematic in a way that feels like a 70s gritty crime movie.
Addressing the Rumors and Misconceptions
There is a lot of misinformation floating around about the "Hotel" part of the name. Let’s be clear: you cannot book a room here on Expedia. The name is a holdover from the building's history as a literal hotel for laborers and travelers in the early 20th century. Today, the upper floors have functioned as a residential "loft" space for artists, which has occasionally caused friction with the city.
Is it safe? Yes, now it is. The 2010-2016 hiatus was specifically to address safety. When you stand in there today, you’re standing in a space that has been poked and prodded by every city inspector imaginable.
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Another misconception is that it's "just for hipsters." While the crowd definitely leans younger and "alt," Market Hotel has a long history of hosting community events, activism meetings, and all-ages shows. In a city where 21+ venues are the norm, having a place where a 17-year-old can see a show is vital for the culture. It keeps the scene from becoming a museum.
The Business of DIY
Running a place like Market Hotel Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn NY is a financial tightrope walk. You have to pay the bands, pay the staff, and keep the lights on in a neighborhood where real estate prices are astronomical.
They’ve experimented with different models. During the pandemic, like every other venue, they had to pivot. They’ve hosted everything from community fridges to live-streamed events. The fact that they survived the 2020 lockdowns—after already surviving a six-year closure for renovations—is a testament to the community's support. People want this place to exist because the alternative is another glass-and-steel condo building or a bank.
Why it matters in 2026 and beyond
New York is losing its "third places." We have work, and we have home, but the spaces in between where you can just exist and experience something weird are disappearing. Market Hotel is a bulwark against that.
It represents the idea that you can take a crumbling, odd-shaped building on a noisy corner and turn it into something that people will fight for. It’s proof that DIY isn't just a phase for kids in their 20s; it's a legitimate way to run a cultural institution.
If you're planning a visit, check their social media or Resident Advisor. They don't always have a sign out front that's easy to see. You look for the crowd of people wearing black hoodies and standing under the tracks. That's your signal.
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Practical Tips for the Market Hotel Experience
Don't be that person who shows up unprepared.
- Bring Earplugs. Seriously. The combination of the PA system and the M train is a lot for the human eardrum.
- Check the All-Ages Status. Not every show is all-ages, so if you're under 21, verify before you take the subway out there.
- Use the M Train. The Myrtle-Broadway stop is literally right there. It’s one of the few venues where the commute is part of the aesthetic.
- Support the Bar. Even if you’re just getting water, that revenue helps keep the doors open.
- Respect the Neighborhood. When the show lets out at 2:00 AM, remember people live in the surrounding buildings. Don't be the reason they get another noise complaint.
Market Hotel Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn NY is more than a line on a map. It’s a messy, loud, beautiful example of why people still move to Brooklyn. It’s not polished, it’s not perfect, and that’s exactly why it works.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to experience the real Brooklyn DIY scene, your next move is simple. Go to the Market Hotel website or their Instagram and look at the calendar for the next two weeks. Pick a genre you’ve never heard of. Buy a ticket in advance—these shows often sell out because the capacity isn't huge. Show up early, grab a spot near the windows, and wait for the train to pass while the bass hits. It’s the only way to truly understand what this building means to the city.
For those interested in the history of the space or looking to support the mission, look into the "New York Nightlife United" or "Save Our Stages" initiatives, which many DIY founders, including those at Market Hotel, have been involved with to protect independent venues from rising rents and predatory development.
Check the schedule. Buy the ticket. Take the ride.