Bars & Nights Out

Roulette Intermedium: Brooklyn’s Listening Room for Avant-Garde and Experimental Music

Discover Roulette Intermedium, a premier Brooklyn venue focused on avant-garde experimental music and immersive listening experiences in a historic,

Since its founding in 1978, Roulette Intermedium has evolved from a Tribeca loft laboratory into a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s avant-garde arts scene. Located at 509 Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill, this venue is celebrated for its dedication to experimental music, movement, and media arts, presenting over 120 performances annually.

Unlike many conventional Brooklyn live venues that emphasize socializing or mainstream acts, Roulette prioritizes the listening experience. Its 1928 beaux arts theater, renovated with state-of-the-art acoustics and production equipment, creates an intimate environment where audiences engage deeply with innovative and boundary-pushing performances.

A Listening Room Unlike Any Other in Brooklyn

Roulette Intermedium distinguishes itself from typical Brooklyn music venues by cultivating a focused listening environment. The venue’s design and programming emphasize attentive audience engagement with experimental and avant-garde works rather than casual social gatherings or bar scenes.

Its 400-seat theater features a dramatic proscenium, superb acoustics, and sightlines that support immersive experiences. This setting is ideal for performances that challenge conventional music norms, including avant-jazz, electronic, new music, and interdisciplinary media arts.

A Rich Legacy of Experimental Arts

Founded as a creative laboratory in 1978, Roulette has been a launchpad for pioneering artists such as Maryanne Amacher, Robert Ashley, Anthony Braxton, Meredith Monk, and John Zorn. It continues to nurture emerging composers and performers who defy expectations and expand the boundaries of contemporary music.

The venue’s mission includes not only presenting new works but also maintaining an extensive archive that contextualizes historic experimental performances, especially those by artists marginalized due to systemic oppression.

State-of-the-Art Facilities in a Historic Setting

Housed in a beautifully restored 1928 beaux arts building, Roulette combines vintage architectural charm with modern technical capabilities. The 12,000-square-foot space includes a 6,000-square-foot theater equipped with industry-leading lighting and sound systems, supporting a wide range of performance styles and media.

The venue’s accessibility features include a wheelchair-accessible main floor via a ramp entrance on Atlantic Avenue and gender-neutral, ADA-compliant restrooms, ensuring an inclusive environment for all patrons.

Programming That Pushes Boundaries

Roulette presents over 120 evenings of experimental music, movement, and media arts annually, alongside 150+ community and rental events. Its programming spans avant-jazz, opera, world music, electronic music, and interdisciplinary performances, often spotlighting living composers and performers with new and unusual works.

The venue also hosts recurring events such as the Roulette Open House, which introduces the community to its space and programs, featuring live performances, guided tours, and interactive activities.

Getting There and What to Expect

Located in Boerum Hill at 509 Atlantic Avenue, Roulette is easily accessible via multiple subway lines including the 2, 3, 4, 5, D, M, N, R, B, Q, and LIRR at Atlantic Avenue-Barclay’s Center, the G train to Fulton Street, and the A and C trains to Hoyt-Schermerhorn.

Performances are generally general admission with no assigned seating, and the venue operates at full capacity (up to 400 seated or 550 standing). The bar is open during season performances, and catered events are permitted. Visitors should check the official schedule for event-specific details and reservations.

Practical notes

Access: Open for scheduled performances and events; no fixed daily hours.
Address: 509 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217, Boerum Hill neighborhood.
Transit: Multiple subway lines serve Atlantic Avenue-Barclay’s Center nearby; G train to Fulton Street; A/C trains to Hoyt-Schermerhorn.
Admission: General admission; seating not assigned; check event-specific ticketing policies.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible main floor via ramp; gender-neutral ADA-compliant restrooms available.
Food & Drink: Bar open during season performances; catered events allowed.
Official Info: Always verify current schedule and policies at https://roulette.org/

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