Sycamore
1118 Cortelyou Rd., nr. Stratford Rd., Ditmas Park; 347-240-5850
Ditmas Park’s already innovative bourbon bar–slash–florist (it actually sells flowers in front) last year debuted one of the city’s tiniest, most transporting performance venues. A staircase near the back of the bar takes curious drinkers down to an intimate, candlelit space with weather-beaten benches and beautiful wooden beams that give the room a saunalike feel without, thankfully, the temperatures to match. Come showtime (usually on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights), folksy acts like Michaela Anne and Thieving Irons perform inches away from their front-row fans.