Barclays Center

Profile

After years of controversy surrounding the development of Atlantic Yards, Barclays Center opened in 2012 with a run of concerts by Brooklyn’s own Jay Z. Home of the NBA’s Nets and the NHL’s Islanders, the arena is the borough’s first major professional-sports venue since Ebbets Field met the wrecking ball following the Dodgers’ departure in 1957. Arenagoers entering the building through the main entrance at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues do so under an oculus with a hi-def videoboard covering its inner surface and, like the rest of the building, a skin of internationally rusted steel wrapping its exterior. Designed with basketball in mind, Barclays Center arena seats 17,732 for hoops, but the building also hosts big-name music acts and can seat 19,000 for concerts. The place has all the trappings of a modern arena: luxury suites, scoreboards galore, and multiple premium clubs and lounges. Meanwhile, many of the food concessions are handled by eateries with roots in Brooklyn: L&B Spumoni Gardens, Junior’s, and Fatty Cue BBQ, to name but three. — Joe DeLessio

Don’t Drive
Parking is difficult near the arena, so fans are strongly encouraged to take public transportation.

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Best of New York Awards

• Best Entertainment Venue (2013)