261 Driggs Ave’s robust history is reflective of the evolution of the northern Brooklyn neighborhood named Greenpoint, where the building has stood and served the local community and beyond for over a century. The story dates back to the industrial revolution of the early 1900s which turned Greenpoint’s optimal waterfront location into a booming industrial hub for manufacturing and ship-building, making it a prime destination for the massive influx of Polish immigrants who sought work in New York City. At one point, Greenpoint’s population was said to have been roughly eighty percent Polish-Americans, giving rise to its nickname “Little Poland.”
In 1914, the building was established as the Polish National Home, a cultural hub where the Poles of NYC gathered, celebrated, and preserved their rich heritage throughout the 20th century. It wasn’t until 2001 that the space became known as Warsaw and began hosting punk and indie rock shows as a means to raise funds for community events. These shows became a cornerstone of the venue, earning Warsaw the treasured tagline ‘Where Pierogis Meet Punk.’
Today, Warsaw persists as a historic staple of the Brooklyn music scene, where people from all walks of life can come together in an intimate, unpretentious 1000-person venue to experience their favorite emerging and established artists across all genres. As Warsaw’s musical ethos evolves along with the cultural landscape that surrounds it, one thing remains constant – hot pierogies will always take the stage.
“Upstairs they’re giving polka lessons, downstairs they’re serving pierogies. Do you know how much this place speaks to me?” - Jack White
ARTISTS WHO'VE SHARED OUR STAGE AND PIEROGIES:
Action Bronson, Aimee Mann, Alex G, Alvvays, Amen Dunes, Andy Shauf, Band of Horses, Bakar, Bebe Rexha, Black Midi, The Black Keys, Built to Spill, Caroline Polachek, Courtney Love, Daniel Johnston, Danny Brown, Dinosaur Jr., Earthgang, Finneas, Franz Ferdinand, The Garden, Glassjaw, Guided by Voices, Hinds, Hippo Campus, INHALER, Isaiah Rashad, Jack White, Japanese Breakfast, Jessie Ware, Joan Jett, Julia Jacklin, Kesha, Khruangbin, King Krule, King Princess, Latto, Lily Allen, Lorde, Mac DeMarco, Mahalia, The Menzingers, Oneohtrix Point Never, Osees, Patti Smith, Prophets of Rage, Public Enemy, Regina Spektor, Riz Ahmed, Screaming Females, Shakey Graves, Sharon Van Etten, Sinead Harnett, Spoon, Tinashe, Tiwa Savage, TV on the Radio, Ty Segall, Turnstile, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Waxahatchee, Weezer, Wilco, Viagra Boys, Yeat
