The Inkwell Cafe

Very sad looking place. Looks like it was put together without any concern to its vibe or design. Cheaply done– but you can put together a decent place cheaply AND tastefully if you cared a little. Not in this case…
Weird bright lighting, weird tv screens on the back walls room (why?) Crooked cheap art on the walls. Narrow stage on back room that barely fits the band (and covered with rugged gray rug). Nothing to cheer for in this place.
Ps– food and service were bad too!
I honestly can’t see this place surviving much longer, since they don’t seem to care at all about their business. (And probably will never read the reviews here to try and improve.)

Since I was there for a private event I can only judge the décor. Great bartender that night. Nice space or front. Presuming the backs dancing or performances I wish they would work on that as well. Would bring it all together.

Hosts some very talented jazz musicians. They should rethink their décor and seating to fit more and to look more like a ‘jazz club’ though, as half of the place is dive bar and the other half is a back room performance space. Older crowd there but go for the music.

We went to a comedy show at Inkwell on Bedford Avenue. Nice place, great comedy show! Sadly the drinks were really bad! $ 13 for a house vodka and soda, eh may I remind you we are in the hood?! Seemingly get a ‘free’ shot with your drink, it wasn’t really a shot. I don’t mind paying $ 13 if I’m in cool place but way overpriced for the location. So much potential but a thumbs down if you want a proper drink.

As the Inkwell Café is in my neighborhood, I really wanted to like it. I was there on April 12 with a group to see a live jazz band perform. The band was great. I had heard that the turnout for the performances tended to be low but that wasn’t the case on the night I went. There was at least 15 – 20 people in the audience, so I was pleased that the band got some of the support they deserve. The place also brands itself as a soul food restaurant, but I found the menu to be fairly limited and the service was a little slow. I would come back for the performances, but I probably will eat beforehand in the future.

A well kept little spot that doesn’t start jumping until the later hours, even on a weekend night, and I don’t think has enough live music to merit it’s focus on blues and jazz. Mostly, though, it’s just overpriced, although that could be a sliding scale whose scale didn’t slide in my favor:
Dear Bartenders who charge different prices for different patrons,
My ass is poor!
Sincerely,
Your would-​be happy drunk

This is one of those local, «around the way» spots where you go for a casual, comfortable «kick it» night if you live nearby, or are in the area.
I attended an event that was hosted here, so I can’t speak on the regular activity at this bar (which I think includes Live Comedy from time to time). We even had drink tickets, so I don’t know how much the drinks are. Food was served, but I didn’t eat any, so again, I don’t know if it was any good. (Hmmm, why am I even submitting a review?)
Though they did have a karaōke machine, which was fun to use. I don’t know if this is a regular thing, or it was set up special for the event.
Can’t say I’d go out of my way to come here though, unless I attended another event hosted by a friend.

Oh Inkwell… you have so much potential! This neighborhood really needs a place like this. We we went for jazz on a very rainy weeknight… I was bummed that there was a very small turnout, but surprised by a wonderful jazz trio that played their hearts out despite the lack of audience. I think Inkwell needs to find it’s groove and have better food options and drink specials… I would definitely give it another shot. I might just eat first next time…
Pros:
The layout: The front is louder, with a long bar and some seating and plenty of room to hang around. There is also a casual, intimate vibe in the back room/​dining area where bands and comedy acts perform.
Cons:
Expensive drinks, especially for this particular Brooklyn neighborhood
Their advertised «soul food specials» was extremely limited and consisted of fried chicken wings that tasted like it came out of a frozen Tyson’s box, green beans (which they called «greens» so I was expecting some sort of collard greens), mac n cheese and shrimp.

The Inkwell is a nice cosy spot, but one must go there with a friend or group. The food isn’t bad, and the drinks aren’t bad either. They have the club in two sections, allowing for two simultaneous events to happen at the same time. I’ve gone there for their comedy and poetry shows, and the seem a little low budget, but I did have fun. I also went for karaōke, and although small crowd, they sang. I think a good place to chill, and maybe an early evening spot.