Events and Tickets at The Paper Box’s Successor

Events at 17 Meadow Street now run under The Meadows name, continuing The Paper Box’s mix of concerts, club nights, festivals and arts-led gatherings.

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HQueue Presents: Sabo & Goldcap

11:00 PM, Fri, 13 May 2022

May

The Paper Box

Brooklyn

HQueue Presents: EL-SOUK

10:00 PM, Sat, 2 Apr 2022

Apr

The Paper Box

Brooklyn

Peter Napoli & Eddie Elias in Brooklyn

10:00 PM, Sat, 6 Nov 2021

Nov

The Paper Box

Brooklyn

Lost Paradise 8.21.21

10:00 PM, Sat, 21 Aug 2021

Aug

The Paper Box

Brooklyn

SHADES - Brooklyn

10:00 PM, Sat, 28 Jul 2018

Jul

The Paper Box

10:00 PM

Events and Programming

The Paper Box is no longer operating under that name. The independent Brooklyn venue occupied 17 Meadow Street from 2012 through the early 2020s. After pandemic disruption and a short-lived return of Paper Box-branded events in 2021, the address relaunched as The Meadows in 2022. Visitors searching for Paper Box events should therefore use the live listing for The Meadows and confirm that the ticket shows 17 Meadow Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206.

The final documented Paper Box season in 2021 leaned heavily toward immersive dance events and late-night electronic programming. Examples included the disco-oriented Glo Back party, a tropical “Into the Wild” event using the venue’s outdoor component and Funktion-One reinforcement, and the returning Afraid of the Dark Halloween rave. These events illustrate the experimental, promoter-led programming that bridged the original venue and its successor.

Programming broadened considerably after the transition. At least 41 concerts were documented at The Meadows during 2022, encompassing hardcore, death metal, post-hardcore, punk, electronic music and darkwave. Bills included Agnostic Front, Ceremony, Gel, The Obsessed, Exhumed, Wednesday 13, Blue Hawaii, Ace Aura and numerous touring support packages.

The pattern continued from 2023 through 2025. Punk and hardcore artists such as Steve Ignorant and Sick of It All appeared alongside indie, emo and alternative performers including Vinnie Caruana, Emarosa, Static Dress and Capstan. The heavier calendar included Baroness, Fulci, Visions of Atlantis and Inter Arma, while electronic, drum-and-bass, reggaeton and queer club nights regularly occupied later time slots.

Recurring and multi-act programming is especially important here. The address has hosted editions of Desertfest NYC, Rage of Armageddon, Back From the Dead, Flesh & Steel, Mutilated Fest, Popnite New York and other underground festivals. These bookings make the venue particularly relevant to metal, hardcore, industrial, punk and alternative communities, although its club calendar remains much broader.

As of August 24, 2026, the remaining announced 2026 program included touring metal and hardcore, bass music, drum-and-bass, alternative rock and festival bills. Artists and events advertised for the latter part of the year included D.R.I., REZN, 156/Silence, Vader, Combichrist, Crown Magnetar and Rage of Armageddon, following earlier appearances by Cloud Nothings, Stephin Merritt, E.Town Concrete and Ben Nichols. No dependable public announcement for a 2027 season was found during research.

Tickets and Booking

Tickets are normally sold through the authorized event listing attached to each concert or party rather than through a traditional daily box office. Because different promoters use the room, ticket terms, transfer rules, refund policies and age limits can vary. Always verify the venue name, street address, door time and event organizer before completing a purchase.

Standard advance admission for many club nights and small touring shows commonly falls around $15 to $40 before fees. Door admission may be $5 to $20 higher, while weekend festivals, VIP packages, open-bar events and multi-day passes cost more. One 2026 community dance event, for example, advertised $20 advance admission and a $40 door price, while recent rock and electronic shows have commonly appeared near $30.

Popular metal festivals, anniversary performances and limited-capacity electronic nights can sell out. Buying during the initial on-sale is the safest strategy, especially for Saturday events. If a show is not sold out, door sales may be available, but they should never be assumed. Presales and tiered prices are promoter-specific rather than a consistent venue-wide system.

About The Paper Box

The original Paper Box began presenting events in May 2012, following the formation of its operating company and an application for a new liquor license in 2011. It described itself as an independently owned music-and-arts complex with professional staff, a full band backline, kitchen and bar operations. Its calendar combined indie rock, metal, hip-hop, reggae, jazz, electronic and experimental music with readings, theater, painting, graffiti, video installations, poetry, performance art and literary festivals.

The name was literal: the industrial building had previously been used as a paper factory. Its conversion retained a warehouse-like identity while introducing stages, bars, lounge space and an outdoor yard. The venue was not a designated historic theater or ornate concert hall; its significance came from adaptive reuse and from turning a utilitarian East Williamsburg building into a flexible cultural space.

Early highlights included several unofficial CMJ-era showcases and a rare CocoRosie album-preview performance. The 2012 festival period brought artists such as The Orwells, Dent May, Tashaki Miyaki and Yo Majesty to the room, while a garage-rock showcase was remembered for an energetic Bikini Car Wash performance. Later bookings ranged from black metal and hip-hop to community markets and multimedia events.

During the pandemic shutdown, The Paper Box joined the coalition of independent New York venues seeking survival assistance and submitted material to Congress describing the difficulties faced by spaces that could not reopen like conventional restaurants or bars. Its eventual replacement by The Meadows preserved live-event use at the address and helped create a three-venue Meadow Street cluster with The Brooklyn Monarch and The Wood Shop.

Capacity, Seating and Layout

Published Paper Box capacities varied by period and configuration. Archived venue information listed a 250-person main room, a 150-person smaller room called The Meadow and a weather-dependent 150-person backyard stage; another archived FAQ gave an overall operating range of 250 to 300. These figures should not be added together because room use and permitted occupancy depended on the event.

The current Meadows operation advertises a 450-person standing capacity and two stages, one indoors and one outside. A theater-style rental configuration can accommodate approximately 150 seated guests. Exact room dimensions and stage measurements are not available in a sufficiently reliable current technical document, so touring crews and private-event organizers should obtain a contemporary floor plan rather than relying on old Paper Box specifications.

Most public concerts and club nights are general admission and predominantly standing. The indoor room has been described by recent guests as long and relatively narrow, with the bar extending along the right side and a smaller seating or decompression area toward the left. The outdoor yard contains benches and may operate as a smoking area, secondary dance space, merchandise zone or second stage.

For live bands, the center of the floor generally provides the most balanced view and sound. The front is best for intensity but can become loud or active during hardcore and metal shows. Standing beside the long bar offers easier drink access but more passing traffic and a less direct sightline. For electronic events, production placement varies by promoter, so the strongest visual position may change from night to night.

Sound, Lighting and Production

The old Paper Box technical inventory included NEXO amplification, PR15 mains, RS18 subwoofers, Yamaha monitors and an Allen & Heath 32-channel front-of-house mixer, together with Yamaha and Pearl drums, Marshall and Fender guitar amplification and Ampeg and Gallien-Krueger bass equipment. DJs were generally expected to supply their own specialized gear.

The Meadows conversion introduced an updated sound system, video walls, a disco ball and expanded indoor/outdoor production possibilities. Current rental material does not publish a complete model-by-model technical rider. Visitor accounts usually praise the system’s impact, especially for loud rock and bass music, but repeatedly note that the mix, visuals and lighting depend heavily on the individual promoter and production crew.

Getting There and Parking

The venue is at 17 Meadow Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206, in the industrial section where East Williamsburg meets Bushwick. The closest subway is the Grand Street L station, approximately 0.2 miles away. From the station, walk east from Grand Street and Bushwick Avenue toward Waterbury Street, then turn toward Meadow Street. The walk normally takes about five minutes.

Grand Street’s L station received elevators in 2023, making it the most practical accessible subway approach. Morgan Avenue on the L is another option, generally requiring a walk south along Bogart Street. Subway service runs overnight, but weekend and late-night construction changes are common, so allow extra travel time after the show.

There is no confirmed dedicated venue parking lot or reserved accessible parking space. Free curb parking may be available on surrounding industrial blocks, but it is limited and controlled by posted loading, hydrant and alternate-side restrictions. Drivers should photograph the sign nearest their space and avoid leaving valuables visible. Public transit or rideshare is usually simpler.

No formal rideshare zone is advertised. Meadow Street can become congested when simultaneous events are running at The Meadows, The Brooklyn Monarch and The Wood Shop. For an easier pickup, walk to a well-lit nearby intersection and confirm the vehicle’s plate before entering.

Inside the Venue

Expect an ID and ticket check followed by security screening. Bags and camera equipment may be searched. Weapons are prohibited, indoor smoking and vaping are not permitted, and some promoters enforce no-re-entry rules. Non-flash personal photography is accepted at many events, but artist restrictions take precedence.

The space has a full bar, restrooms, merchandise areas and an outdoor yard. Food is available for some events, but the offering is not consistent enough to replace a pre-show meal. Reviews describe generally quick bar service and powerful sound, while recurring criticisms concern drink prices, restroom congestion and occasional inconsistency in security or audio mixing.

A coat check operates on many busy or cold-weather nights, although visitors report that it is not guaranteed for every event. Bring only what you can comfortably carry if the listing does not specifically promise coat-check service. Merchandise may be sold inside or in the backyard, depending on the bill. Reliable public Wi-Fi should not be assumed.

Nearby Amenities

The immediate blocks are more industrial than the center of Williamsburg, but there are useful pre-show options within walking distance. LoHi on Scholes Street offers rooftop drinks and food, while the Moore Street area around Roberta’s provides pizza and additional bars. Morgan Avenue and Flushing Avenue have further casual restaurants, cafés and late-night counters.

There are few conventional hotels immediately beside the venue. Out-of-town visitors will usually find more choice in central Williamsburg, Bushwick or near another L-train station. Staying along the L provides the simplest connection. After late events, expect rideshare demand and subway platforms to be busier because adjacent Meadow Street venues may close at similar times.

What Makes This Venue Special

The address represents a continuous strand of Brooklyn’s independent cultural history. The Paper Box transformed a former factory into a multidisciplinary room where touring artists, local performers, visual art, readings, markets and unconventional nightlife could share a building. The Meadows retained the industrial intimacy but increased capacity and strengthened the property’s role as part of a larger live-music campus.

Its programming remains unusually porous: a death-metal festival can be followed by drum-and-bass, reggaeton, queer dance programming or an indie-rock bill. The backyard offers relief from the main room and creates a second social center, while the modest scale keeps performers close to the audience. That flexibility—not architectural grandeur—is the defining character of 17 Meadow Street.

Visitor Tips and Accessibility

The current venue is reported to be at ground level, wheelchair accessible and equipped with an accessible restroom. Grand Street’s elevator-equipped L station improves the accessible route from Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn. Because most shows are standing-room events without reserved accessible platforms, guests who require a clear sightline or other accommodation should arrange it before event day.

Check the event-specific age rule; The Meadows is not uniformly 21-plus.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, particularly for club nights and bar service.
Use hearing protection for metal, hardcore, bass and hard-dance events.
Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before the first act if you want a front or center position.
Wear practical shoes: most events involve standing on a hard floor.
Do not rely on door tickets, coat check, food service or re-entry unless the event information confirms them.
For outdoor programming, prepare for the weather; the backyard stage is weather-dependent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Paper Box still open?

No. The Paper Box no longer trades under that name. Its former building at 17 Meadow Street is now occupied by The Meadows, an active 450-capacity music and nightlife venue. Older maps, artist biographies and archived event pages may still call the address The Paper Box, so confirm the current venue name before traveling.

When did The Paper Box become The Meadows?

Paper Box-branded events continued into 2021 following the pandemic shutdown. The successor venue is recorded as opening in 2022, when touring concerts began appearing consistently under The Meadows name. A small number of transitional listings used the old name afterward, but current events at 17 Meadow Street should be treated as Meadows events.

What kind of events are held at the venue now?

The calendar includes metal, hardcore, punk, alternative rock, emo, indie music, bass, dubstep, drum-and-bass, techno, reggaeton and community dance parties. Multi-band festivals are common, and the indoor and outdoor stages allow different styles to operate during the same event. The exact atmosphere can therefore change dramatically from one night to another.

What is the capacity of The Meadows?

The current venue advertises a standing capacity of approximately 450. A theater-style seated setup can accommodate about 150, although public concerts are usually general admission. The old Paper Box published several smaller figures—including 250 for its main room—so visitors should not use archived Paper Box capacities to judge present-day Meadows events.

Are there assigned seats?

Usually not. Most concerts, festivals and dance events are general-admission standing shows. Limited benches or lounge seating may be available along the side of the indoor room or in the backyard, but these are normally first come, first served. Private rentals can use a seated layout, so consult the individual listing if an event specifically advertises theater seating.

How much do tickets usually cost?

Many standard concerts and club events cost roughly $15 to $40 before service charges. Multi-day festivals, VIP admission, open-bar parties and special anniversary shows may be substantially higher. Door admission, when offered, often costs more than advance admission. Pricing belongs to the individual promoter, so there is no single permanent venue price structure.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

Door sales are possible when an event has remaining capacity, but they are not guaranteed. The building does not operate like a conventional theater with a dependable daily box-office schedule. Buy in advance for festivals, touring headliners and Saturday-night parties. If trying the door, arrive early and expect the walk-up price to exceed the first advance tier.

Are events at The Meadows 21-plus?

Age limits are event-specific. Many electronic and late-night parties are 21-plus, while some touring concerts admit younger audiences. The original Paper Box generally described its shows as 21-plus, with limited parental arrangements, but that archived rule should not be applied automatically to The Meadows. Read the age line on your ticket and bring valid photo identification.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

The Meadows is reported to have a ground-level entrance and an accessible restroom. Most events are standing, so a wheelchair user who needs a protected viewing position should request an accommodation in advance. There is no confirmed dedicated accessible parking space, but the nearest subway station at Grand Street now has elevator access.

What is the nearest subway station?

Grand Street on the L is the closest station, approximately 0.2 miles from the venue. The usual walk takes around five minutes. Morgan Avenue on the L is a practical alternative and approaches the area from the east. Allow additional time during overnight or weekend service changes, particularly when leaving a late-night event.

Does the venue have parking?

No dedicated customer parking lot has been confirmed. Drivers rely primarily on curb parking on the surrounding industrial streets. Spaces can be scarce when multiple Meadow Street venues have events, and posted loading, hydrant and alternate-side rules are actively relevant. Public transit is usually easier; drivers should allow substantial time to search and secure valuables out of sight.

Is there a bag policy?

A permanent size-based bag rule has not been reliably published for every Meadows event. Security may inspect bags, camera equipment and personal belongings at entry, and individual promoters can impose stricter restrictions. The safest approach is to bring a small bag containing only essentials. Weapons, dangerous objects, outside alcohol and anything security considers hazardous should be left at home.

Does The Meadows have a coat check?

A coat check is available on many cold-weather and high-attendance nights, but visitors report that it does not operate at every event. Do not bring a heavy coat that would be difficult to carry unless coat-check service is explicitly confirmed. When it is open, expect a small per-item charge and retain the claim ticket carefully.

Can I buy food inside?

Food is offered at some events, and the venue is equipped for bar and food service, but menus and operating hours vary. Do not assume a full meal will be available during every concert. Eating beforehand is safer, especially for an early-door festival. Drinks are available from the bar, and outside beverages are generally not permitted.

Are cameras allowed?

Small personal cameras and non-flash photography are permitted at many shows, subject to security inspection and the artist’s rules. Professional cameras, detachable lenses, video rigs and audio-recording equipment may require credentials. Phone photography is normally the simplest option, but avoid flash and do not obstruct other guests’ views during a performance.

Can guests leave and re-enter?

Do not assume re-entry is available. Some promoters explicitly prohibit it, particularly during late-night electronic events. The backyard or designated outdoor section normally provides a place for smoking without leaving the controlled venue area. Ask security before exiting the main entrance; once your ticket has been scanned, staff may not permit you to return.

How early should I arrive?

For a standard show, arriving 30 minutes before the first advertised act provides time for security, drinks and finding a position. Arrive earlier for festivals, sold-out concerts or events with several venues operating on Meadow Street. Club nights may build slowly after doors, but early arrival can help you avoid higher door prices and long security lines.

Is there a dress code?

Rock, metal and most concert events do not follow a formal dress code; comfortable, practical clothing is appropriate. Certain promoter-run nightlife events may impose their own fashion or footwear rules, however. Read the event description rather than relying on a venue-wide assumption. Closed-toe shoes are advisable for crowded dance floors, active pits and long periods of standing.

Events and Tickets at The Paper Box’s Successor

HQueue Presents: Sabo & Goldcap

HQueue Presents: EL-SOUK

Peter Napoli & Eddie Elias in Brooklyn

Lost Paradise 8.21.21

SHADES - Brooklyn

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