A brake mechanism is provided for braking rotation of a rotary member in a spinning reel or a baitcasting reel. The brake mechanism includes a frame unit, an actuating member, a biasing member, a plurality of actuated members, and a plurality of brake pieces. The actuating member is biased by the biasing member to an outer position. In response to movement of the actuating member to an Inner position from the outer position, the actuated members are moved radially and outwardly to permit the brake pieces to be brought into frictional engagement with the rotary member to thereby brake the rotation of the rotary member.