Nightlife in Brooklyn, NY

Small enough that toddlers don't melt down. Sea lions, barn animals, nature theater.

450 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225 · Daily 10am-5pm (seasonal hours vary) · Ages 0+

Free to walk in. Secret doors, themed rooms, rotating installations. Also a toy store.

1 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201 · Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm · Ages 0–12

Free storytime, STEM workshops, craft programs. The building itself is Art Deco gold.

10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238 · Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Free canoeing on the Gowanus Canal. Yes, really. Weekends, weather permitting.

165 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 · Weekends, spring through fall, weather permitting · Ages 5+

Tumbling, rock climbing, martial arts, dance -- all for kids. Drop-in open play available.

400 Carroll St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 · Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm · Ages 0–14

Three regulation-sized sand volleyball courts at Pier 6 with views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor. Free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis when leagues are not scheduled. Bring your own ball and net -- posts are installed. Popular for pickup games on summer weekends.

Atlantic Ave & Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 · Daily 6am-11pm

NYC Parks rec center with indoor pool, fitness equipment, basketball gym. Seasonal programming includes boxing, dance, youth sports. $25/year membership (reduced for seniors and youth).

155 Bay St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 · Mon-Fri 6am-8:30pm, Sat 8am-10pm

Six public hard courts in Fort Greene Park, available to NYC Parks tennis permit holders. The seasonal permit is $100 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for youth. Single-play passes are $15. Courts are first-come, first-served and popular for casual play on weekday mornings. A short walk from the G train at Fulton St.

136 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 · Daily 7am-8pm (seasonal)

A 400-meter running track at the Red Hook Recreation Center, free and open to the public during open hours. The track shares the facility with soccer and football fields. Less crowded than Prospect Park for runners who want a consistent surface and measured distance. Adjacent to the rec center pool and gym.

155 Bay St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 · Daily 6am-dusk

Two bocce courts at Pier 2, free and open to the public. Bring your own bocce set or borrow one from the Pier 2 sports equipment shed (available on a first-come, first-served basis). A surprisingly social activity on the waterfront -- regulars show up on summer evenings and weekend afternoons.

150 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 · Daily 6am-11pm

Outdoor roller skating rink on Pier 2 with Manhattan skyline views. May through October. $10 with rental, $6 with your own skates. Some free days in summer. DJ nights on weekends.

150 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 · Seasonal (May-Oct), hours vary

Six public hard courts in Midwood, available to NYC Parks tennis permit holders. A quieter alternative to the Fort Greene and Prospect Park courts. Seasonal permit $100 for adults, $20 for seniors, $10 for youth. Single-play passes $15. First-come, first-served.

700 E 17th St, Brooklyn, NY 11230 · Daily 7am-8pm (seasonal)

$22 drop-in. Year-round indoor rink at Floyd Bennett Field. One of the few rinks in NYC that never closes for the season.

3159 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11234 · Daily 9am-8pm (public skate times vary -- call ahead)

Bowling + live music + Blue Ribbon fried chicken. Family Bowl on weekends is free entry.

61 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249 · Daily, hours vary by event

Brooklyn's Bowery Ballroom. 650 capacity. Good sound, two bars, balcony.

66 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 · Show nights, doors typically 7-8pm

Oldest performing arts center in America. Student rush $25. Next Wave Festival is the big draw.

30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 · Box office Mon-Sat 12pm-6pm, show times vary

Free under 19. First Saturdays: free admission 5-11pm with DJs and gallery talks.

200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238 · Wed-Sun 11am-6pm, closed Mon-Tue

The original dine-in cinema. Cocktails and food at your seat. Williamsburg location.

136 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249 · Daily, showtimes vary

Strict no-talking, no-texting. They actually enforce it. House of Wax bar downstairs.

445 Albee Square West, Brooklyn, NY 11201 · Daily, showtimes vary

1920s warehouse. Comedy, podcast tapings, live music, themed dance parties. $10-30.

149 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 · Show nights, doors typically 7-8pm

Brunch screenings on weekends. Midnight movies. Bigger than the Williamsburg location.

188 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215 · Daily, showtimes vary

Open a fake washing machine door. Pinball bar behind it. Only licensed laundromat bar in NYC.

860 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 · Daily 7am-10pm (laundromat), bar hours vary

Free museum night with DJs, gallery talks, and a cash bar. Arrive early -- big crowds.

200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238 · First Saturday of select months, 5pm-11pm

1,800 capacity. No bad sightline. The Bowery Presents books it. Williamsburg.

319 Frost St, Brooklyn, NY 11222 · Show nights, doors typically 7-8pm

No drink minimum. Table service. Touring headliners and local favorites. Brooklyn's busiest comedy room.

487 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 · Show nights, check schedule

Improv classes and shows in Williamsburg. The comedy school Brooklyn was missing.

338 Maujer St, Brooklyn, NY 11206 · Show nights, check schedule

Baroque burlesque. Acrobatics, opera, cocktails. Unlike anything else in NYC.

505 Carroll St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 · Show nights, check schedule

Record store with a 250-capacity venue in the back. Free in-store performances.

64 N 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 · Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-8pm, show times vary

80,000 sq ft. Indoor and outdoor stages. Brooklyn's biggest electronic music complex.

140 Stewart Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237 · Event nights, check schedule

DIY comedy in Williamsburg. $5-10. The kind of room where future headliners get reps.

246 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 · Show nights, check schedule