30+ Things To Do In Brooklyn NY At Night From a Local

If you’re visiting New York City and don’t make it to Brooklyn, you’re missing out. I love living in Brooklyn and would visit most weekends even when I lived in a different borough. The city comes alive in the evening with a vibrant nightlife, amazing restaurants, loads of things to do, world class bars, iconic views and more. 

30+ Things To Do In Brooklyn NY At Night From a Local

There are endless things to do in Brooklyn, NY at night and, while sometimes the news can sensationalize negative stories, Brooklyn is safe at night. 

Is Brooklyn Safe At Night?

I’ve come across this question often about Brooklyn and NYC in general. Yes, Brooklyn is safe at night. Similar to any city, keep your wits about you, don’t wander alone at night, keep an eye on any drinks, don’t over-imbibe and make sure your cell is charged. 

If you stay in the more popular areas of Brooklyn, you’ll likely feel safe as you’ll be surrounded by people, but in those cases make sure you’re not an easy target for valuables by leaving a cell phone unattended, etc. 

What To Do In Brooklyn At Night

Catch a Game

Head to Barclays Center to enjoy a game. Barclays is home to NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, the WNBA’s New York Liberty, and NHL’s New York Islanders. I’ve been to both a Nets and Liberty game and had a blast. 

Address: 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Go Roller Skating

Pretend like it’s the year 2000 and your mom just dropped you off at the roller-rink with your friends with a trip to Xanadu in Bushwick. At Xanadu you can skate, dance, see a show, eat and drink the night away. 

For a roller skating theme, without the skates, head to All Night Skate, also in Brooklyn.

Addresses: 
Xanadu Roller Arts: 262 Starr St, Brooklyn, NY
All Night Skate:  54 Rockaway Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Enjoy the views from a Rooftop Bar in Brooklyn 

Enjoying the sunset in NYC is amazing, and it’s even better from Brooklyn where you can witness the pink skies over Manhattan and the skyscraper skyline. 

A few rooftop options to consider: 

• Williamsburg Hotel / Arlo Williamsburg 
• Westlight 
• Aliya Rooftop
• Time Out Market
• Berry Park 

Enjoy a Unique Cinema Experience

Head to the movies! There are several unique movie theaters in Brooklyn to check out, including:

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Brooklyn

A dine-in movie theater chain that is very strict about their no-phone policy. 

Nitehawk Cinema

You can find two locations of this independently-owned theater in Williamsburg and Park Slope. You get to enjoy their seasonally-changing menu while dining along with a creative cocktail menu. 

Syndicated Brooklyn 

A bar, theater, restaurant in Bushwick. They aren’t usually playing the latest films, but it’s a unique experience hands down. 

Brooklyn Drive-In at the Brooklyn Army Terminal 

Enjoy a classic drive-in movie theater experience! 

Free Movies at the Park 

During the warmer months, you can also find free outdoor movie pop-ups. On Thursday evenings throughout the summer, you can head to Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park for Movies With a View. 

You bring your own blankets and snacks and purchase any alcohol at the park. 

Go Dancing

If you’re NYC and you want to enjoy some late-night dancing with house music or EDM, then you absolutely should be heading to Brooklyn, specifically to Bushwick. 

Here’s some spots across Brooklyn for dancing the night away: 

• Avant Gardner
• House of Yes
• Silo
• Nowadays
• Elsewhere
• Public Records
• Brooklyn Mirage
• Cafe Balerica
• Damballa
• Good Room 
• Signal 

Enjoy Peak Nostalgia with a Visit to Coney Island

Be a kid again with a night at Coney Island. You can wander along the boardwalk, or head to Luna Park for all the rides and games. You can also pop into the Coney Island Museum to learn the history, and consider going to the annual Mermaid Parade! 

Dine on Cheap, but outstanding Steak Frites

$20 steak frites?! Sounds crazy, but at Lori Jayne in Bushwick they are a reality and could be served at any fine dining establishment – they’re that good. 

But instead, you get to cozy up at this funky bar with the friendliest staff and enjoy your steak frites smothered in an au poivre sauce. They are a specialty item on the menu, but you can find them on the offerings most nights, as long as you don’t arrive too late. 

In addition to the steak frites, they have great burgers, hand-breaded chicken tenders and more top-notch bar food. 

Go to a Concert

There are tons of music venues in Brooklyn, hosting shows from big to small. I’ve seen my favorite old-school punk bands, up-and-coming groups, and the biggest acts (Charli XCX, Mariah Carey) and more all in Brooklyn. 

Some evenues to check out:

• Barclays Center
• Brooklyn Steel 
• Brooklyn Paramount
• Warsaw 

See a Burlesque or Cabaret Show

Nothing says nighttime activity like a burlesque show. And in Brooklyn, you’ve got a few options. Red Pavilion is an Asian neo noir nightclub that offers cabaret and jazz shows.

Théâtre XIV & Cocktail Magique Theatre by Company XIV produces over-the-top, spectacular burlesque performances and magically-inspired shows. 

Laugh Until Your Ribs Hurt 

We’re honestly spoiled with the options available for stand-up and sketch comedy in Brooklyn. There are tons of bars that run a weekly stand-up with up-and-coming comics.

We also have a Second City location in Williamsburg, plus the Brooklyn Comedy Collective. 

Enjoy some Jazz

Head to the Ornithology Jazz bar in Bushwick or visit Brownstone Jazz in Bed Stuy. 

Brewery Hop

There are several breweries throughout Brooklyn. Take a tour with a DIY brewery trail. A few suggestions include

• Talea Beer Co.
• Grimm Artisanal Ales
• Kings County Brewers Collective
• Evil Twin Brewing 
• Other Half Brewing

Take a Trip to Red Hook

While I’d recommend heading to Red Hook for the entire day and night, I wanted to include it on this list as it’s a great neighborhood to spend a day or an evening with the variety of restaurants, bars, breweries, shops and more. 

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is often on the checklist for any trips to NYC and for good reason. The views are amazing and the architecture is fascinating. If you’ve only walked across the bridge during the day, I highly recommend checking it out at night or sunset. It will be MUCH less busier on weeknights than weekdays if you can make that happen. 

See the Sparkling Skyline on a Ferry Ride

After walking from Manhattan into Brooklyn across the bridge, you can catch the ferry from DUMBO to Williamsburg or another stop. Enjoying a ferry ride at night is just so magical with the city sparkling. 

First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum

First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum is a longstanding tradition. It’s a free event, with hundreds gathering together, for art, films, talks, readings and hands-on creative activities. Plus, signature cocktails, dancing and live music. 

Head to the Beach at the Bar

I love a themed bar and Brooklyn has some great ones. Head to Surf Bar in Williamsburg to enjoy sandy floors and tiki drinks. The spicy jalapeno margarita is a must.

Or visit Sunken Harbor Club, an immersive tropical-inspired bar with shipwrecked vibes. You’ll feel like you’re under the sea! They do not take reservations, so I recommend arriving just before opening to hopefully skip the crowds. 

Area 53 for Adults

Area 53 is a fun spot for kids and adults, plus they have Adults Night every Thursday where the crowd is 18 and up only. 

You’ve got laser tag, paintball, roller skating and an entire adventure park with a ropes course, foam and ball pits, climbing and more. 

Slay at Shuffleboard

Head to Royal Palms to enjoy a walk-in shuffleboard club, board games, tiki drinks, a big dance floor, food trucks and more. 

Go Bowling

Head to The Gutter or Brooklyn Bowl to get your strike on. The Gutter has several locations throughout the city, including in Brooklyn. You’ll find more of a vintage, casual vibe here. 

At Brooklyn Bowl you can expect more high-tech bowling and afterwards enjoy the rest of the venue with its live music shows and more entertainment. 

More Games in Brooklyn

For more bars with games, check out these spots:

• Union Hall: bocce ball in a large but cozy bar (they also have a variety of shows on the upper floor)
• Wonderville: This place is so unique – it’s an indie arcade bar with games you’ve never seen anywhere else
• Bushwick Country Club: This dive bar offers a very basic 6-hole mini golf set up. 
• 8-Bit Bites: All about 80’s and 90’s nostalgia – they offer some arcade games and video game consoles at their tables while serving up crazy milkshakes, burgers and more. 
• Sip & Play: Pop over to Park Slope to enjoy this board game cafe with a library of over 300+ games! They’re open late night and you can play for 3 hours starting at $15 per person. 

Get Shipwrecked

Over in Red Hook you can find this 18-hole indoor mini golf course, plus arcade games, escape rooms and more. It’s a great spot to spend a rainy day as you can be entertained for hours. 

Make an Escape to Beat the Bomb

Head to Beat the Bomb and get blasted with paint, foam or slime if you don’t beat the 1-hour mission. You’ll be suited up in hazmat gear, get to dodge lasers, and crack codes like you’re an international spy. 

Afterwards, celebrate your win or drown your sorrows with a round of drinks or snacks and other games. 

Become a Sip Scientist with Drunken Laboratory

Drunken Laboratory is an immersive science experience. You’ll be a scientist for a night and complete guided science experiments and enjoy custom cocktails and mocktails. There’s games and free shots for winners. 

Relax the Day Away in a Bathhouse

Brooklyn is home to several bathhouses and most of them are open late everyday until 10 pm or even midnight. A few places to check out:

• Bathhouse Williamsburg
• Brooklyn Bathhouse
• World Spa 

Visit Brooklyn Art Cave

Support the arts at this vibrant, minority-owned art center and creative hub in Bushwick. They regularly host events in the evenings with live music and entertainment in addition to enjoying the art on display. 

Enjoy the Holiday Spirit

During the holiday season, you absolutely should head over to Dyker Heights to take in the absolutely epic display of Christmas lights throughout the neighborhood. 

Take an Immersive Cocktail Journey

At Dead Letter No. 9 you’ll take a 90-minute journey through an immersive experience centered around forging connection. You’ll start the trip in a postal office of lost mail and then move onto rooms like the front porch in the Great Smoky Mountains or a camper van under the sparkling night stars. Each room has conversation starters and at the end you can keep the fun going with the bar, nightclub and restaurant that is also in the same facility. 

For more drinks, these are a few (seriously a few, because there’s so many, bars in Brooklyn):
Eavesdrop, Duff’s Bar, Hank’s Bar, Dolly Swing & Dive, Pine Box Rock Shop, The Bad Old Days, JADE, and more. 

If you enjoy any of these recommendations, I’d love to hear about your experience! Hit me up on IG at @caseylavie and use my NYC instagram captions for your photo dumps.