10 Things To Do And See In Gowanus, Brooklyn
Despite being nestled between two brownstone neighborhoods, Gowanus still maintains that old-school industrial grit — perhaps a thanks to its stubbornly contaminated canal, which legend has it was once a mafia murder victim dumping ground. Sure, gentrification is in process here, but it’s also one of the last strongholds for NYC’s artists, artisans and specialist creators of every creed. Culture Trip scouted the ten coolest classes, spectacles and hangouts to pass the time along this quirky waterway.
1. Rent a bike from 718 Cyclery
Store
See the Gowanus Batcave
Cruise along the water to the marvelously named Batcave — a derelict eight-story high remnant of Gowanus’ past as the busiest commercial canal in the country. Once upon a time, it was home to the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Power House, but in recent years has played host to squatters, junkies, graffiti artists, impromptu punk rock concerts, music video shoots, art film sets and illegal raves. Urban decay enthusiasts should see this landmark now because plans are underway to gut the building and turn it into a shiny new arts center.
Sign up for a class
The industrial factories that fringe the canal are home to a diverse population of artists, many of whom open their studios and their tool kits to the public.
From bead-making to the fundamentals of neon, Brooklyn Glass offers some awesome classes for beginners. Every couple of months, the venue hosts ‘Hot Glass, Cold Beer’ — an opportunity to see the resident glassworkers in action while you sip bottomless beers from your own handmade drinking vessel.
Haven’t picked up a paintbrush since school? Get yourself down to Trestle, which offers community classes covering a wide range of art techniques and disciplines, including DIY screen printing, collage creation and life drawing practice.
Twig — a terrariums business that started out at Brooklyn Flea and is now a firm favorite of the interior design world — regularly hosts workshops on cultivating these tiny ecosystems. First create a mini-scape using moss, plants, and succulents and then bring it to life with teeny, evocative figurines.
Brooklyn Glass, 103 14th Street, New York, NY, USA, +1 718 569 2110
Trestle Gallery, 168 7th Street, New York, NY, USA, +1 718 858 9069
Twig Terrariums, 287 3rd Avenue, New York, NY, USA, +1 718 488 8944
Visit the Morbid Anatomy Museum
If you have a fascination with the macabre, the collection of creepy little oddities at the Morbid Anatomy Museum will be right up your street. Starting this October, the House of Wax exhibit showcases a collection of anatomical and pathological waxworks; real human specimens; death masks of celebrities and murderers; ethnographic busts and more — all guaranteed to pique your dormant dark side. It opens October 23rd with complimentary wine, cocktails, and a talk by curator Ryan Matthew Cohn.
Keep an eye on the museum’s events calendar too, which features lectures, live music acts and even taxidermy classes for those with a steady hand and a strong stomach.
Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424-A 3rd Avenue, New York, NY, USA, +1 347 799 1017
2. Go back to school with the Secret Science Club
School
3. Dive into red wine season at Black Mountain
Bar, Wine Bar, Pub Grub, American
4. Have a pint on the patio at Lavender Lake
Bar, American
5. Dine then dance at Threes Brewing
Brasserie, American
6. Get your shuffle on at Royal Palms
Bar, Food Truck, Pub Grub
7. Late Night Jazz at ShapeShifter Lab
Music Venue
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