Industry City gets a bad rap. Some locals don’t think it’s worth the detour, while others have nothing but good things to say. I’ve visited Industry City three times now and have grown to love the area.
During my last visit, I planned to spend 2-3 hours finding new gems to share, but ended up staying 6 hours. All this to say, there’s so many fun things to do in Industry City, here’s a quick highlight of my personal favorites.
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
What is Industry City?
Industry City is a sprawling 35-acre complex (full of converted warehouse) on the waterfront in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. This area once served as a warehousing and manufacturing complex before being transformed in 2013 into a hub for restaurants, breweries, art galleries and stores.
Industry City is popular with families (there’s always a ton of kids exploring the outdoor areas), and its quite popular because they host a wide range of events. From art exhibitions and concerts to markets and festivals, this is a great space to catch up with old friends or meet new people (especially if you have kids in tow). On that note, let’s cover the coolest things to do in Industry City.
Best Things to Do in Industry City, Brooklyn
(Table of Contents)
Visiting Industry City (Table of Contents)
- What is Industry City?
- Best Things to Do in Industry City, Brooklyn
- Enjoy a Meal at Hometown Bar-B-Que
- Sake Tasting at Brooklyn Kura
- Play a Round of Pétanque at the Carreau Club
- Whisky Tasting at Fort Hamilton Distillery
- Stock Up on International Snacks at Sahadi’s
- Explore Japan Village
- Admire the Antiques at cityFoundry
- Enjoy a Pint at Big aLICe Brewing
- Need Furniture? Visit the Outlets at Industry City
- Visiting Industry City with Kids? Go Ice Skating
- Good to Know: Costco
- Visiting Industry City (Post Summary)
Enjoy a Meal at Hometown Bar-B-Que
Hometown Bar-B-Que is easily the best BBQ joint in NYC. Fighting words, but I stand by them. I’m a glutton for brisket and pulled pork and nobody delivers like Hometown. The strong dedication to traditional smoking techniques result in incredibly flavored and tender meats that are hard to forget.
The menu hosts all the usual suspects. From brisket (the crowd favorite) to spare ribs and pastrami sandwiches (weekends only). The brisket alone is worth a detour, perfectly smoked, succulent texture, and flavorful bark — this is the sole reason I end up visiting Industry City frequently.
Good to Know: Hometown Bar-B-Que’s flagship is located in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The wait is typically 1.5+ hours during summer weekends, but the wait is (dare I say) worth it! Read: Best Things to Do Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Sake Tasting at Brooklyn Kura
Brooklyn Kura is a pioneering sake brewery, keen to craft high-quality, American-made sake using time-tested methods. Relying on 1,000 years of traditional Japanese brewing methods, Brooklyn Kura wants to misidentify sake and make it more accessible to the average Joe.
If you’re new to the world of sake, opt for a tasting flight to get a better grasp of the variety on offer. The sake is served in a wine glass (no shot glasses here, folks), and the flight comes with three half-pours for $20. The rose-hued Occidental sake was out of this world! One of the best sakes I’ve had to date.
Play a Round of Pétanque at the Carreau Club
First things first, what the hell is pétanque? Pétanque is a game that originated in Provence, France (it’s closely related to bocce ball). The goal is to toss (or roll) hollow steel balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball while standing inside a starting circle with both feet on the ground.
The Carreau Club invites guests to engage in the leisurely game of tossing metal boules. Carreau Club prides itself on being a social spot where visitors can enjoy the game regardless of their skill level, making it a perfect spot to hang out with a group of friends while visiting Industry City.
The indoor venue spans 8,000 square feet and includes multiple courts. This recent expansion caters to the growing popularity of the game and the club itself, providing a taste of the south of France right in the heart of Brooklyn. So if you’re looking for a low-impact activity, playing a few rounds of pétanque is one of the best things to do in Industry City.
Whisky Tasting at Fort Hamilton Distillery
Fort Hamilton Distillery is celebrated for its dedication to producing high-quality, traditional New York Rye whiskey. Launched in 2016 by Alex Clark and Amy Grindeland, the distillery pays homage to America’s original whiskey style with spirits distilled from 100% New York grains and malted barley sourced from the Hudson Valley.
Reviving the pre-prohibition popularity of rye whiskey with a modern twist, opt for a whisky tasting flight to see what all the fuss is about. Better still, order a cocktail and play a round of pool with some friends (free round with the purchase of a drink). If you’d like to learn more about the whisky making process, sign up for a tour, which is one of the most interesting things to do in Industry City.
Stock Up on International Snacks at Sahadi’s
Sahadi’s is a beloved Middle Eastern grocery store that has been around since 1948. The original location is on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights, but they recently expanded to Industry City as well. The store is full of delectable treats like olives, dried fruits and international treats. The star of the show is the hummus (of all things!).
Made fresh daily, I never pass up an opportunity to pick up some fresh-made pita (still hot most of the time!) and hummus as a mid-day snack. Sahadi’s has not only been a staple for New York’s food enthusiasts but is also a winner of the prestigious James Beard America’s Classics Award. All this to say, don’t miss it while visiting Industry City!
Explore Japan Village
Japan Village is a vibrant hub of Japanese culture and cuisine, featuring a food hall and small marketplace (the Sunrise Mart) chock-full of Japanese treats. The food hall within Japan Village houses multiple restaurants and stalls, serving everything from ramen and sushi to okonomiyaki and gyudon, making it one of the best spots in Industry City for foodies.
Admire the Antiques at cityFoundry
cityFoundry in Brooklyn is a treasure trove for those that love antiques and modern furniture (assuming price isn’t a hurdle). Meticulously curated, it’s too expensive for my taste but even I’ll admit that it’s a pretty cool shop to explore for some design inspiration. Their selection of antiques (the maps!) and modern furniture is very impressive.
Since opening in 2000, cityFoundry has become a go-to source for architects, stylists, and designers. Hell, the shop has even contributed furnishing to Academy Award-winning films and Emmy Award-winning TV productions. If you have the slightest interest in antiques or modern furniture then visiting cityFoundry is one of the best things to do in Industry City for you!
Enjoy a Pint at Big aLICe Brewing
Named after the iconic ‘Big Allis’ generator stack in Queens, the brewery has now relocated to Sunset Park, Brooklyn, following the closure of its Queens taproom. Notably, the brewery holds the distinction of being a certified farm brewery, which means most decision are made with the local community in mind.
Co-founders Kyle Hurst and Scott Berger collaborate closely with local farmers and businesses to ensure that every ingredient, from hops and malts to unique additions like fruit and coffee, support local agriculture. The resulting beers, often leaning towards complex and hearty profiles, earning Big aLICe a spot on our list of the best breweries in Brooklyn.
Need Furniture? Visit the Outlets at Industry City
During my first visit, I was surprised by the number of furniture outlets in Industry City. Places like Design Within Reach Outlet, West Elm Outlet, Restoration Hardware Outlet and ABC Carpet & Home (which I consider the Anthropologie of furniture stores).
We popped into a few of these stores during our last visit, and while most of the furniture was still out of budget, it’s good to know that these outlets exist. When we move into our next apartment (for more space), I plan to visit these stores for quality furniture that will last for years to come.
Visiting Industry City with Kids? Go Ice Skating
Taking a spin on the uncovered outdoor ice skating rink is one of the best things to do in Industry City with kids. The rink is open for a limited season, typically from November through early March, and admission starts at $15 per person (rentals available for $10).
Special features like skate aids for beginners and a bag check make it easy to smooth out the logistics and enjoy the moment. Better still, there’s a charming little outdoor bar selling mulled wine, hot chocolate and snacks. The heated areas offers a cozy retreat for skaters looking to warm up after the icy escapade.
Website: Industry City Ice Rink
Cost: $15 per person, with skate rentals costing $10
Further Reading: 10 Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York City (+ Where to Skate For FREE!)
Good to Know: Costco
Most folks end up visiting Industry City because of the Costco next door. When I first visited Industry City, I had no idea that there was a Costco in the area! It wasn’t until a friend asked if we popped into Costco while exploring the area that I realized Costco was the star attraction.
So I’m sharing the news (just in case you didn’t know either!). However, when we popped into Costco during our last visit (granted, it was the weekend) the place was so busy that we ended up leaving (after getting a hot dog, of course).
Visiting Industry City (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a quick list of the best things to do while visiting Industry City. Hope you enjoyed!
- Enjoy a Meal at Hometown Bar-B-Que
- Sake Tasting at Brooklyn Kura
- Play Pétanque at the Carreau Club
- Whisky Tasting at Fort Hamilton Distillery
- Stock Up on International Snacks at Sahadi’s
- Explore Japan Village
- Admire the Antiques at cityFoundry
- Enjoy a Pint at Big aLICe Brewing
- Need Furniture? Visit the Outlets at Industry City
- Visiting Industry City with Kids? Go Ice Skating
Cheers!
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