quick facts
intro
Located on the border of Brooklyn and Queens, Nowadays is more than a venue - it’s a welcoming, vibrant community space that has something for everyone. Nowadays features a dance club with a bar/food as well as an expansive outdoor area for events and DJ sets during the warmer months (don’t sleep on Mister Sundays). The indoor area includes a 5,000-square-foot warehouse space, a top-notch sound system, and a no-phone policy, creating a uniquely immersive listening experience. Performances span a variety of genres, from techno and house to funk and soul, a the music never stops on weekends with Nowadays Nonstop.
history
Opened in 2015 by prominent NYC DJs Eamon Harkin and Justin Carter, Nowadays initially functioned solely as a seasonal outdoor bar. By 2017, Harkin and Carter were looking to expand, eventually identifying a warehouse next door which they bought, renovated, and opened as a live music space within a year. While the outdoor space remains an iconic feature of the venue, since its opening five years ago, their indoor area has established Nowadays as a staple of the New York City live music scene, hosting prestigious artists as well as featuring a full restaurant.
ADA
The wheelchair entrance to the indoor space is in the driveway, which is the access point most commonly used to enter Nowadays. During parties the driveway gate is locked, so please ask staff at the street entrance for assistance with entry.
All of the bathrooms are gender-neutral. There is one accessible stall indoors. Just ask any Nowadays staff member for the key, and they can show you the way. During parties, seating is available both on and off the dance floor. While they don’t have a dedicated quiet space indoors during parties, the booths next to coat check are a little quieter, and the deck and backyard a little quieter than that. Most nighttime parties include the use of strobe lights and water based haze.
The ground in the back yard is rough dirt with some gravel, and the dance floor, which is in use on Sundays between mid-May and late October for Mister Sunday, is made of a soft playground material (it’s also a little uneven). There is one accessible bathroom outdoors, and places to eat are available at picnic tables and on benches.
map recs
Transitioning seamlessly from a café during the day to a vibrant bar at night, Father Knows Best offers a cozy, eclectic vibe and has established itself as a neighborhood gem. Visitors especially love its outdoor seating area in warmer months. With regular events like live music and trivia nights, Father Knows Best is more than just a spot to eat and drink–in their own words, “it’s a spot where neighbors meet neighbors, collaborate, and make cool shit happen.”
Nhà Mình is a street-facing Vietnamese restaurant and coffee shop inside the DIY music venue Trans-Pecos. Featuring a robust, vegetable-forward menu including Bánh Mì, Phở, Bun (rice noodle bowls), rice bowls, and breakfast served all day–not to mention American and Vietnamese coffee, teas and Nuoc Cam (fresh made juice)–Nhà Mình is the perfect fast-casual stop any time of day or night.
Trans-Pecos, a self-titled “all ages venue and community resource center”, is known for its commitment to avant-garde and experimental music and offers a diverse lineup that spans genres from indie rock to electronic to jazz. Trans-Pecos’ intimate space and inviting outdoor area is perfect for die-hard fans as well as those looking to explore a new sound.
pán is an Italian restaurant co-located with the nightclub H0l0. Spacious yet warm, the space is located in a lofted warehouse lined with exposed brick and large windows, and features ample outdoor seating. Stop by for their wood-oven baked pizza or oyster happy hour from 4-7pm daily.