The Complete Guide to Industry City in Brooklyn's Sunset Park

By Alison Lowenstein

Updated 06/25/18

Industry City 

Once known as Bush Terminal, Industry City was originally a 19th century warehouse and distribution center. However by the 1960s, with the decline of urban manufacturing, Bush Terminal lost its tenants and had a long period of decay.  In recent years this industrial complex, housed on a thirty-five acre waterfront stretch of Sunset Park, has been transformed into a mecca for arts, culture, dining, and shopping.

The complex is also home to artist studios, work spaces, and a stellar food hall. From sunset yoga classes to traveling art exhibits, you will definitely find a reason to visit this unique space.

After visiting Industry City, you should allot time to peruse Sunset Park and use this list to fill up your post-Industry City itinerary. 

What to Do There

A typical visit could include an evening game of trivia, shopping for vintage and artisanal goods, or taking in a provocative art installation. Here are some highlights of what to do in Industry City.

  • If you have kids, there is no better way to end your day than dancing with your tots at Rock and Roll Playhouse. Dance to live bands and/or get you face painted at this family-friendly weekly event on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Courtyard.
  • For a look at some provocative art, visit the upcoming installations or performances from the Collusion Project, which utilizes multiple spaces within Industry City to showcase current art from myriad artists. 
  • For more info, check out their calendar of events, including sports viewings and rooftop films. 

Dining and Drinking

Industry City has one of the best food halls in NYC. Sit at a picnic bench at the open food court as you dine on avocado themed dishes from the inventive Avocaderia, the world's first avocado bar, or have a slice of coal oven pizza at Brooklyn local favorite Table 87. Ethnic eats also abound including an outpost of Yaso Tango, where you can delight on tasty soup dumplings or have an authentic Berliner Döner Kebab at Kotti Berliner Döner Kebab. These are just some of the many savory highlights. You can easily spend a day eating dessert there, grabbing an ice cream cone from Blue Marble, cookies at One Girl Cookie, or relaxing with a latte at the bicycle themed cafe, Maglia Rosa. 

Chocolate fans can't miss a visit to the Li-Lac Chocolate Factory. The minute you enter the factory, you are immersed in the chocolatey aroma. You can peek at at the chocolate being made, but if you'd like a closer look, sign up for a private behind-the-scenes guided factory tour (groups of 8 or more), which is $85.00 per person and lasts about 90 minutes. The tour includes samples right off the chocolate enrober, and all participants will take home their own box of freshly-made, gourmet chocolate.

If you don't want to take a tour, just stop in and purchase chocolates. 

Industry City Distillery is a great place to enjoy your weekends. The tasting room bar is open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. They also offer a behind-the-scenes distillery tour and spirits tasting every Saturday at 3 p.m. Whiskey drinkers should check out our list of Brooklyn distilleries and take a DIY distillery tour of Brooklyn 

How to Get There

Industry City is easily accessible by taking the D/N/R train to 36th Street and walking toward 2nd Avenue. You can also cycle there, and there are multiple bike racks.  

Facilities

The 35-acre Industrial Complex has a seated food court and multiple courtyards. There are bathrooms near the food court. 

Upcoming Events

Fans of the renowned late artist M.C. Escher must get tickets to the traveling exhibit of his work, which will be at Industry City from June 2018 until February 2019.

 Experience the Life and Works of M.C. Escher, which features more than 200 of his works.