This Former Industrial Zone Is Now One Of Brooklyn’s Trendiest Spots For Art, Food & Nightlife

If you’ve been keeping an eye on Brooklyn, you know Gowanus is in the middle of a major transformation. Once known mostly for its polluted canal and industrial warehouses, the neighborhood is now turning into one of the borough’s most creative and vibrant hubs. From a proposal to make the canal swimmable to new affordable housing developments and even an effort to turn it into a “mini Copenhagen” with bike- and pedestrian-friendly design, Gowanus is on the rise — and definitely worth a visit. Here’s your guide to what to see, eat, and do in Gowanus right now. 🎨 Things To Do in Gowanus ------------------------- * Gowanus Canal Conservancy Tours – Learn about the history and ongoing cleanup of the neighborhood’s most infamous waterway. *More info* * Shuffleboard at Royal Palms – This massive, retro-inspired shuffleboard hall is one of the most unique nightlife spots in NYC. * Brooklyn Art Scene – Gowanus is filled with artist studios and galleries like Trestle Gallery and The Old American Can Factory , showcasing Brooklyn’s creative core. * Gowanus Canal Conservancy Salt Lot – A community hub where locals garden, compost, and host eco-friendly events. * Movement Gowanus & Brooklyn Boulders – Scale walls in the city’s best climbing gyms—yoga, fitness, and social events included. * CityWell Brooklyn – Relax at the intimate outdoor spa—sauna, hot tub, massages under the stars (advance booking essential) 🍴 Where To Eat & Drink ---------------------- * Claro – Michelin-starred Mexican cuisine with an Oaxacan focus — complete with handmade tortillas and mezcal pairings. * Four & Twenty Blackbirds – This beloved pie shop is worth the trip for its salted caramel apple pie alone. * Threes Brewing – A Brooklyn craft beer staple with a huge rotating selection and a spacious beer garden. * Cafe Mars – Quirky Italian newcomer with creative cocktails, house-baked breads, unusual pastas, and a giant pepper mill. * Nene’s Taqueria – Birria tacos, quesadillas, and Mexican street fare at a cult-favorite outpost. 🌙 Nightlife & Entertainment --------------------------- * Littlefield – An indie performance venue and bar with comedy shows, DJ nights, and live music. * Bell House – Another Brooklyn favorite for concerts, drag shows, and podcasts tapings. * Public Records – A minimalist, music-first club and café that draws DJs and live acts from all over the world. * Strong Rope Brewery – A laid-back taproom focused on local New York State ingredients. Gowanus still carries traces of its gritty industrial past — the warehouses, smokestacks, and of course, the canal — but that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating. It’s one of those rare NYC neighborhoods where old and new blend together , and where you can catch a comedy show, sip a small-batch IPA, and wander past a mural or pop-up art gallery all in the same night. With the city investing in cleanup efforts and developers reshaping the skyline, Gowanus is transforming quickly — but it hasn’t lost its quirky, community-driven charm. Source: https://secretnyc.co/best-things-to-do-gowanus-brooklyn/