It’s a new spot to chill out!
One of Industry City’s outdoor courtyards has frozen over, transforming into a holiday-themed ice rink and winter wonderland featuring an inflatable Santa, blinking lights, and plastic snowmen. The courtyard’s Christmas decorations are designed to evoke the feeling of Brooklyn’s most festive neighborhood, said the complex’s development director.
“It’s our ode to Dyker Heights,” said Jim Somoza. “Over the top, everything over the top.”
The uncovered ice rink opened for its inaugural season last weekend, and will host skating hours on Wednesdays through Sundays until the end of March. On Friday and Saturday nights, the rink will host special theme nights, with disk jockeys spinning hits from the ’80s, country music, or boy bands, depending on the night. The skating dance parties are just part of the fun in store for the rink, said Somoza.
“We are still coming up with a lot of different things to do,” Somoza said. “We are going to offer curling, possibly some two-on-two hockey.”
Once skaters tire of perfecting their figure eights underneath the bright holiday lights, they can retreat to a ski-lodge themed outdoor tent, or grab a drink at an outdoor bar decorated like a gingerbread house and surrounded by seasonal icons, including Santa Claus and the Grinch. One upcoming feature — a fire pit — will soon offer a spot for people to gather with food and beverages before and after their turns on the ice, said the Industry City rep.
“Adults can bring their drinks, kids can have theirs, and everyone can make some s’mores,” Somoza said. “This is our way of doing something fun for the family. It is so fun watching people’s faces as they round the corner of the ice skating rink and see the fun that can be had.”
The rink, inside Industry City’s Courtyard 5-6, is near to several restaurants and bars, including Brooklyn Kura sake bar, Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur tasting room, and the Frying Pan bar. Holiday events are also taking place throughout the sprawling Sunset Park complex, including a capella carolers, holiday markets, and roving visits from Buddy the Elf.
Go ice skating at Industry City Courtyard 5-6 (220 36th St. between Second and Third avenues in Sunset Park, www.industrycity.com/ice-rink). Open Wed–Thu, 4–8 pm; Fri, 11 am–8 pm; Sat, 10 am–8 pm; Sun, 10 am–6 pm. $10 ($6 kids; skate rental $9).
