Don’t block the box.
A Williamsburg art gallery may have invented the greatest bar game in Brooklyn history — and you can try it out for yourself at its opening.
Pandemic Gallery will debut “Box Hockey,” a form of knock hockey that’s played with long sticks inside a wooden box, as part of its exhibition Saturday night.
More than 10 artists, including Scott Chasse, Don Pablo Pedro and gallery owner Keely Brandon, painted custom-made boxes, which will be sold for $600.
But art will take a backseat to the single-elimination tournament that will determine who the best Box Hockey player in the world.
Pandemic’s Rob Drysdale, said the sport’s inventor, artist Derek Pippin, is heavily favored no matter who enters.
Pippin unveiled a prototype at a barbecue at his Bushwick apartment a year ago — and the game immediately became a party hit.
“Derek is so much better than anyone else at this,” said Drysdale, who built most of the custom-made boxes. “But it will probably turn into a free-for-all.”
The rules of the game are simple.
Each player grabs a wooden stick, which is used to move a hockey puck through two small holes on the opponent’s side of the box.
The first person to 11 points wins — there’s no time limit; biting, gouging, and drawing blood is not permitted.
“But gambling is allowed,” said Drysdale. “And we encourage verbal assaults.”
The gallery will host more games throughout the summer, including another tournament on July 23, though Drysdale hopes neighborhood bars and restaurants would buy the Pandemic-brand boxes for their own outdoor usage.
Who knows — you could someday hoist a plywood Stanley Cup over your head.
Pandemic Gallery (37 Broadway at Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, no phone), June 18, 7-11 pm. For info, www.pandemicgallery.com.