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.