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It’s the end of an era for New Yorkers in the electronic music scene. Avant Gardner, the company behind the Brooklyn Mirage, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Originally launched as a pop-up nightclub in 2015, the 18,000-square-foot outdoor stage evolved into one of the City’s most popular immersive concert venues, hosting a number of world-renowned DJs and producers such as David Guetta, Fisher, and ILLENIUM.
In March, Avant Gardner’s then-CEO Josh Wyatt unveiled ambitious plans for “Mirage 4.0,” a futuristic reimagining of the venue that promised a state-of-the-art sound system and massive 270° LED wall boasting higher resolution than Sphere in Las Vegas. The project was slated to cost over $10 million, according to a report by the New York Times.
TikTokkers weren’t convinced the complex developments would get done in time. Videos chronicling the construction progress went viral, with many expressing skepticism that the stage would be ready for opening weekend. Rumors were confirmed after the Mirage posted an update hours before DJ Sara Landry‘s show.
When all was said and done, the venue did not meet the final inspection deadline. Landry expressed frustration with the abrupt cancellation on social media, offering refunds, as well as a surprise pop-up at the nearby Brooklyn Storehouse, and a second show moved to Queens’ Knockdown Center the following night.
Despite claims that the space was “show-ready,” the Mirage has remained closed through the entire summer season. A string of concerts were canceled, and others ended up taking place at the Great Hall, an indoor warehouse that’s part of Avant Gardner’s gigantic complex.
What began as bitter news for many longtime patrons of the Mirage has turned into an opportunity to venture into different venues — some fresh, others familiar, indoors and out. After a summer of trial-and-error, we spoke to ravers who shared their favorite spots to get down at now that the Mirage is no more.
Knockdown Center
Queens’ Knockdown Center began as an experiment. The three-acre property was home to a factory specializing in Knock Down Door Frames when the current owner’s grandfather purchased the Maspeth space. After a generational change in ownership, there was a need to sustainably preserve the complex.
Plans to develop a venue began, and, now, nine years into their tenure, Knockdown is New York’s largest independent music venue, featuring a world-class L-Acoustics sound system and sprawling space where fans move between industrial ruins, exposed brick walls, communal picnic tables, and quieter lounge areas.
“Knockdown Center is a New York City favorite…” explained Tyler Myers, the venue’s managing co-founder and executive director. “There are multiple rooms and set-ups, plenty of space, outdoor areas, and all that makes for a more relaxing way to experience the catharsis of music in a crowd.”
There’s also a sense of discovery at Knockdown. Kylie Chester, a 25-year-old who lives near East Village, has been coming to the venue for almost four years, and can’t recall the number of artists she’s seen there. The upcoming Honey Dijon show in September is the next on her list.
“She’s a multi-layered icon,” Chester stated. “Her style is classic, but unique. Knockdown shows always feel like a space for artists to experiment, and I can’t wait to see what she does with that opportunity.”
Beyond its beloved Tiki Disco days, Knockdown brings in artists who span genres, from electro house and dub-step to grimy rock-and-roll and even some darker, deviant techno at the elusive “Basement” club downstairs. Upcoming artists include AMÉMÉ (Aug. 9), Horse Meat Disco (Aug. 31), and Bonobo with Maribou State (Sept. 26).
Brooklyn Storehouse
“Some of my best nights consist of a seven-hour dance party at the Storehouse,” Gillian Sarrett, a 24-year-old who lives in Gramercy, shared while reminiscing about her visits. “I never want to leave.”
A newer venture within the historic Navy Yard, the Storehouse is situated inside the industrial waterfront complex, a maze of brick-and-iron warehouses now repurposed as flexible event spaces. Some are still calling the massive room a “best-kept secret,” but probably not for much longer.
The flexible 105,000-square-foot warehouse opened last summer and has already secured a fleet of impressive artists such as Chris Stussy, Charlotte de Witte, and John Summit — packing the space with massive, sold-out crowds. Fortunately, there’s still plenty of room to dance, according to Sarrett.
“There’s always a long line, but they’re fast and efficient… Once you’re in, the sound system is unbeatable. The bass is in your face, and to me, there is no better feeling than strutting into the Brooklyn Storehouse to that bass,” she exclaimed.
The Storehouse is still relatively new to the scene, but Sarrett already considers a visit to be a rite of passage for any house or techno lover in New York. She admits that traveling there can be a bit of a trek from Manhattan, but that separates “the real fans.”
“This is the kind of place where you know you’re about to lose track of time and come out changed, and I know that sounds kind of dramatic,” Sarrett admitted. “But, that’s how I feel.”
Tickets for the highly anticipated Mau P set are already selling fast. Sarrett’s already eyeing other upcoming shows — Pawsa in October, and the heavy-hitting Halloween extravaganza, Circoloco.
Under the K Bridge Park
Another local favorite, Under the K Bridge, is a public park tucked beneath Greenpoint’s soaring Kosciuszko Bridge. The venue affords picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline and East River, adding to what the ravers called “a very relaxed vibe.”
In true Brooklyn fashion, there’s something for everyone under the bridge. By day, the Garden Club welcomes volunteers to tend to the Native Nursery. By night, the space sweeps into a stage, hosting sets from household-name headliners like The Chainsmokers (Aug. 8) and Swedish House Mafia (Sept. 12), to rising stars like Disco Lines (Oct. 10).
“I saw a Four Tet set under the K Bridge, and it was super dope,” said Alex Rushin, a 26-year-old consultant from Williamsburg, who frequents the scene. “The lights are really cool, and I just thought it was an awesome venue. A fun experience for a show.”
Like many other music venues in the area, Rushin acknowledged that drug use is not uncommon. The “K Bridge” nickname has drawn some attention with the tongue-in-cheek references to ketamine, the controversial party drug that’s also been studied as a treatment for depression.
“You definitely don’t need to do drugs to enjoy these shows,” Rushin clarified. “You just have to love dancing, music, community, culture, and art…” — the kind of fusion that Under the K Bridge has cultivated with its diverse day-to-night programming.
He wouldn’t go as far as to say that Under the K Bridge is much safer than enclosed warehouses like Mirage, but he does acknowledge that it’s smaller and easier to navigate. “If someone has an ‘issue,’ they could get to safety faster or be noticed quicker.”
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Nestled in one of the city’s most iconic parks, and the site of two twentieth-century World’s Fairs, Flushing Meadows Corona Park has also become a destination for some of the biggest names in house music, as well as famous multi-day music festivals like Governor’s Ball.
“It’s kind of far away from Manhattan and Brooklyn, but you can get there on the subway pretty easily,” said Marly Gallo, a 25-year-old living in Chelsea who attended the Keinemusik show last weekend. The German electronic DJ crew rarely performs together on the East Coast.
“They’re kind of sacred as far as melodic house music goes, so the fanbase is huge, especially in New York City. You need a big, open venue for this kind of set, and Corona Park just makes sense,” Gallo explained. “It felt like a music festival. Everything you need in one place.”
Gallo went to the Rüfüs Du Sol show in New Jersey the night before, and said that stadium was a “complete mess” in comparison. Hour-long waits, understaffed bars — “Literally, you could not get a drink that wasn’t beer.” She added that Corona Park was much easier to navigate and “better-prepared,” even with a swarming crowd.
“They had a million porta potties — in trailers — so they’re not gross, free water refills, and it was super easy to walk around and get drinks and food,” she shared. “It was definitely a big concert, but everyone could see and hear the artists, no matter whether you were GA or VIP.”
She plans to be back for Diplo’s Run Club in October, a scenic five-kilometer jog through Flushing Meadows, followed by a post-race concert by the Grammy-winning producer. “It’s the ideal location for something like that,” she added.
Experts Only Festival
For two days only, John Summit will host the inaugural Experts Only Festival at NYC’s spacious festival destination Randall’s Island.
Notable names joining Summit on the Sept. 20-21 lineup include LP Giobbi, Kaskade performing B2B with Cassian and Green Velvet alongside Layton Giordani.
DJ Seinfeld, Pete Tong, Kasablanca, AYYBO and TEED round out the party-starting bill.
In total, 19 artists are booked as of now with more to be announced for what they’ve dubbed the “Gen Z cultural moment of the year” at a later date.
“This one’s been years in the making so we knew we had to go all out for u guys,” Summit shared via Instagram.
Note:
If you click into the Brooklyn Mirage link here (which can also be found above), you’ll see that events are still listed on their upcoming calendar.
We believe they’re all in a state of limbo; the Mirage is simply a “mirage” or placeholder until Avant Gardner figure out where to move the shows or cancel them. Based on what we’ve seen, that’s been the case this summer.
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