What is it about the Sideshow Acts that draws us in? I've enjoyed this form of entertainment from elementary school. The Circus used to come and park in a vacant lot near my house in Florida. That was my first experience seeing a sideshow. I was in Second or Third Grade. Every time I get the opportunity I have to go see the sideshow acts. Coney Island was my go to place at one time. I'm fond of the Fortune Teller. That was pre-Covid-19. I don't know what you will find if you visit Coney Island now. I'm posting some photos I took a long time ago. I have my memories of fun times until I can get back to Coney Island Park again. I hope the sideshow will still be there. There's one of my photos of what was a beer joint. Coney Island Brewery is there now. The old Coney Island Lager has a connection to the Sideshow atmosphere of Coney Island. I'll let you do the research and look it up! I'm posting my favorite Shmaltz Brewing Company photo. That's what I remember most about Coney Island Lager. There's a long history here. I Love it! read more

See all

There is something so old-timey and nostalgic about Coney Island. One of the must-see attractions here is the Circus Sideshow. Its not just taking in a variety of fun, weird, freaky, eccentric acts and entertainers here but its also the setting. Check out the memorabilia, art, signage, and history. Are all the acts great? Some are and some aren't, hit or miss. For $15 if I recall paying its a gamble. Have a drink and enjoy the show! read more

How did I end up in a car with Doc Wasabassco, Sizzle Dizzle, and Nasty Canasta, at 1:30 am? My gf and I really like burlesque, and when we heard that Wasabassco was throwing a show in Coney Island for the opening of the 2010 season, we certainly didn't want to miss the chance to see burlesque at the Sideshow by the Seashore. I've always been fascinated by Coney Island, the clitoral appendage of Brooklyn; a place Federico Fellini would have loved. The old style kitsch decor of this place fits perfectly: The hammerhead shark above the bar; the wonderful Seeburg juke box; the sideshow paintings; the wooden bleachers in the theater area; the lonely dog wandering around the bar. This place exudes that same seedy feel that drags me around here a few times a year. The bar serves Coney Island Craft Lagers by Shmaltz Brewery. They come in large, 1 pint bottles, at $9 each. Ouch! I tried first a Sword Swallower (6.8% ABV): 8 hops and 4 malts; bitter and hoppy. This was followed by a Human Blockhead (10% ABV): 6 hops and 7 malts; complex taste, herbal and slightly spicy. These beers can be deceptive: lots of taste, but also lots of alcohol. And trust me: it's going to hit you. Highlights from the show, which was awesome, included Melody Sweets and her hawaiian-marijuana song; Nikki Le Villain and her Cleopatra+albino snake[1] piece; Nasty Canasta and her Coney Island dance; Miss Coney Island 2010 Gigi La Famme and her dance on a Black Sabbath song; and the grand finale with all the girls in a bath tub of champagne. A word of advice for the ladies: don't come here alone; this place attracts creeps. And I am not talking about the artists in the show (they're totally cool). I am talking about Jeffrey Dahmer kind of creeps that hang around the bar. After the show, we were enjoying a beer at the bar in the company of Doc Wasabassco, Nasty Canasta, and Sizzle Dizzle, and there was this guy sitting behind Nasty that tried to stroke her hair. Twice. That wasn't cool at all. Luckily the owner handled the situation very well, and escorted the guy to the door (together with a second creepy guy). We finished our drinks and gave a lift back home to the Wasabassco crew. The place closes kinda early, soon after 1 am. --------------------------------------------- [1] Nikki was using what looked to me like a big-ass python, while Cleopatra actually used an asp. Not that that really matters, actually. read more

See all

We were so excited to visit the Sideshow while at Coney Island and were extremely disappointed. We went to the 2pm show & paid $15 each to enter. Half the show time was spent trying to get us to buy more tickets and spend more money. After the first little act, they kept telling us where to buy more tickets. After the second, they wanted us to spend $10 on the show poster. Then after the blade box act, they wanted us to pay to come up and see the trick. There was one more act & then they were asking us to pay more money to see something else. I appreciate the art & understand the sideshow needs to be supported, but I paid for a show & saw maybe 15 minutes of actual acts. I hope they reconsider the format & their approach to donations. read more

Very cool show. I saw 5 acts. Caught the end of the second to last show and then stayed and saw the very last show. Since I volunteered to help with rolling tee-shirts for Saturday's Mermaid parade (which I am volunteering for as well - I enjoy this event as I love mermaid everything, so yeah I volunteer in it every year so far for three to four consecutive years. Lots of fun seeing everyone in costume. Plus I got to walk and traffic in the parade as well before. If you never seen the parade, I recommend you come down on Saturday 6/16 to take a look. Make sure you come early to get a good spot either on surf avenue or on the Broadwalk. You don't wanna Miss seeing all the costumes. Parade Starts at 1pm. Anyways, I got to the tee-shirts roll a little late due to coming from work; the other volunteers were so fast they finished within an hour. So Laure asked if I wanted to see today's sideshow since I was already here. I said okay and had a great time watching the show. I only saw 5 acts. They advertised there are 10 acts in each show. So I do recommend 1) you come early to an early show and 2) come and support this show. It's a part of Coney island and circus history. Very classic and historic acts and some new acts. Worth seeing if you are ever down at Coney Island. While you are down at Coney Island, make a day out of it and check our Luna Park, lounge around at the beach, check out the summer film series or partake in the Friday Summer firework shows. Or if you wanna walk down to West 8th St, take a look at the aquarium. Lots of renovation for a new aquarium coming soon. If you come extra early, take part in the Crabbing & fishing at the end of the pier. Lots to do and see. Oh and lots of eateries opened up along surf avenue... So come for lunch or dinner too. Basically a great way to spend a free day and relax with lots of options. read more

See all

This place sucks and it's reflective of the people who run the place. Came here on a Saturday with my girlfriend. We sat at the bar and had two drinks for about 45 min to an hour. About 4 other patrons in there at the time. After our drinks, we went to check out the show. But this bearded guy stopped us and told us there was a special event starting in an hour and they weren't allowing anymore people in. I asked him why no one told us this and instead just let us sit at the bar. Why wouldn't you tell your customers this? So basically we sat there wasting our time sipping drinks because no one though that was pertinent information. Annoyed, but understanding, we went back and got another drink at the bar. Not ten minutes later, a party of four people come in, and the bearded guy gladly lets them walk right into the exhibit. I asked him was the deal was. Why'd wouldn't you let us in? He refused to tell me but told me he's let me and my girlfriend in if we slipped him 20 bucks. Lol. Run by jerkoffs. Avoid this jack shack. read more

I live for things like this. Dime museums, oddities, performers on the edge, and a tinge of dust and decay. The Coney Island Circus Sideshow did not disappoint in all it's old fashioned, dark and dingy glory! Now, if you're looking for Steven Spielberg style effects and Disney cleanliness...this ain't the place for you Puddin'. The Coney Island Circus Sideshow is a true to life sideshow. We were all crammed into a rather hot and humid (and did I mention dark?) performance area, seated on bleachers and ever-so-close to the rickety, small stage. Our host, the slimely-charming Donny Vomit, guided us through the wonders of glorious, live, counter-culture performance artists as they mounted the stage. He did his craft justice in setting the carny mood. First off, the cute-as-a button Heather Holiday...a pixieish wisp of a thing that swallows swords (real one kids...I know what to look for), and pretzels herself with abandon. Next, Serpentina...snake charmer oozing enough sexuality to make my stoic husband almost slide onto the floor in a puddle. She shifted persona and became the Electric Lady...too cool for words. The Dogfaced boy, whose name escapes me, was a delight. And Insectavora is a lady not to be missed. She's not only visually stunning, but her timing and fire breathing abilities are fun and fascinating. The performances were all moved along by the fantastic stage presence of Donny Vomit, who had a few tricks, both clever and downright stupid (but funny!) up his sleeve. His comedic timing and presentation were just right for this venue. Please understand...I'm jaded when it comes to "old fashioned" performance art. My older sister was a dancer on Atlantic City's Steel Pier (most of you hipsters are too young to remember it, I'm sure)...and I was fortunate enough to be introduced to sideshow artists at an early age. The performers at Coney Island Circus Sideshow are the real deal. Talented, skilled and obviously interested in preserving the American tradition of the Sideshow Performer. For old-fashioned freaky-ness, The Coney Island Circus Sideshow does not disappoint. Go see it, support the performers, before this slice of Americana disappears. read more

The Coney Island sideshow - Gritty but lovable. Immediately after walking in you're ushered to a theater that's kitschy, smells like musty wood, body odor and perhaps a tinge of regret. The bottom of the bleacher-like seats are littered with bottles and various garbage. The walls look a little peely - and yeah its a bit dated. Still - Brooklynites would call all of this charm.* Despite all of that, the performers were all charismatic -- if not a bit drunk or hazed over. I suppose they were going for a captain jack sparrow-esque attitude. Their pleasantly dark self depreciating humor is thrown into the acts. I totally lost it at some of the jokes they came up with. Yep, It's a little weird, a little awkward but definitely fun! I've certainly seen sword swallowers, contortionists and fire-breathers all before but each and every time it's awesome. Sometimes they are a bit scandalous --- so I wouldn't exactly advocate taking young children, despite the cheaper admission for them. OH! I forgot to mention that one act was a cutesy "little person" deep throating and ultimately swallowing a balloon bigger then her while shimmying to " Thank heaven for little girls.** Geez where it goes, we don't know but like a gorey car accident - I just couldn't take my eyes off of it. Bringing your alcoholic drinks is allowed - if not wholeheartedly encouraged! Well worth $10 and getting out of the blaring sun on the boardwalk. Go here and support things a little more deviated from the norm! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Charm, eh? I call it room for some improvement. Clean up! ** Just in case you were curious - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRnbtRPC6v4 read more

Wooden Bleachers, A basic wooden platform for a stage complete with whatever the performers want to use as props. No, The sound system's not mind-blowing. However, this is raw "sine qua non" entertainment. Attending a freak show, Vaudeville, Burlesque show here is kind of important in so far as Coney Island's an original location where they keep the tradition alive. The performers and this scene are grass roots, They do it because they love it. The show is not some streamlined corporate B.S. sponsored event, It's not supposed to be. It's a homage to a simpler time; a living Tom Waits song or chillin' with some characters who escaped a Bukowski book. You will laugh at the jokes (As told by Tyler Fire.): Q. "What's the difference between Mash Potatoes and Pea Soup?" A. "Anyone can Mash Potatoes." You will drool at the hot ladies on stage and the chicas in the audience. You will rub elbows with the entertainers afterwards and drink great beer all the while surrounded by relics of Coney Island and go home with money left in your wallet. Coney Island Circus Sideshow / Freak Bar is great stuff. If you want the Homogenized billion dollar spectacle go get your 200+$ tickets to Cirque du Soleil and while you're at it don't come back you ruined NY anyway. read more

Coney Island Circus Sideshow - Tyler Fire & Thrill Kill Jill - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I can't say it any better than Allison C. It was definitely a good show + every she said. Coney Island Circus Sideshow makes me fell like I'm in an old movie watching a sideshow. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but that's how I felt. Anyway, if your looking to do something weird and entertaining and you so happen to be in Coney Island, your best bet is to go here. For $10 a person you can't go wrong. read more

I like this place, its kinda old and gritty but fits in well the neighborhood. Nice 30 min act for the price, only problem is that they crowd the place. It was a fun show, would defiantly recommend. read more

I went to the Creepshow for Halloween which is a mixture of play and 'haunted" house. The show was called ride inspector something. The premise was interesting so I decided to see it for $10 a pop. Bleh! Not worth the money. Maybe $5 if that. The haunted part was not done all that well. The plot line wasnt as good as I thought it would be. Not recommended. Save your money for something more worthwhile. I would consider returning for the freaks though. read more

This places is absolutely awesome! Soooo entertaining and the fact you can have a drink and watch a crazy awesome show is just amazing! The sideshow dog is adorable as well!!! Wink wink read more

Coney Island Circus Sideshow - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

So glad we took the train to check this freaky sideshow out! It was the perfect G-rated sideshow for the whole family to appreciate. They had the man who pounds a giant nail into his nose, the lady who dances with her snake (and has a lizard tongue), the super cute strong lady, who let you stand on her stomach, and of course the fierce fire and sword swallor, who was definetley hot! The museum attached to the building where the freakshow is, is also a score, for only a dollar you can check out all the old artifcats from when the fair was huge. And outside you can hop on one of the tallest ferris wheels in the US, which kind of made me shit my pants a litte. My only wish was that more of the rides had been up and running at the park, but that doesn't really have anything to do with the freakshow itself. That was a hit all on its own. read more

Coney Island Circus Sideshow - Coney Island Freak Show - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

This show was worth every penny. Sidle up to the bar before you see the show to grab a Brooklyn Weisse and let the games begin! The host was jovial and all the acts were impressive. I'm glad they bought the land to this place so that whatever the demise of Coney Island, the sideshow is here to stay. Rock on! read more

Coney Island Circus Sideshow - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The perfect Coney Island experience! Especially if you have teenagers who are bored to tears with all the mainstream stuff. Our show began on the sidewalk with the announcer previewing some of the stars of the show to passersby...Danny Vomit the Human Blockhead, Chewy the Wolf Man, and Serpentina. What a deal...for $4 each, the four of us were freaked out for the next 45 minutes as performers shoved nails and drills up their nose, swallowed fire, juggled chainsaws, and electrocuted themselves, all for our demented entertainment. And the best thing...Danny Vomit spoke directly to my son warning him against the very real dangers of going to college and majoring in Liberal Arts ("Pick a REAL major!", he advised.) read more

Coney Island Circus Sideshow - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This is a really cool little spot to stop for a drink and reasonably priced show. I wish they were a little more clear about the show stops and starts though. We were told we could go in soon and then the show would be continuous. But after we paid, waited 15 minutes and went in we were only able to watch two short acts before they shut it down for a break. Had it been another day this may have been fine but we were trying to get the most out of our last hour in the area so this was very disappointing and we had to leave without getting a full show. What we did get to watch was very well performed and we are certain we would have really enjoyed the show. read more

Dear Coney Island Circus Sideshow, I love you. I love love love love love love love you. I love sideshows just on general principle, but I love that you truely captured the essence of the traditional old-timey carnival sideshow. Love love love. I love that the show is constant all day long - one can hop in and out as one chooses. I love that the performers are all so approachable and adorable. I love that I got to be a part of the act! I just love you. If I had any sideshow-esque skills, I would happily run away from home and beg for an opportunity to join your troope. As it is, I will merely have to content myself with visiting you guys every chance I get. Well worth the $10...and I love that I can bring in my delicious Coney Island Sideshow IPA in with me. Oh heck, I just love you. I less then three you. I adore you. If I wasn't such a terrible poet, I would write sonnets to your awesomitude. I just love you. I love that you keep the magic of Coney Island alive. I love that you bring back the vintage wonder that made Coney Island and sideshows so wonderous. I love everything about you. With all my love, ~F P.S. When I die, I want my funeral to be held at your sideshow. read more

4.5 stars for sure. This show is definitely worth going to at least once (I for one will be coming back to check it out again). Because we went on a fairly overcast and not so beach-like day they cut the admission and adult ticket prices were the same as children's ($5), but I would have been more than happy to pay the $7.50 they normally charge. The show consisted of 5 different freaks/performers (freaks' skills ranging from magic to special/unique talents to pure birth defects). The show on weekends runs from 1-9 non stop and they don't sell tickets in advance so just show up anytime and jump in between performers and stay all you want (or just until the part you came in on). The place is kind of small but the old school looking side show art on the walls is cool. The main guy (Donny Vomit) was a pleasure to listen to and watch as the host of the event. The guy who was outside giving the passing public a taste of what they would expect inside was also very cool and I was a bit disappointed he didn't join the show but maybe he'll share his unique talents when I go again. I guess the only real reason I had to bump them down to 4 stars was the seating was on uncomfortable wooden bleachers and the place was quite hot and humid (more so than outside). Awesome show though, worth checking out! Update: admission is now $10 which is still worth it. They also have a reasonably priced cafe/bar and gift shop worth checking out read more

Before I go any further, let me just say that I GOT PEED ON BY A TRANNY. Now if this is not something you are willing to deal with, DON'T GO HERE. I didn't know m'self that this... event... was going to be a part of the Sideshow, but there you have it. Thank god I'm not very easily phased (and was also under the influences at the time). That being said, I was super unimpressed by the sideshow, which when we went was the "girlie" version. It was a good thing to experience, and I'm glad that I now know what the Coney Island Sideshow entails, but I would never, ever go back, nor would I recommend it to even some of my freaky friends. Everyone I've told about being peed on was Not Cool with it. I chock it up to my momentary slow reflexes - so I'm willing to take one for the team and give you a fair warning here on Yelp. So, the girlie sideshow was - without giving it all away - outdated, cheesy, and unimpressive. Each of the stunts, minus the tranny peeing, was nothing I couldn't see for free on the patio of any bar in Columbus [that's my own personal reference, but feel free to insert your favourite lawless city here - Pittsburgh, for example]. I so want to warn you about what all of the tricks were, but I feel like you should find out for yourself and take my word for it that you probably won't be too impressed. But uber alles, just remember, a tranny peed on me. read more

Amazing! 1) I wish I could give this place 100 stars! 2) For 10 bucks, you can see one of the most unique in the country. 3) This place is just fantastic! read more

You got freaks and you got bodacious ta-tas. And you got rules that say you shouldn't stare at either. The only difference is the rules for ta-tas are often suspended; there are situations where it's OK to check'em out. That's not the case for freaks, at least in our world. But there is another world, one that turns the rules around: The Coney Island Circus Sideshow. Established in 1985, its the world's first professional non-profit theater dedicated to keeping alive the American sideshow, and the last place in the USA to offer a traditional ten-in-one (10 acts for the price of one) experience. I'd bet it's not much different from the hundreds of shows that crisscrossed America from the Civil War until after World War II. I've visited The Sideshow at Coney Island twice, once recently and once last year. Last year I met Eek The Geek, a pain-proof man with a "face from outer space" (he covered it with tattoos of the solar system) who, among other things, lies on a bed of nails while several audience members stand on his chest. I had hoped to see him again on this latest visit but apparently he has put show business on hold to go to law school. Also not performing on my latest visit was Insectavora, an insect eating woman who also walks on swords and does fire manipulation, though she was hanging out at the show. You see, my latest visit happened to be Natural Freaks Weekend. No vaudeville style acts. Just real-deal freaks. Featured acts included Mathew, a Thalidomide victim with extremely short arms; Coco the Killer Clown, a Dwarf; Robbie the India Rubber Boy, a contortionist; and Jennifer Miller, a bearded lady, juggler and fire eater. Two small snippets to give you the flavor of the place; Mathew who, after explaining that he found his lack of a humerus bone rather humorous, took of his shirt and dared the audience to look, explained that people will look anyway, but the sideshow is the one place where he can control it. Jennifer, whose day job is director of Circus Amok and professor at UCLA and NYU, explains that she hates being called The Bearded Lady because there are many, it's a common mutation, and therefore she is a bearded lady who juggles. The Sideshow at Coney Island is always entertaining, occasionally challenging and very much a worthwhile and living part of American History. The show is open Friday and Saturday May, and June, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in July and September, and seven days a week in August. Opening times vary so please see their website for details. Some links The Coney Island Side Show official home page http://www.coneyisland.com/sideshow.shtml A history of freaks at Coney Island http://naid.sppsr.ucla.edu/ConeyIsland/articles/freaks.htm The Secretly Normal Lives of Sideshow Stars http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/WolfFiles/story?id=1289945 read more

I'm an avid yelper, and already did my homework on Coney Island before arriving. The Sideshow was high on my list of priorities. It was about an hour's length, and loved every second of it! The price was right at $10, we were welcomed in by Mr. Strange. Saw a bar to the right, grabbed a tall can and took a seat. It was a lot of fun, and I was even called up to partake in one of the acts. Remember to throw some money in the tip jar, and help keep this tradition alive. read more

Entertaining way to spend date night out with my beau (it was my turn). He loved the show, but I felt shortchanged. I kept looking up at the poster on the stage which shows all the different characters I thought would be performing. I'd mentally check off who was left to perform, but ultimately we did not get to see the contortionist, anyone walking on glass, or knife acts. BOO! I have to say the most disappointing act was the lady with the snake. She came on stage, shook her butt, strutted around but looked uncomfortable the entire time and didn't really have a captivating presence. The snake rested on her shoulders and then she got on the ground and stuck her tongue out at the snake for it to do the same to her. Not all that impressive. I did like the audience participation, even though they didn't pick me, with the electric chair act being the most entertaining / interesting. We went to the last show of the evening and it wasn't very crowded at all. Apparently we got the best seats in the house (in the middle), but I would have preferred to only pay $5 per person, instead of the $10, if all of the acts are not present! PRO: They are very punctual. They started exactly at 7:00pm so don't be late. read more

I'd give 2 1/2 stars, but I'm keeping up my tradition of giving the benefit of the doubt. It's six bucks, which gets it higher. I really think they have the talent to do a $20 show, but they have little in the way of showmanship. That being said, they are doing a traditional style freakshow that runs all the time-- i.e., move the punters through. I'd really rather pay more for a longer, better planned show. Showmanship. That's what they're missing. Each act should be about three times as long and the dead time between acts needs to be cut. Build our anticipation and then serve us up some freaky disgusting goodness. There are hints of it-- the sword swallower has this cute bumbling thing. The human blockhead does a pretty decent job, but it's just... a little slow overall. And rushing to give us the payoff without our asking for it. read more

A lady swallowing swords and coat hangers, a dude that can twist his arm around more than 360 degrees, a guy swinging a 10 lb bowling ball from his freaking ear lobes! Honestly, why do tourists even go to Midtown with this as an option instead? You're telling me that some tall buildings and the biggest, most obnoxious Red Lobster I've ever seen are better than this? No freaking way. This is legitimately one of my new favorite places in NYC. I went on a Saturday and it was $10 to get in. I'm not sure if they've raised prices or it's more expensive to get in on Saturday but, either way, it's a steal even at $10. The performers are on a constant rotation until about 7 on Saturdays. After 7, it's another show and you'll have to pay a separate entry to see whatever it is. My suggestion is to get there by 6 at the latest which should allow you to enjoy the full compliment of shows. After each show, they encourage you to see the "11th act" which they refer to as the "Strange Weird Thing" or something like that. Eh, I won't give it away but, if you choose not to see it you won't be missing much. It's an extra $1, so I figured what the hell. But it's the main acts that are the true entertainment. Equal parts amazing and funny with a little bit of disturbing thrown in (though not too much, it's still definitely family friendly). All I can say is that you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't catch this show at least once. Drop by the Freak Bar, grab a drink, head on in and prepare to be amazed. Or, if not amazed, at least incredibly entertained. read more

Have had an out of town friend staying with me this week and have been doing some pretty touristy things. Being a proud Brooklynite I couldnt let her leave without seeing my beloved Coney Island and especially that little piece of Brooklyn nostalgia the Coney Island Sideshow. It being a very slow day they let us in at half price and we entered right at the end of one performance, they said to go in and catch the end as it would start again. Well at that point the audience that was there left and we stayed. No other patrons entered and despite that they still put on a show just for us! I felt like some billionaire kid who's Daddy hired them to perform. The acts were really cool and the performers are super nice especially Serpentina who we ran into outside as was goofing on me for bemoaning the Ice Cream place was closed "We got beer, dont worry" she said. She does an amazing act with fire as well as nailing stuff in her nose, she nailed a paint brush in her nose and painted my friend a pic and after the show came over and autographed it. The sword swalower, the rubber man and the snake lady were also really good. These people take pride in what they do and I applaud them in this review as I applauded them this afternoon. read more

Two words, 1 name : RAY VALENZ. Oh dear lord. Hostess with the absolute mostest. Still dreaming about this dude. Yes and I'm married and yea hubby is ok with it because he was pretty entertained by him too. A quote we saw in an article we looked up after the show describing Ray hits it dead on, "every girl wants to be with him. Every guy wants to be him". Hubs definitely considered learning to eat some fire after his performance. The MC and in my opinion star of the show. He is magnetic. He and his sword swallowing sister, Betty Blommerz rocked it. Side note for any music fans, they are Great niece and nephew of La Bamba famed, Ritchie Valens. Unfortunately, we didn't learn that until afterwards. I wish I snapped a pic with him as we chatted with him for a bit after the show. We didn't know what we were getting ourselves into. We actually only wound up paying $5 each (instead of $10) to get it last minute. Not sure if they do this all of the time. This was not peak season. Sweet. It's was pretty lengthy for that price. We were impressed. A little sword swallowing as I mentioned, a nail and hammer to the head, a snake charmer, electric chair stunts with audience participation, waking on broken glass and contortion. It looks that we missed some burlesque type acts on the day we went. Bummer. Very entertaining. Lots of interaction with the crowd. We stayed and had some drinks after and there were opportunities to take photos with some of the performers. Bring some ones for tips and to see the secret "thing". The bar was actually out of Coney Island classic beers but did have some local lagers that were delish. Very chill place. Definitely will be returning. If not just for Ray alone. Damn. I'm not usually into this "type" of thing but it was definitely the best $10 e have ever spent. We are still talking about it. *they run the shows continually all day and if you come in half way through, you are invited to stay for the other show until the part you haven't see yet. *no pics allowed although I don't like rules very much. DONT USE FLASH! Especially during the fire! read more

See all

I was hesitant to pay the entrance fee, but I figured I'd splurge since Coney Island might not be the same in a few days' time -- although the circus sideshow and museum will still be there no matter what. It was a really great show! There are only a handful of performers, but that's more impressive to me, actually. The same woman who swallows swords is a contortionist; the snake charmer conducts electricity; the oddly sexy fire eater has great skills with a whip. Very cool, fun show that was worth the price of admission. The acts are on a constant rotation, so there's always people coming and going during the performance and you never have to worry about having just missed anything. The stage and feel of the show are very lush and '20s-traveling-circus-esque. (Think "Carnevale" from HBO.) I definitely recommend checking it out. read more

WATCH THIS SHOW. I went here with my girlfriend at the recommendation of some of my friends, and I can say that I was thoroughly impressed. It was just $20 for us together, and the entire time we were laughing and screaming and being totally entertained. Ray Valenz, the MC, is as charismatic as he is talented. The other performers are all very fun, talented, and waste no time making the crowd cringe and laugh. It set a very good tone for the rest of my night. If you're ever in the area and want a show that will both entertain and gross out you and your friends, there is no rival act. read more

Liked the show!! It wasn't too long & if you missed a portion of it, the next show will start 10 minutes after the last one ended. I don't really like that an animal (snake only) is used in the show, but also realize that's still a circus tradition. Glad we went for sure. read more

I really enjoyed my time! I wish I'd caught the old days with the pierced lady or the two-faced dog.. many of the acts are more PC these days (contortion, sword swallowing, etc.) but I'd definitely go again! -1 star because there was a long strand of hair in my popcorn. read more

Sometimes you can really get the most out of your money. This is a place where you can definitely do that. And it's a blast. I would definitely come back to the sideshow any time I am in Coney Island. Hell, I might even get a membership: It's only 25 bucks. Run down the checklist of what I saw yesterday: Sword swallowing woman? check Precision whipping? Check Snake dancing? Check Weird contorting bodies? Check Fire-breathing? Check Block heading? Check. Also, after the show try out some of that coney island beer. I had the sword swallower IPA which was very impressive. read more

My boyfriend and I went to Coney Island last year for his birthday and we purchased tickets to see the CI Circus sideshow and boy were we glad that we did! I believe we paid only 10 dollars to get in. You get to see some pretty amazing things and they're very relaxed about reentering the show if there was a certain point that you missed if you walked in late (the show runs back to back all day). I was really excited to be called onto stage and to be a part of the show. I was put in an electric chair and told that electricity was coursing through my body. To demonstrate I was asked to stick my tongue out and had a fire torch ignited off of my tongue.... Wow! That was quite the experience! Hanging out at the freak bar is a lot of fun. They have all of the CI brewery beers (also located next door) which are awesome. Definitely a must if you're in Coney Island :) read more

Good entertainment for cheap! I feel like this is something that you have to do if you find yourself at Coney Island. Boredom in the middle of the day brought me here, and I'm glad it did. You'll see a contortionist, a person eating fire, a person eating swords, and a lot of other crazy stuff. The show is not crazy long either and is put on at multiple times throughout the day. Go! read more

Highly entertaining classic sideshow acts. I've seen shows and performers do this sort of thing on television previously, but actually having it happen 20 feet away from you is something entirely different. It seems the acts change up frequently, which makes me think this is something I'd love to do again. Also I suggest bringing some extra cash for tipping the performers at the end. While we were there they performed a human blockhead act, sword swallowing, snake charmer, fire eating, a bed of nails routine, a strait jacket escape(suspended upside down, no less,) and magician blade box routine(which you could pay a $1 or more donation to go on stage and see how it worked -- once again take some extra cash) All in all these sorts of shows aren't available everywhere and while the acts are unique and impressive in their own right the dialogue and performer's interactions are also exceptionally entertaining. All around good show. 10/10 will do again. read more

I haven't seen the actual Sideshow, but I have visited the Freak Bar several times. One time, I drank a Coney Island beer called the 'Human Blockhead' with the man who performs in the sideshow as the Human Blockhead. That's right. I drank a beer with the freak which the beer was named after. You can't beat that kind of experience. It's a great venue, and you really should stop in here, because nothing beats drinking a beer named after a guy, with that guy. read more

Minus a star for being kind of uptight ever since they bought their building. My girlfriend produced a play for a friend's final project for grad school with many circus, vaudeville, and freak themes, and they wouldn't help us at all. Wouldn't donate anything, wouldn't even let us put any postcards on a table or anything. Come on! A student production? Aren't performers supposed to help each other out? You lose funky cool freak points for being stupid. But the SHOW: This place rules. It reminds of the drag shows and other local entertainment I used to see all the time in Provincetown, with passionate and earnest performers. Oh well. It's a real salt-of-the-earth kind of show, if you don't like sitting on a hard bench, or squeezed in with your beer nest to some fat dude then you won't like this show. But you suck, so who cares. read more

As far as this place goes, there is no other like it for miles around or decades... A piece of the past lives on here. The sideshow itself constantly changes but everything from burlesque to music and skits to traditional ten in one shows can be found here. Check the website for updates. The beer is very tasty, personally I prefer the Albino python to the others. Great way to spend and evening or a few hours. read more

Four stars for the mid-monday all girl show. The extra star is for hanging out in the freak bar after closing with all the amazing ladies from the show. and their dogs. read more