Winter in NYC with a kid is no joke. Before becoming a parent, my main goal on freezing weekends…read morewas staying cozy. Now? It's finding places where my child can actually burn energy when outdoor playgrounds are basically off-limits. Enter Space Club, the solution to this problem.
From the moment you walk in, you can tell this place was thoughtfully designed with both kids and parents in mind--exactly as they describe on their website. Getting tickets at the door was easy, with no wait: you just provide the phone number associated with your account, and that's it! I really appreciated that tickets aren't strictly timed: you can drop in anytime that day, which takes a lot of pressure off planning. The socks-only policy and large shoe-off area also immediately set the tone for cleanliness (and yes, my white socks stayed white).
There are tons of well-padded play areas, obstacle courses, sensory rooms, and quiet corners[1]. Also, unique to this location, a bounce house. Unlike many indoor play gyms, this place is actually enjoyable for adults too.
The café offers smoothies, coffee, and snacks[2], and you can bring your own food/drinks. Parking right outside is a rare bonus for Greenpoint.
One small downside: despite clear signs saying no food or drinks in the play areas, I saw several parents bringing large coffee drinks (even into the bouncy castle). Not Space Club's fault (in fact, I saw staff members going to some of these parents to ask them to bring their drinks outside the pay areas), but I do wish this rule were enforced more consistently.
The temperature runs a bit cooler than at their Fort Greene location, perhaps due to the fact that this is one single, large, floor. While it wasn't uncomfortable at first, I did start to feel chilly after being there for about three hours.
Overall, it's clean, well-run, and totally worth it. We'll definitely be back.
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[1] Especially great for kids who need a calmer, sensory-friendly environment.
[2] Note the no-nuts policy.