Space Club in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is an absolute disappointment and a potential ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) violation that needs to be investigated and shut down until brought up to compliance.
Went a few months ago when they first opened. The building has three floors and no elevator, making it impossible for families with disabilities, mobility challenges, or adaptive strollers to access the space safely. Each floor has multiple stair landings ...roughly six flights in total and there are no accommodations in place. This is a clear failure to meet ADA accessibility standards for a public family venue.
As a mother, it was physically exhausting and unsafe to carry my autistic toddler up and down all those stairs, especially while also assisting my child's grandmother, who struggles with mobility and had great difficulty managing the steps. Families should never have to choose between inclusion and safety, yet this facility makes that impossible.
Beyond accessibility, this environment is not autism or sensory friendly. It's overwhelming, loud, and poorly designed. The "bead pit" is an obvious tripping and choking hazard beads were scattered across floors, staircases, and the entrance. It literally felt like stepping on Legos barefoot while balancing a child in your arms. For children with sensory sensitivities, this kind of setup can trigger distress, meltdowns, or injuries.
The first floor ball pit is another major safety risk. The entire climbing structure including the ladder and slide is made of metal with no padding. While trying to play with my child, my foot became jammed between the metal bars hidden under the balls, and it swelled immediately. I could barely walk afterward. No play space should expose parents or children to such preventable injuries.
The staff never cleaned or maintained the area, the café was overpriced and nearly empty, and several swings and play structures were broken. The lack of supervision and upkeep shows complete disregard for guest safety. Only one bathroom on the main floor was working. The rest were out of order.
Adding insult to injury, the owner announced a "members-only" policy that would have restricted weekends to non-members and made Monday through Friday for members only. The cost was outrageous -- $3,229 per year, $299 per month, a $299 annual sign-up fee, and $99 per additional sibling. For a facility that isn't ADA compliant or inclusive of children with disabilities, these prices are exploitative and unethical.
After public backlash, the owner retracted the policy but then sent an unprofessional email to all customers titled "we f*cked up." That language alone shows a stunning lack of professionalism and respect for families.
Overall, Space Club is unsafe, discriminatory, and poorly managed. It excludes children with disabilities, endangers families, and fails to meet ADA Title III accessibility requirements for public spaces. The City of New York and ADA authorities should immediately investigate this business for noncompliance and safety risks.
Until this facility installs an elevator, ensures sensory-friendly design, and meets proper safety and maintenance standards, it should not be allowed to operate. I will never return and strongly urge other families especially those raising children with disabilities or sensory needs to avoid this establishment entirely.
I'd love to give it zero stars but unfortunately can't. The only positive I can say was the bathroom was clean with a nice changing table And they have lockers. That's it. Highly disappointed. read more