Xanadu, a funky roller disco and nightclub, lands in Bushwick
Image courtesy of Mike Shane
A psychedelic roller rink has touched down in Bushwick. Opening its doors on Friday, June 28, Xanadu Roller Arts is a one-of-a-kind food and entertainment hub featuring New York City’s only year-round indoor roller rink that doubles as a 1,000-capacity nightclub and music venue. Located at 262 Starr Street, the venue features an out-of-this-world design with creative food and drinks, a top-of-the-line skating rink, world-class sound and lighting systems, and much more, ensuring an immersive experience for all visitors.
Founded by Varun Kataria, Xanadu is just a block away from the Turk’s Inn and the Sultan Room, Kataria’s other Bushwick entertainment venues known for their intricate themed designs.
“While roller rinks and concert venues are not uncommon individually, Xanadu provides a seamless integration of these experiences, with an unwavering dedication to artistic expression, and meticulous attention to detail in our programming, quality, and human-centric design,” Kataria said.
“We blend these elements into an experience that is both singular and transcendent. ‘Less friction, more flow’ isn’t just a phrase we like to say; it’s a genuine ethos, a way of life where every movement is a path to joy and connection. It’s about channeling energy, embracing constant motion to move past the things that hold us back.”
The venue’s interior design transports visitors to another dimension, with vibrant wallpapers, neon carpets, and fluid lines and patterns that “emulate perpetual motion.” Every detail of the space has been carefully selected to create an immersive experience encouraging guests to let go of their troubles and enjoy a fun night out.
At the heart of Xanadu’s offerings is its premium roller skating rink, built with solid Canadian maple planks. One side of the venue features a full-sized stage for musicians and performers, while the other side houses a bar and restaurant with rink-side cabanas.
While the rink might take the spotlight, Xanadu’s music venue is also impressive, with a 40-foot wide, 20-foot deep stage that will host global acts, top-tier artists, and DJs. Additionally, it features a top-of-the-line sound system and LED light control.
Xanadu holds many surprises, including a small treehouse space above the stage and “Club Flush,” a series of secret bathroom dance parties featuring a hidden DJ setup, livestream capabilities, and a fully-stocked bar.
The roller rink will offer a variety of programming, including daily open-skate sessions for guests of all abilities, weekly classes with professional instructors, and family-friendly daytime sessions where parents can skate with their kids.
On nights and weekends, Xanadu will host parties, each produced in-house, featuring a fusion of live electronic music and skate culture. The venue’s shows will push the boundaries of performance art and interactive experiences, with skate sessions often happening simultaneously with live shows.
Xanadu’s food and drink menu is as otherworldly as its appearance, with creative twists on classic beverages and specialty cocktails. Led by Chef Joshua White, executive chef of the Turk’s Inn and Sultan Room, the kitchen offers dishes that reflect Xanadu’s outlandish spirit.
Menu items include the Hindi City, an inventive twist on the hot dog that combines the classic Chicago hot dog with Indian flavors, and the Polish Polish, a hot dog topped with a pierogi. Other items include a tuna tartar Frito pie, a vegan mint Caesar salad, nachos with homemade cheese sauce, and other offerings using high-quality and local ingredients.
“You don’t want to make it pretentious; you have to give people the things they associate with roller rinks, but also making it something your own,” Kataria told Eater.
The full-drink menu emphasizes Xanadu’s specialty cocktails. Offerings include the Caramel Cord Old Fashioned, which blends corn-infused whisky with burnt caramel syrup and bitters over ice, and the Xanarita, a mix of bright blue curacao with fresh raspberries and tequila. The menu also offers low ABV and non-alcoholic options. The kitchen will operate until 12 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends.
A calendar of music and skate events at Xanadu can be found here.
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