Popular entertainment company Bowlmor, which operates six bowling and entertainment venues across the country, has opened a new concept in New York City coined Carnival. It’s an approachable and adaptive concept that mixes the sophistication of Manhattan nightlife with the nostalgia and family-friendly approach of the midway. Designed as a circus big top, the venue offers traditional attractions more often seen on Coney Island, like a dunk tank, magicians and stilt walkers, alongside more adult features like a specialty cocktail menu and headlining DJs.
The brainchild of Bowlmor’s CEO Tom Shannon, the venue hopes to generate revenue all day long by offering unique private event space, all-ages fun in the daylight hours and a transition into more traditional nightlife once the sun goes down. When the 16,000-square-foot Pressure Nightclub space located above Bowlmor’s NYC location became available, Shannon decided to take over the space and try a never-before-seen nightlife and special event concept, and Carnival came to life. “I think Carnival is so unique; it’s never been done before in New York, or anywhere else for that matter,” Shannon said in a press release.” Its nice-by-day theme is perfect for kids’ parties, and when we say naughty by night, we mean just that. The space is truly dynamic.”
The venue’s food offerings also will follow the carnival theme with adaptive takes on midway favorites like mini corn dogs, candy apples and barbeque pulled pork sliders. On the cocktail side, Shannon’s team created some unique offerings, including a Cotton Candy Martini and a 2-gallon colossal cocktail named the Dunk Tank.