Coney Island Circus Sideshow

What can I say it is what it is. It was cool when you was a kid it look new and shiny. the hot dogs suck too expensive for a beer and two hot dogs $ 27 OMG but you have to go and check the boardwalk if you’ve never been it is a famous spot. The land of the misfit toys lol

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.

If you’re looking for a good old authentic side show, look no further than the Coney Island Circus Side Show. These folks are legit and put on an extraordinary show. We had the pleasure of seeing Betty Bloomerz, Dr. Claw, The Black Scorpion and the absurdly talented emcee, Ray Valenz.
Other reviews express disappointment at not seeing all the acts from the posters throughout the space. The acts rotate, that’s part of what makes side show so unique, you never know what you’ll see. If you are that concerned, ask before you buy your tickets. (Speaking of tickets, $ 10 is cheap. Don’t wait for the discount, these guys deserve full price.)
Acts range from fire breathing, to sword swallowing, to geek acts and everything in between. It’s the real thing, know this going in. Don’t embarrass yourself when you leave because a performer swallowed a sword or drove a power drill up his nose. Lame. Yes, the show is family friendly… assuming you don’t have a lame family. Which you might, it’s okay… just stick with Disney.
I can’t say enough positive things about this show. Go. Go again. Then go some more.

Although there were only six of us in the audience, the performers gave a great show nonetheless. I am really glad we went– we almost left Coney Island without seeing the show but as we were up on the top of the Wonder Wheel, I spotted the vivaciously painted building and declared it our next stop. (We had our ten year old with us he enjoyed it as well.) The atmosphere of the theater really makes the show! Love the poster art in the stage area and the dimly lit bleachers to sit on– someone really captured the feel of a real circus sideshow in the décor. Thanks for a great time! Wish we had this show in Baltimore as I’d quit my job and join up with this circus in a heartbeat.

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.

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.

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!

Absolutely the best place in NYC hands down. On those hot summer days you can see a wonderful freak show that is guaranteed to have you walk out of the place with your mind racing and your jaw to the floor. On steamy summer nights you can get the finest of assorted microbrewed beer or the best hard cider I ever, see boobs and have a great laugh with the artistic stylings of a burlesque show. I love this place, it couldn’t get more sincere.

I lucked out as I was waiting to buy tickets a couple cut in front of the line but as soon as I got to the booth they announced a half price ticket deal. Score. The show was fun and engaging. Some of the acts were a little long and boring. The humor was good. I would recommend this at least once for anyone visiting the island.

I had wanted to see this for the longest time because I have a fascination with old time circus freak shows and this is advertised as such. Old time circus sideshows consist more of people sitting in cages and I was looking for quaint preserved historical entertainment, like bearded ladies, wild men, and three limbed people, even though we know that these aren’t what appeal to people nowadays.
This sideshow takes more of a show format, where different actors come on stage and perform bizarre acts, such as lying on a bed of nails, contorting themselves in weird ways, swallowing swords, etc. Even if this was not exactly what I was looking for, it was interesting to see in person and worth the $ 10 admission for 1.5 hours of entertainment.

Been to coney island for years never came in this place. I thought it was some old videos playing on the screen, instead there was werd and cool performers doing great freaky tricks with fire and knives too name a few.

For $ 10 it’s worth checking out once. The sword swallower and contortionist were pretty impressive, The other acts were ok but overall it was an entertaining time. All my friends seemed to enjoy it.

I’m an avid Unilocaler, 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.

Talk about a fright fest… Pretty scary… well for me lol
Tickets weren’t that expensive only eight bucks to get in… but the show was only thirty minutes long… I was pretty freaked out the whole show… everything they performed was pretty disgusting… to me… lol
Profmance:
–Swallowing sword
–Walking on glasses
–Bending bodies part where they shouldn’t be bending
–Weird snake dance
–And knife acts
I enjoyed it for the most part… The show wasn’t dull… everything was pretty enterinaing. it does get creepy at times… but still worth it… I kept closing my eyes… most of the time I saw what they were doing… I was pretty stunned… I never really encounter such acts. glad I got to check this place out… One more thing you have to check out during your trip to Coney Island… deffenlty worth the 30 minutes… just don’t be like me and close your eyes… Enjoyyy!!!

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!
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* Charm, eh? I call it room for some improvement. Clean up!
** Just in case you were curious —

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.

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.

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!

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 :)

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 décor 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.
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[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.