The museum upstairs has a lot of coney island history and was just ok but the woman up there was very nice but I was hoping for more sideshow type things but it had some cool pictures of old coney island. We saw the show which had about 5 acts and it was fun at around 45 minutes. We were entertained and the people seemed very nice. We bought some stuff in the shop. read more

Four stars for the mid-monday all girl show. The extra star is for hanging out in the freak bar after closing with all the amazing ladies from the show. and their dogs. read more

Can this review merely say, "Please read all of the preceding four and five star reviews to get an accurate idea of what goes on at this side side and how I feel about this side show"...? Because Allison's feeling a lil' bit lazy. Perhaps I'll let others do the work here. Yes, in short: It was a sword-swallowing, fire-breathing, snake-dancing, contorting, whipping, jiggly boob good time! I'd go back. Fo' sho'. read more

This show was a cute little day-date activity. It's a pretty freaky show (when they announced the name, they actually called it the "Coney Island Circus Freak-Show") but nothing too crazy. It has the standards for a sideshow (knife juggling, fire eating, flame blowing, the "magic" lady in a box trick...etc.) but it's definitely entertaining, and easily worth the $10 it costs to get in. Shows last 45 min and start every hour on the hour, and they were punctual...unlike most shows which show up "fashionably late" to their own parties. Make sure to check out the freak show bar, which apparently has all of the choice options from the CI brewery next door. I can't speak to those since I barely made it for the 1pm show, but if I go back I'll definitely grab a beer. You're allowed to bring them into the show room, and I'm positive that slight inebriation would only improve the experience (although it's by no means necessary.) I give the show two thumbs up. Also bring some $1 bills in addition to the $10 fee, it's not mandatory but they throw in a few extra attractions and behind-the-scenes peeks for a slight donation which goes to help with the hurricane recovery in the area. It's a great cause, and what you get to see is certainly worth $1, so just do it. read more

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!!! read more

I love you SBS! I can't wait to visit again and again and again... this is history folks! come see a show...have a beer in the Freak Bar. The beach in front of you...nathan's to the right....games and rides on the left... my god it's beautiful! Vincent Wolf~ read more

My friends and I went on a Sunday afternoon and got in for $5 a pop. It must have been a little slow since I think regular admission is seven and change... I agree with others--Donny Vomit (who has like the awesomest moustache ever by the way) definitely has a stage presence and is quite funny. I'm going to rip-off the cigarette lighter trick (hey, he's ripping off the actual lighters themselves from the audience--he pulled out a jar to prove he has quite a collection). It was a little unnerving to see him hammer a nail up his nose. I couldn't look bear to look when he brought out a drill to attempt the same thing. Apparently he also does some straitjacket stunts, but not when I went. Heather Holliday did sword swallowing and fire eating when we were there. In fact, when she ended the show with this huge fireball, the sudden blast of heat made me fear my eyebrows had been singed off. The only thing that annoyed me was that there was a continuous stream of people coming during the show. Well, okay--that's only annoying if you're sitting on the outer edge of the bleachers on the side closest to the entrance like I was and managing to get hit by everyone's jumbo-sized beach bags. If you do end up going into the show while it's already in progress (I was one of those people), you can just wait like seven minutes in between shows and they start right back up. I cannot even imagine sticking a nail up my nose that often in one day... During the intermissions, it's possible that you can meet some of the performers next door where the bar area is. They're pretty cool about you taking pictures with them. Just remember--no photos during the show, PLEASE! read more

Everytime I go to Coney Island I need to grab a Coney Island Beer and catch the freak show. It's never boring, always changing and is a wonderfully fun experience. You're crazy if you go all the way to CI and don't check it out!! read more

I love the sideshow. It's fun, it's kitchy, the performers are entertaining and super friendly. Everyone should experience it AT LEAST once. read more

Why would you spend your money on lame carnival games complete with a blaring reggaeton soundtrack and costly rides that will only double your chiropracty bills when you could spend $7.50 to go see a fantastically entertaining and historic circus sideshow?? Answer: Because you either a) spent your money on the former before you did the latter or b) really like reggaeton and/or your chiropractor. I really enjoyed the Circus Sideshow and found myself clapping enthusiastically after each act rather than compulsorily. And I got picked to go on stage to help with the sword-swallowing act! Childhood dream WIN! read more

Coney Island is full of surprises. Visiting this once magical New York hotspot is like taking an almost archeological-like expedition to a time and place where one side of the street is a devastated, dirty wasteland filled with open lots and questionable characters (like the very same sleazy developers that own most of that land) and the other is this colorful, still magic-filled portal to a by-gone era teeming with young modern day hipsters, performance artists, burlesque hotties, tattooed characters and curiosity seekers. If you walk through some of these streets at night, you can distinguish where the bright lights are: Nathan's Famous Frankfurters with its long lines of hungry patrons waiting to eat those crunchy, almost perfect overstuffed hotdogs, The Coney Island Cyclone Rollercoaster offering its late night rickety rides, the Coney Island Cyclone stadium and without doubt, Sideshows by The Seashore, home to THE BEST FREAKSHOW in all of NYC and probably the entire Northeast! It's all supposed to get better this summer...we'll see! Now, in all fairness to other freak shows out there, I've only really visited Sideshows by the Seashore and none other (I don't know of any other). If someone out there has any line on any other freak shows in NYC, I'd love to hear about it. But I've been to this particular sideshow on several occasions (for both the freak shows and the burlesque) and it is one really memorable experience! Snake charmers, sword swallowers, whip crackers, strongmen, glass eaters, fire eaters, contortionists, and all sorts of acts can be found at the Sideshow at any given performance. It's a little bit bizarre but always very funny and entertaining. You could even say it is a bit disturbing and even politically incorrect. But that duality is what I love! Like I said, THE BEST! The venue itself is like stepping into some bygone era. Hand-painted, with brightly colored signs all over the place, it houses a small, almost thrown together stage and bleacher style seating that on a good night packs it to full capacity so that you can barely move. The building is home to the Freak Bar, one of the few cool hangouts in this part of Coney Island, where you can actually meet and talk to some of the performers pre and post show. It is also home to Side Show School, The Coney Island Museum and a gift shop. The place is a NY institution. Freak Show performances can be seen all over the city too. On February 1st, they will play at BB Kings in Times Square, Gotham Comedy Club on February 24th and leading up to the Summer months, there will be tons of activity announced. Check out their website and let me know what you think: http://www.coneyisland.com/ read more

Coney Island Circus Sideshow - Magic at night in Coney Island - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

They're here! They're real! They're alive! I have a long history with Sideshows; I used to go here weekly and watch the 10-in-1 (10 acts in one show) a few times in a row. The performers can get very burnt-out doing this, naturally; it's a great way to cut your teeth performing, but most of them are happy to move on to other things. It's wildly entertaining, and I've seen some of the best: the great Fredini, who can hammer a nail into his head and swallow a sword; the late Michael Wilson, a.k.a. the Illustrated Man, and Zenobia--stage name for Jennifer Miller, a comedic genius who bills herself as "a woman with a beard" and juggles machetes. Sideshows is a landmark; Harry Houdini--*the* Harry Houdini--developed his act here. I've also seen The Warriors--best movie ever made--here a few times, and a few years ago, for the 30th anniversary of the making of the film, I think, they had most of the cast appear for a Q&A after the film. Priceless. Dick Zigun, a Bridgeport, Connecticut native and Yale drama school graduate, took this venue and built it up into what it is today. He's the self-styled "Mayor of Coney Island." The Mermaid Parade has grown--as do most parades in New York City--from a ragtag group to a crazy, over-the-top Mardi-Gras-style fest attracting thousands of spectators. Next it will probably be picked up by the SyFy channel. (You heard it here first.) Yeah, I went there today, and I gave them money. They need money. read more

The Coney Island sideshow circus is a great family fun stop while your i coney island. Lots to see.

What can I say. We walked past this place and felt like we should check out this side show. For $7.50 per person, it was well worth the laugh and entertainment. We got in a bit late so was able to catch the second part of the show. Serpentina, Insectivora and Remy Vicious were quite entertaining. Sure, the tricks weren't that impressive ... but the humor and comedic genius elevated this sideshow into something more magical. I'd love to come back and watch the whole show someday. I definitely recommend you checking it out! read more

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. read more

The show is entertaining and impressive, and you gotta give credit to these folks for keeping the vaudevillian spirit of Coney Island alive. (Thanks for keeping the characters in Coney!!) After experiencing a wet and rainy ride on the Cyclone last summer, my friends and I ran over to the Sideshows by the Seashore building. Looking like drenched rats, we were greeted by a friendly family who had been hanging out at the Freak Bar and generously offered us towels and clothes for the measly price of a beer at the bar. Aww, sweet memories of Coney Island. read more

This was alumni weekend. So there were alumni circus performers (read recovering users who used to be, im sure inspiring and enchanted but now are... well... not). I want to go back and pay a mere ten bucks to get into another side show- with maybe a younger set of performers who may be doing some more interesting things than telling the audience while eating fire "i havent done this in years, and I dont know if this is going to work, but.. well.. okay" and then coughing after the flame is put out sort of in the mouth but really cause you blew into it. Because my generation and ones after are so innundated with the mysterious goings ons of cirque du soleil (sp) and everything amazing that you can find on the internet- just bringing out a snake and twirling with it isnt very interesting anymore (hell, britney spears did it years ago on stage with sparks and dancing which was entertaining). i want to like this side show and i want to find the respect that coney island performers, really, demand but i just didnt see it in this performance at all. maybe next time.... read more

I've been here several times. Personally, I've only been for the sideshow but they also do burlesque at certain times (I'm sure only after dark and probably mostly on weekends but you can check their website for exact information). I really like this as a unique event that the M.C. on any given day will remind you is presented by "your local non-profit arts organization." I haven't ever seen anything else like it. Even having grown up in Pennsyltucky where the county fair was the biggest social event of the year, we didn't have a travelling side show that came through with the ride and vendor types. I assume that this is pretty close (with a slightly higher level of technology and a bit more of a wink and a nod attitude) to the travelling circus/carnival side shows of yore. Uniqueness aside, the program is extraordinarily entertaining. If you're into performance art, you have to check it out. With the exception of free summer concert or play series, nowhere else in New York City can you get 45 minutes of performing arts events for $10. If you find yourself at Coney Island for a day at the beach, a few rides or a Cyclones game, do yourself the favor and drop by to see what the acts are today. As a point of interest, my quick tip about this, "Today's lesson is never give a circus freak something you want back, idiot," is in reference to the people who threw lighters up to the performers and then waited around after the show to try to get them back. If you can't lose your lighter, don' throw it up on stage. read more

Its pretty amazing someone can make a living out of being able to bend their thumb around their hand. I guess in a way i am jealous. The key here is to throw away all expectations and let that 6 year old curiosity come back to you again. Have you seen it before? Maybe, Probably. But this kind of thing never gets old. The show runs continuously all day, and you are free to come and go as you please. The acts are fun filled and at times can make you re think where your life is headed. The performers are mildly entertaining compared to the feats they perform on stage, but it all balances out to be a great way to spend 30mins if your in the Coney Island area. Enjoy read more

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. read more

Coney Island Circus Sideshow - The stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I've seen sideshow performances all over the country and am a seasoned fire spinner/eater myself. I can't even count how many shows I've been to or participated in since getting into the circus scene in 2007. That being said, this was, hands down, my very favorite fire show of allllllllll time! Alejandro Dubois's performance totally blew my mind. Punk rock, fast paced, filled to the brim with countless tricks...honestly, I can't say enough good things about it. The other performers were very enthusiastic and good at getting the crowd amped. The room is set up in a way that makes you feel like you're in an old timey carnival- but with air conditioning ;) The venue is located about a block away from the train station and the show was pretty cheap, I think $10 for about 30 minutes. Check 'em out! You won't be sorry :) read more

The Coney Island Circus Sideshow ran for about half an hour, and you could enter mid-show if you were ready. There were a few illusions, like the bladebox, but acts like sword swallowing (by Betty Bloomers), fire eating (Ray Valenz), and contortion (by Leo the Human Gumby), and Ask Me Anything (Velvet Crayon) were amazing. Truly amazing, as in, watch between fingers as a blade of steel slides into a woman's stomach. The presentations were super fun, the whole show was upbeat, personable, and very entertaining. I've seen sideshows before, but never a traditional 10 in 1--complete with the last, one-more-dollar "What is it?" exhibit. I really enjoyed the show. I felt like I turned into a six-year-old, in a good way, the kind of child who is amazed by bubbles, loves bubbles, wants to become bubbles. But instead of bubbles, it's a person who can dislocate his shoulders and fit their entire body through an unstrung tennis racket. In more ways than one. I'm just saying: go see the show. It's totally worth it, and it will make you reconsider the possibilities of the human body in the best way. read more

Thoroughly enjoyed this show! We came up from GA to visit family and decided to spend the day in Coney Island. I'm so glad that we did! Alejandro was fantastic, as was the rest of the crew! If you happen to be in NY then you should most definitely check this show out! read more

It's your typical Freak Show idea show, trust me it's good, but it's nothing special. You surely do enjoy it though, nice time with friends. A lot of the time it's quite funny, but they do try to get your money for the dumbest things. They really do try their best to take all that's in your wallet and you can tell it gets a bit annoying, but it's a good show. Worth going to read more

Coney Island Circus Sideshow - on the stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Anytime I can see a guy hammer a nail and put an electric drill up their nasal cavity, a guy who lets someone throw darts in his back, a 'wolfman' with a hair-covered face do a tightrope act, a guy juggle two balls and a chainsaw, and see a woman eat and breathe fire for $5, I feel like I've gotten my full 5 star entertainment value. read more

The first time I went was very enjoyable. Afterwards, I would take my friends but it got a bit repetitive for me. I love inflatable boy.. He hangs fire extinguishers on his ear(lobe)s and then swings them around. Someone stole his rubber chicken. He loved his rubber chicken. It's been around the world with him. Return his rubber chicken!!!! read more

Best $5 Ive ever spent. I think it's $6 now. They tell you the show is only 45 minutes long but ours was about an hour and a half somehow. Im not sure if the sideshow is going to be gone with the new plans to make Coney Island completely suck. I wouldn't be suprised. Go while it's still there though! read more

there isn't a better way to spend $6 and 30 minutes than to sit in an audience and watch a 5 foot nothing Utah Mormon swallow swords half her size. you could do it with a beer, if you wanted... or with your Nathan's dog. either way. stand outside, let the announcer call everyone in. at the last minute before the show starts, he knocks the price down to $4. so now it's cheaper than dirt and there's no reason not to sit and enjoy Insectivora and her outstanding fire eating performance. read more

Coney Island Circus Sideshow - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Definitely the best bang for your C.I. buck. Every time I've been by recently, they've been offering $4 admission, so hell, you CAN afford it. The show's about half an hour long, but if you want to get a beer or three from the conveniently located bar inside (cheap! all things considered), you can probably stay as long as you like. Sure, the jokes are a little corny, but there are some awesome performers doing party tricks you might not have had the cojones to try in that silly frat of yours. Insectavora (?) the fire eater is phenomenal. She's worth the price of admission alone. Anyway, the show is great for kids of all ages. See it before it's too late! read more

I was very excited about this place but my expectations were just shy of being met. Reading other reviews I feel maybe I didn't see them at their best though. It seems like they have a rotating cast of talent so you may not see what you have read about in reviews. I have to give a hand to these guys though because they obviously work hard. I was fortunate enough to have seen koo koo the bird girl--not the original but the modern edition and her shout out to the historic was well appreciated. This show was witty, crafty, and I think definitely worth the price. In our CG world where anything can happen on the screen a real life freak show was such a relief and a fantastic way to spend some time in Coney Island. There is also a very Grundy bar at this venue that seems to be populated with Grundy locals. Everything one could ask for at a boardwalk freak show. They do try to nickel and dime you though. A $1 for this and $1 for that. Side attraction stuff. I don't blame them though. That's the name of the game. read more

I'm surprised no one has reviewed this classic Brooklyn place yet.I have lived here my whole life but didn't go till this year.I had such a fun time here-The acts were funny and entertaining,I especially like Angelica the fire eater. This really has a very oldskool feel to it,when inside you'll feel like you're in the Coney Island of the earlier 1900's,and the people here are very friendly and welcoming.I think this is vital to get the full Coney Island experience.On some nights of the week they have oldskool style Burlesque shows too!And thier cheap! read more

From reading the reviews it sounds like they made some improvements to the show since the last time I was here. This place is classic Coney Island and everyone should come at least once. Back in the day Coney was filled with places like this. For the price you pay to get in, there's one hell of show. Everything was freakishly entertaining especially the fire eater, snake charmer, and contortionist. read more

There's nothing like getting a little lighter fluid to liven up your lager. Gives it a little kick. Just head over to the bar and have a sit-down over some beers, and you can take whatever you have left right past the ticket booth (costly, but there are all kinds of reasons to forgive the ever increasing price: then $6, now $7.50). Enter past the curtain and a standing room only crowd will be at very levels of impression at a sideshow star you just saw taking a break near the bar. You might have entered halfway through the show, but when you stick around to catch the first half, you'll get top-notch seats. Just watch out at front row center or stage right (your left) where a whip or fuel might come a little close. The performers are all as much a delight as their predecessors that I recall, and as a rowdy audience member I'm sure they appreciate me. read more

Nice show for the price! Betty is the highlight with her sword swallowing and her fire eating! Definitely want to go back for the adult side show!! read more

Very overrated! it looked fake, I know its fake, but shouldn't they at least try to make it look real?? it was quite expensive to get in, and once your in, they ask for even more donations to see some of the freaks up close. it was an ok 1 time experience, but its something i could have missed if it wasn't' such a coney island staple. read 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 decor. 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. read more

Saturday 10 pm show - not recommended for children or those with high entertainment standards. Don't waste your money - I could have seen a better show in a small town strip club then I saw at this lame excuse for a sideshow. No burlesque, either, which was unfortunate, given the cast of attractive ladies. Most of all, I don't understand how any "all ladies" show could really be so unimpressive, especially considering the lack of clothing. Save the $10 and go to a cheap strip club, at least you'll get your money's worth. read more

do not waste your money for the burlesque show. it was genuinely very off putting and disturbing. the production of it was very low budget and just tacky. we left right after the first act... very disappointing. read more

I just came here for the first time this weekend. It was the weekend reunion show with a bunch of retired talent, and it was incredible! I've never seen a show like this before, and it was wildly entertaining!! If your at coney island, be sure to stop by this place and enjoy some all day entertainment! read more

You can't find better entertainment for $7.50 (or $5 if they're slow or feeling generous). I've been to the sideshow a handful of times. Whenever I have friends or family in town, I always insist that they check it out. It's exciting, kitschy, sexy, cheesy, dirty. It's got a great aesthetic and is very well-performed. Definitely a unique experience you don't want to miss. read more