What To Do and See in Bushwick According to Théâtre XIV’s Austin McCormick

Austin McCormick’s Théâtre XIV hosts burlesque performances that are a great way to spend an evening in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood. The founder and artistic director breaks down where to eat, drink and dance before and after the show.
Right off of Bushwick’s bustling and hip strip on Wyckoff Avenue is Théâtre XIV. Ever since it opened three years ago, it has been home to founder and artistic director Austin McCormick’s Company XIV dance troupe.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.“Bushwick is such an interesting mix of different things,” McCormick said over the phone. “There’s a Michelin-star restaurant, Faro, a couple of blocks from the theater, and there’s amazing street tacos.”
Before the permanent space opened on Troutman in 2017, Company XIV, founded in 2006, was an itinerant group that performed its Neo-Baroque fusion of opera, circus, dance, live music and burlesque productions around the city. McCormick has updated classic stories such as The Nutcracker, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Cinderella into queer nightlife spectacles. His latest is a modern take on the story of Adam and Eve called Seven Sins and includes cocktails inspired by pride, greed, lust, etc.
Each night, the audience of 200 patrons are looking for recommendations of where to eat, drink and go out dancing afterward, McCormick says, so he’s become familiar with the Brooklyn neighborhood that has become his second home. Below he breaks down his favorite post-show spots.
“There’s a restaurant called Le Garage which is owned by a mother and daughter who are French who just make really beautiful, wonderful French food, so that’s a really great recommendation,” he said.

Catherine Allswang, who has owned and cooked at restaurants in San Francisco and Paris, came aboard when her daughter interior architect Rachel decided to open a restaurant in a former garage in Bushwick. Le Garage serves locally sourced, seasonal dishes such as house-made foie gras, organic chicken for two with thyme-crushed potatoes and confit garlic, and cocktails named after historical French women (like the Simone de Beauvoir: byrrh, dry vermouth, orange bitters and tonic). If you present your show ticket at Le Garage, you’ll receive a complimentary glass of champagne with your meal.

“Guadalupe Inn is a Mexican-themed [restaurant],” McCormick said. “They have really fantastic cocktails and really fresh, beautiful food, amazing tacos, and I’ve become friendly with the owners, who are a chef and an operating partner, and they’re really fantastic. They have a really great mezcal menu.”

Chef Ivan Garcia helms the kitchen at Guadalupe Inn, named for the neighborhood in Mexico City. Styled like a 1940s supper club, the restaurant serves modern spins on Mexican classics with plenty of vegetarian options. Each night, the space hosts live performances, from Latin music to burlesque.

“There’s a great cocktail bar up the street called Left Hand Path.” McCormick continues. “It’s kind of like a neighborhood bar, but they have really fantastic drinks and snacks, and that’s a really fun place to go and hang out post-show.”

Left Hand Path is known for its beer selection, its interior – which is reminiscent of an old wooden ship – and its spacious outdoor area, which really brings the crowd in the summer months.

“There’s a great restaurant at the next corner from our theater called Sea Wolf that’s this really fantastic seafood, as the name implies,” McCormick said. “A lot of our patrons love to eat there before and after.”

Daniel Cipriani opened Sea Wolf in 2016, his third restaurant after the now-defunct Urban Rustic and Lodge. Formerly, he was a set designer doing TV ad work for Red Lobster, Taco Bell and Olive Garden, and it shows in Sea Wolf’s kitschy homage to ocean life. The happy hour is not to be missed. Every day of the week, from 4pm to 7pm, Sea Wolf offers dollar oysters and $5 (£4.25) frozen drinks, wine, draughts and $3 (£2.50) beers. The menu also features animals you’d less likely find caught in a net, such as chicken and pork. Present your show ticket at Sea Wolf for a complimentary spritz or glass of wine with your meal.

“House of Yes is right around the corner, so after the show a lot of people want to keep the party going and go dancing, have a drink, so we always recommend going over to House of Yes and having a good time,” McCormick continued.

Founded in 2007, House of Yes is Bushwick’s premier club. Each night, the dance floor is a different experience where patrons are encouraged to participate in safe and decadent partying via outlandish costumes and performance.
“It’s been really exciting to get to know the neighborhood and be able to explore [it] more and more,” McCormick said. “[Bushwick] is one of those neighborhoods where you can have any kind of night; you can really shape it in terms of what you’re in the mood for. Hopefully a show at XIV is on the list,” he jokes.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.