Brooklyn Mirage, the outdoor portion of the sprawling Avant Gardner complex, will reopen May 1 with a dramatically reimagined design featuring opera-style balconies, expanded capacity, and enhanced security measures.
The venue’s dance floor will increase from 4,500 to 6,250 capacity, making it “the largest in New York City,” according to Josh Wyatt, who joined as CEO in October. The redesign, which Wyatt describes as inspired by “operatic grandeur,” transforms the space into what he calls an “open air sanctuary.”
The renovation follows the deaths of two men found near the venue in 2023, incidents that prompted Wyatt to address safety concerns in a December social media letter. The redesign includes practical safety enhancements: improved perimeter lighting, clearer venue signage, and monitored rideshare drop-off areas. Management is also exploring upgrades to cell phone service throughout the complex.
“When you’re looking at the overall structure, it’s three stories high and reveals itself as you traverse the structure through different sight lines and experiences,” Wyatt told Billboard. “That’s something that the Mirage has always excelled at; providing these different moments from different perspectives within the venue.”
The physical renovation includes a 30,000 resolution wraparound LED wall spanning the venue’s length, featuring what management describes as “the first fully kinetic shutter system in live music.” This system creates a 270-degree virtual environment that performers can control during shows.
For sound, the venue has installed a custom L-Acoustics system with more than 100 speakers and subwoofers positioned throughout the space. The 90-foot stage, designed to accommodate both DJs and full bands, includes 20,000 tons of rigging capacity.
One distinctive feature of the renovation is its construction material. The structure, which reaches 65 feet at its highest point, consists primarily of pre-manufactured and CNC-cut timber.
“Wood is a heck of a lot easier to engineer than other materials,” Wyatt said, noting the sustainability aspects. “We have a commitment to sustainability and adaptive reuse and wanted to upcycle the wood components here. We felt that it would be a lot more friendly and like lower carbon footprint to be able to build it predominantly with wood.”
The redesigned venue features a horseshoe-style configuration connecting the dance floor, elevated seating tiers, and artist stage. The project was developed by Avant Gardner’s in-house design and production team in partnership with design studios Hard Feelings and Studio Greenbank.
More than 100 shows are confirmed following Brooklyn Mirage’s May 1 and 2 reopening with Sara Landry. Upcoming performances include Cityfox (May 3), Cloonee (May 10), Empire of the Sun (May 21), two nights of Chainsmokers (May 22-23), and two nights of Excision (May 24-25).
The renovations come as Avant Gardner continues to solidify its position in New York City’s electronic music landscape. The complex, which includes multiple venues beyond the Mirage, has become a cornerstone of the Bushwick/East Williamsburg nightlife scene since opening.
Ticket prices for the upcoming season were not addressed in the announcement. Current standard admission prices for events at the venue typically range from $50-90.
Photos taken by Brianna Nunley for Bushwick Daily.
For more news, sign up for Bushwick Daily’s newsletter.
Join the fight to save local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber
