Natalie and Nichole's Accessible and Cheap Brooklyn Date

We both wanted to plan a fun date, but had little cash in our pockets; so, we decided to head to Brooklyn in order to avoid Manhattan's ridiculously inflated prices.  We had to use the West 4th Street Station because the 8th Street – NYU station, although more convenient, was totally inaccessible to those in wheelchairs.  

   

 

We had no problem using the wheelchair accessible door to get past the turnstiles and there was zero wait at the elevator.  When the train arrived, we noticed that the gap between the train and the platform was quite wide.  The platform did have two rubber mats that provided a smaller gap for those who needed it.  In order to use these mats (there were only two that we saw), we had to stand  right at the front of the boarding platform (toward the front of the train). Luckily, no one else was crowding the matted area, but it might be a problem at busier times.  After getting on the train, we noticed that there was not much room to maneuver (it would be possible, but uncomfortable, for a person in a wheelchair), and all the spots, including the designated disability seats were taken.  

At Atlantic-Pacific Station, we didn’t see any mats that closed the gap between the train and the platform, making getting off difficult for anyone in a wheelchair.  After using the elevator to get to street-level, we noticed that the curbs were all quite high, and only fairly accessible.  One of the roads we crossed had construction and the make-shift crossing had a huge curb on the opposite side, something that someone in a wheelchair might not be able to predict when crossing.  Nonetheless, if someone in a wheelchair were to attempt crossing there, they would be stuck on the road and unable to get onto the sidewalk because the curb had to have been over 6 inches high.  Thus, we recommend going to the other elevator exit in Atlantic-Pacific Station in order to avoid having to cross the under construction road (the Southeast exit, we believe). We went to the Atlantic terminal mall next to the station for dinner because sometimes it is tempting to give into those touristy urges. 

The small concrete park next to it had two large ramps, making it quite accessible to avoid the many stairs.  Inside the mall, we used the elevator to get to "family friendly" Applebee’s, hoping they would be able to accommodate us.  We asked if we could look at their bathroom and take a photo in order to judge its accessibility and possibly recommend it to wheelchair users.  At first, the hostess was totally fine with the idea, but then the manager popped out of nowhere and told us that pictures were not allowed in that Applebee’s.  Like, really? No pictures?  We speculate that the bathroom was unclean and that they did not want their inaccessibility advertised on a blog.  

So, we headed next door to the ever so classy Buffalo Wild Wings, which was accessible and had way more chill people.  The front of the floor had a row of tables that could easily accommodate someone in a wheelchair, and the bathroom was right next to the entrance (meaning we didn’t have to ask to get into the bathroom).  Unfortunately, the bathroom was accessible but in total disrepair and very unclean.  So, we went to Target for a decent bathroom.

                  

Target, in fact, had the most accessible bathroom of any that we saw the entire night, which you would not really expect.  It was cleaner and had surprisingly low hand dryers.  The soap dispensers, like in all bathrooms we saw that evening, were a bit high, though.  

After dinner, we decided to go the BAMcafe which is on Lafayette Ave. for some free entertainment (every Friday and Saturday at 9pm, BAM hosts an artist or band) and cheap drinks ($5 cocktails during happy hour).  It would also be possible to eat at BAM, since they serve many $5 options (wings, beef sliders with fries, mini pizza, and other bar food) during happy hour and larger portions (with larger prices) after happy hour which is a pretty sweet deal for college kids.  

BAMcafe bathroom



BAMcafe



            The BAMcafe bathroom was quite clean and fairly accessible.  After that great entertainment, we went to a intimate, and very accessible, bar about 15 minutes away on foot or wheels.  We walked by many places that were perfect for a romantic drink, but had huge stairs leading to them.  We noticed just how inaccessible much of downtown Brooklyn really is. 

The bar we chose was Hot Bird which
is tucked away off of Atlantic Ave., a small dive bar with cheap imported beers and a rustic feel.  It was easily navigable with a chair, for the bar was really spread out (not crowded at all). Both entrances had ramps.  The interior featured small tables (ones that could easily fit someone in a wheelchair) with romantic tea-light candles.  Depending on the night, the bar sometimes has partitions between the tables, making the atmosphere exceedingly intimate and really setting the mood.  The bathroom was also pretty accessible. 

After some cheap beer and great conversation, we headed home in hopes of planning a second date.

-Natalie Conant and Nichole Latimer (Fall 2011)-