👋🏾 Local Side Quests is a guide to enjoying your time outside of work in and near LIC. Each issue is a curated list of classes, activities and gatherings nearby that invite community, curiosity, and/or creativity.
👀 Sneak Peek
All-night rock climbing
Crafty classes
Game night
…and more! Read ahead for details!
💭 When You Need a Routine to Get You Up & Out
A multi-week class is sometimes exactly what I need to get my social battery going. I get to build a routine, expect familiar faces, and likely learn something along the way. Just like college but without the grades!
This week, I’ve curated a list of activities that are either recurring events or multi-week sessions to encourage building mini habits. There’s also plenty of fun one-off events for those who just want to hit it and quit it 😉 Enjoy!
⭐ Spotlight - Gamer’s Choice
Credit: @gamerschoicenyc on IG
This week’s spotlight is Gamer’s Choice, a trading card store on the edge of LIC and Sunnyside. They are incredibly active and welcoming, hosting a variety of meetups and tournaments every week. Inside is bustling every time I’ve visited or walked past, and I genuinely admire the community they’ve cultivated.
Check out their Instagram page for their schedule - they host a wide range of games, including One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokémon, and more!
📅 What’s Happening Nearby
1/19/26 (Mon) | 7pm | Gutter Bar LIC
Great for: Bowlers looking to prove their brain works too
1/22/26 (Thur) | 2pm & 7pm | Dance Queens Fitness | $25 (new members)
Great for: Anyone working on their flexibility with a quiet curiosity for aerial hoop
1/23/26 (Fri) | 6:30pm | Gamer’s Choice | Free
Great for: Trading card enthusiasts who want to actually play the game
1/24/26 (Sat) | 4pm-4am | Movement LIC | $35
Great for: Climbers ready for an all-night bender (that’s also a fundraiser for accessibility in climbing)
1/24/26 (Sat) | 7-8:30pm | Sunnyside Arts | $40
Great for: Anyone needing a low stakes night with a classic art form
Begins 1/25/26 (Sun) | 11am-1pm | Home Ec NYC | $350 (for 12 weeks)
Great for: Folks who want to break their creative ceiling with guided sessions, extra resources, and community
Begins 1/26/26 (Mon) | 6:30-9pm | The Sewing Clubhouse | $350 (for 4 weeks + materials)
Great for: Anyone who’s been eyeing the sewing machine but has been scared to try (until now!)
1/28/26 (Wed) | 7-7:30am | Run LIC | Free
Great for: Those dedicated winter runners who need motivation and accountability
1/29/26 (Thu) | 6-7:30pm | Greenpoint Brooklyn Library | Free
Great for: Anyone in search of a monthly reason to read at least one book
1/30/26 (Fri) | 4-8pm | Trends Cannabis Dispensary NYC | Free
Great for: 420-friendly folks open to checking out new products (and free stuff)
Interested in including your business? Fill out the form linked below or email [email protected] for details.