The Roller Wave Puts a Fresh Spin on Roller Skating with its Brooklyn Pop-Up | MommyPoppins

Break out those roller skates because The Roller Wave, a Black-owned roller skating rink, is now open at the Atlantic Terminal Mall in Brooklyn. While there are a number of seasonal roller skating rinks in the city, The Roller Wave is unique because it revives the classic pastime with some modern twists.

I visited The Roller Wave roller skating rink on opening weekend with my tween daughter and her friend, and we loved the vibe, music, and overall energy.

Read on for all the need-to-know info before you go roller skating at The Roller Wave, and plan your visit soon: It’s only open until June 4, 2023.

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The Roller Wave covers 9,000 square feet of space in the Atlantic Terminal Mall.

What Is The Roller Wave?

The Roller Wave was founded by Harry Martin, a Brooklyn native, as a traveling pop-up roller skating experience. He wanted to pay homage to the African American community’s influence on the roller skating experience through its music, culture, and people. Initially, The Roller Wave hosted pop-ups across the country, including many sold-out events in NYC, but Martin’s pop-up at Atlantic Terminal Mall returns brings his idea full circle and back to his Brooklyn roots.

The roller skating rink is located in the Atlantic Terminal Mall, between Old Navy and the Party City outlet, right across from the Barclays Center. Its central location makes it easily accessible to many communities.

The roller skating rink at The Roller Wave measures around 9,000 square feet, and it’s spacious without feeling overwhelming. The interior decor harkens to a retro disco with colorful strobe lights and pieces of street art adorning the walls.

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Peep some cool street art and post for photo-ops while you’re at The Roller Wave.

The Experience at The Roller Wave Roller Skating Rink

After check-in, there’s an area where visitors rent skates and benches to sit down. There are also lockers to keep your belongings safe, and skate aids are available for kids to skate safely.

The music really helps to make the skating fun. People were grooving and dancing as they skated around the rink. Everyone really seemed like they were having a great time—the vibe was similar to that of a large dance party. The soundtrack included everything from top-40 pop songs to old-time disco tunes. The Roller Wave plans to host live music from a roster of top DJs and musicians during its run, and it has also a live podcast space.

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The Roller Wave puts a fresh spin on a classic pastime and the space is decorated with an impressive array of art from Black creatives.

In celebration of Black History Month, The Roller Wave has partnered with The 60 Collective to showcase a collection from top Black artists, musicians, athletes and cultural figures. It was nice to peruse the exhibit to take a little break from skating.

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Take a skating break for some scrumptious food from Buds 2 Roses Cafe, then hit the arcade.

Food at The Roller Wave

With all that skating, The Roller Wave’s made sure to have delicious food and beverages provided by Buds 2 Roses Cafe. We snacked on soft, warm, pretzel bites, which hit the spot. I really appreciated how many tables and benches there were to sit down and eat. There’s also a small arcade. 

Know Before You Go to The Roller Wave

• The Roller Wave is open Wednesdays through Sundays through Sunday, June 4, 2023.
• Children are allowed before 8pm daily.
• Ticket prices vary by session, but start at $17.50 for adults; $12.50 for children.
• Skate rentals are $10 for adults; $5 for children.
• The Roller Wave plans to offer additional family programming, skating lessons, and wellness events during its run.
• The Roller Wave is accessible via several subway lines, including the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R, and W at Atlantic Terminal.

Photos by the author