‘It can’t be that bad’: New York City woman goes to the Box after hearing all about it. Then she goes to church just to cleanse herself
New York City is known for its nightlife, with something for just about every taste. There are packed dance floors, underground raves, rooftop bars, and places that lean a little more risqué than the average club.
Sometimes, though, curiosity gets the better of people. A spot gets hyped up so much that you start wondering if it’s really as intense as everyone says.
That’s what one New York City woman thought when she finally decided to check out The Box, an experience she says sent her straight to church the very next Sunday.
What Happened at The Box?
TikTok creator Julia (@babyjuuuuul) shared her reaction in a short video filmed while she was getting ready the day after her night out.
“I went to The Box last night for the first time ever in New York City,” she says. She explains that she had heard about it for years and assumed the reputation might be exaggerated. “I always heard people talk about it, and I was like, OK, it can’t be that bad. Like, it really can’t be that bad.”
She was proved wrong. “I’m currently getting ready for church,” she adds, “because I just need to go after living that experience.”
The clip racked up more than 102,600 views.
What Kind of Club Is The Box?
The Box sits near Nolita and the Bowery and has built its reputation on being exclusive, provocative, and intentionally uncomfortable. Getting in often depends on who you know, what night it is, and whether the door staff decides you fit the vibe.
The club has also made its way into pop culture. According to Vogue, it served as inspiration for Chuck Bass’s nightclub, Victrola, on Gossip Girl.
While The Box is technically billed as a burlesque nightclub, people who’ve been inside say it goes far beyond feather fans and choreographed routines. Performances are often described as explicit, confrontational, and designed to shock the audience rather than entertain them in a traditional sense.
Stories from Reddit Paint a Similar Picture
“I went there once with a group of friends,” one person wrote on r/AskNYC. “Someone had an invite or something. It was one of the weirdest experiences. Everyone was so douchey and weird and the ‘shows’ were literally disgusting to watch. Plus, the drinks were absurdly expensive. Never again.”
Another described feeling unwelcome almost immediately. “We had a table and our group was the first to arrive. They shoved us up in a corner somewhere and actually treat you like garbage. It’s very odd,” they wrote. They added that the performances didn’t live up to the hype and that the club itself wasn’t particularly nice. “I wish I knew it was this type of club. I just thought it would be a cool show.”
@babyjuuuuul the box nightclub experience in nyc…
♬ original sound – julia
Others in similar threads said the reputation simply didn’t match the reality. “I went to The Box a few times when it was still a big deal and truly did not get the hype,” another commenter shared. “It was neither as fun nor as weird as everyone made it out to be.”
The Mary Sue has reached out to The Box and Julia via email for comment.
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