The Anachronism Returns – NYC’s Immersive Steampunk-Based Event

It was afternoon in that most famous circle, Times Square, when I crossed the threshold of 1604 Broadway into phantasmagoria . Someone handed me a folded parchment—my ticket, maybe, or a menu? It read Immersive Elixirs for the Golden Hour in ornate lettering, and I swear I caught the faintest whiff of lavender and machine oil.

Outside was Gotham’s eternal blare. Inside, the city noise dulled, like a phonograph had dialed the world down to sepia. Live bands, each different, each fascinating, played onstage as a woman in a violet corset and goggles perched in her curls offered me a copper token. “Use this wisely,” she said, with a particularly magical wink.

The room smelled like citrus and absinthe. I wandered toward a bar and ordered….a gin and tonic? A Bloddy Mary? No. The Airship, he called it. Rum and lime, honey and bubbles, all kissed by something floral. I took a sip and time slowed to a golden stretch.

Everywhere I turned, there were characters: a man twirling a cane and telling ancient jokes;, a contortionist unfolding herself from a suitcase to excited applause, and Goblin Brain Oddities’ art show enraptured. People wore hats taller than should be legal, goggles with lenses like stained glass, lace gloves clutching wax-sealed envelopes. And me—jeans and sneakers—somehow I belonged anyway.

I browsed velvet-lined vendor tables: vials of glowing ink, pocket watches with strange images, corsets stitched from maps of forgotten cities. A woman selling jeweled hairpins whispered, “Careful, that one remembers things you forget.”

By the time the sun dipped low and the music deepened into something smokier, stranger, I had stopped looking for where the day ended and night began. We were all part of the mechanism now, cogs turning together in some wondrous, useless, beautiful contraption.

The Anachronism pops up like a magic shop that appears in Manhattan, gives you an unforgettable night, and then disappears… until next time.

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It’s New York’s Original All-Welcome Interactive Experience: A Steampunk/Multi-Genre Cabaret Evening – with a special offer.

Times Square’s gorgeous 1604 Broadway hosts New York’s classic interactive retrofuture party.

Entertainment? Right here.

New York City’s Steampunk Event The Anachronism Returns… with an immersive experience for all peculiar persons of every genre!

Whether you want to dress up (as anything!) or not – our actors, performers, and assorted friends will interact with you all evening long!

On Sunday, August 17th, 2025, The Anachronism (Manhattan Steampunk 2010-2015) makes its long-awaited return as Glimmerwake—a most splendid cocktail of collaborative interaction, live shows, wandering characters and companions, performances by Steampunk bands like Sky Museum and Chris Cyanide – food and drink, slightly twisty carnival entertainment, and….ah, just go through the website. Oh, and also literal cocktails.

WHERE IN NYC: 1604 Broadway, Manhattan. This is a geat place to enjoy a night in an alternative Universe. We can’t wait to hang out, drink, dance, dine, drink, see live music, watch shows, meet people, have some scones and maybe a drop of absinthe…


🔗 Click here to learn more and get tickets with our insane $18 food voucher with $23 tickets, and $75 food voucher included in your $75 ticket!

Photos by James Curran, Babs Daniels and John Christou from past Events and New York Steampunk shows!

The Anachronism: NYC’s Wildest and Most Eccentric Steampunk Event!

Shows & Attractions

For the impatient – here’s an overview of our show (and get tickets here.)

The Dream-Pop of Sky Museum: Not all Steampunk need sound like it’s being lifted from a sedentary Victrola. Pure energy, floating lyrics, and BAM! your airship is stolen…

SkyMuseum is a dynamic and genre-fluid rock/metal band based in New York City, founded in 2022 by Yen York and Luna Soturi. Their live experience is unmissable!

Our Famed Food & Drink Vouchers: Yes, it’s really part of our business model to give back insane amounts of food and drink with most early tickets. This about as traditional New York a form of marketing as you can get.

We believe that the way to a New Yorker’s heart is through their stomach. Or is that the chest? One of those two. But we figure: If we sincerely offer you a great value, everyone will benefit in the end.

Why a $75 ticket for $75 in food and drink? Easy: the more food and drink we sell, the more we can get creative with our Steampunk and other unusual ideas. Romulan Ale would be nice…

Art Show with Guest of Honor Goblin Brain Oddities. We could talk more about Vini’s whimsical-dark-sweet-expressive-discplined-but-sweeping style. But why not come to the show and see it?

(Or, to quote one review of her work: “FROOOOOOGS!”)

(Vini’s work is extraordinary and unique, as you can probably tell from just a little piece of it. You really must come out and see it, friends!)

Other New Yorkers Who Think This Is A Good Idea. Yes, it’s weird, but really…you’re NOT alone. Lots of people think this is more fun than streaming video on a Sunday night. (And…wayyy fewer commercials.

The Steamfunk of The Chris Cyanide Solo Bass Project. Why do we keep talking about Chris but keep putting up violin pictures of Krystal? It’s that Brooklyn perversity.

Our Steampunk Cocktail Party: “”I exercise strong self-control. I never drink anything stronger than gin before breakfast. After that, it’s a free-for-all—cocktails that could knock a mule flat, martinis that make you see double, and a splash of whiskey just to keep the conversation lively. A man’s got to have principles, but they don’t need to ruin a perfectly good afternoon at the bar.” -W.C. Fields.

The Ancient Mariner – Bard of filk, parody, scifi, the silly, the bawdy, and the strange.

Ed Malin of Temerity Theatre – New York can pride itself on being home to theatre from Broadway to Off-Off Broadway. Ed embodies that fascinating fringe of theatrical and social intertwinage which creates the modern raconteur. Meet Ed himself, and interact with one of Manhattan’s most fascinating characters.

Temerity Theatre, a New York City-based theater company founded in 1996 by Ed Malin, is known for its bold and innovative approach to storytelling, producing original works that blend sharp wit, social commentary, and experimental flair. Under Malin’s leadership, the company has staged numerous world premiere plays, including his own, such as a notable 2023 production at Under St. Marks, co-produced with FRIGID New York, featuring Malin as both playwright and actor

The Amazing Amy – 7th-decade Contortionist. In the vibrant, pulsing heart of her city, Amazing Amy performs with understated power. Our friend for fifteen years, she channels rebellion and sharp wit into her craft. Her contortionist acts, deft and startling, unfold in the midst of New York’s electric energy, captivating with carnival joy.

“Life gets vastly more peculiar.”

Zames Curran, the creative force behind Novel Theory Photography, is an accomplished photographer whose work has been showcased in prominent galleries across New Jersey and New York City. With over 30 years of experience capturing the essence of stage performances and crafting stunning studio photography, Zames continues to push artistic boundaries from his studio in Trenton, NJ.

NYC’s Steampunk Event Welcomes You

NYC’s Steampunk Event is The Anachronism…somewhat by default. The Anachronism became the first major Manhattan steampunk event (as far as we could tell) because we were incredibly wise and prescient and knew that Steampunk was going to be huge someday…

…no? You don’t think we had a brilliant plan fifteen years ago?You think it’s more likely that we did it because it was weird and quirky and it gave US an excuse to be weird and quirky?

Yeah, you’re quite right.

A Really Brief History of New York City’s Steampunk Event Origins

The Anachronism hit Webster Hall in 2010 as part of NYC’s emerging steampunk events (although these photos are from 2011).

We were frankly shocked at how many Steampunks showed up. At that NYC steampunk event, we were shocked at how many Steampunks there WERE.

Everyone who was anyone in the imaginary 19th century was there. Mostly for the cocktails, of course.

Even Steampunks like Romulan ale.

The air hummed with the clink of absinthe glasses and the faint whir of handmade gadgets. Bands like The Men That Will Not Be Blamed for Nothing belted out rollicking tunes. White Elephant Burlesque dazzled with nerd and Steampunk inspired performance. Likewise, all manner of vendors lined the halls, offering brass goggles and leather-bound journals. (And Goth, Renaissance Faire, magickal, and all manner of other unique things – based on our other events at the time.)

Yesterday and Today

Steampunk in 2010 was still a fledgling subculture, born from 1980s sci-fi novels like K.W. Jeter’s “Infernal Devices” and “Morlock Knight” and nurtured by a love for Victorian literature and retro-futurism. In NYC, it was a whisper among Lower East Side artists and Brooklyn tinkerers, with meetups at cafés like The Slipper Room. The Anachronism changed that game. Launched by a collective of local Steampunk enthusiasts, it was the first event in Gotham to give the NYC steampunk scene a dedicated stage. It predated later festivals like the C.O.G.S. Expo (2013) in New Jersey or Troy’s Enchanted City (2014), although (of course) it came after the first Steampunk World’s Fair.

This event ran again through 2015, at a number of rather famous NYC clubs combining steampunk elements.

The Anachronism’s early years cemented its place in Steampunk lore. It tapped into the genre’s roots—think Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea or H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine—while embracing NYC’s DIY spirit. It showcased everything from gaslamp romance to alternate tech. Its influence rippled outward, helping shape the vibrant tri-state steampunk scene we see today, with its maker fairs and cosplay balls. After a hiatus post-2010, The Anachronism’s return is a chance to rekindle that magic with another iconic NYC steampunk event.

And, again, cocktails.

Retrofuture: Immersive Experience NYC

A unique Manhattan Interactive Theatrical with a Steampunk Flair

Retrofuturism (the fancier name for our weird little neo-Victorian event) has a certain advantage in audience participation and characterization. Interactive Experiences continue to be rare even in the City That Never Sleeps, which makes NYC’s immersive experiences all the more special. We have an advantage: our background is in Steampunk, which is already basically a bunch of props and lore built on top of the real world. We’re ALREADY experts in providing immersive experiences that transport you straight into the heart of NYC.

(Here, have a look at some other immersive shows in Manhattan.)

Why is Steampunk an advantage in creating worlds and experiences with which you can interact? Consider this: it fosters an engaging experience that NYC enthusiasts often seek, similar to those found in immersive NYC attractions.

Back when The Steampunk World’s Fair got started around 2009, there was no specific set of rules for how you were supposed to act at a Steampunk event.

(There MAY be rules now, but if there are, we’re ignoring them, other than, “It’s a party, please have fun and don’t mess with anyone else’s fun, okay?”) So as far as we’re concerned…

Come As You Want, Wear What You Desire

…given the freedom, there are always going to be people who show up in everyday clothes – or even show up in work uniforms or something even less fun for them. And they’re welcome. In fact, this variety is what adds to the immersive NYC experience that locals love.

…given the freedom, there are always going to be some people who buy tickets and show up in unbelievable outfits, with complete Steampunk persona. This has been happening for fifteen years. And you know what’s strange?

Instead of the latter group lobbying to be the “real” way Steampunks were supposed to be…

…they simply interacted with everyone else just fine. Even if they didn’t have a persona or a character; who cared? Even if they had their OWN persona and it was contradictory. (“I am a gritty airship pirate and have taken the lives of a thousand Naval troops!” “I am an airship princess out on an afternoon joyride with all of my talking animal friends!” “Pleasure to meet you, Miss.” “And you, Captain.”

Everything else is just an extension from there. Encourage people to come in garb or costume, but don’t require it. Have lots of incredibly talented, incredibly friendly performers who genuinely enjoy interacting with people. Then have lots of interesting people who’d come out to New York’s eccentric Steampunk party, whether or not they’ve even heard of Steampunks before. It’s another opportunity for NYC’s immersive experiences that craft unforgettable moments. Finally, have lots of excellent drinks. Shake. Stir. Pour. And voila!

You have an amazing interactive event, and a gloriously mixed metaphor. What more could you possibly want than the awesome immersive experience NYC has to offer?

On Atmospheric Shows: A FAQ

🎩 Frequently Asked Questions About The Anachronism

What is an Audience Participation Event?
An audience participation event actively involves attendees in the experience, breaking the barrier between performer and spectator. Participants might contribute through actions like voting on outcomes, joining performers on stage, solving puzzles, or engaging in group activities. Think of a murder mystery dinner where guests question suspects or a comedy show where the audience suggests improv prompts. These events create a dynamic, collaborative atmosphere, making attendees feel like part of the story.

What is an Interactive Event?
An interactive event invites attendees to shape the experience through direct engagement with elements like technology, performers, or the environment. This could include touchscreen exhibits at a museum, escape rooms where players solve challenges, or festivals with hands-on workshops. Unlike passive observation, interactive events encourage active decision-making, fostering a personalized and memorable experience that responds to participants’ choices.

What is an Immersive Event?
An immersive event envelops attendees in a fully realized world, blending storytelling, environment, and interaction to create a sense of being “inside” the experience. Examples include themed theater productions like Sleep No More, where guests explore a multi-room set, or virtual reality experiences that transport users to another reality. Immersive events prioritize sensory engagement—sights, sounds, and even smells—to make attendees feel like active characters in the narrative.

What is an Interactive Steampunk Event?
An interactive Steampunk event combines the retro-futuristic aesthetic of Steampunk—think Victorian-era meets industrial sci-fi—with hands-on participation. Attendees might dress in period-inspired costumes, tinker with “steam-powered” props, or engage in role-playing scenarios like airship adventures or inventor competitions. These events often feature interactive elements like crafting gadgets, solving Steampunk-themed puzzles, or collaborating on a group storyline, immersing participants in a fantastical world of brass, gears, and imagination.

What is The Anachronism?
We call it a “steampunk cocktail party,” but that doesn’t quite cover it. It’s an immersive evening of entertainment, conversation, dancing (if you’re into that), eccentric elegance, excellent food, and cocktails…lots of cocktails.
Earlybird tickets come with massive food vouchers—just saying.

What’s It Like?

It’s a cross between a K.W. Jeter novel and a really good party.
Sometimes sophisticated, sometimes ridiculous, always memorable. Think: immersive performance, creative fashion, and cocktails served with a wink.

Do I Need to Dress Up?

Nope! Come as you are.
That said, we love it when people dress up—and the vibe is more fun when you lean into it.

If I Do Dress Up, Does It Have to Be Steampunk?

Not at all.
As long as you’re joining in the spirit of the thing—costumed, creative, or just cocktail-ready—we welcome fandoms, oddities, anachronisms, and flair of all kinds.


How Long Does It Last? A single evening—5 to 8 hours—captures the heart of Steampunk’s anachronistic charm. Also, have you tried keeping New Yorkers out past 9 p.m. on a Sunday? Everyone says they’re clockwork party animals, but around 8:15, half our best patrons are checking their chonometers and calling their babysitting robots.

Where and When Does It Unfold?

Look, if you haven’t figured out that the next big New York City Steampunk thing is August 17th in Times Square, we need to fix our website.


A Manhattan landmark, such as Webster Hall, the former Limelight, The Bank, The Element, or Drom hosts this annual revelry, its walls echoing with the clink of gears and the hum of invention.

To be clear – right now we are at Club 1604….on Broadway!

Since its inception, The Anachronism has lit up New York’s cultural scene with pure phlogiston.

What’s the Allure?
Here’s what one of our nights has traditionally looked like: a K.W. Jeter novel

(the earlier ones, before the rather tragic death of his wonderful, sweet wife, when he stopped writing about rather confused English gentlemen and started talking about the eternally bleak moorish hellscape that would be a land world by clockwork…um, sorry, we do a lot of reading…

[Look, if you don’t want to check out Mantis or his other cyberpunk, check out Blade Runner: The Edge of Human. Support our founders; there aren’t a lot of them!]

…a K.W. Jeter novel with more music and very, very, very slightly less alcohol.

The AI suggested we use the phrase “laced with modern mischief”. I’m not sure I WANT Modern Mischief. I mean, I have enough of that without help.

GOT A SALES PITCH?

Right, let me get back to the enticement writing. I should be trying to get you to try our cocktails; they’re quite good, despite the insipid advertising text.. Sip The Tesla Coil—a heady mix of vodka, rum, and lemonade—or savor non-alcoholic Girl Genius while performers captivate….look, you buy your tickets, I’ll post the recipes.

Why Is It a Steampunk Cornerstone?

Beats me. Look, I’ve been letting the AI try to write this stuff in case I forget something interesting. But it’s not a “cornerstone”; it’s more like a Goblin Market that zooms out of nowhere, shows you an amazing time, and then vanishes in a puff of logic.

Look at this terrifying AI text:
The Anachronism is no mere gathering; it’s the beating heart of NYC’s Steampunk scene, backed by the Steampunk World’s Fair’s global renown. Its performers—literary giants like Falksen and Mach, musical iconoclasts like Voltaire—embody the genre’s blend of nostalgia and innovation. From burlesque to Butoh dance, it’s a stage for the eclectic, welcoming all to don goggles and corsets or simply marvel. Its Manhattan setting, often in historic venues, elevates it above fleeting fads, making it a pilgrimage for those who dream of a world where steam powers both machines and souls.

Look, we’re a bunch of wacky people who love doing weird events no matter how complicated the outside world gets. That’s it; and that’s all it needs to be. Relax, AI.

How to Join the Adventure? (Seriously? Does anyone actually say that? “Join the Adventure”? It’s a night out in Manhattan; that’s an adventure even if you’re just taking out the rubbish. Are we really worried that AI is going to replace our lovable, friendly clockwork Golems? You gotta be kidding me.)


You could purchase tickets here on our website, or apply to vend, or contact us to perform! The community embraces all, from seasoned inventors to wide-eyed novices and cynical adventurers from other genres; all are welcome, all are wanted!. For inquiries or cancellations, contac [email protected], or use our contact form. Step through the portal and let history’s whimsy sweep you away.