Skating a century-old subway system? It doesn’t get any more raw or underground than that. Inspired by Mandible Claw’s subway edits and our own desire to explore the hidden skate spots of New York City, we’ve compiled a guide and map to some of the most technically skateable spots within the NYC subway system. This isn’t a complete list, as we’re always on the hunt for more hidden gems. If you know of any subway spots we missed, drop us a comment or email us at [email protected] and we’ll add it to the guide.
[DUMBASS DISCLAIMER: Skateboarding on MTA property is 100% illegal. You’re likely to be kicked out of these spots, potentially ticketed or arrested. If you’re filming, be sure to shout out Jenkem as they put on the bracelets. #JenkStar baby!]
Woodhaven Blvd / Slattery Plaza Subway Spot
Woodhaven Blvd / Slattery Plaza: Woodhaven, Queens
Train(s): R / M
Type of spots: Wallies
Foot traffic: Light, no real commuter traffic
Documentation: Unknown
Security: Medium; MTA booth is nearby but not within earshot; no surveillance cameras at the spot
Access: Requires swiping into the station
DIY enhancement: None needed
Escape route: The nearest train is your only escape
Urine scent levels: 4/10 (light urine with a hint of cleaning supplies)
Lorimer Street Subway Ramp
Lorimer Street: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Train(s): L / G
Type of spots: Ramp with downrails, metal box
Foot traffic: High when the L train arrives
Documentation: Unknown
Security: High; MTA booth and a mini police office are located inside the station at the bottom of the ramp, but no surveillance cameras at the top
Access: Requires swiping into the station
DIY enhancement: Wax for the metal box
Escape route: Potential escape entrance at the bottom of the ramp across from MTA booth, but running back up the ramp and down the platform is preferable
Urine scent level: 6/10 (the G train’s stench is powerful)
Bedford Avenue Subway Benches
Bedford Avenue: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Train(s): L
Type of spots: Double- and single-sided wooden benches, metal box
Foot traffic: Generally high due to the L train being NYC’s most congested line
Documentation: Lurk NYC – “cee – lo”
Security: Iffy; MTA booth upstairs is out of earshot; extra booth on the platform is rarely staffed; no surveillance cameras
Access: Requires swiping into the station
DIY enhancement: Wax for the metal box and wooden benches
Escape route: If you’re caught and no train is coming, you might be in trouble
Urine scent levels: 9/10 (smells like broken dreams and wasted youth)
Fulton Center Subway Flatbar
Fulton Center: Financial District, Manhattan
Train(s): 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / A / C / J / Z
Type of spots: Stairs and flatbar
Foot traffic: Heavy, with plenty of homeless people
Documentation: Unknown
Security: High; cops and security guards patrol the main concourse; one MTA booth near the flatbar but not by stairs; surveillance cameras everywhere
Access: Swipe to skate the stairs but the flatbar is free range
DIY enhancement: Befriend a cop
Escape route: Many exits and trains to choose from
Urine scent levels: 1/10 (Dunkin’ Donuts overwhelms everything else)
Chamber Street Subway Stairs
Chamber Street: Financial District, Manhattan
Train(s): 2 / 3 / A / C / E
Type of spots: Stairs
Foot traffic: Low; lonely hallway located at the Broadway and Park exit of the 2/3 trains
Documentation: Unknown
Security: Mellow; not a spot that cops frequent; no MTA booth in sight; one surveillance camera looking at the spot
Access: Requires swiping into the station
DIY enhancement: Ski mask to avoid being recognized by cameras
Escape route: Slim chance of running out to an exit, better luck hiding in the tunnels
Urine scent levels: 7/10 (hidden stairwells also make great toilets)
Broadway-Lafayette Subway Stairs
Broadway-Lafayette: SoHo, Manhattan
Train(s): 6 / B / D / F / M
Type of spots: Wallie cones and some stairs
Foot traffic: High during rush hour
Documentation: “Tengu: God of Mischief”
Security: Mellow; slight chance of cop appearance because it’s in SoHo; MTA booth upstairs and out of sight; three surveillance cameras at the spot
Access: Requires swiping into the station
DIY enhancement: Master your wallie game
Escape route: Easily take the stairs on the opposite side of the MTA booth
Urine scent levels: 2/10 (rich people’s pee smells decent)
14th Street & 6th Avenue Subway Ramp
14th Street & 6th Avenue: West Village, Manhattan
Train(s): 1 / 2 / 3 / L
Type of spots: Ramp with wall rails
Foot traffic: High when the L train arrives
Documentation: “Tengu: God of Mischief”
Security: Moderate; MTA booth at the top of the ramp; 2 surveillance cameras at the spot
Access: Requires swiping into the station
DIY enhancement: Buddies to keep pedestrians out of your way
Escape route: You’re already bombing downhill, keep going and make a run for the exit from the L platform
Urine scent levels: 7/10 (it’s got that “old New York” scent, mmm!)
23rd St & Park Ave Station Subway Stairs
23rd St & Park Ave Station: Gramercy Park, Manhattan
Train(s): 6
Type of spots: Two sets of stairs
Foot traffic: Low
Documentation: “Tengu: God of Mischief”
Security: Cops are a slight possibility; MTA booth on the uptown side of the station; no surveillance cameras
Access: Free
DIY enhancement: Change of clothes, this is the dirtiest station on the list.
Escape route: Unless cornered, use any of the three stairways out
Urine scent levels: 8/10 (seems like the perfect station to piss at)
68th Street–Hunter College Subway Manny Pads
68th Street–Hunter College: Midtown, Manhattan
Train(s): 6
Type of spots: Wooden manny pads
Foot traffic: Skate flatground until the people sitting on benches get annoyed and leave
Documentation: Unknown
Security: High; MTA booth right across from the spot; cops frequent the area; no surveillance cameras
Access: Requires swiping into the station
DIY enhancement: Bring a friend to distract MTA workers for a few more tries
Escape route: Best of luck catching a 6 train, otherwise plead ignorance
Urine scent levels: 6/10 (care-free lurkers and failing college students don’t care that MTA staff can watch them tinkle)
145th St & Amsterdam Ave Subway Track Gap
145th St & Amsterdam Ave: Hamilton Heights, Manhattan
Train(s): A / C / B / D
Type of spots: Legendary subway track gap
Foot traffic: Low
Documentation: “Tengu: God of Mischief”
Security: Mild; signs point toward an NYPD Station on premises, but it’s probably not staffed outside of rush hour; no MTA booth or surveillance cameras in sight
Access: Requires swiping into the station
DIY enhancement: Wood or metal to cover the yellow bumps on the landing
Escape route: The station is big and cavernous, you should have no problem slipping away
Urine scent levels: 2/10 (not bad; don’t pee on it and ruin the spot)
Shlepping and Scoping: Larry Lanza & Nic Dobija-Nootens
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