Yes, Labubu raves are taking over Brooklyn’s nightlife scene

Every generation gets the toy craze it deserves, and no toy craze is any weirder than the last. From Pet Rocks to Cabbage Patch dolls to Troll Dolls and Tamagotchis, our collective past is littered with “I gotta have it or I’ll die!” status symbols. And Labubus have definitely taken their place among them.

Not only have the plush toys with unsettling wide grins revealing serrated knife-like teeth become an instant grid-worthy addition to Instagram accounts, but they’re now beginning to revitalize nightlife. At least at the Brooklyn Monarch in Williamsburg, where raves featuring Labubus as the headliners attract up to 800 people.

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Labubus have become unavoidable, both on social media and on the subways, where the weirdly adorable little creatures with big eyes, sharp teeth, and full-on gremlin energy seem to be everywhere, most often dangling from purses, keychains, and waistbands.

Created by artist Kasing Lung, Labubus are part of the Pop Mart universe, which means mystery boxes, limited editions, and serious collector hype. People line up or endlessly refresh websites, hoping to score a rare one. (How big have Labubus become? A human-sized Labubu recently sold for more than $170,000.) For collectors, the toy is almost secondary to the thrill of the unboxing, the trade culture, and the bragging rights of scoring a super rare variant.

At these late-night parties in East Williamsburg (often running from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.), Labubu revelers pack the dance floor for Labubu mystery unboxing giveaways, high-energy DJ sets, and performances by K-pop dance crews.

The Labubu raves were founded by Jacketta Collins, who claims to have lost count of how many Labubus she owns. The next event will be held on August 8 at Monarch, featuring an hour-long open bar starting at the top of the event at 11 p.m.; unlike previous events for 18+ crowds, this edition will be for 21+ guests. Every ticket purchased automatically enrolls you in a raffle for an authentic Labubu, which also means automatic bragging rights and at least a casual pic (or three) on Instagram.

For more information about the August 8 Labubu Rave, click here.