Unusual Place of the Month: The Mars Restaurant
The Mars Restaurant is a space themed restaurant located in New York City. It opened years ago and caters to tourists and families as children seem to really love the walking aliens. Mars 2112 mixes fantasy and reality in a 35,000-square-foot, bi-level restaurant.
Mars 2112 tries to create the experience of a meal on the planet Mars as it would seem in a hundred years. Reached by way of a sunken plaza of the, Mars 2112 features a flying saucer 22 feet frozen in flight outside the entrance. Inside visitors are issued Martian Federation visas and sent to wait for a “shuttle” to Mars - a motion ride that bumps and moves for about five minutes through a computer-generated wormhole.
Guests then take a short walk over walkways suspended over pools of simulated bubbling lava. This odd, space themed 400-seat restaurant has two levels and looks ready to be in the next Sci-Fi Channel movie. The windows are holes in the wall that offer views of fake star fields and Martian landscapes. The restaurant has a bar for adults and an arcade for little kids. It’s a good place to go for a wacky party or to take the kids.
The food is priced similar to many of the restaurants in the area and a meal will probably cost about $20 dollars, including drink. Mars 2112 is located in New York’s Times Square. Next time you are in the area and looking for a place that is a little weird, a little odd, or a little spacey, be sure to check this restaurant. Be sure to ask where ET is!
Looking to go to New York soon? Matador Trips is running a free guide book contest. Enter now!
I guess restaurants all over are trying unique themes to invite people..i guess its not the food anymore
loved the pictures
I love when people are creative, though this is really unusual! What an odd place to eat. Certainly an experience to not forget. *giggles*
Cool. The next time friends visit with children I’m going to suggest this.
Just don’t eat there, the food is horrible.
R(etc… )
How am I only now discovering this awesome series??!! I think I’m in love…
Looks interesting, but I can think of better ways to spend $20.
It sounds a good expereince to try (once). Depends how good the food is I guess.
I think I went there when I was in high school on a school trip! Wow, I had totally forgot about that.
Can I get my drink at the Mars Bar?
@lakshmi: normal restaurants just seem so boring now!
@Ron: I heard mix things. Strikes me more of a place you go for for the “haha” factor than the food.
@Jamie: Thanks!
@Beth: Yes, actually you can! lol
One can always count on NYC to come up with the wild and unusual.:)
Hi Matt,
Actually, Mars 2112 isn’t located in Times Square, but a few blocks north. It’s located on 1633 Broadway between W. 50th and W. 51st — I worked in the area which is how I know
Cheers,
Steph