Rage rooms on Long Island: Smash paint, TVs and more

Swing a sledgehammer through a computer monitor, destroy a set of dishes with a baseball bat, or shatter a row of glasses using a crowbar: It's all possible at a Long Island smash room. 

A year ago, Suffolk County welcomed Rage Room Long Island to Selden. Now, the options have grown with newest additions iSmash in Farmingdale and Smash-It in Westbury, both of which opened in January. The activity has even evolved from smashing stationary objects to getting creative with splattering neon-colored paint on the walls, floor and canvases, too. 

Those who want to try a new twist on the rage room experience can head to iSmash where guests have the opportunity to destroy objects or make a giant mess with splatter paint sessions sans the cleanup. 

“You won’t encounter the same electronics or glass items on consecutive trips, providing a fresh and dynamic smashing experience every time,” says iSmash Farmingdale owner Melissa Matassa.

The rage room can also be a place to let it all out and guests can be as loud as they want. 

“If customers feel inclined to yell and scream as part of their smash session, they are more than welcome to do so,” Matassa says. “We recognize that this vocal outlet can be a liberating aspect of the experience, adding an extra layer of release to the smashing activity.”

Those who need to work through some emotions can also head to Rage Room Long Island. “This is a stress relieving, cathartic and empowering activity,” says owner Mike Hellmann. Participants put on protective gear and are free to smash away. 

“If you are glued to your computer all day long at work then you get to pound on it here,” says Hellmann. “You can’t do that in real life.”

Here's where you can destroy and de-stress:

iSMASH FARMINGDALE

334 Main St., Farmingdale

Farmingdale is getting into the rage room game as the recently opened iSmash on Main Street offers a unique form of entertainment.

“The act of smashing things serves as more than just a physical activity; it's an immersive experience that offers participants a range of valuable outcomes,” says Matassa.  

Two smash rooms can accommodate up to three participants. Additionally, a medium-sized smash room is designed for bigger groups, comfortably hosting up to eight people. For those seeking a larger-scale experience, the party smash room allows groups of up to 15. 

Items available for smashing include keyboards, stereos, VCRs, coffee machines plus glassware, plates and beer bottles. Weapons of choice are crowbars, baseball bats and sledgehammers. Guests can also include add-ons in their smashing sessions like bright powder and confetti to inject some color to the madness. 

All visitors are welcome to take photos or video of the action or session recordings can be purchased.

Customers can also get creative in the paint splatter room where black lighting enhances the neon paint used. Each participant receives squirt bottles full of paint, a canvas and brushes to paint with. Everyone is welcome to paint their canvases, the walls and the floor.

WHEN 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

COST $40 for 20 minutes; $55 for 35 minutes; $70 for 50 minutes, ages 8 and up for smash rooms and 3 and up for the paint splatter room. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

MORE INFO ismashusa.com 

SMASH-IT THERAPY

Samanea New York, 1500 Old Country Rd., Westbury

Joining the entertainment hub at Samanea New York in Westbury is Smash-It Therapy. Consider this a kinder, gentler rage room.

“We decided to go with a more therapeutic theme,” says co-owner Christopher Michael. “Here, you are not thinking, just smashing.”

Once dressed in a cut-resistant suit with gloves and a helmet, participants can pick out a crate of materials to smash.

“These are everyday items that you can relate to but you have the opportunity to destroy,” says Michael. “You may come across a CD you’ve heard so much that you might want to slam it against the wall.”

They even sell drinks in glass bottles, which can be incorporated into the activity.

“You can slug down your Coke or Pellegrino then throw it against the wall,” says Michael. “It’s just another element of fun.”

The nearly 7,000-square-foot facility also offers a room reserved for paint splattering.

“If you are having fun throwing stuff around, you might as well create art while you are doing it,” says Michael. 

WHEN Noon to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays

COST $50 for 20 minutes, plus item add-ons $3-$20, ages 10 and up. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

MORE INFO 516-613-7300, smashittherapy.com

RAGE ROOM LONG ISLAND

978 Middle Country Rd., Selden

“Sometimes people come here when they are going through something like a bereavement or a divorce. This is a place where you can get your anger out without being judged," says Hellman. "Others just want to do it for entertainment.”

Wearing personal protection equipment such as a jumpsuit, gloves and helmet is required as well as no open-toed shoes. Use a touch screen to select your weapon, such as a sledgehammer, baseball bat, crowbar, golf club or hockey stick, and a robot will grab it off the rack. Choose your music, lighting and a room theme such as technology taking over the world or simply Vikings.

“They get to watch a motivating video that amps them up before they are ready to smash,” says Hellmann. “There’s a countdown and then the screen goes up into the ceiling.”

WHEN 5 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

COST $60 for 20 minutes, $70 for 30 minutes, age 10 and up (those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)

MORE INFO 631-880-7772, rageroomli.com

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.