The Talent Show   (Photo: Robert Gill)

• The Talent Show

  Littlefield, 622 Degraw St., nr. Fourth Ave., Gowanus; 718-855-3388

  The Talent Show is what happens if you round up the city’s semi-famous comedians and literary nerds (Dave Hill, Ira Glass, John Hodgman, Mike Birbiglia), hop them up on jungle juice, and ask them to perform stupid pet tricks. Held on the last Wednesday of the month, the event has the feel of a devious slumber party. Recent sightings: Eugene Mirman dressing up a rat in doll’s clothes; Hill eating seven raw jalapeños in one minute; Hodgman, during a live Truth or Dare game, confessing how much money he made last year ($3.4 million, if you must know) while fondling a snake. Plus shock collars, tequila shots, ventriloquism, duets, juggling, magic tricks, and an in-house band. It always sells out.

From the 2011 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine