Profile

With mint-green walls and soft classical music, the Broome Sky Health Center acts as a subdued counterpart to the many fluorescent-lit massage parlors found in Chinatown. Beyond the makeshift waiting area (basically, a bench), this narrow basement space has just three treatment rooms — two shared, one private — for acupressure, deep-tissue massage, and foot reflexology. All of it is doled out by Chinese technicians in 15-, 30-, 40-, and 60-minute increments. The private room is available on a first-come-first-served basis; the shared rooms feature two beds apiece. The front desk attendant speaks English (many of the practitioners do not) and is available to book appointments or to welcome walk-ins, who have been known to show up just before 10 p.m. — Chrissy Persico