First Time on a Mechanical Bull? What to Expect at Viva Toro in Brooklyn
Everybody remembers their first time on a mechanical bull. Mostly because everybody else in the room remembers it too.
If you have been talking yourself into it, or your friends have been talking you into it, Viva Toro at 987 Grand St in Williamsburg is a good place to start. The bull has been part of the room since the early 2000s, and first-timers climb on all the time. Here is what mechanical bull riding in NYC actually feels like, what to wear and how to make the most of your eight seconds. Or two.
What Is Mechanical Bull Riding in NYC Actually Like?
A mechanical bull is a padded saddle on a motorized base that spins, dips and bucks. An operator controls the speed and the moves, and the ride usually starts slow and gets faster the longer you hold on. The floor around it is padded, so when you come off (and you will), you land on something soft.
The ride lasts seconds. It feels longer. Your legs work harder than you expect, your grip gets tested and at some point your hat, if you wore one, leaves without you.
Then comes the part nobody warns you about: the whole room cheers when you fall. Mechanical bull riding in NYC is less about lasting a full ride and more about the moment your friends start yelling your name.
What to Wear When You Ride a Mechanical Bull in Brooklyn
You can ride in almost anything, but a few choices make it easier:
Pants or jeans. They grip the saddle better than shorts or a skirt and protect your legs.
Closed shoes. Sneakers or boots stay on. Sandals and heels do not.
Nothing loose or dangling. Long necklaces, big earrings and bags are better left with a friend.
Empty pockets. Phones and keys have a way of flying out mid-ride.
If you plan to ride a mechanical bull in Brooklyn as part of a birthday or bachelorette, tell the group ahead of time. Someone always shows up in the wrong shoes.
Your First Ride, Step by Step
Knowing what happens next takes most of the nerves away. A typical first ride goes something like this. You walk up, hand your phone to a friend and climb into the saddle. It feels higher than it looked from the table. You grab the handle, squeeze with your legs and nod that you are ready.
The bull starts with a slow turn. Easy. Then a small dip, then a buck. By the third move, the room is counting out loud and you have stopped thinking about anything except staying on.
Somewhere between two and ten seconds later, you are on the padded floor, laughing, with a crowd clapping for you. That is the whole thing. It is quick, it is loud and almost everyone wants a second try.
How to Stay On Longer (Tips From People Who Fell Off)
There is no secret technique, but these help first-timers last a little longer:
Grip with your legs, not just your hand. Squeeze the saddle with your thighs like you are riding a horse.
Hold on with one hand. Use your free hand for balance and keep it up and away from the bull.
Lean back slightly. Sitting too far forward pitches you over the front on the first buck.
Relax your upper body. Stiff riders get thrown. Loose riders move with the bull.
Watch the person before you. You will spot the pattern before it is your turn.
And if none of that works, fall with style. It photographs better.
The Mechanical Bull in Williamsburg Comes With Dinner
Viva Toro is a full Mexican-Dominican restaurant as well as a bar, which changes how the night goes. Start at the table with shareable plates like empanadas, guacamole and nachos, or go straight for churrasco, sizzling fajitas or Steak al Vino with mofongo from the dinner menu. The last standard dinner seating is 9:30 PM and the kitchen takes final orders at 10:15 PM, so book dinner early if you want to eat before the later crowd arrives.
A tip from regulars: ride before the big plates, not right after. Your stomach will thank you. Save dessert for the victory lap.
The full story of the room, from the kitchen to the late nights, is in our post on the mechanical bull bar in Williamsburg.
Is the Bull Good for Groups?
It is best with groups. Riding alone is fun. Riding while eight friends film you and count out loud is something else.
The mechanical bull in Williamsburg becomes the center of the night for birthdays, bachelorette parties and work outings. People take turns, compare times and tease whoever lasted the shortest. Even the friend who swore they would never get on usually does by the end of the night.
For celebrations, Viva Toro's birthday packages include a free mechanical bull ride for the birthday guest with a reservation and any dinner or nightlife birthday package. Bachelorette groups can see how the night usually goes in our guide to planning a bachelorette party in Williamsburg. Bigger groups that want the bull as part of a private party can find it listed as an entertainment add-on on the catering and private events page.
Who Rides? Pretty Much Everyone
The riders are rarely who you would guess. The quiet coworker who barely spoke at dinner lasts the longest. The friend who talked the biggest game falls off on the first buck. Birthday guests ride because it is their night. Bachelorettes ride because the group demands it. Couples ride to settle arguments.
That mix is what makes the bull fun to watch even when you are not riding. Every turn is a small show, and the whole room is the audience.
Can You Ride If You Are Nervous?
Yes. Most first-timers are. The ride starts slow and nobody expects you to last long. Plenty of first-timers ride once to get it over with and end up asking for a second turn.
It helps to go with people you trust to cheer, not heckle. A good crowd makes the fall part of the fun instead of the embarrassing part. And remember that nobody in the room is judging your technique. They are waiting to clap, whatever happens.
If you are really unsure, watch a few rides first. Seeing other people laugh their way off the bull usually settles the nerves. And if you decide it is not for you, cheering from the side is still part of the fun.
What Happens After You Fall Off
You get up. You get a round of applause. Someone shows you the video, and it is always worse and better than you thought. Then the night keeps going. Friday and Saturday nights at Viva Toro run until 3:30 AM, with cocktails, music and plenty of time for a rematch. Groups that want a home base for the rest of the night can book reserved tables and bottle service through the Nightlife VIP Packages, so nobody has to hover near the bar looking for somewhere to stand.
Plan Your First Ride
A few practical notes before you go:
Viva Toro is at 987 Grand St in Williamsburg, a short walk from the L at Lorimer St or the G at Metropolitan Ave.
Weekend nights fill up, so reserve a table on OpenTable for your group.
Bull availability can depend on the night and on private events, so ask when you book if riding is the main plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I try mechanical bull riding in NYC?
Viva Toro at 987 Grand St in Williamsburg, Brooklyn has had a mechanical bull since the early 2000s, along with a full Mexican-Dominican dinner menu and a bar.
Is it hard to ride a mechanical bull in Brooklyn for the first time?
The ride usually starts slow and gets faster, so first-timers can get a feel for it. Most people fall off within seconds, and that is part of the fun.
What should I wear to ride the mechanical bull?
Pants or jeans and closed shoes work best. Leave loose jewelry and anything in your pockets with a friend.
Do I need to book ahead to ride the bull?
Reserving a table is the easiest way to make sure your group has a spot on busy nights. If riding is the main plan, ask about bull availability when you book.
Does the birthday guest ride for free?
Yes. With a reservation and any dinner or nightlife birthday package, the birthday guest gets a free mechanical bull ride.
Your Eight Seconds Are Waiting
Mechanical bull riding in NYC does not take experience, just a little nerve and a group willing to cheer. Come for dinner, stay for the bull and let your friends decide how long you really lasted. They will remember.
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