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Buckle up—the Professional Bull Riders’ Built Ford Tough series starts this Friday, with the world’s top 35 riders competing at Madison Square Garden. We recommend leaving the real sport to the pros (keeping your bones intact sounds nice, right?), but you can still get a thrill on one of the city’s mechanical bulls. When you do, rider Ryan Dirteater (yes, that’s his real last name) says to “keep your chin down, bow that chest out, keep your hips on the rope, and don’t get too wild with your free arm.” Ready to ride? Here’s where to go.
The Stewed Cow
This bull is revved up in a padded ring every Friday and Saturday for brave New Jersey bargoers vying for glory. Bring your A-game—grabbing the horns, using two hands and riding in pairs are strictly forbidden. 400 Adams St, Hoboken, NJ (201-706-8589)
Johnny Utah’s
Sign a waiver, get a stamp on your hand, and enjoy free bull rides all night at this kitschy Southwestern-inspired bar. The midtown haunt promises a “challenging” experience, so you might want to hold off on those loaded nachos until after your turn. 25 W 51st St (212-265-8824)
Viva Toro
For five bucks, you can channel your inner rodeo king or queen at this Latin-Caribbean restaurant, where the mechanical bull is a perennial crowd-pleaser. The spot reserves the right to deny riders who are belligerently drunk, however, so don’t overdo it on the liquid courage. 188 Berry St, Brooklyn (718-384-2138)
Slate
On special occasions, this sleek Chelsea lounge amplifies its Sunday football-watching revelry with mechanical livestock. Between the writhing bull and the club’s pool, Ping-Pong and foosball tables, you’ll never be bored during halftime. 54 W 21st St (212-989-0096)