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Comedian and Dungeons & Dragons Game Master Brennan Lee Mulligan’s campaign “The Unsleeping City” on the popular show Dimension 20 explores what New York City might be like if it were actually magical … where Bethesda Fountain comes alive, rat kings reign supreme and the NYPL lions act as gatekeepers.
And for the first time ever, the fantastical show’s cast members will play the game live at Madison Square Garden during “Gauntlet at the Garden,” on January 24, making it the largest actual play show in the U.S. Amazingly, the show sold out all 15,000 tickets in four days!
This month, he’s our digital cover star to herald the rise of D&D in the city with help from his show.
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RECOMMENDED: Brennan Lee Mulligan is leading Dungeons & Dragons’ NYC rise with a sold-out show at MSG
Mulligan, who is originally from New York and lived here for years while he was studying and working at Upright Citizens Brigade, moved to Los Angeles to work at the streaming service Dropout TV (formerly College Humor). But he’s frequently back home to visit and says he misses this magical city every day.
“New York's home,” he tells Time Out New York. “Los Angeles has been nothing but kind to me and I have my beautiful family here, and work is great. I miss New York every day. I miss riding on the subway. I miss Union Square, I miss Bethesda Fountain. I miss my little corner.”
Yes, NYC could improve its civic infrastructure, but compared to other American cities, it leads the pack, he explains. Mulligan has rosy memories of traveling through Grand Central Station, seeing that iconic clock, and taking the 4/5/6 line to work at the former UCB location at West 26th and Eighth Avenue. Around there, he’d often walk to the corner for a hero and a coffee.
“It's incredible, and I think that I miss it all the time just because it's a city where you can't not be aware of the humanity of the people around you, and that is good for the soul,” he says. “And I'll say in terms of adding magic to New York in ‘The Unsleeping City,’ … I’m directly reporting the magic that I sincerely feel from that city.”
Below, we’re sharing Mulligan’s favorite spots around NYC for those of you who want to map out your own NYC adventure.
1. Bethesda Fountain
Central Park
Bethesda Fountain features an 8-foot-tall sculpture of a winged female angel, also known as the "Angel of the Waters," that pours water into a pool below. The angel carries a lily in one hand while the other stretches out in an act of blessing the water by her feet.
“The Angel of the Waters is maybe my favorite sculpture in the world, and Bethesda Fountain is a place with a lot of magic to me—walking the promenade with my dad and walking down the steps to the fountain is a highlight,” he says.
2. Cowgirl Seahorse
259 Front Street
We love grabbing drinks at Cowgirl Seahorse, a corner spot watering hole beloved for its frozen margs. It’s “where Coney Island meets the rodeo!”
“Down on Dover by the Seaport where I lived for many years, try the Ice Cream Baked Potato and ask for some Texas Caviar!” Mulligan suggests.
3. Vanessa's
118 Eldridge Street
Vanessa’s is a pot-sticker pit stop with just a few seats that is known for its fire dumplings—fried or steamed. Back when Mulligan frequented it, “Four dumplings for a dollar could not be beat!” he says. Nowadays, dumplings go for $1.50 a piece, $2.50 for four pieces or at least $6.50 for eight.
4. Pisillo
110 West 38th Street
A favorite of Robert De Niro, the panini at Pisillo are “the best sandwiches in New York,” Mulligan says. “They’re genuine Italian handmade.” We tend to agree they’re one of the best since they’re said to be made with authentic Italian cold cuts and bread from Brooklyn's top bakeries.
5. Cellar Dog, formerly known as Fat Cat
75 Christopher Street
The venue formerly known as Fat Cat was revamped with a new name, new games and custom ice cream in 2021. Cellar Dog, at 75 Christopher Street, still does jazz and ping pong, but now also has shuffleboard, foosball, checkers and chess, as well as antique and novelty arcade games including Pac Man and many more.
“Jazz and Ping Pong! What's not to like!” Mulligan exclaims.
6. Kellogg's Diner
518 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn
“A classic,” Mulligan says. “I had the afterparty for my wedding here!”
We don’t blame him—there are few diners as iconic at Kellogg’s even now after it’s undergone a refurbishment with new management. We’d urge him to return to try its Passion Fruit Tajin Icebox Pie!
7. Wo Hop + Little Italy cannoli dinner and dessert
17 Mott Street
“It’s a Mulligan family tradition!” he says.
Wo Hop, Chinatown’s second-oldest restaurant, got on the James Beard Foundation America’s Classics list in 2022 for its “old-fashion, chop suey-style” Chinese food. It’s consistently good, which makes it perfect for repeated visits.
8. Veselka
144 Second Avenue
This 24-hour Ukranian staple has “incredible pierogis!” Mulligan says. Simply and astutely put. Veselka is always crowded because it is fantastic at what it does. You can’t ever go wrong with a plate of pierogis and its borscht.
9. Blue Stripes
28 East 13th Street
“Right by Union Square, it’s the best hot cocoa in the city. Stop by after the Union Square Holiday Market for perfect Christmas cheer!” he says.
10. Peter McManus Cafe
152 Seventh Avenue
Mulligan makes a bold statement about this Irish pub’s fare: “It’s the best cheeseburger in NYC,” he says.
The family-owned saloon is actually among the city’s oldest—at its present location since 1936—and has appeared on classic NYC shows like Seinfeld and Law & Order. People really love its old school vibe and yes, its burgers.
Time Out Tip: Don’t miss Mulligan his wife and fellow Dropout alum Isabella Roland at their improv show “Bigger!” later this month at the Beacon.