Why customers smash the dishes at this Miami business. ‘People needed this’
Christina Brown was stressed out in 2019. Her baby son Shawn died after birth. She divorced her husband shortly after.
After those experiences, Brown, who lived in Las Vegas at the time, went to a nearby rage room and broke things.
“I thought about things that I was mad about and sad about,” the 40-year-Brown said. “I thought that people definitely needed this.”
When Brown moved to Miami in October 2021, she knew what kind of business she wanted to open.
Three years ago, she opened The Break Room in Allapattah, and now wants to expand into a bigger location with more offerings.
Anyone 13 and older can sign up for sessions, starting at 20 bucks, and smash glass bottles and electronics to pieces. Not in the mood to break anything? You might prefer splattering paint at a wall.
No matter how much rage you have, you have to wear a protective helmet and bodysuit to stay safe.
What’s inside The Break Room?
On the outside, The Break Room blends in with the surroundings — wholesale clothing and perfume businesses next door and across the street. But it’s a different world inside.
Bright shades of pink, yellow and blue paint cover the walls. Broken glass litters the floor. Giant sheets of plastic hang from the ceiling to separate different areas for destroying things and painting. One of the areas has crowbars and smashed electronics.
It’s a beautiful mess. But somehow, you feel a sense of peace in the chaos.
The first rage room opened in Japan in 2008, and they became all the rage in the 2010s. Customers paid admission to destroy objects, and the experience became one where people could balance physically breaking things with mentally relieving stress.
Rage rooms also are popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties, date nights and work gatherings. And they’re also used as form of therapy for visitors to release complex emotions.
Born in Tennessee, Brown grew up in Georgia before attending college in Atlanta. In 2003, Brown graduated from Georgia State University. She lived in Atlanta for nearly 20 years and worked in the city’s film industry and music business before launching her own marketing company.
She moved to Las Vegas for nearly four years and with a move to Miami in her plans, she knew what she wanted to build.
‘Palm trees, beaches and sunshine’
Brown always enjoyed Miami for its “palm trees, beaches and sunshine.” But it took time for her to find a Miami landlord that understood her vision of creating a wellness center where objects were destroyed on a regular basis.
She eventually found a space that worked in Allapattah. And in June 2023, she broke new ground with The Break Room.
“Allapattah gives us a central location not far from the airport or the beaches,” she said. “We’re not far from Wynwood.”
Since opening, the business has hosted gatherings and parties. While some visitors opt to break things, others have fun simply playing Jenga.
Ebony Monchoir visited The Break Room for her 31st birthday. The Aventura administrator works in education and was touched by the effect.
“On the surface it’s a rage room, but I see it more as a wellness center,” said Monchoir, 33.
Monchoir felt like she “turned over a new leaf” the day after she visited the room. She said The Break Room gives people the space to be free. Black people in particular, don’t have access to spaces where they can release their emotions without judgment, Monchoir said.
“Christina has created a safe space for us to emote and feel without having to worry about police being called on us, or parents repressing us,” she said. “The owner is one of us, and you feel safe. She has rules, but she doesn’t limit you, and for Black people, it’s needed.”
Brown gets donated objects from bars and buys them from thrift stores. The items include old glass bottles and plates. Her only rule with sourcing: not to use “nice stuff” or things or sentimental value, such as fine china that belonged to someone’s grandmother.
In exchange for donations from bars, Brown offers free or discounted sessions to the owners and their employees.
A different path to wellness
Customers say a rage room can help their mental health. A woman came into The Break Room after the death of her baby and Brown spoke to her throughout her session, giving her customer a journal to write in. The woman then took a page from the journal to write a note to Brown.
“You saved me,” it said.
“I have that taped up on my desk as a reminder that you never know what people are going through or handling,” Brown said.
Looking ahead, Brown wants to expand to a bigger location. While she is making the most of the 2,500 square feet, she thinks more space will offer a better experience. She also is working on creating an escape room game and wants to create a trivia game modeled after a game show.
“I’m trying to give people something to do to create memories with the people they care about.”
If you go
What: The Break Room Miami
Where: 1912 NW 20th St, Miami
Cost: $20 and up
Hours: Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday, 4-11 pm.; Saturday, 1-11 p.m.; Sunday 1-9 p.m. Website: thebreakroommiami.com
Take a tour
This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 8:03 AM.
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