« 100 Gold Hits the Market Inside Third & Bond: Week 79 »

April 9, 2009

Manhattans in Brooklyn

At this rate, Washington Avenue is going to be the new Ludlow Street. Yesterday we reported that the new bar Washington Commons just opened at 748 Washington Avenue. Now, via blog Brooklyn the Borough, comes the news that Tracy Westmoreland of Siberia fame is bringing his so-divey-it's-cool schtick to the former Ripple bar space at 769 Washington. The name of the new is reportedly Manhattans and it's set to open tomorrow. “This bar will draw the coolest people that live in Brooklyn—I want the artists, I want the freaks, I want the drag queens,” said Westmoreland, who will be renting an apartment next door to secure his Brooklyn cred. GMAP

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Comments

Rather frightening, actually.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at April 9, 2009 11:18 AM

but Siberia was SUCH A GREAT DIVE BAR!!!

Posted by: gemini10 at April 9, 2009 11:20 AM

So, in order to "to secure his Brooklyn cred" he is naming his bar Manhattans?

Posted by: SnarkSlope at April 9, 2009 11:21 AM

Read that blog - someone from the Observer writes it. Also read the story where she's in a bodega in Crown Heights and a black man shows her he's got pot.

Posted by: infinitejester at April 9, 2009 11:23 AM

Bring it!

Posted by: ProspectHeightsGuy at April 9, 2009 11:24 AM

“This bar will draw the coolest people that live in Brooklyn—I want the artists, I want the freaks, I want the drag queens,”

I think the coolest people that live in brooklyn are already here on brownstoner.

Places thet "try" to be divey are soooooo lame.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 9, 2009 11:24 AM

ludlow street was the street i moved on when i first moved to nyc. you do NOT want any of your streets turning into ludlow street. it's like a mini mardis gras down there every weekend night filled with frat boys and trust fund carrie bradshaws. barf! and that's exactly what's all over the ground in the mornings.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 9, 2009 11:26 AM

I used to hang out at the original Siberia in the 52nd Street subway stop, often before going to see shows at Roseland. It is with no small degree of pride that I can say that I actually once got thrown out of that ultimate dive bar. I hope his new place will be just as divey as the original but I don't see how it could be.

Posted by: johnife at April 9, 2009 11:27 AM

Just what Brooklyn needs. A skeezy Manhattan coke den dressed up as a "dive bar."

Posted by: RaginCajun at April 9, 2009 11:30 AM

exactly - Siberia was the place you went to before a show at Roseland
I just hope it stays divey and doesn't try to make Washingston Avenue Ludlow Street(ewww) who wants a buncha peeps running around in heels screaming while they try to catch cabs back to the city?

Posted by: gemini10 at April 9, 2009 11:31 AM

Siberia was an absolutely amazing dive bar. My friends and I went quite regularly.

I'm so happy to hear that Tracy is opening up a new place in Brooklyn just a short walk from my house. I just saw him a couple weeks ago actually...he's a sometimes bouncer at another spot.

I just sent this news to a few friends, and they IMMEDIATELY wrote back about how excited they are about the new place...

This guy (and Siberia) are a well known entity.

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 11:32 AM

Bourdain, welcome to Prospect/Crown Heights.

Posted by: Fjorder at April 9, 2009 11:32 AM

“This bar will draw the coolest people that live in Brooklyn—I want the artists, I want the freaks, I want the drag queens,” said Westmoreland"

SERENITY NOW!

Posted by: YngRntr at April 9, 2009 11:35 AM

11217, if you give it thumbs up, ok, I'm swayed. My first reaction was def on high douche alert.

johnife, that story is forthcoming I hope??

Posted by: infinitejester at April 9, 2009 11:41 AM

I'm not buying it.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at April 9, 2009 11:49 AM

If you like dive bars, infinitejester, I think the new place will be a good one.

When he says he wants the freaks, he means it. But not in a scary way...he means different people with welcoming attitudes about all walks of life. Sometimes dive bars are scary for all but the most hardcore jock/frat beer guzzling homophobes.

This place won't be like that in the slightest.

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 11:49 AM

this is good news. i've gotta say, though, we have plenty of booze in PH. what i'm waiting for is a nice wine bar! and maybe someone can tell me whether anyone in the neighborhood is brewing stumptown coffee yet.

Posted by: i disagree at April 9, 2009 11:50 AM

http://www.nybarfly.com/my_weblog/2009/03/dive-bar-documentary-a-movie-about-siberia-is-hopefully-on-the-way.html

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 11:51 AM

psst...over here....psssst.

Irony as culture meme died in 2002.

There is a rule with dive bars. They can't be ~created~. They must become a dive bar after years of not being cleaned.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at April 9, 2009 11:52 AM

I disagree,

I follow Stumptown coffee pretty closely...I haven't yet heard of anyone in PH yet, but there are quite a few places in PS now brewing Stumptown...GetFresh on 5th Ave for starters...

Since the guy who started Stumptown in Portland, Oregon just up and moved to Brooklyn recently, I think it's only a matter of time before the actual Stumptowns start popping up all around NYC. (The first is coming soon actually in the new Ace Hotel in Manhattan set to open in a couple weeks)...

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 11:54 AM

"There is a rule with dive bars. They can't be ~created~. They must become a dive bar after years of not being cleaned."

Sounds like he's off to a good start...

"The space, formerly a sketchy watering hole called Ripple Bar, has seen little in terms of renovations. According to Westmoreland, a steel beam was added to reinforce the structure, but little else has been done to revitalize the space, which is exactly how he likes it.

“What we’ve done to it is absolutely nothing,” he said. “It’s a down home funky neighborhood bar, we’re just reviving its soul."

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 11:57 AM

I like bars where I can sit and be left alone and hate.

Posted by: infinitejester at April 9, 2009 11:57 AM

"Since the guy who started Stumptown in Portland, Oregon just up and moved to Brooklyn recently, I think it's only a matter of time before the actual Stumptowns start popping up all around NYC. (The first is coming soon actually in the new Ace Hotel in Manhattan set to open in a couple weeks)..."

The Frankies guys opened an exclusively Stumptown cafe in Cobble Hill a few weeks ago. Court and Warren(?)

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at April 9, 2009 11:58 AM

yes, court and warren. i just went a few days ago. it was as good as i'd hoped! nice and strong, but with zero bitterness. it takes both the beans and the technique, and the frankie's dudes definitely have both now.

11217, that's why i'm so excited! i think they're roasting in red hook, and the opportunity to get these beans fresh is so amazing to me. i still love my gorilla, but it will be nice to mix it up.

Posted by: i disagree at April 9, 2009 12:05 PM

"I want the freaks, I want the drag queens,”

Yo What, Yo Dibs, you're both invited!!!

Posted by: Brooklynnative at April 9, 2009 12:06 PM

"Gentrification" in all its glory. I visited Siberia a few times. It was OK.

Posted by: East New York at April 9, 2009 12:10 PM

Oh no this sounds like the begining of a hipster invasion. May we be protected from the comming plague of locusts!!!

Posted by: clintonhillbuyer at April 9, 2009 12:12 PM

I'm with you I disagree. Stumptown in unreal.

They do sell the beans at this place GetFresh I mentioned. I don't make coffee at home, but I might buy a bag just to snack on the beans.

Here's an article which tells a little more and lists a few places at the bottom which sell it...

http://gothamist.com/2008/09/15/what_you_need_to_know_about_stumpto.php

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 12:16 PM

The bar scene...especially on Vanderbilt has really blossomed over the last 2 years, especially.

With these two additional bars on Washington, it is indeed becoming quite a strip for nightlife.

Also the bar, Weather Up on Vanderbilt was just named in Time Out one of the runners up for best bars in NYC.

The Clover Club (on Smith Street) took top honors.

And this was for all of NYC...not just Brooklyn...

Not that Time Out is my guide for much of anything, but lots of people do read it...

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 12:19 PM

Really cool dude. Is it one of those d not bath or comb your hair places. And I heard head lice is a must. Sounds too scheeky for me..

Posted by: hannible at April 9, 2009 12:23 PM

I agree with Prodigal Son @11:52. To add to that...you can't create cool. Cool happens. I should know. ;)

Posted by: rh at April 9, 2009 12:38 PM

thanks! i'm familiar with get fresh - it's a little out of my way, and i confess that what i'm really looking for is someone to make me a sweet little cup of cappucino!

Posted by: i disagree at April 9, 2009 12:38 PM

11217 -

have you been to weather up? i feel like its pretty lame. very small and takes awhile to get a $13 drink.

im a big fan of SODA and barette on vanderbilt and im definitely happy to see that washington ave is expanding its bar scene.

Posted by: bktycoon at April 9, 2009 12:58 PM

I saw Weedeater play in that concrete basement of Siberia when it was somewhere around 40th st. It was so loud, my teeth rattled. I only went there to see bands play, so if they manage to book anyone I like, I'd check out the new joint.

Posted by: broadwayron at April 9, 2009 12:59 PM

bktycoon,

I don't hang out at Weather Up, no. I've been a handful of times...a couple of them on dates...it's good for that because it's a nice looking space and not too loud. The drinks are expensive, but good in my opinion. I did notice that the last time I went, it took forever and a day to get a drink...

It's not my go to bar by any means, but I don't hate it.

I MUCH prefer Soda....that's a really great place.

I'm excited about the new bar coming to the old Mooney's Pub spot, personally. It's closer to me, and I'm a fan of Commonwealth and the people who run that are taking over that spot AND the old Lighthouse Tavern space on 5th Avenue in the Slope. They've already renovated both spaces, but just waiting on liquor licenses...

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 1:16 PM

Weather Up was quite good when it first opened. Sasha from Milk and Honey came in and trained everyone so the initial quality was very good. Things has fallen off quite a bit, which make the prices seem silly. As far as fifi Brooklyn cocktail bars go - Clover Club is definitely tops.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at April 9, 2009 2:06 PM

I don't know dh...you might be surprised to hear me say this, but I prefer Hotel Delmano to Clover Club.

I actually had a couple REALLY bad experiences at Clover Club.

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 2:11 PM

haha WOW, that's quite the shocker 11217 ;)

I think the bartenders are much more talented at Clover Club (well, the ones who are from Flatiron Lounge anyways) I have only been there on off nights, so I can't attest to the service when things get crowded.

Delmano has been surprisingly solid my past few visits. Although I gave up whiskey for lent, so I dunno if they ever figured out how to properly make an old fashioned.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at April 9, 2009 2:27 PM

Can I bring my two kids?

Posted by: IMBY at April 9, 2009 3:00 PM

Will they cash my unemployment check?

Posted by: IMBY at April 9, 2009 3:07 PM

johnife --

Where is the 52nd St station on the IRT?

It was called KGB Bar.

http://nycbp.com/news/2009/04/ex-siberia-owner-opens-new-bar-in.html

Posted by: k72ndst at April 9, 2009 3:11 PM

k72ndst,

Yeah, you're right, the stop was at 50th St.; it's Roseland that's at 52nd. It was not, however KGB; that is another bar also owned by Tracy on East 4th Street. Sloppy reporting by the blogger you cite.

Posted by: johnife at April 9, 2009 3:30 PM

and...

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2009/04/dive_alive_siberias_tracy_west.html

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 4:57 PM

Hotel Delmano is really fun. But the gin gimlets at Walter Foods on Grand are even better than the drinks at Delmano.

Posted by: mopar at April 9, 2009 4:57 PM

good to know re: walter foods mopar.

I haven't made it there yet. the owner of WF also owns Barrio Chino on the LES which in my opinion makes the best freakin margaritas in the city.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at April 9, 2009 5:19 PM

I've heard good things about Walter Foods. Thanks for the tip!

So many places to try, so little time...

Posted by: 11217 at April 9, 2009 5:22 PM

Do they take WIC cards?

Posted by: hannible at April 9, 2009 7:20 PM

Beast is a great place to grab a drink on Vandy. Soda bar is pretty cool, but inconsistent attitudes from some of the bartenders.

Posted by: Springs at April 9, 2009 7:54 PM

I will trade Prospect Heights its dive bars and coffee for one (or more) of the 1,238,666 wine bars in Clinton Hill/Fort Greene.

Please?

Posted by: Heather at April 9, 2009 9:17 PM

And yeah, IMBY, does their tolerance extend to toddlers rioting while their parents quietly drink six pints at the bar? Cause, you know, if so, that does sound cool.

Posted by: Heather at April 9, 2009 9:19 PM

Heather
Breast feeding drag queens and pre-op tranny nannies... of color, ain't looking for tolerance. Just a little stool in the corner next to the one balled dog... to rest their weary bones after chasing little Skyler all day at the playground.

Posted by: IMBY at April 9, 2009 10:22 PM

Men can breast feed, actually. They just need nipple stimulation and some hormones. We learned this in seventh grade, as they were filming the police scene from "Trading Places" across the street.

Also, maybe I should not drink and post. Quite this much.

Posted by: Heather at April 9, 2009 10:54 PM

dirty hipster, I am amazed to hear that. Barrio Chino is my favorite restaurant in the NYC.

Well -- have you all been to El Almacen in Williamburg? It's fairly new, there is no sign, it says "queseria" and some other things on the window in gold letters. It is on Driggs just a door or two down from N. 7th so very convenient when it is cold out. The spinach salad, short ribs, and churros con chocolate are unbelievable. (Bring your own wine and cash only, unfortunately.)

Heather, please do post more.

Posted by: mopar at April 9, 2009 11:35 PM

Pork and black beans also delicious. Do not order the mixed grill, even though it is Argentinian.

Posted by: mopar at April 9, 2009 11:36 PM

"I will trade Prospect Heights its dive bars and coffee for one (or more) of the 1,238,666 wine bars in Clinton Hill/Fort Greene."

Heather, I'm with you. I'll gladly toss in a Colonial African/French restaurant or two and a phony 'soul lounge'.

Posted by: houseowax at April 12, 2009 11:21 AM

stumptown is at Sit and Wonder on Washington now!

Posted by: xlizellx at July 1, 2009 7:10 PM