Brownstoner is Brooklyn's most read
website about real estate, renovation
and neighborhood news. Read More»
Is Soho House Opening in Brooklyn?
Is Soho House opening in Brooklyn? That’s the claim of an item in Out magazine, whose author says he heard it from someone who works at Soho House, the club “known for its raucous rooftop pool parties, swanky book, movie, and fashion events, and plenty of credible celebrity sightings,” as he put it. There’s no word about when or where exactly, although we’d bet Williamsburg, where new clubs are sprouting up around the Wythe Hotel. It would be interesting, though, if it located in Downtown near Barclays Center. There’s an older, more monied crowd there, but what are the chances they’ll make it back out the door once they go home after work to change? (At least we probably wouldn’t.) “Is this a good thing or bad?” the story continues. “Well, I live in Manhattan, so I don’t understand all the fuss. If you can have a backyard, a great farmers’ market, and a chic club, I say go for it. But people never like change. The reality is that Brooklyn, the commodity, has already been bought — and sold. So you better get your piece as fast as you can.”
Is Soho House Opening in Brooklyn? [Out]
Photo by Soho House
03/01/2013 9:00 AM
Comment
Rare Preserved Victorian Defaced by Party People
A remarkably intact 1890 Queen Anne in Bushwick that was a Building of the Day in 2010 has turned up in party pictures on Paper Magazine’s web site, the Wyckoff Heights Tumblr noticed. The party looks pretty cool, but never mind that, check out the walls. Apparently the house at 74 Cornelia Street between Bushwick and Evergreen sold for the unusually low price of $275,000 to an LLC on Lee Avenue in July (most likely a Hasidic real estate firm, judging by the address and the explanation on Paper Mag’s site) and has now been rented out. We fear for the future of the building, whose otherwise pristine original bead board walls, fireplaces, wainscotting and other 1890s details have been marred by graffiti at the hands of party-goers. (We don’t mean the art, but rather the stray spray paint on non-painted surfaces, such as mirrors.) (more…)
12/05/2012 9:00 AM
Comment
Brooklyn Gangs: Dangerous, Trendy or Both?
Police investigators are touring church groups with slide shows and lectures to warn parents of the latest threat to their children: violent youth gangs who throw luxurious parties, sport trendy bracelets and post photos of their exploits on social media for all to see, the New York Daily News reported. Police investigators have made slide shows “filled with disturbing photos of punks holding up guns, wads of cash, and bags of drugs.” The images, such as the party scene above, are taken from social networking sites such as Instagram and Google Plus. Police and pastors said the photos show violent gang members, but others disputed their claims. Stephen “Ill” Edwards, founder of Illflix.com, said the kids depicted are part of rap groups with music videos on YouTube and thousands of Twitter followers. “Why is it when urban kids get together it is a gang?” Edwards said. (more…)
08/31/2012 9:45 AM
Comment
Gowanus Shuffleboard Club Ruffling Local Feathers
A Gowanus resident living near the 17,000-square-foot shuffleboard club proposed for the neighborhood sent in this picture of flyers going up around the potential space. He says: “This is an industrial zone with a lot of residents, and the whole block is concerned about having a club here.” Nearby neighbors are mostly concerned with potential noise, especially if there are courts on the roof, and the size of the venue. We’re told these residents are petitioning for the club move somewhere else entirely, although the venue has yet to apply for its liquor license. The owners of the club, to be called Royal Palms, have seen the posters. One of the partners, Ashley Albert, tells us, “With a space as large as ours, we can certainly understand why someone might feel concern and would, of course, welcome the opportunity to sit down with anyone who has questions, individually – so we can carefully listen to what they have to say, be able to give them a better idea of what we’re aiming to do and find a way to work together to address any issues. It’s really important… that The Royal Palms be a positive contribution to the entire community and we really do feel like it’s something everyone can get excited about.” They also say they’ve started reaching out to their neighbors.
07/02/2012 10:30 AM
Comment
Jazz Club Coming to 960 Atlantic Avenue
Last week Community Board Eight approved a full liquor licence for a nightclub coming to 960 Atlantic Avenue, between Washington and Grand avenues. It will be two floors with a capacity of 175 people. On the first floor, the owner plans to host blue note jazz acts. The second floor will only be used for private events. “This will bring life to an otherwise desolate strip,” one community board member told the rest of CB8. There will be no bottle service, no outdoor space, and there will be security service outside. For now, the biz is going by the name Milk River. GMAP
05/16/2012 2:00 PM
Comment
Kemistry’s Liquor License Back Up for Discussion
Kemistry Lounge, the business applying for a liquor license at 260 Flatbush Avenue against the wishes of nearby neighbors, is back on Community Board Six’s Liquor License agenda tonight. The Prospect Place Neighbors Group is urging CB6 to reject the liquor license, you can see the letter addressing concerns here. A big concern, as iterated at last month’s meeting, is the building’s exit onto Prospect Place. Community residents already met with Kemistry and the Flatbush Avenue BID and reached an agreement on 11 stipulations, including monitoring of the premises, deliveries and trash pickup on Flatbush Avenue, soundproofing, and meeting with the community if any problems arise. Residents are still concerned about the possibility that the exit on Prospect will not be “bricked up,” as previously promised, that bottle service will be used, and that the business has not agreed to closing at 2am on weekends. While it was unclear at the last meeting how the plans for seven extra stories on the building would fit into the business plan, it looks like Kemistry will occupy two floors and have a capacity of 225 people. Prospect Park Neighbors say they’re coming to the meeting with a petition signed by 100 people against the business, so it should be an interesting night, to say the least. If you’re interested, it’s at 6:30pm at Prospect Park YMCA, 357 9th Street, 7th floor.
Slope Residents Worry About Another Arena-Area Club [Brownstoner]
Seven More Stories for 260 Flatbush Avenue [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
04/23/2012 2:40 PM
Comment
Burg Residents Still Fighting Against Proposed Club
Williamsburg residents spoke out against a proposed nightclub for North 1st Street during last night’s CB1 public session. Brooklyn Paper previously reported that Manhattan nightclub owner Alexander Dimitrov wanted to renovate a warehouse into a 300-person nightclub with a rooftop patio. Here’s the BK Paper’s description of the owner’s club in Manhattan, called Mehanata: ” [It] boasts a bathroom sink that looks like a woman’s posterior, a fleet of party buses modeled after San Francisco cable cars, and a refrigerated “ice cage” where waiters in Russian military garb serve booze amid furniture and glassware made from ice.” The owner promised a more “laid back” club in Williamsburg, but residents remained opposed. Last night, the majority of the CB1 audience was against this club, and a petition going around had gained more than 250 signatures. Residents complained the owner has been unwilling to work with the community. They also brought up possible traffic issues outside the club, the issue of drunk party-goers in the neighborhood at 4am, and listed violations at the Manhattan spot, which included serving alcohol to minors. One of the residents stated that, after previous media attention regarding the opposition, she received “hate mail to move out to Connecticut” but said “I want to live here, I want to raise my son here.” You can see the video of residents speaking out over at New York Shitty. Needless to say, the CB1 Liquor Licence Committee unanimously denied the club’s application.
04/18/2012 2:00 PM
Comment
Slope Residents Worry About Another Arena-Area Club
Last night at the Community Board 6 permits meeting emotions ran high as many Park Slope and Prospect Heights neighbors spoke out against plans to build another “nightclub/lounge” near the coming Barclays Center, on Flatbush Avenue between 6th Avenue and Prospect Place. The exact location is 260 Flatbush Avenue, the single story building with plans to add another seven stories. Residents expressed concern that the building would have an exit on mostly-residential Prospect Place. Meanwhile, owners of the bar, which is dubbed “Kemistry Lounge” for now, assured residents that the exit onto Prospect—which is currently a glass-fronted, one-story building—would be bricked over and would only be used as an emergency exit. The owners also pointed out that the space will not be a nightclub, rather a bar with occasional live entertainment. But residents saw the Kemistry Lounge Facebook Page (which has since been removed, although here’s a teaser website), and spoke out against what they saw depicted there. One Prospect Place resident stated: “We are the wrong demographic to have that type of place in our neighborhood.” Another man, who plans to have children, threatened to move out of his home if the bar moves in, saying, “look at the people who are attracted to this lounge,” referring to the “high energy” crowd he depicted from the Facebook page. The usual concerns about noise, crime, the proliferation of bars and parking were also discussed. It seemed unclear how the extra seven stories planned for the building, which is only one-story high at present, would work into plans for the bar, as the bar owner said DOB approved some work for the major enlargement but not all. Regina Cahill, of the Flatbush Avenue BID, told the audience that “we look forward to neighbors having open minds, and that this business agrees to be a good neighbor.” Kemistry Lounge agreed to meet with the BID and community members, which is what brought an end to the Prime Six debacle. Click through for a photo of what the one-story building on the site currently looks like.
Seven More Stories for 260 Flatbush Avenue [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB (more…)
03/27/2012 9:30 AM
Comment
I See London, I See France
The burlesque club opening on Commerce Street in the old Hook space now has a banner outside of it announcing the name of the forthcoming establishment, Paris Burlesque Club. An image of the Eiffel Tower has also been painted onto one of the windows. Community Board 6 approved a liquor and cabaret license for the Red Hook venture in February, so perhaps its opening is on the horizon.
Burlesque Club in Red Hook a Go-Go [Brownstoner] GMAP
Closing Bell: Burlesque for Red Hook? [Brownstoner]
05/12/2011 2:00 PM
Comment
Community Airs Qualms About Bar Near Barclays
Last night the proprietors of Midtown restaurant Social Eatz came before CB6 to apply for two liquor licenses at 604 Pacific Street, across the street from the forthcoming Barclays Center, and many at the meeting weren’t thrilled by the proposed establishment. What’s planned: A gastropub occupying 3,500 square feet that seats 150 people, with two bars, some live music and no outdoor space. Meanwhile, Italian and Middle Eastern restaurants are slated for a smaller section of the space. Neighbors voiced a great deal of concern about the proposal in a fashion that was reminiscent of the outcry surrounding plans for Prime Six. One speaker said, “You’re going to be opening a restaurant for the arena, and the neighborhood surrounding you doesn’t want this arena.” Other residents of Pacific Street said they didn’t want the street to return to the way it was 30 years ago. One resident stood up and read a selection of newspaper headlines that associated sports bars with violence. In the end, the community board’s consideration of the proposal was pushed back to next month. A community meeting with the restaurant owners will be set up in the interim. (The photo above shows 602 Pacific in the foreground, which the owners say will be used to house some of the business, though the bulk of the space for the bars and restaurants will be in the furniture store pictured to its left.) Atlantic Yards Report has a detailed post on the plans and the crowd’s reaction at last night’s meeting. GMAP
04/26/2011 9:00 AM
Comment
New Regulations for Outdoor Drinking?
At this month’s CB6 Public Safety committee meeting, there will be a discussion about an Assembly Bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Millman to amend the alcohol beverage control law in relation to rooftop and rear yard bars. The bill stipulates that “rear yard and rooftop permits in cities with a population of one million or more” would have to meet the following requirements: There is only waiter service to patrons in outdoor areas; no amplified music is allowed; and the outdoor spaces will close at 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends. As the bills states, “Such outdoor use tends to be disruptive for residents who live within earshot because of the late hours of operation and the high noise levels that have the capacity to travel into their homes. This legislation recognizes the need for a balance between these sometimes competing interests.” (We’re sure some folks over at CB1 would be pleased!) If you care to discuss hear the community board committee’s take on the proposal, its meeting is on April 25th at 6pm.
Text of Bill [Word Doc]
Photo by owen.iverson
04/20/2011 10:00 AM
Comment
Saint Vitus Opens in Greenpoint
Opening in Greenpoint as of this week, Saint Vitus Bar is billing itself as the neighborhood’s first real rock bar. Developed through a collaboration of partners from Bar Matchless and Anella, the former social club come plumbing school now boasts a sleek mahogany bar and music venue in back. The space, designed by Matthew Maddy (Weather-Ups, No.7 and Anella), is industrial chic. The drink menu will feature various shot combinations, including a Brooklyn Brine Pickle Back. Tap beers include Six Point, Kelso, Ommegang, Capt. Lawrence, Victory, etc with Bud, PBR, and Genessee available by can. Owned by former bartenders, we can expect expertly prepared cocktails as well. Moreover, this may well be the first rock club whose menu is decidedly bun-centric: Offerings include Short Rib, Grilled Cheese, BBQ Tofu, Eggplant, and Pulled Pork buns. Rock on! GMAP
04/15/2011 2:40 PM
Comment
Sunset Park Getting Jungle-Themed Dance Club
Jaguars, a new restaurant and club coming to Sunset Park, is opening next month. The 20,000-square-foot club, we’ve been told, “will focus on a jungle theme with palm trees, animals and birds of paradise. Set on a raised platform only feet away from the dance floor, Jaguars will also tout a restaurant that will serve Italian cuisine.” The space is still under construction, but the photos above show how it’s turning out so far. The bottom floor will be dedicated to the dance club (where the jungle motif will be most prevalent), while the second floor has dining space for the Italian restaurant, a normal bar and a “bikini bar.” Apparently there will also be a limousine service offering free rides to customers. With the promise of a limo, this may just be worth a trip out to 47th Street and 2nd Avenue… GMAP
03/21/2011 11:00 AM
Comment
Burlesque Club in Red Hook a Go-Go
Looks like Red Hook is most definitely getting a burlesque club at 18 Commerce Street. A couple weeks ago it was unanimously approved by CB6′s Public Safety Committee, and then once again unanimously approved on Wednesday night at the CB’s monthly board meeting for both a liquor and cabaret license. Once again, the owners promised that there wouldn’t be any nudity. One board member opined that rather than being a distasteful addition to the neighborhood, it had the potential to be a “hip” spot. There were a few stipulations attached to the board’s approval: The backyard garden can’t be used as a club area; the side areas of the building are only supposed to be used as entrances and exits; and soundproofing must be installed.
Burlesque For Red Hook? [Brownstoner] GMAP
Burlesque For Red Hook? [Brownstoner] GMAP
02/11/2011 11:30 AM
Comment
Closing Bell: Burlesque for Red Hook?
This item made an appearance in our Daily Links, but we’ll throw it out again: a Paris Burlesque Club was approved by the Public Safety Committee to open at 18 Commerce Street, reports the BK Paper. Apparently the dancers will strip down to bikinis, but the business owner promised no “stripper poles or runways. The venue has previously been a music hall and most recently a dance club named Hello Brooklyn. (It was shut down for selling alcohol without a license.) Despite concern, the Public Safety Committee gave a unanimous thumbs up. The final vote will come at the full board meeting on February 9th. “This will only bring the neighborhood up, said board member Lou Sones. This is as reasonable as an establishment like this can be.
01/25/2011 4:00 PM
Comment
No Name Bar Opens in Greenpoint
Tucked rather conspicuously between the Greenpoint Gazette office and a plumbing/electrical supply store is a new bar that has yet to have a name. Located at 597 Manhattan Ave., the three-week-old watering hole is outfitted in wall-to-wall wood, from its sturdy, dark stained exterior to its solid wood floors and cedar-paneled ceiling; Owner Erik Greene‘s follow up to Bar Matchless, it’s mellower, though dark lighting is a theme at both. Bar manager Jessica Wertz, responsible for the design, wanted it to have the feel of a tavern in an ancient Chinese trading village. Regarding the lack of a name, Wertz says, I want it to come naturally. GMAP
12/23/2010 9:00 AM
Comment
Inside Look at MikNic Lounge
From the outside, little appears to have changed at the old Lido space on Columbia. But the new MikNic Lounge is renovating from the inside out. This photo, one of many from the new bar’s Facebook page, shows some of the construction going on behind the facade. According to an email from co-owner Miki Mosman, they’re hoping to open “sometime near to the middle or end of October.” They’re planning on having “live music as well as some late-night food offerings, and down the line, we will be introducing film screenings and other cultural programming to the venue.” GMAP
New Bar for Lido Space [Brownstoner]
Ice Cream for Old Lido Spot [Brownstoner]
09/14/2010 9:31 AM
Comment
Nightclub Finds Home in Gowanus
“Sexy people, ritzy lighting and comfy lounge furniture” is not a line we would use to describe many spots in Brooklyn, much less Gowanus. But the New York Post was apparently pretty impressed with the dance club that just had its soft opening at 424 Third Avenue. The club, called “Ultraviolet,” was a warehouse space and is now a three-story, very purple, dance-and-drink destination. As a Greenpoint visitor noted, Gowanus definitely doesn’t stink so much anymore.
‘Ultra’ Cool Club Lets You Paint Gowanus Purple [NY Post]
Gowanus Getting a Big Case of UltraViolet [Eater]
08/05/2010 10:59 AM
Comment
The Starlite Lounge Says Goodbye
The Starlite Lounge, one of Brooklyn’s oldest gay bars and possibly the first black-owned gay bar in Brooklyn, has been having rough times for about a year now. After the building came under new ownership this past December, there was a petition to landmark the building and protect it from demolition. It wasn’t demolished, but we recently received an email that said the Starlite Lounge is closing its doors for good on July 31st. There will be events there until Saturday celebrating the end of a neighborhood staple in Crown Heights.
Starlite Lounge in Danger of Closing Forever [Brownstoner]
Curtains for Starlite Lounge [Brownstoner] GMAP
07/29/2010 9:29 AM
Comment
Veronica People’s Club Open in Greenpoint
Greenpoint’s got (yet) another new bar, this one from the owner of Heathers in the East village. Located at 105 Franklin Street, Veronica People’s Club is named partly after Winona Ryder’s character in Heathers, and partly after an old sign found at the site, which identifies it as a former Polish punk rock club called Peoples Club. Gothamist says that the bar will soon have Sunday suppers featuring a rotating series of guest chefs. And according to the Greenpoint Gazette, tamales will be offered on especially busy evenings, so people won’t have to leave the bar in search of delicious food. During the day, coffee and pastries are served via the street-facing window. For full details, visit the bar’s facebook page.
07/28/2010 3:01 PM
Comment
mmm
May 16, 2013 | 09:04 AM