Latest Incarnation of Brooklyn's Oldest Bar Seized by City Marshal

When a tipster passed by Goldenrod this morning, city marshals were in the process of changing the locks and returning possession of the space to the landlord. As far as we can tell, the Carroll Gardens bar was still open for business until today. Before it became Goldenrod in August 2013, the space at 449 Court Street was P.J. Hanley’s, Brooklyn’s oldest bar, open since 1874.

Goldenrod owner James McGown, who has acquired a reputation for strange business dealings after a string of bankruptcies, bought P.J. Hanley’s in 2005, according to Crain’s, then declared bankruptcy in 2013. He opened Goldenrod in the same spot shortly thereafter. He and the landlord were involved in a legal dispute over unauthorized alterations and construction without a permit, said another story in Crain’s. Perhaps the landlord evicted McGown for breaking his lease, which ran through 2020, according to Crain’s.

Thanks to our tipster for the photo. Anyone know more? GMAP

McGown Coverage [Brownstoner]