StarlightLounge2.jpg

The Starlight Lounge, located at Nostrand Ave and Bergen St, in Crown Heights North, is Brooklyn’s oldest gay bar, and perhaps also Brooklyn’s first black owned gay bar. However, the future of this neighborhood institution is looking bleak. As reported on Gothamist, the bar’s manager, Tim Leviticus, is quoted saying, “Without us knowing, the old landlord sold the building — not even giving us the right to purchase it. We haven’t met the new owner yet, but we’ve heard he wants the building to be empty.” The Lounge opened in the 1960’s, and was a popular hangout for the black gay community, as well as welcoming to anyone else who came in. Today, it is popular with both new and old clientele, with dance parties and karaoke nights. The owners are now circulating a petition to have the building and the bar landmarked, to protect it from demolition, and to preserve the Starlight. Information and discussion can be found on the Brooklynian, and more history can be found here.
Brooklyn’s Oldest Gay Bar May Close[Gothamist]
Community Petition For Landmark Status[Brooklynian]
Photo:outaboutbrooklyn.com. GMAP


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. Stop the Eviction of Starlite Lounge — 50 year old Black-Owned Safe Haven
    When: Tues 2/2/10 1pm
    Where: 1080 Bergen between Rogers & Nostrand; Brooklyn, New York

    For Immediate Release:

    Contact: Debra A. Griffin- Daza
    The Damon S. Allen Foundation Against Violence
    debbieg.griffindaza@gmail.com
    347-369-8894

    The Damon S. Allen Foundation Against Violence, in collaboration with community groups and residents of Crown Heights, will host a press conference protesting the eviction of the historic Starlite Lounge, the oldest Black-owned, non-discriminating pub in Brooklyn, on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 1:00 PM outside of Arthur Brown Funeral Home, located at 1080 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues. For the last five decades the Starlite Lounge has been a safe haven to members of our community and a space of significant historical relevance for New York City residents. This incredible run in Crown Heights is now being threatened as Starlite was served with eviction papers last week without being given an opportunity to negotiate with the building’s owners. The proposed closing has brought people together to fight against this unfair eviction of an openly gay-friendly establishment in the heart of Brooklyn. At the press conference, we will challenge Arthur Brown Funeral Home and Century Twenty-One Real Estate’s unwarranted eviction of this historic business. Concerned citizens and local elected officials are expected to attend to show support for the establishment.

    New York Times Article on Starlite Lounge
    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/nyregion/23bigcity.html?ref=nyregion

  2. A Gay bar opening in a conservative working class, homophobic neighborhood in the 60’s.., please landmark it!!!

    The building may not be a beauty, but the history. From what I could get out the Manager, the bar had an even more colorful owner, Jewish and/or Irish mob type, in the late 50’s or early 60’s before it became Starlite.

    If Starlite’s walls could talk.., oh what a story she could tell!