Shuttered OTB on 31st Street in Astoria might become a lounge
Walking past the long shuttered OTB on 22-72 31st Street (GMAP – near the Ditmars subway station in Astoria), we noticed that DOB work permits are up. Looks like it will become an “eating and drinking establishment” perhaps by the name of “31st Street Lounge.” This is the name indicated on the posted notice…
Walking past the long shuttered OTB on 22-72 31st Street (GMAP – near the Ditmars subway station in Astoria), we noticed that DOB work permits are up.
Looks like it will become an “eating and drinking establishment” perhaps by the name of “31st Street Lounge.” This is the name indicated on the posted notice of a liquor license application.
While perusing the DOB site, the tenant is listed as Harry Panagiotopoulos. As it happens, there is a Harry Panagiotopoulos in the neighborhood that owns Igloo, a casual restaurant just up the street.
The 31st Street OTB closed in late 2010 and has been papered up for some time. Locals have been wondering what is going on there and have guessed anything from a burger joint to the expansion of the nearby post office. Looks like we finally have a clue.
Just saw an ad in this week’s Village Voice City Beer Week supplement with this address–it will be called “Sweet Spot Bar and Grill”, and says it is opening soon…the ad also mentions “indoor trees” and an “indoor bridge connecting rooms”…sounds interesting?
By the way OTB was a state owned organization, not a city owned organization and they went bankrupt thank god. Just wanted you to get the facts right. I’m so glad someone’s taking it over. It was a scourge to neighborhood and remained a black hole, especially at night.