Community Board 6 Votes To Deny Sidewalk Café License For Buschenschank

(Buschenschank owners in front of CB6 Permit and License Committee last night)

Members of Community Board 6 's Permits and Licenses Committee voted to deny a sidewalk café license for Buschenschank, the pseudo-Tyrolian beer pub at 320 Court Street at a meeting held at the Prospect Park YMCA last night. The establishment had requested a permit for an additional 18 tables and 48 chairs for the outside area. 

Several members of the community had taken the time to show up at the meeting to tell the Committee that Buschenschank was a terribly noisy neighbor and that, on warm days, the eatery actually removes all of its windows, allowing loud music to escape from the establishment. One resident pointed out that the establishment was operating like an open-air beer garden. Another resident suggested that, with the windows wide open, Buschenschank already had a sidewalk café of sorts.

Noise complaints were not the only problem. It was pointed out that there are currently quite a few open NYC Building's Department violations noted for the building housing the bar. In addition,  when asked, the owners confirmed that they do not have a Place Of Assembly Permit, though they clearly have more than 75 people (including staff) in their establishment on a busy night. (The owner denied that they exceed that capacity.)

Glenn Kelly, one of the Committee member pointed out to the owners of Buschenschank that, according to NYC Department Of Environmental Protection's rules, a restaurant or bar's doors and windows are to be kept closed at all times to prevent noise from escaping onto the sidewalk. Asked if they would keep those windows closed from now on, the owners seemed defiant and said "no". "If that was a rule, how come we never got a violation from DEP at Buschenschank or at our other place, P.J. Hanley's?"

Committee member Lou Sones asked if the owners intended to close the windows during the summer, when the air conditioner would be running. The owners again said "No." Sones informed them that that was a violation as well, which did not seem to impress the owners much.

Their cavalier attitude and their arrogance did not sit well with members of the Board. "You seem to to be willing to make getting tickets part of your business strategy at the expense of the community," Committee member Joe Porcelli told them.

In related new, the Commmittee approved a sidewalk café license for both Café Bruno on Henry Street as well as for Marco Polo on Court Street.

The Committee also voted to renew a sidewalk café license for Abelene, but, since the Community Board had received several complaints about the bar, the owner was asked to follow DEP rules and keep its large windows closed.

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Is Buschenschank Proving To Be A Rather Noisy Neighbor?

The first time I walked past Buschenschank at 320 Court Street, the newish pseudo-"Tyrolian" pub on Court Street on a recent balmy spring evening, I was amazed at the noise emanating out of the eatery's huge window openings. The conversation fragments, laughter and music could even be heard from at least a block away. No wonder. Since Buschenschank actually removes the entire window panels and leaves its doors wide open weather permitting, it becomes, in essence, a bit like an open-air beer garden.
That may be great fun for its patrons, but a real quality of life issue for those residents unlucky enough to have to listen to the noise.

According to NYC Department Of Environmental Protection's rules a restaurant or bar's doors and windows are to be kept closed at all times to prevent noise from escaping onto the sidewalk. Perhaps the owners of Buschenschank are not aware of this? (See video below)
And the problem could become worse. Buschenschank is currently in the process of requesting a Sidewalk Café license to add 18 sidewalk tables and 48 chairs around the periphery of the restaurant.
Imagine the noise level with all those additional tables and chairs.
One of Buschenschank neighbors just reached out to me and writes:

"I'm curious if there has been any news about Buschenschank located at the corner of Court and Sackett. In November when they opened I didn't predict that they would create an open air restaurant/bar by removing ALL of their windows. The noise has really increased since the warm weather and I'm not opening my front windows yet. They do put the windows in at 11pm but loud smokers are in and out until 2am.
On Friday of last week I received a certified letter from Huitres Inc at 320 Court street, which is Buschenschank, stating that as result of their application for a sidewalk cafe license the Department of Consumer Affairs required they alert neighbors who live within 50 feet of that address.
I'm curious if you've received any feedback from neighbors about how they feel about Buschenschank, their open windows and now this new sidewalk cafe news.
I know I live in a very urban area and in the end I'm not sure what I can do about the addition to new bars in the neighborhood. I've started wearing earplugs every night and I'm really worried for when the temperatures get warmer and I'll have to open the windows at night - My husband and I are preparing to keep the AC on in the bedroom each evening during the summer."

A meeting regarding Buschenschank's Sidewalk Café licence in front of Community Board 6 has been scheduled for April 23rd at 6:30pm at Prospect Park YMCA located at 357 9th Street (Between 5th & 6th Avenues) on the 7th Floor. If neighbors cannot come to the meeting they can email info@brooklyncb6.org.

It may also be of interest that the building housing Buschenschank has quite a number of open NYC Building's Department violations. Perhaps it would be reasonable to ask Buschenschank to first clear those violations and keep its windows and doors closed as per DEP rules, before granting them a sidewalk café license.

And lastly, it may interest Buschenschank that even its patrons don't seem to enjoy its music to the volume very much either.
One reviewer on Yelp complained of their "terrible loud generic indie crap music" and another commented that "they have some serious issues with the music. I was there the other evening and our group had to leave because the music was so loud. As in shouting across the table to hear loud. To top it off, it was just really bad aggressive newish rock music that I would assume 19 year old boys in fraternities must listen to."


Video taken at a 2010 CB6 informational meeting about rules governing bars and restaurants.

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With Plywood Fence Finally Down, A First Look At Buschenschank On Court

After what seemed an eternity, the plywood fence that has been surrounding the old OTB space at 320 Court Street finally came down, revealing Buschenschank.  The new South Tyrolian-inspired tavern, was slated to open in early October, but obviously was delayed.  A worker on the premises told me this afternoon that the beer hall will definitely open next Monday. 
Buschenschank is the latest venture of restaurateur James McGown, already known in the neighborhood for his South Brooklyn Pizzeria at 451 Court Street. Along with Italian/German wines and beer from that region, Buschenschank will be serving stick-to-the-ribs German specialties like Knödels, Wurst and Schinken.
That corner is about to get very loud....
What do you think of the big reveal? 

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Prost! New South Tyrolian Tavern "Buschenschank" To Open Soon On Court

The former OTB office at 320 Court Street at Sackett has been empty for quite a few years now. A while back, a French oyster bistro called appropriately "Huitre" was to be occupy the space, but that never happened.

Just recently however, work behind the construction fence has resumed, and at the end of the month, Buschenschank, a South Tyrolian inspired tavern will be opening in the space. It's the latest venture of restaurateur James McGown, already known in the neighborhood for his South Brooklyn Pizzeria at 451 Court Street. Along with Italian/German wines and beer from that region, Buschenschank will be serving stick-to-the-ribs German specialties like Knödels, Wurst and Schinken.

And, according to The Village Voice, weekly music events will focus on German rock and pop bands.

Na dann, liebe Brooklyner, Prost!

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Area Yoga Opening At Its New Court Street Location Tomorrow

Area Yoga will be moving from 320 Court Street (photos above)

to 389 Court Street tomorrow. (see photos below)

Yoga is moving from 320 Court Street to 389 Court Street, right off the corner of Court Street and First Place. All classes will be held at this new location starting tomorrow. According to Area's web site:

"Our beautiful new 2-level space features a large studio with floor to ceiling windows, central heating and A/C, two treatment rooms, and a spacious private patio. The first floor will be dedicated entirely to retail, including Manduka and Gaiam yoga mats, equipment, and the clothing lines Be Present and Zobha. We will also be carrying the skincare lines Jurlique, Dr. Hauschka, Arcona, and Eminence.

We will be adding even more classes with all of your favorite teachers! Please feel free to email us with any and all suggestions for class times and teachers.

We see this move as an opportunity to grow and expand with our beautiful yoga community. And with that, our main goal continues to be the best and most affordable yoga studio in Brooklyn. We cannot wait to see you there! "

Incidentally, Area's new neighbor at 387 Court Street will be The Bourgeois Pig. Think a yoga studio and an eatery serving dark-chocolate-bacon-beer fondue can co-exist peacefully next to each other? We shall see...

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Artist Andrea LaHue Brings Her "Random Acts Of Flowers" To Neighborhood Construction Fences

On construction fence at 320 Court Street

Construction fence on Smith Street near Douglass Street

2009 'random act' on the construction fence at 250 Smith Street

Sunflower on 340 Court Street construction fence

There is nothing more drab than a plywood construction fence. Unfortunately, since the downturn in the real estate market, some fences, such as the one surrounding the Clarett site at 340 Court Street or the one on Smith Street near Douglass Street, seem to have become permanent fixtures in our neighborhood.

However, this summer, Los Angeles-based artist Andrea LaHue has used a few fences in our neighborhood as canvas for her beautifully painted blossoms. According to her web site, the artist has painted 80 plus flowers in 33 US cities as part of her cross-country "Random Acts Of Flowers" project. She writes: "The interaction with all the communities is surprisingly the same... Flowers make everybody happy!"

Thanks, Andrea! Have enjoyed those giant blooms on my walks.

Here is Andrea LaHue's video on her work around the neighborhood.

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Old OTB All Fenced In On Court Street. Could Oyster Bar Still Be In The Works?

Once upon a time, there was talk that an oyster bar would open in the old OTB space at 320 Court Street, at the corner of Sackett place. That was in the fall of 2007. "Huître" as it was presumably going to be called, never opened.

Work has continued sporadically over the last few years, but no restaurant ever opened, though a glimpse inside the space in June 2009 revealed a beautiful tiled kitchen area.

But there finally seems to be some movement at that location. Over the week-end and on Monday morning, workers were erecting a brand new plywood construction fence. Also, some brand new NYC Department of Buildings permits have issued recently.

A liquor license for Huitre was approved in 2008, but will expire at the end of March.

So, dear Reader, it remains to be seen if Huitre does finally open, or if someone else has taken over and will open a different eating establishment.

Stay tuned.

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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Neighborhood Graffiti: Hipsters Good...Yuppies, Not So Good

Seen on a construction fence at the former OTB at Sackett Street, right off Court Street.
In black spray paint; " Yuppies Out" and then, in discreet white, right next to it:
"Hipsters In!"


For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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Back in September 2007, there was talk of a new restaurant coming to the space once occupied by O.T.B. at 320 Court Street.
The name of the establishment was supposedly going to be 'Huîtres', the French word for oysters. Construction started on the space that fall, an application for a liquor license had been filed, and then... nothing. Windows were boarded up and construction paper was taped over the glass doors. And there it sat. Until now, that is.

As I walked by there last week, someone was cutting up some wood right in front of the place. Yesterday in the afternoon, the door was open and I glimpsed an arched brick wall and what looked like a tiled kitchen area with counter, indicating that someone had done some serious work in the place.
Does anyone out there know if this is still going to be Huîtres or another restaurant?

Hey, Whatever Happened To The Other Carroll Gardens 'Oyster' Bar

Huître on Court Street : Will Court Street's Newest Restaurant Ever Open?

Huître on Court Street

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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