Former 'New York Perks' Space On Smith Street Is Renting For $12,000 A Month

 '

The space recently vacated by New York Perks, the slightly shady martini bar/ nightclub that closed its doors back in the fall of 2012 is currently being marketed by Smith Hanten Realty.

The approximately 2,500 square foot retail space with 25 foot wide frontage at 193 Smith Street has a large basement that was utilized by Perks for private parties, but the extra space below street level may not have been quite legal. On its site, Perks boasted about its 3400 square foot facility, but the business never got the necessary Public Assembly Permit from NYC Department of Buildings to accommodate all the extra customers.

(A Public Assembly Permit is required when more than 75 people [including staff] gather in one establishment. The PA permit addresses proper fire safety, egress and safety lighting and is issued jointly by the Buildings Department and Fire Department.)

The listing by Smith Hanten reflects the correct usable square footage and just mentions the basement as an extra feature.

What do you think of the monthly rent? A bit steep for Smith Street? Or just about right?

Read More

New York Perks Finally Closes Doors On Smith Street

(photo via www.nyperks.com)

New York Perks, the martini lounge bar that always seemed a bit out of place on Smith Street, has been closed for the last few weeks and its demise has now been confirmed by a For Rent sign in its window. The 3400 square foot facility at 193 Smith Street feathered a private cigar deck and private rooms for any occasions to a mostly boisterous crowd willing to pay a $10-$15 cover charge and a small fortune for bottle service. (A bottle of Moet Rosé was $185 and a bottle of Ace Of Spades was $480.)

Of late, Perks had garnered some rather bad reviews on Yelp. One reviewer called it: "Arguably one of the worst places I've been in a long while. It really has a crowd that is just a wee bit past it's prime listening to 'today's hip hop and r and b."
New York Magazine wasn't kinder, describing it as "a yawning split-level with two full-sized lounges and bars on either end, the space’s upper floor has access to the smoking area (er, “cigar deck”), while the lower level leads to the street. Countless leather sofas and lurid cocktail choices — fancy a “Quickie,” “Baby Mama Drama,” or a “Pimp Slap”? — scream “adults at play,” but the over-polished décor lacks any distinct charm."
I am sure neighboring residents aren't sad to sees this place go.  Perks had generated a fair amount of noise complaints to the police and to the Community Board basically from the moment it opened.

Read More