Brooklyn, NY – Opposed to a proposed nightclub in the midst of their neighborhood, Brooklyn residents are joining forces to prevent a judge from granting a liquor license to the establishment. The nightclub, named Pleasure, at the corner of Avenue U and E 9th Street is located just yards away from a Torah Academy of Brooklyn, a boys yeshiva high school, and in close proximity to numerous shuls, a kosher pizzeria and a school bus stop utilized by several yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs.
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The proposed site is being described by its owners as an “upscale restaurant-lounge-club” and will feature a large bar, live and recorded music and one to four security guards as needed.
The need for so much security has raised a red flag for both concerned residents and Community Board 15 Chairman, Theresa Scavo.
“When you hear there is that much security, right away you know there is going to be a problem,” said Scavo in an interview with VIN News.
Scavo has been a staunch ally of the local community, leading the fight against the numerous nightclubs and hookah bars that have opened in the area. She cited a previous nightclub with the same name, owned by the same owners in the same location.
“Pleasure was a detriment to the quality of life in this neighborhood. There were fights, drunken lewdness, double and triple parking, noise till all hours of the morning. There were violations issued by the local precinct for sale of alcohol to minors, disorderly conduct and so much more. We would average ten to twenty complaints a day about Pleasure when it was in existence. There is no reason that people here should have to put up with this.”
Scavo’s sentiments were echoed by Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, who represents Brooklyn’s 45th District.
“My chief concern is the past record of this club’s owners. 816 Avenue U was home to a club with the same name and owners for many years. It was a plague on the community, generating numerous criminal court summonses, alcohol violations and complaints from neighboring residents. Receiving a liquor license is a privilege and along with it comes responsibilities. Given the past record of the owners, I have no confidence that they will fulfill their obligation to comply with our State’s alcoholic beverage regulations. Therefore, for the safety, as well as quality of life, of the residents who live in the vicinity, I have called upon the NYS Liquor Authority to deny the liquor license.”
The decision of whether or not to grant a liquor license to the establishment was expected to be made at a hearing yesterday, but after being inundated with phone calls from outraged community members, the New York State Liquor Authority elected to postpone their decision until tomorrow.
Community activists are asking the public to fax the state liquor authority to voice their objection to the proposed nightclub.
“Denying them their liquor license is the first step in preventing this nightclub from opening in our midst. We have already reached out to our local representatives,” said a concerned resident. “Now we are counting on the community to join our ongoing battle to preserve the kedusha of our neighborhood.”
Letters of objection, explaining why the nightclub would be out of place in this residential, religious community, can be faxed to the New York State Liquor Authority at 212-961-8382. Complaints can also be registered at 212-961-8385.
Nightclubs should not be permitted in residential areas at all, period.
There are enough places in brooklyn where it would be more appropriate for them to locate. Even from a business perspective it makes sense to be in a commercial area, as parking spaces are ample at night.
I would not personally patronize the place or any like it, but the owners are not breaking the law, I don’t believe the neighborhood gets to decide what kinds of businesses can open up. If they are breaking the law, punish them, but you can’t have this double standard. maintaining the “kedusha” of the neighborhood is a ridiculous joke.
If people double park, tow their cars. If they don’t comply with State liquor laws, take away their license. But the bottom line is that if the neighborhood didn’t support it, the business wouldn’t open there for economic reasons. If they would do better in another neiborhood, they would open in another neighborhood.
So stop being two-faced about this, and if you are serious about not having this business in your neighborhood, work on making sure that your neighbors don’t patronize the place. Unless they make money, they are not going to stay open.