All Brooklyn news
Neighborhood Map
Bay Ridge
  • Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights
Brooklyn Heights
  • Downtown, DUMBO
Carroll Gardens
  • Cobble Hill, Red Hook, Boerum Hill
Fort Greene
  • Clinton Hill, Crown Heights
North Brooklyn
  • Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick
Park Slope
  • Prospect Heights, Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights
GO Brooklyn
Dining Guide
Where to GO
Events calendar
Classifieds
The Brooklyn Wire
Not Just Nets
Police Blotter
Perspective
Parenting
Politics
Transit
Podcasts
Brooklyn Cyclones
Special sections
About The Paper
Mobile site
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feeds

Slopers will rally tomorrow night against sports bar near Barclays Center

By Natalie O’Neill
The Brooklyn Paper

Tools

Print this story
Facebook this
Tweet this
Digg this
Del.icio.us

First came the fight over Atlantic Yards — now comes the fight over all the bars it will attract.

Park Slope residents are planning to storm a Community Board 6 hearing on Monday night to protest a liquor license for Prime 6 NYC, a live music venue and sports bar that is under construction at the corner of Flatbush and Sixth avenues — just one and a half blocks from the future home of the Brooklyn-bound Nets.

Brooklyn Conservatory

Their large venue, which will occupy the shuttered Royal Video, is a “two-floor” club with “outdoor seating with a beautiful garden,” according to the Prime 6 NYC Myspace page.

But residents believe that the bar will target a hoops and hip-hop crowd that will be raucous before and after games.

“It is completely in conflict with an internationally famous, family oriented area,” said Steve Ettlinger, a non-fiction writer who lives nearby. “And everyone who has approached the owner has been rudely rebuffed.”

Akiva Ofshtein, who is listed as the lessee in public records, did not return calls, but the bar’s social media websites offer a glimpse at what’s to come.

On the bar’s Facebook page, where the Prime 6 logo is in the shape of a basketball, many of the “friends” are musicians and DJs.

The webpage also includes a link to the “Prime 6 mixed CD,” which was created by hip hop artist DJ Big Jeff, who has songs titled, “Motha F–ka, I’m Ill” and “New Money.”

The bar’s Myspace page looks a little different; it has 300 friends, most of whom are attractive women, posing suggestively.

The owner of the building, Lina Feng, would say only, “I’m not at liberty to talk about it. I just collect the rent.”

The liquor license application will be discussed by Community Board 6 at the Prospect Park YMCA [357 Ninth St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 643-3027] on Feb. 28 at 6:30 pm.

©2011 Community Newspaper Group

←Time Warner — helping minority students or minority pols?
→Bushwick: Cops bust Bushwick art space … for beer at opening!

Reader Feedback

Eric McClure from Park Slope says:
"I just collect the rent?" Now there's the community-friendly attitude that makes for a great landlord.

How about "screw you people- I just want to get as rich as possible."
Feb. 27, 2011, 9:46 am
common sense from bay ridge says:
Only bars that cater to white people are acceptable to CB6.
Feb. 27, 2011, 11:28 am
Tony from Park Slope says:
I can understand opposing a loud, raucous venue, but the arguments again the liquor license (as presented here) are purely racist.
Feb. 27, 2011, 11:45 am
Tal Barzilai from Pleasantville, NY says:
Just opposing the arena alone is the reason for protest. Why support a place that was built on the abuse of eminent domain and corporate welfare? I guess to some people the end justifies the means, and all they care about is just seeing there no matter what. As for sports bars, the reason for opposition is also because it's probably being placed in a more residential area rather than in a commercial or retail area.
Feb. 27, 2011, 12:37 pm
Larry from Park Slope says:
The Brooklyn Paper covers the relocation of Freddie's Bar to the South Slope. The Paper places a photo of Andy, the cub journalist, chugging down whiskey at the new Bar. The article lauds the "community" celegration and support for Freddie's new location

Now, the "community" apparently is upset, reports the Brooklyn Paper, that a bar is opening a few blocks away from the new Stadium, on Flatbush Ave. and 6th Ave., and further, casts a building owner, in an unfavorable light for wishing to collect rent. The space has been vacant for many months.

Why do I have the feeling the Brooklyn Paper has become reckless identifying "community" support or disfavor, for anything.

Why is it news that a commercial landlord wishes to collect rent? You want Landlords to pay their real estate taxes, too, I bet.

It would be a great advance for truth and objectivity (and local journalism, too) if the Brooklyn Paper reported "just the facts, and left out the rubbish, sensationalism and stupidity it seems to favor above all else.
Feb. 27, 2011, 12:51 pm
VLM from Park Slope says:
Transplanted midwesterns who invaded Park Slope over the last 15 years afraid of black people? I'm shocked - SHOCKED - to hear that.
Feb. 27, 2011, 1:05 pm
MR T from Park Slope says:
I Cant wait for GAMES IN BROOKLYN
Feb. 27, 2011, 3:55 pm
jj from brooklyn says:
Whatever you might think of the Nets arena or Atlantic Yards, the fact is that three neighborhoods — Park Slope, Prospect Heights and Fort Greene — will never be the same.

There's a big difference between Freddy's and a two-story venue on the Slope side of Flatbush Avenue. And that two story club will be just the first — more will follow.

Slopers — most of whom were apathetic about the fight over the arena and Atlantic Yards — have no choice but to get used to it.
Feb. 27, 2011, 8:19 pm
Easy Now from Park Slope says:
This article is racially charged, and none of the quotes back it up.
Feb. 27, 2011, 8:49 pm
Tal Barzilai from Pleasantville, NY says:
To quote a famous phrase from Arnold on Different Strokes that became a famous quote NYers use toady, "What you talkin' 'bout, jj?" I have been to numerous events hosted by DDDB and even community boards that addressed issues about that Atlantic Yards that were taking place in Park Slope for the past number of years. Where did you hear that they were apathetic about this? I was there, and saw the exact opposite. Maybe the South Slope supports this project, but the northern half does not. Try asking a lot of people in that neighborhood if that was ever the case, but don't be surprise that they will agree with me on this.
Feb. 27, 2011, 9:07 pm
The other, other MIKE! from PPW Bench says:
This is a good way to break up all the massive traffic jam's after the games! Keep a whole bunch of people around for a few more hours drinking! Brilliant!!
Hmmm, How can I work a Bike lane comment into this thread!
Feb. 28, 2011, 12:41 am
Winston from North Slope says:
To call it a Sports Bar is misleading. It calls itself a "bar, restaurant and lounge" -- sounds like a club. Also, the problem with that place is the fact that they filed for 3 liquor licenses, with a large outdoor lounge space behind numerous residential building. They advertise "live entertainment" and a basement VIP lounge. The scope of the project/club is too big for the neighborhood.
Feb. 28, 2011, 8:03 am
Jamie from Flatbush says:
This isn't on some quiet residential side street. It's on freaking Flatbush Avenue! It seems like an entirely appropriate area for a big bar/nightclub.

I was opposed as anyone to Barclays, on the grounds of corporate welfare and eminent domain abuse. This is entirely different. It's a private property owner using his property for a legal purpose. I wish them well.
Feb. 28, 2011, 9:46 am
M to the I from Prospect Heights says:
There is a big problem if protesters use some of the racially charged arguments presented in this article against this club. The real problem is that the multi story club/bar/music venue with a big outdoor space conflicts with surrounding residential land uses. The business should be allowed to locate in Park Slope where these types of businesses are located and don't cause huge land use conflicts, on 4th Avenue.
Feb. 28, 2011, 10:05 am
Kalahari Dessert from Brooklyn says:
Does this really surprise anyone? I mean the greed factor is right in your face: Ex-crack dealer Jay Z the "business,man" is involved in the Nets. And his wife, Beyonce has about enough principles and integrity to perform for Ghaddafi's son in the exclusive resort isle of St. Bart's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKDG2Ppb8Bk

Meanwhile all those ex (and current) crack heads whose brains Jay Z melted will be sweating it out with a 40 on a Bed Stuy stoop (that is until his partner Ratner gets there to direct them toward East New York). 'cause they made the mistake of investing in the business, man with no returns. Jay Z and his wife Beyonce are the cultural Bernie Madoffs for the 2010's!

Welcome to Brooklyn's future!!!
Feb. 28, 2011, 10:29 am
Al from Park Slope says:
The only thing this neighborhood's real estate opens up are ATM centers,clothing stores, coffee bars and restaurant/bars. So why is "this bar" a problem? There is Sugarcane right next door, who it seems should be the only one "scared" of Prime6 as according to this story, it will service the same clientele. And in direct eyesight of this new bar is Piquant, who also is a bar with a huge outdoor backyard.

Again, there are not that many types of businesses that even exist anymore to rent stores besides clothing and banks that dont involve food and drink, so unless you want countless empty stores along the strip, embrace them!!!
Feb. 28, 2011, 10:34 am
Mick McMick from Park Slope says:
The problem with this stadium, and all the riff-raff hangouts that surround it, is that we will have giant riots with burning cars overturned on the streets of Park Slope every time the Nets win. And every time the Nets lose. And every time the Nets don't have a game scheduled.

Aside from that, it will only make Beautful Brownstone Brooklyn into a clone of what now surrounds Madison Square Garden. Yeah, real nice way to treat the crossroads of Brooklyn. When you have a developer-friendly mayor who thinks the common man is a piece of dog poop, this is what you get.

Robert Moses was a freakin saint compared to these corrupt plutocrats.
Feb. 28, 2011, 11:17 am
Lenny from P Slope says:
They are going to come in and spend tons of dough to renovate. The rent is probably sky-high. As with most businesses esp. bars most fail. It will probably go out of business within a few years anyway.
Feb. 28, 2011, 11:35 am
Gen from Williamsburg says:
All these white bread kids from the Mid West will go home to Idaho, Ohio, Oregon and whatever as soon as they decide to grow up and have families. They would not want "their" children growing up in the environment that they created. It's amazing that we have all lived side by side for years Italians, Irish, Polish, Hasidic Jews, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Blacks,etc. speaking different languages and having many cultures, but we can seem to understand the "white" kids.
Feb. 28, 2011, 12:01 pm
Barstool Billy from Park Nope says:
God forbid a bar isn't stroller friendly, or catering to a vegan crowd with bespoke plant-friendly cocktails.

More bars, less strollers, more cocktails, less angry gender neutral vegan manmothers.
Feb. 28, 2011, 12:16 pm
Former Park Slope Schoolgirl from East Flatbush says:
Mick McMick, I should only hope the riff raff torch Park Slope. The sacking of your pretentious neighborhood would be of no great loss to the great people of New York City. If anything, it would be a boon.
Feb. 28, 2011, 1:38 pm
Mick McMick from Park Slope says:
As I was saying. Go torch your own neighborhood. Oh, that's right, you already do that.
Feb. 28, 2011, 1:56 pm
Tal Barzilai from Pleasantville, NY says:
I guess some don't know what it's like to live near a professional sports facility and to always hear and see these kind of people there. The reason for concern is because those people have the tendency to either leave trash by someone else's doorstep, making the resident responsible for it despite not being their's, or have possible vandalism. Try to talking to the people who live near MSG, Yankee Stadium, Citifield, or even Prudential Center, and you will understand what it's like living near them and having to deal with those people. In reality, living near a major sports facility isn't as great as it seems to be. As for the arean itself, I still hope it doesn't happen in the end and the Nets stay in NJ where they belong.
Feb. 28, 2011, 2:10 pm
common sense from bay ridge says:
The only rioting I've ever seen outside MSG was by Ranger fans after a playoff win against the Islanders. I'll bet Mick McMick was one of the rioters. Typical white racist. Look out Mick, the darkies are coming for ya!!
Feb. 28, 2011, 2:16 pm
common sense from bay ridge says:
@Tal: Give it up, it's being built as I write this. If you would ever come to Brooklyn and take a look at all the things you comment about here, you would know this already.
Feb. 28, 2011, 2:20 pm
Tal Barzilai from Pleasantville, NY says:
Commen sense, just because there is progress going on with the arena, doesn't mean that it's over. It can still be stopped with the site being retrofitted with something else there rather than demolishing. None of the websites with those opposing it have shut down since then and are still advocating against it. On a side note, I am still fighting against the Freedom Tower on the WTC site despite how much of it is up and none of the websites supporting Twin Towers II shut down either and are still advocating for that as well. Also, just because you think it's over doesn't make it over either.
Feb. 28, 2011, 3:54 pm
Mike from P Heights says:
Don't they know that the only people of color allowed in ultra tolerant & ultra progressive Park Slope are the babysitters?!
Feb. 28, 2011, 4:14 pm
Tal Barzilai from Pleasantville, NY says:
How could it be racist to oppose this club, when there are already blacks living near there, and some of them probably oppose this as well?
Feb. 28, 2011, 4:32 pm
sisterwife from Park Slope says:
Who are the folks that attend the basketball games? White. Who are the folks that drink til they puke at Freddy's? White. Who are the folks that can now afford to live in Park Slope? White. Why all of a sudden are they afraid of a new Steak house and music venue with an outdoor cafe? Because they heard rumors of a strip joint? Who attends most strip joints and can afford the lap dances? White. Who can afford table/bottle service? White. Who can afford a good steak once in awhile? White. Who are bugging about the blacks are coming, the blacks are coming!!? White. Can we say "racism" everyone!!
Feb. 28, 2011, 5:21 pm
Freddy Moran from Next to al di la says:
Mr Etllinger well know racist
Feb. 28, 2011, 10:03 pm
Mick McMick from Park Slope says:
It isn't about race. It's about class. People who go to sporting events are loud, destructive jerks who leave mountains of trash wherever they go, and treat any large gathering as a reason to have a little "fun" by destroying everything in their path.

This is beyond the destruction that even an orderly gathering of the same size would commit just by existing: the transportation system can't handle the people already there; the intersection of the three biggest avenues in Brooklyn would be hopelessly clogged; so much security would be required to handle the mobs that the area would be like a police state.

If you sports-lovers love your damn sport so damn much, why don't you want this monstrosity in your own neighborhood? Don't destroy the very hub of Brooklyn just so you can paint your chest and swoon at the sight of scantily clad sweaty men grabbing eachother.
March 1, 2011, 1:09 pm
Mick McMick from Park Slope says:
Common sense: Yes, I'm sure BAY RIDGE is the epicenter of tolerance and diversity. Try building a giant mega-sportsplex there, sport.
March 1, 2011, 1:11 pm
Tal Barzilai from Pleasantville, NY says:
Mick, what you stated is the very same reason I have opposed having an arena there, especially near an intersection that has had constant congestion for decades. If a sports facilities wasn't needed 50 years ago when Robert Moses said no to Walter O'Malley having a new stadium for the Dodgers there due to this, then why should there be an arena there for the Nets now? It is no lie that despite being near a transit hub, it probably won't handle all those crowds as it can't durring peak hours right now. Also, I once stated that to supporters outside of Pratt Institute when a hearing about it was there, and they weren't too happy when I said it to them. It seems that some only like it when they are not living with it or happen to be the ones having to move for it.
March 1, 2011, 7:24 pm
Mick McMick from Park Slope says:
There was a disgusting level of "astroturfing" done by the Ratner/Bloomberg people, bringing in people who didn't live nearby to pretend to be local supporters. Sure, lots of people love anything to do with sports, but they don't care about the human cost, and the absolute disruption this kind of misuse of eminent domain has on a community.

The plane crash 50 years ago almost gave Robert Moses the green light to bulldoze the entire neighborhood. He was stopped only by neighbors, regular bozos like you and me, resisting. Fighting every step of the way. Finally defeating those from outside who wish to destroy our homes.

Ratner will share a cell in hades with Moses (Robert that is).
March 2, 2011, 11:35 am
Gar from lower East side says:
My understanding is that the sewer lines from the Atlantic yards all go to the Gowanus canal and of course after a heavy rain raw sewege goes directly into the waters. Who will pay for this?
March 2, 2011, 2:27 pm
Tal Barzilai from Pleasantville, NY says:
Mick, those are the people who belive that the end justifies the means at any cost. They don't care who gets hurt or what is used. As long as they get what they want in the end, they couldn't care less about it. I encounter such people on line a lot, and whenever I ask them questions on it, they always tend to get real defensive and attack me for asking them. Ratner just loves people who are so gullible for his projects, because they are the easiest to convince and will fall for just about anything hence the famous PT Barnum quote, "A sucker is born every minute." Just watch the documentary "The Yesman Rule the World" to see how some paid supporters will do anything to help their boses get their way.
March 2, 2011, 6:11 pm
Mick McMick from Park Slope says:
The worst kind of troll is the "hip" clown who refers to anybody who gives a damn about quality of life, anybody who doesn't want their property taken away or destroyed, or their family hurt or even murdered, as people who need to "go back to Pennsyltucky."

They don't get it. We are defending our neighborhood, and our very lives, is what it comes down to. They are the outsiders, who come in slumming from northern NJ and Long Island, and feel entitled to the crown of King Urban Streetwise Coolness Dude. They scoff at your bourgeois, heteronormative, nuclear family desires for a peaceful, clean and prosperous community free from invasion by marauding masses of thugs and criminals. And sports "fans."

They are nihilistic and soulless, and they must be stood up to.
March 3, 2011, 11:37 am
Steve Ettlinger from Park Slope says:
Kindly remove the hate language from the post, above, from Freddy Moran from Next to al di la on Feb. 28.

All we who have been most active in dealing with Prime 6 have talked about is licensing procedure, use of the common garden area (affecting dozens of people), and things like garbage pickup -- the stuff that the community board asks us to comment on, and for which that Feb. 28 meeting was specifically held. Very boring, every day, concrete stuff that has absolutely zero to do with judgment or taste in music or whatever. Boring, straightforward stuff. Neighborly stuff. Civic stuff.
March 4, 2011, 10:05 am
Gus from Gowanus says:
Since when has Park Slope claimed Flatbush Avenue? Can't a vibrant commercial street co-exist with the psuedos in their brownstones?
April 25, 2011, 2:05 am
Mel from Prospect Heights says:
Wow at the coded language and thinly veiled racism here.
Aug. 16, 2011, 11:12 pm

Enter your comment below

By submitting this comment, you agree to the following terms:

You agree that you, and not BrooklynPaper.com or its affiliates, are fully responsible for the content that you post. You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening or sexually-oriented material or any material that may violate applicable law; doing so may lead to the removal of your post and to your being permanently banned from posting to the site. You grant to BrooklynPaper.com the royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual and fully sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display such content in whole or in part world-wide and to incorporate it in other works in any form, media or technology now known or later developed.

First name
Last name
Your neighborhood
Email address
Daytime phone

Your letter must be signed and include all of the information requested above. (Only your name and neighborhood are published with the letter.) Letters should be as brief as possible; while they may discuss any topic of interest to our readers, priority will be given to letters that relate to stories covered by The Brooklyn Paper.

Letters will be edited at the sole discretion of the editor, may be published in whole or part in any media, and upon publication become the property of The Brooklyn Paper. The earlier in the week you send your letter, the better.

Johnny Hollywoods

Links