Monkey Town, the Williamsburg restaurant and performing arts space, closed on June 23 for six weeks of renovations. Although it often seems that when a “closed for renovations” sign is posted on a window in Brooklyn, it’s code for “we’re out of business,” Monkey Town’s owner assures us that they’ll be swinging from the branches again come Aug. 2.
“The real reason it’s happening is that our landlords are building three stories of residences above us,” said club owner Montgomery Knott. “To do that, they have to get through that space, and they need to come through our front dining room.”
To make up for the inconvenience and loss of 100 square feet to a stairwell for its new neighbors, the landlords are helping out with a redesigned façade for the club, soundproofing of the space and a new mural on one of the walls.
“We hoped it would turn out to be a good thing, and it mostly has,” said Knott. “We have a few things planned for the grand reopening, but we want to finalize all of the details — it can’t be a grand, shabby reopening.”
Monkey Town (58 N. Third St. at Kent Avenue in Williamsburg) will be closed through Aug. 1. For information, call (718) 384-1369 or visit www.monkeytownhq.com.
