Williamsburg’s beloved beer garden, Radegast Hall on N. Third Street, will expanding into an adjacent building around the corner on Berry Street — but the same good times will continue.
“The whole idea is to be a beer-and sausage-place [like] the existing bar,” said Radegast owner Ivan Kohut, a Slovak native who moved to Brooklyn in 1996. “We’re still staying within this 1890s-style beer garden, where people meet, eat casual grilled meals and sip on large beers.”
The need for a new location was clear. Unlike the mantra during the Wall Street bailout — “too big to fail” — Kohut’s existing joint was too small to succeed.
An average Saturday night would see 700 to 800 customers — clearly a mandate to expand. With more space, Kohut says he’ll be able to do weddings, even (if the bride allows it, of course).
Beer gardens are a relatively new phenomenon to the city, but Radegast has proved popular since it opened in 2007. Kohut credits his communal benches, which put strangers cheek-by-jowl, as opposed to sitting at their own tables.
“Strangers sitting next to strangers means there is more of a chance for conversation,” said Kohut. “Also, not having a host [to seat customers] to tell you what to do gives you a free environment.”
Radegast Hall [113 N. Third St. at Berry Street in Williamsburg, (718) 963-3973].
