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Bar Backed by Mumford & Sons Musician Aims to Become Band After-Party Hub

 Givers and Takers has connections in the music world and plans to host after-parties for bands.
Gowanus Bar Backed by Mumford & Sons Musician Wants to Help Bands Party
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GOWANUS — Musicians who need a place to unwind after a show can find it in Gowanus.

Givers and Takers, a new bar on Third Avenue and Carroll Street, has strong ties to the music world and will host after-parties for bands when they come through New York.

It's already got one post-show shindig under its belt — the bar celebrated with Mumford & Sons earlier this month after the British band performed on "Saturday Night Live."

"We want to make this a cool rock 'n' roll bar," said co-owner Tom Robinson.

He started the watering hole with Anthony Makes, a concert promoter for The Bowery Presents, which oversees shows at the Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge, and other high-profile venues.

Makes is pals with the musicians he's worked with over the years, including Ben Lovett, the singer and keyboardist in Mumford & Sons, who is one of the bar's financial backers.

Members of the Grammy-nominated band are expected to attend Givers and Takers' grand opening, Robinson said. Later this summer, the bar hopes to host events for Wilco and Modest Mouse.

Aside from the chance to rub elbows with well-known musicians, the bar offers understated decor with gray walls, exposed light bulbs and wood tables near an airy front window that opens onto Third Ave.

A backyard is in the works, and the bar will serve snacks such as pretzels from Runner & Stone, the restaurant across the street. Givers and Takers, at 286 Third Ave., sits between two restaurants that have made the neighborhood a culinary destination, The Pines and Littleneck. It's down the street from the recently opened Baba's Pierogies.

Robinson, a former bartender at Park Slope's High Dive, said Fifth Avenue is "saturated" with bars, but there's still room for a new neighborhood hangout in Gowanus.

"I see potential down here," Robinson said. "We're very happy to be part of what's going on in Gowanus."