CLINTON HILL — Putnam’s Pub & Cooker is set to reopen a little more than a month after a fire ripped through the Myrtle Avenue eatery's ceiling.
The restaurant at 419 Myrtle Ave. is “ahead of schedule” with repairs and will reopen with a set of special events, including its sixth annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 17, according to a post on the eatery’s Facebook page.
“We're looking forward to seeing and thanking everybody for the love & support, which will be repaid with whiskey, lots & lots of Irish whiskey (cause boy oh boy we need a drink!),” reads the post.
A general manager confirmed over the phone that the restaurant was aiming to reopen by St. Patrick’s Day.
The Valentine’s Day fire started between the first-floor restaurant and the building’s second floor around 11 a.m., causing significant damage to the building.
The fire left the restaurant's windows shattered and water streaming out into the street. The restaurant's ceiling also showed signs of damage.
The FDNY determined the electrical fire was accidental, a department spokesperson said.
Donors had raised $5,795 as of Monday through a GoFundMe campaign to help out Putnam’s bar staff who are temporarily out of work while the restaurant is closed.
Restaurant owner Gerry Rooney said the bar staff split the money equally, according to Patch, who first reported on the reopening.
Meanwhile, kitchen and other staff members are being paid their usual rates to help with repairs until the restaurant can reopen, Patch reported.
