LOWER EAST SIDE — An Orchard Street karaoke spot is adding food to its late-night singing sessions when it moves to a new location down the block.
Karaoke Boho, currently located at 196 Orchard St., will move into the former Tammany Hall Space at 152 Orchard St. sometime this spring, according to owner Ae Sook Choi, who also operates Karaoke St. Mark’s and Karaoke Nemo in Greenwich Village.
“This is more food-focused,” Choi’s attorney Frank Palillo told members of Community Board 3’s SLA committee Monday night. “This is not a karaoke lounge — it’s a karaoke restaurant, which is not very common in the city.”
The new space will have 29 tables and 126 seats, as well as private karaoke rooms, according to documents filed with the community board. Restaurant service would be available in the rooms, Palillo said.
Choi said Karaoke Boho would serve Mexican and American cuisine, similar to the menu at Karaoke Nemo, where customers can order chicken wings, nachos and quesadillas.
Demolition permits have been filed — but not yet approved — with the Department of Buildings to raze 196 Orchard St. and make way for a 95,000-square-foot, 10-story residential development designed by Ismael Leyva Architects and developed by Magnum Real Estate Group, according to reports.
Choi had hoped to serve liquor in the new space, but after hearing from residents concerned about noise from rowdy late-night drinkers, she agreed at a Community Board 3 meeting to only serve beer and wine.
She also agreed to post a late-night security guard outside the restaurant to prevent noise and sidewalk congestion in exchange for the board’s support.
The New York State Liquor Authority will make a final decision on the liquor license.
