VINEGAR HILL — A new LGBTQ art and event space hoping to host weekend parties for up to 450 guests had its bid for a liquor license turned down over concerns about the crowds it would draw to the quiet, residential neighborhood.
The venue 84 Kings — which is eyeing the second floor of a warehouse at 50 Gold St., between Plymouth and Water streets in Vinegar Hill — presented an updated business plan to Community Board 2's Health, Environment and Social Services Committee meeting Wednesday night after the board rejected its initial plan over the summer.
The group, led by Guy Smith and Tadeu Magalhães, said it is looking to open a member-based community space for the LGBTQ community that would host weekday events like art exhibitions, film screenings and fundraising events in partnership with nonprofit organizations.
The weekday events would be open to both members and non-members.
“The goal is to create a community space for the LGBTQ community that’s currently not existing in Brooklyn and even in the city as a whole,” Magalhães said.
“These spaces are very politically and socially important for the LGBT community. It’s one of the few spaces where the LGBT community can actually feel safe and be who they are.”
On weekend nights, 84 Kings would host dance parties for members only that would run from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Although many board members praised the group’s vision for the space, most raised concerns over the potential for disruptive noise and added traffic to the neighborhood’s narrow one-way streets.
“I used to live eight years ago in the East Village and I loved that it was busy and there were bars and clubs everywhere, and people on the street all the time at all hours of the night,” said Plymouth Street resident Ali Gharib.
“But I moved out of that neighborhood because I didn’t want it anymore. And I think what me and a lot of my neighbors enjoy about Vinegar Hill is that it is kind of this oasis of quiet in this fast-moving and often loud city.”
While 84 Kings proposed an extensive security plan — including partnerships with car services and a suggested route map for patrons to avoid residential areas — residents said the neighborhood that spans just a few blocks in each direction can’t handle such large crowds.
“What you are stating in terms of having a safe space for the LGBT community is incredibly commendable,” said Plymouth Street resident Ira Tuton.
“But the capacity is, I believe, double of the people that live in our neighborhood.”
Smith assured residents that the line to get in would be contained indoors since the space is on the second floor and entry would be limited to members and one or two guests.
CB 2 members asked the group if it could modify its business plan to shut down weekend parties by 3 a.m. and limit the guest count to 200.
However, Magalhães and Smith said a limited guest count wouldn’t be financially feasible, since memberships cost $15 a month and the goal is to keep the space affordable for the community.
Ultimately, the committee rejected the group’s proposal with a split vote of three members in favor and three opposed.
The group can still apply for a liquor license with the State Liquor Authority, which may or may not follow the community board's vote. Board members also invited 84 Kings to return with an updated proposal at a future meeting.
Following the meeting, Magalhães and Smith said they would be open to revising their plan, as well as looking into other locations for the space.
