TRIBECA — A battle over Buddha Bar, a swank international restaurant aiming to open on Thomas Street, has momentarily found some peace in the neighborhood.
Despite significant community opposition, the State Liquor Agency voted to grant Buddha Bar a liquor license for a 12,000-square-foot space at 62 Thomas St. earlier this week. The license, however, comes with significant stipulations to help stop the potential for noise, loud late-night parties and crowds milling about on the narrow block — restrictions residents say they consider a win.
In April, Community Board 1 voted against support for Buddha Bar's liquor license application after dozens of impassioned residents implored CB1 to keep the restaurant, fearing it might turn into a loud nightclub, from opening on their quiet street.
The massive space at 62 Thomas St. has long been an issue for neighbors who say it's been home to several rowdy venues over the years.
The CB's role is only advisory, but holds sway with the SLA. The SLA acknowledged the strong community pushback, but in granting the license, said that this may be the community's best chance to control and get a handle on that space, and that if there were violations of the liquor license, the SLA would not be forgiving.
“If you guys come back with any violations, I’m going to be as hard on you as I possibly can be,” SLA Commissioner Greeley Ford said at the Oct. 11 meeting.
Buddha Bar was given a liquor license for 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays and 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Owners also promised to adhere to strict sound stipulations, and not allow for private parties, velvet ropes or lines forming outside the restaurant.
"It’s difficult to get the SLA to deny a license to an establishment that has never operated at a proposed location, so we’re pleased that we succeeded in winning so many stipulations, which we hope will protect the quality of life in TriBeCa," said local resident George Rush. "We appreciate the concessions Buddha Bar’s proprietors have made and we will be watching closely to make sure they keep their promises."
It was not immediately clear when the owners were planning on opening.
