PARK SLOPE — This bar is rising from the ashes.
Park Slope's popular bocce bar Union Hall has recovered from a March fire that damaged its second story and will fully reopen Friday.
The downstairs portion opened its doors in May, but the upstairs suffered extensive damage and bar honchos didn't want to reopen until it was almost exactly back to the way locals know and love it, said the owner, Jim Carden.
"It'll be as if we had a facelift," said Carden. "We wanted it to look exactly the same."
The 702 Union St. watering hole shuttered after a March 24 blaze sparked in the second story chimney, according to Carden. The entire roof had to be redone by replacing beams and joists in a process that took more than two months.
Along with a fresh coat of paint and some new furniture, staff also resurfaced the bocce ball court with new clay.
(Ben Rosenzweig)
Rebuilding was a frustrating slog, but the outpouring of local support helped get things moving.
"The silver lining here is the people from our staff, to the people who perform, to our neighbors, to our customers — everyone has been so supportive," said Carden. "That's amazing to me. I feel so fortunate that we were able to get so much help from folks and it made the process that much easier."
(Derby Samhorine)
When the bar's basement reopened earlier this year, it was able to host events featuring the likes of Judd Apatow and Mike Birbiglia.
Birbiglia even held a fundraiser show at The Bell House in Gowanus, donating all the proceeds to Union Hall's staff. The show also featured an auction of damaged remains from the fire including scorched pieces of the tin roof and soggy romance novels, Carden said.
For the full reopening, doors will open at 1 p.m. Friday with $3 Sixpoint pints and giveaways. The Nightowls, Courtesy Tier and Jessi Robertson will perform starting at 8 p.m. followed by a free karaoke set from Karaoke Tremendous.
Tickets are $8 in advance $10 at the door.
