May 17, 2013 By Christian Murray
A gastropub is scheduled to open in August where the storied Lounge 47 used to operate.
The pub, to be called Woodbines, will be owned by Pat Burke, who runs three other bar/restaurants throughout the city—including the Courtyard in Sunnyside.
Burke said that Woodbines, named after the cigarettes his grandfather smoked in Ireland, would offer 16 craft beers and a high-end bar menu.
“We want a bit of an older-styled place,” Burke said, adding that the interior would feature “distressed wood” to create a comfortable atmosphere. He said the exterior of the pub would be changed to reflect that too.
Last week Burke told Community Board 2 that he would not use the backyard space—acknowledging the noise complaints that local residents lodged against the former owner of Lounge 47. Those complaints led to Lounge 47 having to close the backyard space, playing a role in its closure earlier this year.
Burke told the community board that he is in the midst of soundproofing the ceiling and some of the walls—costing about $28,000—which he was not required to do so by law or by his landlord.
The community board has given Burke the approval to operate Woodbines until 2 am on weeknights and until 4 am on Friday and Saturdays nights. The board has also stipulated that he can’t use the back yard.
William Garrett, who represented many of the neighbors at the Community board meeting, wanted the board to limit the hours until 11pm on weeknights and 1 am on weekends. However, the board—acknowledging Burke’s decision not to use the backyard—was more lenient.
“We don’t anticipate being open that late, but we like to have the flexibility to have that option,” Burke said.
Burke, 39, who is originally from County Cork, came to the US when he was 20.
He became the owner of the Courtyard when he was 25—and then opened the Brickyard Gastropub in Manhattan 3 ½ years ago. Last year, he established a bar in Williamsburg called the Kent Ale House.
Burke is excited to be venturing into Long Island City. “Looking at the neighborhood and all the new residents…it’s a great opportunity.”
