March 12, 2015 By Christian Murray
A new bar/restaurant is expected to open on the corner of 43rd Street and 43rd Avenue this summer.
The bar, to be called The Lowery Bar & Kitchen, will be taking over the space that was previously occupied by Sofra, a Middle Eastern restaurant that closed two months ago.
The new bar/restaurant will be owned John Keogh, an Irishman who owns a bar—called GMT Tavern– in Greenwich Village.
Keogh, who went before Community Board 2 last night as part of the process to get a liquor license, said his goal is to create a family restaurant that has “great food, great cocktails and local craft beer.”
He said that the new venue would not be a sports bar nor would it offer live music.
The bar/restaurant will have a rustic look with reclaimed wood, Keogh said. He plans to offer outdoor seating on both 43rd Street and 43rd Avenue with a retractable awning.
“I fell in love with this corner,” he said, adding that the shape of the site is similar to his Greenwich Village location.
He said he wants to add windows so the restaurant is completely visible from the outside.
Construction would take about 3 months, he said. The plan would be to open by summer if all went well.
The bar/restaurant would have between 12 to 16 bar stools—as well as tables and booths. The location can cater up to nearly 70 people.
The menu will include items such as grilled Bratwurst sausage, grass-fed burgers, steamed mussels, fish tacos and spicy roasted pumpkin.
The establishment will also offer an extensive brunch menu—featuring lamb sandwiches, oak smoked salmon and common egg dishes.
Pat O’Brien, the chairman of the liquor license committee, informed board members that the location was near apartment buildings and that there had been noise complaints concerning other establishments in that vicinity.
However, the board agreed that Keogh had a long history in the business and decided to give him the green light to open until 4 am, like similar establishments nearby such as Bar 43.
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