CB3 Smiles Upon Experimental Cocktail Club, Mexicue

CB3 continued to live up to its reputation to be tough on business owners seeking beer, wine, and liquor licenses in the East Village and the Lower East Side at last nights SLA Licensing hearing. Yet a number of solid operators were given the go-ahead. Let's get right into it:

1) First the good news. After a transfer was approved, the space at nightclub Kush (191 Chrystie St.) will transform into internationally recognized high-end Parisian cocktail lounge Experimental Cocktail Club. The owners expressed their intent to channel the flavors of the culinary culture on the Lower East Side into their creations, for example a pickled martini and smoked salmon bloody mary are on the menu. They will be open until 4 AM nightly.

2) The recently opened Eastern European comfort food spot Saro (102 Norfolk St.) was approved for a full liquor license after residents spoke in favor of their influence and the owner gave a compelling presentation about his desire to serve regional rakija alongside Bulgarian, Hungarian, and Yugoslavian food.

3): Mexicue's anticipated Lower East Side location at 106 Forsyth and the recently opened Gaia Italian Cafe at 251 E. Houston St. were also both approved for beer and wine licenses. A wine and beer license was also approved for Top Hops (94 Orchard), a take-out craft beer store with a tasting table and craft beer on draft.

4) The space at Banjo Jim's (700 E. 9th St.) transferred its license to a new oyster and cocktail bar The James Daniel that requested permission to continue acoustic music in order to preserve the memory of the former bluegrass haunt.

5): Normally difficult in the already liquor license-saturated resolution area surrounding St. Mark's place, the committee did grant a beer and wine license to neighborhood pizzeria Solo Pizza on the condition they stop serving at midnight. They also allowed a transfer to go through from Amaya to a new American Southern restaurant to be named The Cardinal Restaurant at 234 East 4th St.

6): The board refused the renewal of Teneleven's (171 Avenue C) liquor license after complaints that it did not abide by stipulations they would sound proof, have security and not host promoted events or live DJS. U2 Karaoke space (6 St. Marks Place) was also rejected for wine and beer after concerns about the business plan, and the former business's history of illegally selling alcohol on its 3rd and 4th floors.

7): The board allowed a transfer of liquor license in ownership change at Company Bar and Grill at 242 E. 10th St. and Yopparari, a sushi restaurant taking the place of Sushi UO (151 Rivington St.).

8) The only major disappointment in non-resolution areas was the denial of Led Zeppole (328 E. 14th St.), East Village Italian dessert spot, of a wine and beer license after a neighbor complained customers frequently congregate outside the area because of the small size.

9): On a technicality, Rockwood Music Hall (196 Allen St.) was approved to turn one official venue into two smaller venues in accordance with building assembly codes, Japanese restaurant Shima transferred ownership, and Bowery Tech Restaurant (327 Bowery) and Black Market (112 Ave. A) were approved for minor internal changes and rearranging. Patrons of Bowery Tech can look forward to a sound booth in the cellar and a facade change. Bar Phoenix at 447 E. 13th St. was approved for live music after they expressed desire to re-imagine their business: less of a bar feel, more of a cafe feel with coffee and tea, poetry readings, acoustic performances, and quiz nights.
—Devin Briski
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