Noah Bernamoff Teams Up With Pro Barman Damon Boelte to Open Grand Army Bar

Boerum Hill's about to get a new neighborhood bar with some serious pedigree. Noah Bernamoff of Mile End tells Eater that he's teamed up with Damon Boelte, who built the bar and the bar program at Prime Meats, Julian Brizzi who co-owns Rucola, and one Daniel Krieger (who you may recognize as the photographer behind many of the photos on this very website) to open The Grand Army bar together, just up the street from Mile End. The bar will hawk small briny oysters from the Northeast and serve some serious bread, cocktails, and craft beer.

Since moving to the neighborhood, Bernamoff says, he's had his eye on the tiny space that once held Victory Coffee at the corner of Hoyt and State, and then sat empty for four years because of a lousy landlord. The building was bought in March, conveniently by the person who bought the land where the original Mile End sits. Bernamoff wasn't looking for another project, but he said he couldn't turn his back on the space. All of the gents live locally and had been talking about the need for a good strong neighborhood bar where they would hang out. Everyone dove in.

The foursome is in the middle of building out the project, which will open in mid to late February. In addition to the Victory space, they've taken over three other 200-square-foot-ish properties next door for Grand Army. Expect a big long bar with 16 to 18 seats tended nightly by Boelte, and the same number of seats at tables. The team's still working out the full menu, but Bernamoff promises that there will be no burgers, fries, or wings. "We want the food to feel light...and dare I say a little healthy."

The Grand Army, 336 State Street, Boerum Hill