Beyoncé’s Legal Team Sends Cease-and-Desist to Brooklyn Tribute Bar

After announcing plans to host a Latin-themed pop-up with some homages to Beyoncé and other women, Leyenda in Cobble Hill received a cease-and-desist letter from Queen Bey’s legal team. Dubbed Sleyenda, the pop-up stumbled before it even started and has since slightly changed course to avoid legal implications.

In the cease-and-desist, Beyoncé’s legal team asked that the bar not use the singer’s name, trademark, copyright lyrics, and artwork. The end of the letter included a vaguely threatening line: “Please know that Mrs. Carter and BGK do not wish to initiate legal proceedings against you, but unless you comply with the foregoing demands, they will not be left with many options for protecting their rights.” The full letter is below.

Leyenda co-owner Ivy Mix tells Eater via a spokesperson that she was “a little bummed [Beyoncé] didn’t share the enthusiasm.” Intended to “pay homage to female empowerment,” Sleyenda was going to go hard on elements inspired by Beyoncé — though the theme was confusing from the get-go as Beyoncé is not Latina.

Now, Sleyenda — running through December 27 — honors several pop stars, including Gwen Stefani and Katy Perry. But Bey is certainly still a main player, with a Beyoncé tree topper, stockings that spell out “BEY,” and Beyoncé’s ornaments on the tree. Drinks are full-on holiday-themed, with options like the nutcracker old-fashioned with hazelnut-infused bourbon, pecan-infused rum, macademia nut orgeat, maple, bitters, and flamed orange oils.

Leyenda opened in May 2015 from drink world powerhouse duo Julie Reiner and Mix as a Latin American cocktail bar with killer mofongo.

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