Forget Hooters; bikini bar, possibly near arena on Atlantic Avenue, in planning stages

A little more than a year ago, some Brooklyn residents, as well as large landowners along Flatbush Avenue near the Barclays Center, resisted a nascent effort by the short-shorts "risque restaurant" Hooters to establish itself near the arena.

Community Board 2 boundaries

Now a more homegrown and racy effort is surfacing, with the operators aiming for a bikini bar with pole dancing near the arena, though along Atlantic Avenue rather than Flatbush. Atlantic is more of a commercial/manufacturing district, while Flatbush is the spine of a residential area.

DNAinfo reported yesterday, based on a preliminary plan that surfaced at a meeting of Community Board 2, Retired NYPD Detective Hopes to Open Bikini Bar in Fort Greene Area. That detective is Michael Bell, who owns Ground Zero Security and Investigations.

 "I am proposing a new upscale bikini bar with absolutely no nudity for the Downtown Brooklyn area," Bell's partner Renae Caeser said, according to the DNAinfo report, which noted a "subdued" reaction from board members. 

Presumably when plans are firm, and a location obtained, the closest neighbors would have more of a chance to assess the situation. The partners should be back before CB2 in the fall.

Where might it go?

M-1 zoning along Atlantic is located mostly east
east and south of the Atlantic Yards site

The location would be at a site with manufacturing zoning--either on Atlantic Avenue, or near the Brooklyn Navy Yard on Flushing and Park Avenues.

(Updated and corrected) As shown in the graphic at right, there's M-1 zoning on Dean Street south of the arena parking lot (though not in CB 2), as well as the not-yet-condemned properties on Atlantic (in CB 2) just east of the arena within the site. However, any of the M-1 sites south of Atlantic are in CB 8. It's not quite clear how much of the north side of Atlantic is M-1

However, it's likely locations east of Vanderbilt Avenue would be less expensive. As shown in the graphic above right, the CB 2 boundaries extend to Classon Avenue.

Plans for the bar

DNAinfo described the plans:

The bikini bar will have a stage, full bar and snacks. The entire staff — bartenders, servers, and dancers — will be bikini clad. Caeser said she plans to hire dancers from nearby neighborhoods and colleges, paying them "primarily in tips." She will also seek a cabaret license.

The New York Post followed up today with Cop touts bikini bar:

“Imagine Hooters but upscale and with alcohol,” he said, explaining his police experience and clout would keep the joint classy.
“We hope Nets players and fans come . . . Bikini bars are rare. The novelty sells.”

Note: Hooters has alcohol. Here are other bikini bars in NYC.