The New PJ Hanley's
Overheard in PJ Hanley's
Woman to old drunk dude: "You're a dirty old man. Why would you talk about someone's ass?" ... "Randomly? That's how you talk to women randomly? No wonder you're 175 years old and single."
Yes, ABrooklynlife braved the smokescreen of neighborhoodies to bring you this breaking report from the front of gentrification. And we're happy to say the amusing overheard conversation is back in full effect.
First things first. The space is quite nice looking: dark wood on and behind a stately bar that's mirror-backed with plenty of booze and beer relatively on the cheap (Absolut and tonic for $6, Brooklyn Lager for $4.50). The wide plank floors (rescued from a factory somewhere?) are beautiful, and the painted tin walls and ceiling add a nice touch. Also, love that the bar's windows are now open to the street. The gap between the bar and the tables against the wall is a bit awkward--really you could have a dance party between the bar and the high-top tables--but more space is Brooklyn's forte, no? Square-footage wise, one could easily deposit six Minibars in the bar area alone, to say nothing of that side dining room. Thankfully the two TVs were not on, and a decent selection of spirited oldies was playing (Aaron Neville and Marvin Gaye). Didn't sample the food, but PJ's has the full menu in full effect, everything from pizzas to lamb to hot wings.
And now the numbers.
- Guy to girl ratio was 12:4 + 2 female bartender/servers.
- Dudes-whose-wives-are-happy -they-are-not-in-the-house to regular-neighborhood -folk was 8:8.
- Random oddities included 2 men with philosopher ex-hippie ponytails and the 1 aforementioned really drunk old guy.
- Abrooklynlife and guest not included, everyone was at least older than 35 if not older than 40.
Still, nothing to fear. Nothing to be absolutely ecstatic about, but nothing to fear. Party on PJ's, party on.
Update: 423Smith has also reviewed PJ Hanleys. Sorry folks, the Dianna Ross picture is gone!
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That pony-tailed cartoon guy looks like Steven Segal. Is that a hat tip to the poorly aging sad sack mob wannabees who used to hang out in the Hanleys of old?
Happy Holidays to A Brooklyn Life.
But did they put the Diana Ross picture back up? I'm just going to have to go and check!
Has anyone heard that KFC is replacing OTB on COURT ST?
I was there that night. I am pictured in the photo (as is my husband and my friend). We are all younger than you describe. We are not gentrifying the neighborhood. We have lived here nearly 10 years (and our friend was born here, across the street). We knew the bar had reopened and wanted to show our support. Sadly, it was weirdly empty. There were no philosophers. Just a caterer with ponytail. Philosophy would have been a welcome topic. If you haven't been to Hanley's before, it's one of the few remaining bars where old-timers can hang out. Let them be and don't criticize. I'm sure the new Hanley's will soon be reminiscent of the Hanley's of old.
You're much better picking shadows out of a picture than I am. The gentrifying dig is actually related to some of the nasty comments made by supposed locals. Apparently anyone who is new around here is a "hipster" or a "liberal" which in my opinion is painting a picture with rather broad strokes or just plain ludicrous. I don't think anyone wants to stop locals from hanging out anywhere and it's sad there aren't more places. This neighborhood is changing, new people are moving in and some are old neighborhood folks are leaving. You can't really blame the newcomers more than the people that left. It seems Hanleys has a long history to contend with and it hasn't been the most welcoming place for newcomers in the past few years. I think for it to succeed, it'll take time.
So, if anyone out there is annoyed by my presence simply because I've moved to this neighborhood in the last 3 years, too bad, that's your problem.
When I'm not fueling the fire - I've been trying to put my finger on the hipsters v. old timers (for lack of more thoughtful characterizations at the moment) debate for a while. Dennis' point that "[y]ou can't really blame the newcomers more than the people that left" is right on, and one that I never considered. It should hit home to the other folks that are fueling this debate in such a negative way.
Not more than 10 years ago, Court and Smith Streets were nowhere near what they are today - no doubt, we appreciated the old school businesses that struggled to stay open - and we were extra-supportive of them - but we also sure as hell welcomed the new infusion of restaurants and shops. Most of them, at least. Without them, its not like the mom and pops were going to maintain the balance of the neighborhood. Those that survived, in many ways, did so because of the new establishments and because of the new residents - not despite them.
As I've commented here before, nobody really wants a Dunkin Donuts or a KFC. But is anyone complaining about the huge leaps taken by PS58? Or the continued success of many businesses that surely would've died if it were not for the revitalization created by the newcomers to the hood? I don't see the dudes at StrideRite complaining, or Sal the Barber (hairstylist, my ass), or the boys running Bagels by the Park.
It is hard to think of the neighorhood as belonging to anyone other than those that have been there forever - but its also so unBrooklyn like to whine about it. Only the strong survive, right?
The guys who own the new PJ's are the same guys own the old OTB. They say no to KFC, yes to french cuisine.
Actually, the floors *have* been rescued from a factory (or a warehouse, I was too loaded that night to remember) in Red Hook, before it was demolished.
This is definitely one of the area's best bars (IMHO anyway), and a great place to hang out - or have dinner - especially in the corner garden up front during the summer.
I especially love the fact that the music is classy and not too loud, which means you can actually enjoy the experience of talking to your friends - as opposed to screaming over the repetitive bullshit many bars tend to play.
Stand-out points: the century-plus-old ambiance (oh-so-classic-Brooklyn), the snacks (thin-crust pizza is SO much better than tired old peanuts), and the bartenders (especially Vanessa (a part-timer but what a treat when she's there!)).