Neighborhood: November 2005 Archives

Word comes from a faithful reader that perhaps PJ Hanley's is truly undergoing renovation? From the comments section ...

I live on Luquer st right near PJ's. Was disturbed to hear from your post that they were closing however a little investigation has yielded that this is not the case. They are actually doing some renovation believe it or not. Or so said the workmen stationed there the other day.
Posted by: ariella | Nov 13, 2005 6:59:46 PM

Could they possibly be renovating to make it more friendly to everyone in the neighborhood? A deeper investigation is in order (who knew this blog stuff might involve real work!?!). Not sure if the neighborhood could handle the debate if they reopen. Will keep you posted.

UPDATE: So, I asked around the neighborhood today. Started with the folks at Caputo's, figuring them to be old neighborhood pros, but they didn't know a thing. Although the woman I talked to hoped that whatever it was, it would be more "friendly." Then, went to the comic store next to PJ's. Was told by the guy behind the counter that he "didn't care if they were building Al Qaeda bombs over there." He added, "I'm your man if you ever needed a comic book." Only workers at the actual location. Called our real estate broker, and she had heard that the business was sold; that the building was retained by its original owners; and that the new place would stay a bar.  It's rumored to be a sports bar.  No word on if the name will change or stay the same.

Went on a mini bar crawl last night. Started at the new Camp on 179 Smith Street. It used to be a salsa-y place, and it's just been converted into a urban lodge. They definitely went all out on the camp theme--some antlers, a stuffed deer head, another strange creature's head attached to the wall that reminded me of something out of Star Wars, tree bark on the ceiling. I overheard someone way that the friendly bartender used to work at Bar 4 in Park Slope. I guess time will tell whether the trick will sink or swim. Beers during happy hour are two-for-one (Blue Point on tap), so you can't argue with that.

Next, headed to Boat to get in a little shuffleboard bowling action, only to find--GASP--that it is no longer there. Apparently it broke, and the owners replaced it with a pinball machine (that is also currently broken, no doubt by angry indie rockers taking out their bowling aggression on the poor pinball machine). Happy hour at Boat, by the way, is $3 beers, so take that, Camp!

Last, but definitely not least, I hit up Ceol, which is basically Smithwicks painted green on the outside, except with nicer people. If you go, you must go on Wednesday, and you must make immediate friends with the Irish bartender. This will not be too hard, and she may climb over the bar to hug you. With an energy drink in one hand and a few bar tricks up her sleeve, this lady is by far the most entertaining drink-slinger I've experienced in Brooklyn. A little crazy? Sure. But with not-too-annoying live Irish music (two fiddles and a guitar) in the background, and Guinness flowing from the tap, you'll think you accidentally hopped a plane to some small but raucous Irish town and never look back.