Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Video Du Jour: More Fun At The Production Lounge
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
After a shooting and a rather contentious Community Council meeting last week The Production Lounge keeps on trucking with this video shot Friday night. Angry Grandma with a Bullet Hole in her grand baby’s bedroom writes:
I don’t know if my son-in-law sent you this, but I want to be sure you have it. RE: Ongoing Saga of The Production Lounge Lizards. This is a video of owner Joe losing it with the cops on Friday, Feb 20, as they have been at him non-stop and put a spot light on his front door so the poor guy can’t even let in all those underage thuglets.
Yes sir, nothing says “I want to be positive force in the community” like screaming at its constabulary! How can I not shake the feeling this establishment is going to be Studio B: Part II? On that note I like to point out that if I didn’t have all my paper work in order (which I can assure you this gentleman doesn’t: The Production Lounge has neither a cabaret license nor a place of assembly permit—the latter most is a must for establishments that hold more than 75 people and this joint falls under that category) I’d be a little more low key when dealing with the authorities.
But what would I know?
Miss Heather
A Shooting At The Production Lounge?
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
This email comes courtesy of R.C.:
Hey Miss Heather
Thought you may like a little play by play of what the heck is happening out my window at this very moment.
Its 3:47 am.. and I was awaken by something that sounded like gun shots out my front window.
I was quickly shaken out of my bed and my thought was gun shots???? But why. Then I remembered instantly, OH PRODUCTION LOUNGE!Sure enough, a small commotion was brewing outside.. people moving around quickly and fighting or trying to get away inside the “amazing bar” that has fallen upon our neighborhood. I noticed someone locking the door and keeping its patrons inside the bar, not letting anyone out. I instantly thought this is not going to be good. Cops show up, not with lights on nor sirens , about 5 cars and the place starts to flood out… cops direct the flow of people that were all exiting the bar away from Kent street direction and back towards Greenpoint Avenue on Franklin.
I thought I was dreaming when I heard “the shots” but I obviously was not when the presence of cops showed up outside my home ( I live on the same block as this shit den of a bar)Â and started to filter the lovely patrons of “P-LO” as I like to call this humble establishment away.
Its 3:53 now and the block is barricaded by cruisers on either side of this block on Franklin. From what I heard to what is now happening outside seems like yes maybe they were shots fired but no arrests or heavy breakouts resumed. Some people did run away at the moment I started watching and taping (yes I captured footage of this on my mini HD camera) this incident at the P-LO But now the block is barricaded by 10 or so cops…
The cops are now walking around the block with flashlights looking for something?? gun shot shells maybe?
What ever this is going on we need to close this place down for good! It’s revolting and not what Franklin Street is about.
I guess its officially a crime scene when police tape is surrounding the entrances to the block on either end now.
A few cops are walking back and forth the block..flashlight in hand.
4:15 a.m
Cops walking around still. nothing seems to be urgent. talking on and off with who I think is one of the owners of this place.Let us hope that this is the end of this place. But I fear it wont be…
The P-Lo needs to go!!!
So just thought I would let you know about whats happening and ask you how the heck do we shut down this HELLHOLE that has plagued our quiet hood.
This isn’t the only email I got on the subject of this shooting either. Tony writes:
i heard 6 gunshots last night at 2:30 am from my place on Kent street.
i called 911. didn’t venture outside. NYPD just called me and asked if i had any other info.
they said a woman got shot on the corner of Kent Street & Franklin but that she’s going to be okay.
this is fucked up.
I can hardly wait to see how they spin this one at the next 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting.
Miss Heather
Photographer’s (my) Note: This is 158 Franklin Street. The bullet that penetrated the front door managed to go through a second door in the interior of this domicile and lodged itself in a wall. I have it on good intelligence that bullets managed to find their way to the second floor of this residence as well. One destroyed a hat hanging on a rack (better the hat than the wearer, I suppose). It should also be noted that the owner of this house just finished renovating it from top to bottom. Now it has a few bullet holes to give it that “gritty” “urban” feel.
UPDATE: Apparently this matter has found its way onto Yelp;
While this place has been drawing my snarky ire since it opened for myriad reasons (laughable decor, seeming utter distain for the idea of a unified neighborhood fabric, loud, raucous club nights exhibiting contemptible taste levels vis-Ã -vis music, general waft of sadness and desperation, etc., etc.), I always considered it unfortunate joke that would be quickly and deservedly shuttered. But last night things took a much more serious turn…
You can read the rest by clicking here.* (A special thanks goes out to Greenpointless for bringing this to my attention.)
*NO YOU CAN’T: Yelp has pulled the posts.
A Greenpoint Public Service Announcement: More About The Adonis Lounge
Some of you might recall ten days ago I shared the good news about the Adonis Lounge. In this post I posited the following:
If the address of this establishment, 113 Franklin Street, sounds vaguely familiar that’s because it is the location of the Production Lounge. Perhaps they have decided to diversify from hip-hop to himbos?
Well, certain events have come to pass (which, it should be noted started after I noticed a number highly unusual search query hits for this site— “Greenpoint handjob” being by far the finest) and I am pleased to announce I have an answer to the aforementioned question: yes. In fact, it appears to be a monthly affair and has been going on since (at least) November.
Per GoingNYC:
Adonis Lounge is a Private Male strip club for Gay Men held once a month in The GreenPoint (!!! Ed. Note) area Of Brooklyn NY , It will feature some of the hottest male strippers around plus there will be a lap dance area and VIP room for ones enjoyment ! Men must be 21 and up to attend and be on the list for this November 19 event ( past events will not count ) write (excised).
This just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser…
Miss Heather
TONIGHT IN GREENPOINT: Lap Dances & Champagne Room
Those of you who prefer twigs and berries to mistletoe this holiday season will be delighted to know that tonight the “Adonis Lounge” will be hosting a private party featuring fifteen of New York’s “hottest Men”, lap dances, champagne room and full bar and “full stage show”. If the address of this establishment, 113 Franklin Street, sounds vaguely familiar that’s because it is the location of the Production Lounge. Perhaps they have decided to diversify from hip-hop to himbos?
Adonis Lounge
Thursday, December 17, 2009; doors open at 8:00 p.m.
The Production Lounge
113 Franklin Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Get your stripper rolls ready, ladies and gents. It’s going to be a bumpy (and grindy) night!
Miss Heather
UPDATE, December 18, 2009: If my inbox and what I have been told in person today is any indication, both 311 and the 94th Precinct received a lot of angry phone calls last night. In one such case regarding the latter the desk Sargent advised the caller that this was, in fact, illegal but they (the police department) could do nothing about it. The he advised him/her to call 311.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: 500 Words Or Less Wanted
Filed under: 11206, 11211, 11222, 11237, Brooklyn, Bushwick, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
This item comes courtesy of the Editor of Staccato Magazine, an online periodical featuring “microfiction”. Matt writes:
Hi Miss Heather-
First of all, I love your site. I live in Greenpoint and really enjoy seeing pictures of our neighborhood (for better or worse), and you did a great job covering the shootings at the Production Lounge and Club Exit.
I wanted to send you this note about a new website I just launched. I know it’s not necessarily what you normally cover, but maybe you think it’s newsworthy since we’re based out of Greenpoint and hope to have some events at WORD or Matchless or other local places once we get some momentum.
At the very least, check it out yourself and let me know what you think.
Well, I checked it out— and despite being a non-fiction devotee (real life is much, much more interesting in my opinion)— methinks this is a wonderful way for aspiring (or established) writers in the 11222 and beyond to get their work out there. Any and all who are interested in submitting work should read Staccato’s guidelines and “About” page.
Happy writing— and good luck, Matt!
Miss Heather
It’s BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK: The Franklin Street Tower Of Fun Returns
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Like many of the people reading this I went out the evening of St. Patrick’s Day. I wanted to catch up over drinks with a good friend of mine. To this end we wanted a place that was nice and quiet to chat. Initially we went to t.b.d.— and although we had a good time— the din of merry making was not conducive to having a quality “one on one”. To this end we decided to see what was shaking at The River Barrel.
As we had hoped it had plenty of seating available and nice, quiet surroundings. Save of course the sonic hum of the giant NYPD issue spotlight gracing the front of their property. I struck up a conversation with the bartender (who is a very nice and very funny woman) to get her thoughts. She explained to me that the reason her establishment was almost empty had a lot to do with this rather noticeable fixture.
It scares away the customers.
She said. She then proceeded to tell me about a most amusing incident she witnessed the last time the “Tower of Fun” graced the frontage of her place of employment. It was in the wee hours of the morning when she noticed one of the local winos (of whom my fair burgh has quite a number of) pass by. Upon noticing this light fixture he paused for a moment. After assessing the situation he proceeded to kick it repeatedly. Not satisfied with this act of defiance he decided to cap things off by urinating on it.
Granted, the previous slice of Greenpoint is humorous— but the underlying issue with the “Tower of Fun” not. How can the Production Lounge be policed and public safety concerns be addressed without impacting adjacent eating and drinking establishments? There is no easy answer to this question— but I hope we find one soon. It doesn’t strike me as being very fair that a business which is not a nuisance to community* should bear the brunt of its neighbor’s lack of regard for its neighbors and the community as a whole.
That’s my two cents. Take ’em or leave ’em as you see fit.
Miss Heather
*As far as I know. If anyone disagrees with my assessment please speak up via comments.
Notes From The Community Council Meeting
Although not as well attended as February’s meeting last night’s 94th Precinct Community Council Q & A session once again proved to be full house. As was the case last month the Production Lounge (and the numerous quality of life issues it has posed for its neighbors) was the primary— but not necessarily exclusive— topic of the evening. Follows are a few other points/factoids I found of interest:
- Burglaries and grand larceny are up from last year.
- There is one burglar at large whose activity has increased in the last two weeks. His M.O. is to strike during business hours. He is particularly interested in lap top computers.
- Robbery and felony assaults are down.
- There are 68 bars in the 94th Precinct.
Something I observed at this meeting which I found interesting was the very visible presence of local business owners. Establishments such as the Shayz Lounge( whose owner, an incredibly cute man named Seamus— who some might remember had the front window of his bar punched in last month— brought up the subject of local bar owners putting their heads together regarding some of the problems eating and drinking establishments have recently posed for the community of late), the Black Rabbit, Dalaga and Papasitos, were among those presence. Conversely, it should be noted that no one from the Production Lounge was present at this meeting.
On that note and without further ado follow are some selections from the evening’s meeting. For the sake of brevity (there was much redundancy with both the questions posed by the attendees and answers tendered by Deputy Inspector Fulton) and my own sanity I have done a great deal of editing so please consider these movies as highlights or “Cliff Notes” of what came to pass. On with the show!
SEGMENT 1: This primarily deals with minutes from the previous meeting and Deputy Inspector Fulton giving us a rundown of current crime trends.
SEGMENT 2: In this segment D.I. Fulton gives us more information regarding the two recent homicides in Greenpoint as well as a drunk driving fatality. He begins to take questions. Not surprisingly it kicks off with neighbors of the Production Lounge airing their frustration.
SEGMENT 3: The owner of Shayz Lounge speaks & much ado about the Production Lounge.
SEGMENT 4: Mixed bag: more ado about the Production Lounge, car break-ins and a bartendress raises her concern about a uptick in muggings at the Bedford Avenue stop of the L.
In conclusion I suppose what I found most compelling was that a woman present finally mustered the nerve to say what was undoubtedly on the minds of a great many people in the room.
Miss Heather
Public Service Announcement: 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Those of you who are concerned about last month’s shooting at the Production Lounge or the three homicides* which came to pass recently in the Garden Spot would and should tender your two cents at the 94th Precinct’s Community Council meeting. This will come to pass tomorrow, March 16, at 7:30 p.m.:
Greenpoint Savings Bank (AKA: Capital One)
807 Manhattan Avenue (Entrance on Calyer Street)
Brooklyn, New York 11222
I’ll be there… how about you?
Miss Heather
*Per the New York Times:
A former New York City police officer who resigned last year after being arrested on corruption charges is suspected of fatally shooting his 28-year-old ex-girlfriend and wounding another woman in Brooklyn on Sunday, the police said…
Yup. Bring your lawn chairs and popcorn kids because (as Bette Davis once said in All About Eve):
Street Art Photo Du Jour: Back In The Spotlight
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Not only is the Production Lounge back in the spotlight courtesy of New York’s Finest but it would also appear someone has incorporated it into a rather nifty piece of street art. Nice job Ellis!
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Message From Lentol’s Office
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Those of you who have contacted Joseph Lentol’s office regarding the recent shooting at the Production Lounge should find the following of interest. It is an email a I received from his office apprising me of what actions he is taking to ensure this does not happen again. Happy reading.
Dear Miss Heather,
My name is Amy Cleary and I work for Assemblyman Joe Lentol. I just wanted to give you and your readers an update that is being done with regard to the recent shooting at Production Lounge. We have spoken with many of our constituents who live near this location and listened to their accounts of that eventing. Any time you hear about people waking up to bullet holes six feet from where they sleep it is absolutely horrifying. We have written to the state liquor authority to ensure that there is a full investigation of this matter. We have also met with the police. The 94th precinct assures us that they are meeting with the owner and taking every step possible to prevent this from happening again, guns have no place near people’s homes. We intend to follow this matter closely and support the police in any way that we can. Thank you for your attention to this issue.
Sincerely,
Amy Cleary
So there have you. I have said it before and I’ll say it again: when it comes to constituent services Joe Lentol is tops!
Miss Heather
P.S.: On a related note some of you might have noticed that Yelp has scrubbed a number of the reviews for the Production Lounge. Hmm. In any case if anyone out there has screencaps of the now-excised entries let me know via comments. I would very much like to have them. Thanks!
NYS Flickr Pool
You must be logged in to post a comment.