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Metropolitan_(bar) Latitude and Longitude:

40°42′49″N 73°56′58″W / 40.71361°N 73.94944°W / 40.71361; -73.94944
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Metropolitan
Metropolitan in October 2020
Address559 Lorimer Street
Brooklyn, New York
USA
Location Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Coordinates 40°42′49″N 73°56′58″W / 40.71361°N 73.94944°W / 40.71361; -73.94944
Public transit Metropolitan Avenue
Type Gay bar
Opened2002 (2002)
Website
www.metropolitanbarny.com

Metropolitan is a gay bar in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City.

Description

Metropolitan is near the intersection of Lorimer Street and Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg. It is a dive bar featuring a multi-level lounge, pool table, dancefloor, and backyard patio. [1] Since its founding, Metropolitan has hosted weekly barbecues on its back patio on Sundays from Memorial Day weekend to the end of September. Other events hosted by the bar include " Queeraoke" on Tuesday nights, Wednesday night trivia, Gender Xperts, a monthly gender queer open mic night, as well as a monthly comedy show. [2]

History

Metropolitan sits on a lot previously occupied by a colonial-era cemetery that was likely owned by the First Reformed Dutch Church of Williamsburgh. [3] The land was declared forlorn sometime before the mid-1800s and was developed into real estate by the end of the century. From 1927 to 2000, the building now on the lot was occupied by Milo's Restaurant, a bar that initially operated as a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Following the closure of Milo's, the site was occupied by an Irish pub before Metropolitan opened in 2002. [3]

In February 2012, Brooklyn Community Board 1 rejected Metropolitan's request for a liquor license renewal, citing complaints that the bar failed to abide by state guidelines that obligate bars to close outdoor spaces by 11 p.m. on weeknights and 1 a.m. on weekends. The board's vote was merely a recommendation, and Metropolitan's liquor license was ultimately renewed by the State Liquor Authority. [4]

In September 2018, two gay men were assaulted after leaving Metropolitan by a man who uttered homophobic slurs. [5] The accused perpetrator was arrested on a variety of assault and hate crime charges and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. [6]

Reception

Metropolitan was ranked as the best gay bar in New York by New York magazine in 2005 and 2008. [7] In 2015, New York ranked Metropolitan as the best gay bar in Brooklyn, calling it "a Grand Central Station for Brooklyn’s gay scene, with a lively roster of DJs, drag queens, and events that are always mixed and never exclusionary". [8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Mowatt, Robyn (March 8, 2019). "Aja's Top 4 Places to Visit In NYC & Brooklyn". Hypebae. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Ryan, Hugh (August 11, 2011). "A Gay Oasis, With Beer and Barbecue". New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Strange, Trey (22 February 2019). "From Graveyard to Gay Bar, Metropolitan Bar Is Filled With Spirits". Bedford + Bowery. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  4. ^ Short, Aaron (February 21, 2012). "W'burg residents: We love gay bar, but hate its noise". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  5. ^ Chung, Jen (September 24, 2018). "Two Men Assaulted After Leaving Williamsburg Gay Bar". Gothamist. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  6. ^ Fitzsimons, Tim (November 16, 2018). "Alleged Brooklyn gay basher charged with hate crimes, faces 15 years in prison". NBC News. Retrieved October 19, 2020.; Gonzalez, Eric. "Queens Man Arraigned on Indictment Charging Him With Assault and Menacing as Hate Crimes in Anti-Gay Attack" (Press release). Brooklyn District Attorney. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  7. ^ "Metropolitan – New York Magazine Bar Guide". New York. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  8. ^ Albo, Mike (May 20, 2016). "The Absolute Best Gay Bar in Brooklyn". Grub Street. Retrieved October 19, 2020.

External links