Metropolitan
Metropolitan in October 2020
Address559 Lorimer Street
Brooklyn, New York
USA
LocationWilliamsburg, Brooklyn
Coordinates40°42′49″N 73°56′58″W / 40.71361°N 73.94944°W / 40.71361; -73.94944
Public transit Metropolitan Avenue
TypeGay 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. 1 2 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.
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