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No 'Dave and Busters-Type' Bar Slated for Arena Area

The property owner said his plans for the giant space at 604 Pacific Street include nothing of the sort.

 

Residents in the footprint of the Atlantic Yards site can put the kibosh on fears that a rowdy “Dave and Busters-type” bar will be the next thing to open near the arena.

Henry Weinstein, the owner of 604 Pacific Street, told Patch that his plans for the space include nothing of the sort, despite a recent online ad proclaiming that the 35,000 square foot property at Flatbush Avenue can host “80,000 customers” and is perfect for an adult-themed version of Chuck E. Cheese.

Weinstein, a one-time Atlantic Yards opponent, said that the ad was instead the result of an “over ambitious” consultant who put the ad up without his knowledge.

Instead, Weinstein says he plans to lease the mega space to a “high class, SoHo-type operation.”

“I could see why the ad was offensive to many of people in this neighborhood, because they’ll already be assaulted with a deluge of people once the arena opens up,” he said.

He was mum on the specifics of who exactly he’s considering for the space, which is directly across from the Barclays Center arena, but he said they include both chains and local businesses, a hotel, restaurants and retail.

“There are a lot of diff ideas swirling around,” he said. “It’s certainly not going to be something rowdy. Whatever it is will cater to all the people who come to the neighborhood, not just the arena-goers.”

Of course, one of the contenders is Player’s Gastro Pub and Sportsbar – a sports bar and eatery that would also boast a slice joint and Mamoun’s falafel (who Weinstein says has a very could shot at scoring the lease).

Weinstein lost a Pacific Street building that he once owned after it was seized by the state in 2010 under eminent domain law to make way for the mega construction project. He is still embroiled in a legal battle with Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner.

“It’s true I was an opponent of arena,” said Weinstein, “But it’s getting built anyways.”

Related Topics: Atlantic Yards, Barclays Center, Henry Weinstein, and Player’s Gastro Pub and Sportsbar

Paul Zumoff

12:57 pm on Sunday, May 29, 2011

With so many news sources, who has time to soak 'em all in? However, I look forward to your insightful articles - always interesting, relevant and informative. Is there a Kristen Brown Fan Club?

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