Branch Office (a new bar at 225 Rogers, near Union) is now open

Yes, let's include bar combos. If they can legally sell you a beverage containing alcohol and you can legally consume it on site, it counts.

Let's include the east and Westside of Nostrand.

Note, I think there are some existing nightclubs on the Northside of Empire and there might be some random West Indian restaurants with alc in the defined area.

These are excluded from the bets.

My bet is 3.

Who wants to predict how many of the churches on Rogers will be protesting? I know some of the churches on Friday night services.

The bars will outlive the churches based on the current rate of churches being converted.  It's a sign of the changing demographics - the churchgoing are moving out and being replaced by the bargoing. Interesting times.

Branch Office will be the first new bar south of EP in Crown Heights.

Anyone want to predict how many new bars will open between Empire and EP before -say- 2016?

I say five, with the caveat that leases must have been signed, but necessarily open.

I'm going with 5 as well

At this point, Butter and Scotch has only had a "soft opening".

When it opens, should it count toward the total?

I think so 

If only The Branch Office was opened last night...

their instagram account said they'd announce their opening day on friday

perfect!

Their facebook feed says a big announcement is coming this week. Presumably, they passed one of the final inspections that the SLA requires.

Readers:
The alcohol lic has now been granted!

Effective Date: 02/17/2015
Expiration Date: 01/31/2017

http://www.trans.abc.state.ny.us/servlet/ApplicationServlet?pageName=com.ibm.nysla.data.publicquery.PublicQuerySuccessfulResultsPage&validated=true&serialNumber=1282120&licenseType=OP

Their facebook feed is now stating bar will have grand opening Thursday, 2/19/2015 at 8 PM.

yussssssssssssssss. i *might* go. the single digit temps are going to make it difficult though

It actually opens at 6pm - for those early birds out there :-) 

Press:
http://ny.eater.com/2015/2/19/8070903/opening-alert-drinkers-can-now-play-pinball-at-franklin-park-vets-bar

...come spring, there will be drinking in the backyard.

8:26 PM. Full house



Back half:

Front half:

Let's hope the folks above stairs are the sort who are gracious about the noise (and smell of smoke) that will come with an outdoor drinking area.

For their sake, I hope Gothamist readers are quiet and non-smokers.

Press: http://gothamist.com/2015/02/23/branch_ofc_crown_heights.php

Backyard now open

I walked past this place the other night, and there were folks smoking pot outside. I don't think it was part of their religion. I felt really unsafe.

Weed happens.

BTW, this bar has been chosen as the unofficial last sop of a walking tour that will happen on May 2nd.

http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/45410/a-walking-tour-change-in-sw-crown-heights-will-be-held-saturday-may-2nd-at-2-pm#Item_8

An unknown number of us will arrive there around 4:30.

I can't tell if @esperanza is joking. Unsafe? Only if you're carrying a box of pizza...