You won’t find these Brooklynites in da club.
Plans for a massive new nightclub in Greenpoint — which would stay open until 4 a.m. and hold up to 1,000 partygoers — are drawing fierce backlash from local officials and residents, who fear it will ruin the rhythm of the trendy, leafy neighborhood.
Hospital giant Tao Hospitality Group, which operates popular party spots Marquee in Chelsea and Loosie’s Nightclub in Lower Manhattan, is eyeing waterfront space overlooking the East River for a “new entertainment concept.”
The proposed venue at 25 Franklin Street was previously the industrial site of the short-lived ArtsDistrict Brooklyn and, before that, the music venue, House of Vans.
“This proposal has united our neighborhood in strong opposition … Not a single constituent has voiced support for this project,” Assembly member Emily Gallagher, Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and City Council Member Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn) wrote of the plans in a July 12 letter to the club’s would-be operator.
“We hope you will heed our community’s concerns and proactively announce that you are seeking a different site to locate a new Tao Nightclub,” the officials added.
A Tao spokesperson told The Post that the planned venue would be a “new entertainment concept” that reflects “the vibrant music scene and culture of North Brooklyn.” It would not be Tao-branded.
When asked about the community backlash, the spokesperson said the group is “listening to the feedback” but is “surprised” by the opposition.
“As a company founded in New York City over 20 years ago, Tao Group Hospitality continually looks for new opportunities to expand with a commitment to enhancing the communities in which we operate. We were surprised by the community’s opposition to our application given that the location had previously been used as a venue with a 4 a.m. liquor license,” the spokesperson said, without confirming whether Tao is considering alternative venues at this time.
Critics fighting back against the nightclub said their main concerns include noise, traffic, crime and safety, and wildlife impacts near Bushwick Inlet Waterway, according to the meeting minutes of Brooklyn Community Board 1’s May meeting.
Meanwhile, another 300-person capacity nightclub, Deuces, is set to open across the street at 1 Meserole Avenue. It will be a community center by day, Greenpointers reported.
“The area is far too residential and it would cause a major disturbance to the peace in the small quaint neighborhood,” one Greenpoint local testified via email, according to the May meeting documents.
“Allowing the Tao Group a 1,000-person nightclub open until 4 a.m. would not allow local residents the peace and safety they long for.”
“Franklin Street is already struggling with traffic,” another disgruntled resident wrote.
“I can only imagine what a hellscape it would become if Ubers, cabs, town cars, etc. were coming from all parts of the city … and unfortunately Tao is especially known all through the city for being a magnet for the most entitled and thoughtless clients.”
Another local critic, who admitted they “love nightclubs,” argued that Tao is “not the vibe for this amazing neighborhood.”
“Don’t ruin Greenpoint,” the resident crowed.
The elected official signatories of the July 12 letter are now pressing the NYS Liquor Authority to deny the license application.
Tao has yet to submit a formal liquor license application to the state, a spokesperson for the New York State Liquor Authority told The Post.
The SLA confirmed, however, that it had received letters of opposition from community members and leaders — and that it considers all feedback when reviewing an application for a liquor license.
All applications opposed by community boards or elected officials are given a public hearing, the liquor authority added.
This isn’t the first time the swanky hospitality group has made headlines.
Tao came under fire last month after ex-hostess Ariel Roman threw feces inside one of the venues’ koi ponds, causing over $3,000 in damages, per court records.
Roman claimed she’s been targeted for speaking out about alleged sexual assault incidents at the hands of promoters at TAO — and that she flung the feces in an attempt to draw attention to the issue.
The address for the planned Greenpoint nightclub is still owned by the same 11-25 Franklin St. LLC that owned the premises during the House of Vans and ArtsDistrict Brooklyn heyday, according to property records.
ArtsDistrict Brooklyn was blasted last March by a disgruntled vendor, who took to social media to allege hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid bills from debtors, Greenpointers reported.
The venue later denied the “unfounded allegations and inaccuracies,” adding “third parties have either been settled, are in negotiations or will soon be brought to the table for talks.”
When asked at Bushwick Inlet Park about their thoughts on the nightclub plans, locals appeared to have mixed feelings – but all agreed the area has seen recent noise increases due to Brooklyn’s growing party crowd.
“I think [it would be cool], this entire neighborhood is new – there’s an Hermes here, that was non-existent years ago,” Ari B., 27, told The Post.
“This was skateboarders, artists, smoking weed, Now it’s like I call it the ‘Hamptons.’ The Hamptons of Brooklyn lowkey.”
“It is noisy in this area,” Kay Michaels, 53, sounded off. “It’s very active, this area, with clubs … There are a lot. There’s already a pretty good amount of noise.”
“This little area in general is really noisy,” local Ryan O’Callahan, 26, agreed. “Some of the rooftops are loud,” he added, noting he would prefer nightclubs look elsewhere.
However, delis in the area said a new club would be a boon for business.
“At night, [business] is good, especially with this bar here and that bar there,” said Mike Saeidi, 20, who works at a deli near the Bedford Avenue L train stop – which would be the closest stop to the nightclub location.
“I actually would like another nightclub in the area. The nightlife … is good for business.”
