An iconic Brooklyn venue that was once a staple of Brooklyn’s vibrant hardcore music scene will be closed indefinitely Friday night after a Department of Buildings inspector issued a violation during a band’s live show. Ta.
St. Vitus Bar in Greenpoint closed during a set by hardcore band Mindforce after building inspectors discovered it was operating as a bar illegally, with staff ejecting patrons and band members. .
“We’re in shock,” one of the owners told a Post reporter who knocked on the store’s door on Monday. “We’ve been here 13 years and we’re still processing. But we’re trying to speed everything up.”
The bar’s owner declined to give his name, but said he and his partners are working with the appropriate authorities to get the beloved establishment back open and open as soon as possible.
“We are saddened and deeply frustrated by this situation and are working to rectify the situation as quickly as possible,” St. Vitus Bar later posted on Instagram. “While the closure is temporary, we want to address everything that directly impacts our artist and fan communities.”
Many bands scheduled to perform at Manhattan Avenue bars were busy finding new venues to switch shows. Saint Vitus staff are helping the band book new venues and assisting ticket holders.
A New York City Department of Buildings spokesperson said building inspectors showed up Friday night after receiving more than a dozen 311 calls and found about 250 people in the space.
Inspectors determined the bar was operating illegally as a restaurant because the building’s certificate of occupancy specified only space for commercial storefronts and machinery storage, according to the Department of Buildings.
The DOB charged the business with violations and noted that it did not issue an eviction order.
“As a result of our inspection, we issued a violation to the property owner for operating an unauthorized gathering place in violation of the lawful occupancy of the building,” a department spokesperson told the Post. “During our inspection, DOB did not issue any eviction orders to the building. This building is still available for occupancy.”
The DOB charged Saint Vitus Bar with violations for the same issue in July, but the property owner did not correct the problem, according to the department.
Online building records show there have been 16 complaints about the bar’s lack of a proper certificate of occupancy dating back to May, but all complaints were from one person. It seems to be something.
“I will continue to make this complaint every day until either the Building Department does an inspection or St. Vitus Bar can remedy the situation,” some of the complaints state. state.
Neighboring business owners told the Post that the complainant may have been irritated by the venue’s loud music and customers who sometimes crowded on the sidewalk, smoking weed and leaving trash behind.
But another neighbor said the typical crowd at the venue’s shows, despite their hardcore exterior, is a harmless and accepting bunch.
“I’ve seen all kinds of punks and weirdos, even if they look like skinheads, if you look closely they’re patched up with Trans Life Matters,” she said.
Rita, 44, who owns a bar nearby and declined to give her last name, said there had been no problems at the bar other than patrons occasionally blocking the door to the bar.
“The security guard outside was always watching out for us and saying, ‘Hey, watch that door,’ making sure we weren’t blocking the front of the store,” she said.
When she arrived for work on Monday, she learned that Saint Vitus Bar was closed.
“That’s sad to hear,” Rita said. “It’s not my type of music, but people actually enjoy it. That’s why I’m sad. The owner is so nice. He doesn’t seem like a troublemaker.”
She said she did not know who was calling the bar, but added that there is an occupied apartment building directly above a loud music venue in the same building.
Other Greenpoint residents also told the paper they were disappointed by the bar’s temporary closure.
A 36-year-old neighbor who has lived in the neighborhood for five years and used to go to shows at St. Vitus said the violation was “like a bull.”
“Once they reopen, and they probably will, I’ll have to go to the show again,” he said.
Councilman Keith Powers said he has been in contact with the bar’s owner to resolve the paperwork issue.
“One of the best independent music venues in New York City,” he said in a statement. “We’re going to fight to keep this situation.”
