Vines & Voices 044: Billy Durney opens disco cocktail bar next to Red Hook Tavern
Bike boulevards coming to Bergen and Dean, Devoción Coffee opening a Gowanus outpost and more.
Welcome to Vines & Voices, your weekly look at life across West Brooklyn. Curated by CSJ, this free newsletter brings together the local news and goings-on shaping our neighborhoods, plus a few extras worth knowing. Have a tip, a story idea or something you think deserves attention? Write to us at info@courtstreetjournal.com. Your voice helps shape the story.
On CSJ
Caputo Bakery gets the Index treatment. CSJ Index is our running archive of the neighborhood businesses, institutions and characters that define this corner of Brooklyn. This week, we dug into the Grub Street piece that uncovered the real story behind Caputo Bakery’s closure, and wrote up everything worth knowing about what they did, what we’ll miss and why James Caputo more than earned his retirement. Read it here.
The Roundup
It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday. If you don’t yet know where to go, and you have little ones, consider these local spots featured in Grub Street’s 40 best restaurants for kids and parents feature: Cafe Spaghetti, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Insa, Gage and Tollner and Ingas Bar.
Grace Gray Faison, a sixth-generation Brooklyn Heights resident and Plymouth Church elder, died on April 26 at 101. A fixture of neighborhood life for decades, she was known for her sharp wit, quiet acts of charity and a knack for getting things done without asking permission — including rescuing a half-ton 1870s cast-iron bell that now anchors the Grace Faison Bell Garden at Plymouth Church. In 2022, she revealed that during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s she had secretly housed women in her Heights apartment while they obtained then-illegal abortions. Plymouth Church will celebrate her life at 4pm on Saturday, May 23.
Billy Durney, founder of Hometown Bar-B-Que and Red Hook Tavern, has opened a cocktail bar next door to Red Hook Tavern. Tavern Next Door serves disco-era cocktails from his brother Conor, plus snacks and a version of the Tavern burger. The concept is “based on one crazy night in Paris many years ago,” Durney wrote on Instagram.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the Bergen Bike Bus on Wednesday to announce plans for 10-mile bike boulevards along Bergen and Dean Streets, running between Court Street in Cobble Hill and East New York Avenue in Ocean Hill. The city’s Department of Transportation will redesign both streets to prioritize cyclists and pedestrians while maintaining local vehicle access. The project is in early stages; DOT has opened a public feedback portal and will release design plans later this year.
In real estate news: Lily Allen and David Harbour’s house sale reportedly fell through. The Sun broke the story, though the original article has since been taken down. A development site on Luquer Street in Carroll Gardens sold for $5.25 million. And a $17 million Cobble Hill townhouse — the neighborhood’s priciest listing — found a buyer after dropping $5 million off the ask.
Devoción Coffee is coming to Gowanus. The specialty coffee shop was one of four new tenants to sign a lease at Society Brooklyn.
The Six Bells is looking for a social media manager. Send your cover letter, resume, portfolio, and work samples to hiring@thesixbells.com.
Has anyone seen The Devil Wears Prada 2, yet? They filmed at Long Island Bar, which The Infatuation recently said has some of the best fries in the city.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que will serve its last meal on Wednesday, May 13.
Casa Tua, the global hospitality brand behind restaurants in Miami, Paris, Capri and Aspen, is bringing its food hall concept Cucina to One Hanson Place, the landmarked former Williamsburg Savings Bank building across from Atlantic Terminal. The Brooklyn outpost will feature a theatrical bar and dining area, with vendors rooted in Brooklyn and ethically-sourced ingredients. Opening is tentatively set for 2027.
Brooklyn College reversed course and will have graduating seniors walk across the stage at their May 28 commencement at Barclays Center. The school decided to skip the tradition for roughly 4,000 students due to time constraints, but reconsidered after thousands signed a petition.
Goings On
M.Patmos is hosting an “expressive repair” workshop tomorrow, May 9. Guests can bring an item in need of repair and a fresh perspective.
The Garden Club is hosting a junk journaling event tomorrow, May 9 in partnership with KushKards. Cut, collage and make a DIY Mother’s Day card — all materials are provided, but best to bring your own journal, if you have one.
Anaïs Wine Bar is hosting a strawberry rhubarb froyo pop-up on Sunday, May 10 — small-batch froyo brand Sourcherries will be serving the seasonal flavor with granola. Peak rhubarb season has arrived.
Poppy’s is popping up with a spring happy hour on Thursday, May 14 — fresh bites, crisp wines, and oysters.
Hudson Wilder will transform into a Phaidon bookstore as of Thursday, May 14, stocking rare and out-of-print titles alongside new releases and classics. The week includes conversations, book signings and other programming leading up to DUMBO Design Day on May 20.
The Columbia Street Waterfront Association and Carroll Gardens Association are hosting separate community forums with NY-10 congressional candidates Rep. Daniel Goldman and Brad Lander, both at Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Community Room (125 Summit Street). Goldman’s forum is Saturday, May 16 from 1–2pm; Lander’s is Wednesday, May 20 from 5–6pm. The forums are non-partisan. Submit your questions here.
Council Member Alexa Avilés’ office is hosting a free tour of Green-Wood Cemetery on Saturday, May 16, a chance to explore the landmark and learn about some of the notable figures buried there. Register by texting 646-276-0749.
The Brooklyn Heights Association is gathering new moms and babies under 6 months for a free morning session of chatting and decompressing on Monday, May 18. It’s open to all for a first visit — after that, BHA membership is required to keep coming back.
Filipino community organizer Sari-Sari Studios is throwing a line dancing party at Ace Hotel Brooklyn on Thursday, May 28 in honor of AAPI Heritage Month. Tickets are $25 — bring your best tinikling footwork.
One Last Thing
I so enjoyed this article about Pratt students who meet twice monthly to repair items of clothing together. I love the idea of young people breathing new life into an item someone with less patience and skill might have thrown away. “A moth hole is such a beautiful thing to have,” one, a junior, said. “It’s just an opportunity for something new.”