Popular NYC Venue Avant Gardner Files For Bankruptcy Amid Prolonged Closure

BROOKLYN, NY — After months of closure tied to failed safety inspections, Brooklyn Mirage remains dark — and now, its parent company, Avant Gardner, has filed for bankruptcy protection.

The venue, part of the larger Avant Gardner complex, has been shuttered for several months amid ongoing renovations to upgrade the sound system and expand the dance floor.

Hopes for a summer reopening have faded, as shows through August, September, and even October have been quietly canceled or moved to other locations.

The financial strain may be connected to those continued delays. First reported by Bloomberg, AGDP Holding — the parent company of Avant Gardner LLC — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware, citing roughly $155.3 million in funded debt obligations.

Court filings indicate that while events are still being held at The Great Hall and The Kings Hall, and some have been relocated off-site, the inability to reopen Brooklyn Mirage for the 2025 season triggered a liquidity crisis that pushed the company to seek bankruptcy protection.

This isn’t the first time Avant Gardner has faced challenges. In 2023, the company dealt with major fallout from the Electric Zoo festival, which was plagued by logistical and financial issues. The controversy led to a class action lawsuit and damaged the company’s reputation.

During that time, Avant Gardner also began a renovation of The Great Hall, adding a mezzanine and LED screens. Plans were set in motion to redesign Brooklyn Mirage itself, with construction expected to continue through May 2025. But permitting problems and ongoing delays have kept the venue closed.

As of last month, New York City’s Department of Buildings still had objections to Avant Gardner’s application for a Temporary Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation, a permit required for outdoor event spaces hosting 200 or more people.

Earlier this summer, reports surfaced that the company had enlisted hedge fund founder Andrew Axelrod to help navigate the permitting process and secure the approvals needed to reopen the venue.

Avant Gardner also recently underwent internal leadership changes. CEO Josh Wyatt, who stepped into the role in October, was fired, according to an internal email shared on social media and later confirmed by Billboard.

The message also stated that Gary Richards, the non-executive Chairman of the Board, would step in as interim CEO to oversee day-to-day operations.

Court records suggest Mirage will remain shut until next season. Avant Gardner, however, has not issued any public statements since it canceled its Memorial Day Weekend programming on May 20.