Park Slope Beer Hall Can Open Outdoor Area, Neighbors Say — Under These Conditions

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — A group of skeptical neighbors have agreed to let the KBH Bierhalle build an outdoor area where its patrons can drink in the sunshine — but only under a strict set of negotiated conditions that puts other NIMBY efforts throughout the borough to shame.

A new outdoor patio at the beer hall was approved by Community Board 6's executive committee on Monday night, after owner Marquis Williams modified his plans last-minute to accommodate quality-of-life concerns raised by Park Slope neighbors.

Williams had originally come to the board in July seeking a liquor license for the outdoor space.

However, his application was tabled in the face of opposition from "dozens" of locals, according to district director Craig Hammerman.

This, despite the fact that Williams, owner of KBH Bierhalle, said he had already been working for months to address community concerns. He showed Patch a letter he sent to nearby residents in June, outlining a list of proposed changes and expressing his desire "to be a contributing part of the community."

Alas: Turned away by the Community Board in July, Williams had to go back to the drawing board.

Among his final concessions:

1. The outside seating area at KBH (which is located on a side lot) will seat no more than 22 people, a 40 percent reduction from its original size
2. It will close at 8:30 p.m., instead of 11 p.m. as originally proposed
3. It will include adequate drainage to ensure spills won't flow onto the sidewalk
4. It will be dog-friendly
5. A set of double-doors will be installed between it and the bar to keep noise at a minimum
6. The space won't have amplified music
7. A sound study will be conducted to find any other ways to mitigate noise from the seating area

The approval of KBH's outdoor beer hall on Monday was conditional on Williams certifying the above modifications in a notarized letter, which he said he'd take care of this week.

Williams, who took ownership of the bar last November, said Monday that he had "worked out a great deal" with local residents.

David Gorden, a Warren Street resident and a member of the informal coalition that hammered out the final terms with Williams, agreed.

"I feel the community has negotiated in good faith in the hopes of building a strong relationship going forward," Gorden said Monday.

Pictured at top: KBH Bierhalle. Image via Google Maps