Public Records In Gowanus Plans Expansion, New Events Space

BROOKLYN, NY — As gatherings ramp back up in New York City, cultural venue and music destination Public Records has unveiled plans to expand its already-impressive space on Butler Street.

Owners of the "music-driven restaurant, performance, and community space" told Community Board 6's Permits and Licenses Committee last week that they will expand to the second floor of the historic former ASPCA headquarters, which they took over in 2019.

The extra space will give more room for cultural programming and events that used to be run from the eating area downstairs given its shift during the coronavirus pandemic to a more traditional restaurant, co-owner Shane Davis told the board.

"During the pandemic, I’m very proud to say the way Public Records has been able to stay afloat was to really transform our restaurant into a whole new level of dining," he said. "Doing things like special events, listenings, lectures and things of that nature no longer really make sense in the restaurant themselves because it’s a seated dining room."

The upstairs space will include 10 tables, 28 chairs and a new bar, according to the plans.

It will add to Public Records' existing courtyard, restaurant and cafe space and performance area known as The Sound Room.

The venue has had limited hours during the pandemic, but plans to return to running seven days a week from noon to 4 a.m. soon, Davis said.

Committee members unanimously voted in favor of Public Records' application, which is filed as a revision to its existing liquor license. The liquor license application, ultimately decided by the State Liquor Authority, will next face Community Board 6's full board at their meeting in June.

It is one of three liquor license applications that faced the committee this month.
Others included a new license for the owners of The Armory, who plan to move to a new location a few blocks away, and a new pizzeria on Sixth Avenue.