Boozy Laundromat Opens In Crown Heights With Beer, Bar Food

CROWN HEIGHTS, NY — A new laundromat serving up beer, wine and bar food opened is doors in Crown Heights in early March.

The combined laundromat and bar, Pearl Lee's Washtub, welcomed its first customers for burgers, hot dogs, beer, wine, coffee and pastries this month. The laundromat — near Rogers Avenue and Montgomery Street — also features patio space and a cafe-style area with a TV for patrons to wait for their laundry.

For a limited time, patrons got a free cup of coffee with their laundry load. Laundry cardholders also get between a 5-10 percent discount at the bar, according to the laundromat's Facebook page.

"Take your clothes off the Peloton and bring them to Pearl Lee's Washtub," the laundro-bar said on Instagram.

In 2021, the laundro-bar received mixed reviews from council board members when it first bid for its liquor license. 22 voted in favor of giving the quirky Crown Heights business its liquor license and six people voted no. They sent the issue to the State Liquor Authority with a number of concerns, including health department oversight and drunk patrons being disruptive.

Some board members, like Tessa Hacket Vieira, thought the business was a great innovation.

"It's a novel idea, it's 21st century," Tessa Hackett Vieira said at the time. "Give us a break, give the potential entrepreneur a break and let's move along."