Soon-to-be Gowanus Shuffleboard Parlor Gets its Liquor License!

Ashley Albert and Jonathan Schnapp

On Monday night, Community Board 6 voted to support the liquor license application of The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Parlor, which has plans of opening in early 2013. This means Park Slopers are one step closer to being able to hang out in a 16,000 square foot shuffleboard facility just West of 3^rd. Ave. on Union Street.

The process hasn’t been easy.

Business partners Ashley Albert and Jonathan Schnapp applied to the board last month, but withdrew the plan due to a list concerns from neighbors that ranged from noise and crowds to traffic and safety; issues which resonated with the board. 

But rather than muscle the application through at the state level (which they could have done as the property is zoned industrial), Albert and Schnapp made a number of concessions and worked with neighborhood representatives to assuage most concerns. After these revisions, the Board approved the application, 9-6 (the main remaining debate being over closing times).  I, for one, am fucking stoked about this place, and here's why:

1. The Parlor isn't just a regular ole bar -- it's main focus is shuffleboard, which is fun for both day AND night life.  You also don’t have to be an actual athlete to participate.  And it’s not a bar with 2 side courts of something, like bocce. It’s 12+ courts of something that happens to have other amenities, like food and drink. 

2. It’s all indoors, so you can go during the next blizzard, tornado or "hurricane" to find a warm, open space.

3. The vibe is gonna be festive, yet cool.  Think live music, but not loud. Cocktails and adult bevs, but not a bar scene. 

4. Being a former warehouse, the space is large enough to park a food truck or two indoors, which is what the owners are pushing for when it comes to food. The plan is to rotate vendors and mix it up a bit.

5. The space is also large enough to have an outdoor courtyard in the middle, so smokers can go out for a puff without standing out front and bothering neighbors or passers by.

6. The owners are building real, world-class courts with beaded surfaces that you won’t be allowed to touch… unless playing.  Totally professional on their part.

We have a direct line to the future owners, so if you have any questions about the sport, like rules, dress, etc. – let us know.  And should we have a FIPS tournament at some point?