New Bar in Old Location: Lime to be Reborn (and Renamed)

If you walk by the old Lime location (which, when we first moved to the neighborhood was the Handyman Sports Bar) on Flatbush between Winthrop and Hawthorne, you will see that it is being renovated again. The woman I saw painting an illustration on the wall over the weekend said that they hadn't chosen a name yet but that the space was going to be a bar, it wouldn't be called Lime and that they were hoping to open up in four to six weeks.

As far as the name goes, not letting people know in advance is probably the way to go.

Comments

[plgrez]

any info on the new proprietors? lime was run horribly - $20 cover being the best example of one of their poor business choices. any details to offer?

[brn442]

Lime was run like a gambling spot. Being searched at 7 in the evening upon entering ensured that was the one and only time they got my business.

[Apple]

I'm really interested to see what changes te new owners make. Our area needs good bars- affordable, relaxed, clean, modern. We went to Lime once and never went back. The place was confused. Overpriced poorly made drinks, blaring music, and unfriendly staff. We left earlier than intended because the music was so loud we both had splitting headaches before we finished our first drink and couldn't hear each other speak without yelling. Bars in our area would do so much better if they would just understand that they are a bar- not a club (few spaces on Flatbush are large enough for that)and that there is a big difference in what people want out of either option. If all you can do is sit there and drink, you want a place where you can at least talk to the person next to you... No one is impressed by a crazy sound system in a space that this maybe 10x50...

[babs]

I'd really, really like a wine bar - someplace one could go and have a DECENT glass of wine (Enduro/LPT are NOT options for this, though I'm fine with their harder stuff and beers, and LPT is said to be getting a new cocktail menu) and maybe something to eat. Had a great sauvignon blanc and 3 oysters for $10 yesterday eve at Castello Plan - that's what I'm talking about. Jealous of Cortelyou Rd.

[carrie]

Mango Seed, the restaurant farther down on Flatbush (near Clarkson, I think) has just added a bar. We'll post more info on the blog after we visit for a pic. They also have a nice new sign.

[Apple]

I completely agree with Babs- a wine bar would be wonderful!

[brn442]

Well said Apple - Lime's problem (BTW, "Lime" is Trinidadian slang for "hanging out") is that they wanted to be a trendy West Indian lounge similar to Sugarcane on flatbush, sans any food - they failed miserably and ended up as a seedy sub-par joint.

Their paranoia about attracting the wrong element ended up alienating everyone with their over the top security, (Yes, we are still in Flatbush but..)

A wine bar would be lovely but a typical wine bar's price point would be too high for the neighbourhood - it would close in 6 months, especially in this economy.

A sports bar would be nice however.

[babs]

Crave, on Rogers and Lefferts, bills itself as a sports bar, and has made an effort to reach out various parts of the community, including featuring wine on Wednesdays - unfortunately, they haven't quite worked out all the kinks in that yet. Do you really think the economic demographic in PLG is that different from the Cortelyou Road area? As I said, The Castello Plan's $10 happy hour special includes a glass of good wine and some food - that's like 2 beers at LPT (NOT the PBR, thanks!), and I'd really prefer the first option.

[brn442]

The kinks are: (1)The location, virtually no foot traffic on Rogers.

Most businesses on Rogers die a painful, predictable death for that very reason. (that will change one day, I'm sure.)

More importantly: (2) The place has virtually no curb appeal - tinted windows with those ominous security bars aren't exactly welcoming to the casual passer by is it? It looks more like a seedy gambling joint or strip club than a sports bar. Like the now defunct Mike's and Toomey's Diner, Crave seem to be stuck in 1992 with regards to outdoor appearances.

As for a wine bar, anything is possible but I still think it's 2-3 years before a wine bar in PLG will make any money. Ditmas Park seems to have a much larger pool of Coop owners and renters who are more likely to patronize sit down restaurants like a wine bar.

[Josh]

I miss the Triangle Tavern (not the smell, but it was comfortable). Bells on Nostrand is the one, with the exception of the beer selection. The bars on Flatbush are just not pleasant. The Decor is nightclub fancy cheap looking.
I'd rather drink in a drab place that has some character.

[babs]

I totally agree with you about Crave being uninviting-looking on the outside. I really hope that Rogers Ave does see some revitalization, as it's a lot closer to my house than Flatbush! And PLG has a pretty good stock of co-op owners (50 Lefferts, and numerous buildings on Hawthorne, Ocean Ave, 80 Winthrop, a condo on Parkside and Ocean, and several co-ops on Lenox Rd - even though not technically PLG), more homeowners than the Cortelyou Rd area (where the houses are detached, so fewer per block), and a substantial rental population that would patronize a wine bar. Change came to Cortelyou Rd. (I think Picket Fence was a pioneer), so I'm hoping the same can happen here.

[Chrystal]

I have been to Crave and I totally agree about the curb appeal. I did notice that it does look brighter outside now so I don't know if the lighting was changed or what but it looks so much better. The first time I went to Crave was through an invite by a friend. Since then I have been there several times and I can honestly say there are improvements each time. They have a pretty good happy hour, they serve food (esp. their wings) and they have a pool table.I am actually surprised it doesn't have more people in there when I go in. The staff is very friendly and you feel welcomes and comfortable there. Crave does need some tlc on the outside but remember the saying don't judge a book by its cover.

[Bossy Rossy]

Lime was the pits. Went to meet a friend for a drink. We were the only one's there and the music was so loud we couldn't hear each other speak. We asked the preoccupies bartender(again, we were the only 2 people there) if it was possible to turn it down. His reply, "we need to let people know we are open. Well we left. Piece of advice for new owners, customer service is the key.

[brn442]

"Lime was the pits" - haha very cheeky.

Sorry Crystal - I may not judge a book by its cover but I will for a bar. Maximillian Bells on Nostrand and Rutland - at least I can see inside.

[Sam]

After all this talk, I decided to visit Crave yesterday and the outside isn't as bad as some of you make it seem. I mean come on it's a bar. It's not a reception hall. And it seems clean and well kempt inside, I can't say that about many bars in Brooklyn.