Will Steampunk Venue Sink or Swim?

Maybe they need to make it more... Steampunky?

Is the world’s first steampunk bar (according to owner Andy Heidel) at risk of shutting down before it even gets started? The Brooklyn Paper reports that Prospect Heights' Way Station has high hopes of becoming a live-music venue... but can't seem to get a liquor license.

Heidel describes the process as "Kafka meets Catch 22. Fortunately, I haven’t woken up as a giant cockroach... yet.” Currently he's hosting one-off events in the space with one-night liquor licenses, but has failed to book any bands on a regular schedule because they fear there will be no audience without alcohol (people: make a crazy Steampunk flask!).

Currently there's at least another three months to go in which Heidel needs to stay afloat without being able to serve alcohol, and this Thursday night he'll be hosting a New Year’s Eve bash and fundraiser. The paper suggest attending, since "the Way Station’s survival is crucial to the neighborhood... [as] the first live venue on this rejuvenated section of Washington Avenue."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on December 28, 2009 3:30 PM

Comments [rss]

Mordicai

Well, if it opens, I'll go.

arthur w donovan

I wish the Way Station the best of luck in the New Year!

But if there is a question about the specific design of the bar, I would say: no, it is not a Steampunk bar- not by any stretch of the definition.

However, the Edison Bar in L.A. is a prime example of the Steampunk styling.

puppets

Thanks Gothamist for proving my sanity. I live around the corner from this place and walked by it one day and saw the TARDIS. As a huge Doctor Who fan I was overjoyed and told everyone about it. But I could never find the bar again to prove it because where I suspected it had been always had its gate down. Now I know why. Hope it can get its license. I would definitely be a regular patron.

paperbackwriter

See? There's a reason the internal combustion engine aced out steam power. Did anyone try to get a hold of Steampowered Jetpack Abe Lincoln for comment?

iamdmg

is the fundraiser for a charity or for the bar?

isn't every night the bar is open a "fundraiser"?

longacre

A friend of mine has the same framed print they have on their wall, purchased from the steampunk mecca known as Bed Bath and Beyond.

Kojak

That's a pretty halfassed steampunk bar from the look of the pictures. Just call it a regular bar and call it a day.

HOTCUP

yeah, i was going to say that nothing about those pictures says steampunk.

maybe they primarily play steampunk music? does that exist? organs and accordions?