CPW Residents Furious Over Proposed Wine Bar

25 Central Park West

Residents of 15 Central Park West, which include Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, A-Rod and Sting, are furious at a proposal that would put a wine bar in the heart of their pristine neighborhood. Amsterdam Billiards founder Gregory Hunt wants to transform the space on the ground floor of 25 Central Park West into a jumping cafe and wine bar called the Century Cafe, and locals have reached out to lobbyist groups and lawmakers to block the project. 25 CPW resident Roberta Brandes-Gratz told the Post, "To have people and crowds coming in and out until 3 a.m. is more than a residential building should have to accommodate." Seriously, what kind of young, cultured city does Hunt think this is?

City Councilwoman Gale Brewer is on the residents' side, writing a letter to the state liquor authority to oppose Hunt's application. Earlier in the week, the West Side Independent reported that she wrote, "I have spoken to Mr. Hunt’ s attorney and expressed the concerns articulated to me by residents of the neighborhood. In particular, the issue of an establishment serving alcohol late into the night in a residential neighborhood is of great concern to residents. I look forward to working with all stakeholders on identifying a small business that would be more suitable for the location than a bar." Perhaps turning the space into a private parade viewing grandstand would be a good idea.

But Hunt understands the plight of the curmudgeons! He insists he is not trying to build the next Beatrice Inn, and says, “I’m 52 and I’m tired of going out and having to shout over everyone." He says the bar will only play "low background music," and only 74 people will be allowed in at a time. Presumably, everyone will be served warm milk at exactly 10 p.m. and then escorted home by the polite and reserved. Sounds wild!

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By Jaya Saxena in News on May 30, 2010 5:50 PM

Comments [rss]

Offbalance

Why don't all of these old people move to some quiet, boring suburb where nothing ever happens, no one ever speaks to anyone, and no one makes noise? Maybe that will suit them, instead of grousing about how because they're old and boring no one else is allowed to have fun anymore?

Neverhaditsogood

Social climbers should try some other excuse for getting into the building.

thefacts

Hi, Sonny boy.

We're curious. What suburb have you come from before you arrived in the Big City?

ANGRYGOD11

Somehow people still believe because wine can cost a fortune, it can't get you drunk, loud, sick and obnoxious like cheap beer can. And it still means public access until late hours.

thefacts

For sure!

Some people think because they "sip" wine they are culturally better and morally superior than their peers who "drink" spirits or "guzzle" beer.

Ask any wino if the ill-effects of wine are less than the ill-effects of beer.

Kojak

Idiot curmudgeons. Its a WINE BAR on the Upper West Side for Christ's sake. Society will not break down into Anarchy cuz they opened a WINE BAR in your building. I'd like to reiterate that it is a WINE BAR. And only WINE will be served. That doesn't mean it will suddenly turn into West 4th Street or Meatpacking District.

Get over yourselves. Jesus Tap dancing Christ.