Did "Douche-Magnet" Williamsburg Bar Royal Oak Close Down For Good?

Photo via Yelp

Earlier today, we received a tip that Williamsburg bar Royal Oak—or, as the locals might know it, Royal Joke, had "closed suddenly" for reasons unexplained. A longstanding fixture in the Williamsburg dance party circuit, the bar was once described as a "beautiful hideaway...with a laid-back, stylish crowd," though more recently as a "douche-magnet—attracting morons from near and far." They have disconnected their phone and taken down their website.

Owner Benjamin Shih, who also owns nearby bar Sweet Ups and formerly co-owned Hotel Chantelle, was not available for comment. Per Chantelle PR reps, "Benjamin sold his part of Chantelle in January to full owner Ravi Patel. Last time we heard of him he was called to go to Afghanistan because he was in the Army before." A neighborhood resident was unfazed, telling us, "I'm sure everyone within a few-block radius of that dump is just happy it's gone."

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

By Jamie Feldmar in Food on July 15, 2011 3:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Jack

First of all it was locals who have lived here for YEARS that complained about both the noise and the "go fuck yourself if you don't like it" attitude that the owner had. Add to that that the jerk who owned this place basically burned out more bartenders than any other bar in the neighborhood with his abusive, aggressive and incompetent management style and everyone should be jumping for joy that this shithole is closed. Mars Bar we will miss - this place is everything that has ever been wrong with N. Brooklyn - glad it is gone.

Guest

When that place first opened - in what 2004?, wow, anyway, it was fun, of course none of those condos were open yet.

Anyway, what Gothamist and most people fail to realize...
Everyone is someone else's Douche-Bag.

Of course, people who's parents pay for their rent are more likely to fit that role.

Robert Joseph

Since that entire zip code is a douche magnet I don't see any reason to single this place or any other out.

FutureMan

Royal Coke.... haha.. someone had to pick up where the Pour House left off when it closed and turned into Legion

Unkle_Bob

I don't know or care about the bar, but I'm glad they took down their website. I really hate ghost websites.

Mordicai

Aw! I have fond memories of that place-- we used to have play rehearsals in the back room. To be fair, that was at like, 6 pm on a weekday, so I didn't have to tangle with any of the regular clientele.

corneilius

I thought the locals all knew it as Royal Coke.

John_Del_Signore

Yes, but this is a family website.

pendejito

I remember it it back in the day (when the chocolate/candy factory was across the street), it was a good spot. Haven't been through those doors in years. Despite its douchey reputation, its a sign of the times. Always knew that place wouldn't survive, its surrounded by new condoes now.

Trustafarian

All the douchebags just go to The Woods now on the weekends for their DJ Dance parties. I give that place another year before the richie riches in the luxury rental next door complain them into oblivion.