Brooklyn Public House Is Open!

After closing in January, Brooklyn Public House (247 Dekalb Avenue between Vanderbilt Avenue and Clermont Avenue) reopened this Saturday afternoon under new ownership. The bar and eatery, once owned by Kevin O’Lunney and now owned by Ivan Spence and Kieran McNamara, was already pretty full when we stopped by around 3pm.

The restaurant has retained much of its original look, with cozy dark red seating and warm lighting. Patrons lined the bar Saturday afternoon, enjoying beers and watching the World Cup.

Ivan and Kieran, who are both from Belfast, met during high school and lived together for seven years. This is the first establishment in which Kieran is part owner; Ivan, who has lived in NYC for the past 23 years and Fort Greene the past five, also has stake in a few Manhattan spots.

Brooklyn Public House has an abbreviated menu for now, although we did try their wings, fries, and chicken schnitzel (a personal favorite). They have a chef in mind to help cook a larger range of food, and hope to have a full menu in place by Wednesday. And they have a full bar of beer, wine, and spirits already!

Ivan, who says he thinks Fort Greene is a wonderful neighborhood (particularly for families — he and his wife, Andriana Spence of Hank & JoJo, are raising their kids here), was out and about before we got a chance to snap his photo — but Kieran was able to step outside with us for a quick picture.

“I love the place,” he says. “I love the neighborhood. I am really happy here, and I hope I can give what the last owners gave. So far, the response has been amazing.”

Brooklyn Public House opens daily at noon, and plans to stay open at night until 4am. Ivan and Kieran are still looking for front of house staff, so if you’re interested in a Fort Greene gig, be sure to stop by during opening hours — or just stop by to wish them good luck!