Church Bar Celebrates Opening At 416 Church Avenue

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Church Bar celebrated its opening at 416 Church Avenue last night.

By Hannah Sheehan

Patrons celebrated Church Bar’s (416 Church Avenue) debut with speciality cocktails and tapas last night, as owners Irma and Mateo Pulido continue transforming their former restaurant, Church Cafe Wine Bar, into a full-fledged nightspot.

Irma and Mateo enjoyed the chance to share their new expanded drink menu with their customers. Most of the cocktail recipes, including the Tres Leches Tiramisu Martini, are Irma’s.

“I love to create cocktails,” said Irma, whose Hibiscus Cosmo and Margarita Rosarito with fresh lime juice and rosemary are early favorites among regulars.

Church Bar owners Irma and Mateo Pulido

The owners hope live music, karaoke, art shows, and sporting events on their new flat screen TVs will be additional big draws for locals.

“I want everyone to know that this is a place for everyone,” Irma explained.

A delicious margarita rosarito with fresh rosemary and lime juice.
The bar’s chips and guacamole

Longtime neighborhood resident Nina Cullari welcomed the relaunch.

“It’s sophisticated. The prices are good. The service is lovely,” Cullari said.

Neighbor Nina Cullari at Church Bar’s opening

Michelle Currie, who’s lived in Kensington for seven years, also dropped by for drink. She hopes Church Bar will eventually offer more cocktail options, but appreciates having another bar in the area.

“Especially this neighborhood now, a lot of the people who open businesses here actually live here and that’s really important to me. It’s a sense of community that I look for and that’s not frequently found in the city,” Currie said.

Church Bar bartenders Marcia and Juan.
Church Bar patrons Michelle and Stephen at the opening night.
The tomato and cheese appetizer.

Irma and Mateo are planning more renovations throughout the summer, including a new front window, and are still working to finalize their cocktail and tapas menus.

Stop by tonight, Friday, to watch the USA vs. China Women’s World Cup match at 7:30pm. Happy hour will be from 5pm-8pm.

Church Bar is located at 416 Church Avenue, between E. 4th and E. 5th Streets. It can be reached by calling (718) 435-2574. The bar will be open Monday through Friday from 12pm to 4am. Happy Hour will be held Monday through Friday from 5-8pm. For more information, visit the bar’s Facebook page.