Grand Prospect Hall Opens Brooklyn Bavarian Biergarten
The historic Grand Prospect Hall, on Prospect Avenue between 5th and 6th Avenues, is opening a biergarten, dubbed Brooklyn Bavarian Biergarten, in the enclosed outdoor space next to the hall on Friday.
Honoring its New York and Bavarian roots, all 24 taps will feature mostly New York State drafts and some German imports, including Six Point, Ommegang, and Bitburger. Local Red Hook Winery varietals, a full bar, and an eclectic German-themed menu will also be available. Some highlights from the menu include Schnitzel, Weisswurst, and Pretzels. The menu also features vegetarian versions of German favorites.
Regarding the reason for opening the new biergarten, Grand Prospect Hall spokesperson Catherine Hay says, “We have the space, and we wanted to bring it back to its roots as a German entertainment hall. We’d been thinking about it for a while and finally decided, why not?”
Prospect Hall was built in 1892 to serve the large German population that once dominated the neighborhood. It burned down in 1900 but was completely rebuilt.
Uses for the space continued to evolve as time went on — a vaudeville theater in the 20s, a speakeasy in the 30s, and a supper club in the 40s — until it fell into disrepair. Michael Halkias and his wife, Alice, bought the building in 1982, restored it and turned it into the reception hall it is today, with its unforgettable commercials.
Beer-themed oil paintings remain and have been restored, one of which boasts: ‘Brooklynites can’t live on water alone!’
The new beer garden is a lush and spacious. It can accommodate roughly 500 people and surrounds a glass-enclosed, air conditioned area that can accommodate another 500 drinkers. This interior area looks out onto the green outdoors with multiple fountains.
Owner Michael Halkias is excited to open the doors, “Come see and be seen at Park Slope’s new urban oasis!”
Brooklyn Bavarian Biergarten opens Friday, July 17 at 3pm. Hours for the biergarten are 3pm -11pm Tuesday through Thursday, 3pm-1am on Fridays, 12pm-1am on Saturdays, and 12pm-11pm on Sundays. To find out more and to see the full menu, visit their website.
