What self-respecting frat boy would pound back the beers at a sports bar that invites patrons to “Come Share the Love” and “Enjoy the Happiness”? Here’s the new hand-painted sign up at P.K.’s Sports Bar/Restaurant, Ltd. on the corner of Washington and Park (former home of Utopia):

We’ll wait to hear back from pete_c, who in the Prospect Heights Message Boards announces his intentions to indulge in “Real Guy” activities:

“I’m not a huge fan of the big loud fratty sports bar — unless they have really, really good bar food, see O’Keefe’s over by the courthouse — but this week, my opinion must change.”

“Yes, it’s the first and second round of the NCAA Men’s IA Basketball Tournament. This event brings out the latent frat-boy sports-bar section of my personality … So, for the next few weeks - yay sports bar! Maybe I’ll stop in on my way back from Hedda Gabbler at BAM tomorrow night, for a little cultural dissonance.”

Share the Love, Enjoy the Happiness in the Prospect Heights Message Boards

Dear ProHo People, ProHo Babies, Friends of ProHo (FoP) and Members of the Brooklyn Blogerati,

We have been thinking long and hard about some very deep issues. The DAILY HEIGHTS community is so diverse–what is it that unites us? A shared sense of citizenship? A desire for change for the greater good? Or a special fondness for knocking off early and grabbing a pint at the corner pub?

Let’s go with #3:

DAILY HEIGHTS HAPPY HOUR/RAFFLE
Thursday, April 28; 6:00 PM til ?; at SODA BAR; 629 Vanderbilt Ave.; 718-230-8393;
Drink specials: $3 pints til 8 pm, more?

DRINK BEER - WIN PRIZES! Thanks to staceyjoy for her generous donation of this HAND-EMBROIDERED “ProHo Ho” T-shirt (pictured), which we will raffle off, along with a men’s version (maybe “ProHo Pimp”? Is that too obvious?).

We’re seeking a third raffle item, so if you or your business has something to donate, let us know. All proceeds from the raffle go toward planning more DH events, of course.

This sounds great, but I have a baby, and… Great! So do we! SODA is a baby-friendly (or at least baby-tolerant) establishment. Bring ‘em by. Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 other younguns who will be there to play with–and exchange germs with–your kid.

“Excuse me, are you Jewish?” (No, and I’m in the middle of a 7-minute mile, do you mind?) The happy hour will be certified Passover-friendly (i.e. potato Vodka, maybe macaroons?) thanks to DAILY HEIGHTS regular QUIG, one of only two Brooklyn members of the Loyal League of Yiddish Sons of Erin. Guess who the other one is (hint: he’s a thumbs-up kind of a guy).

Congratulations to Ed Sullivan on Acid and Brooklyn Comedy Company, Prospect Heights’s two regular comedy shows. Both got a decent write-up in Rachel Kramer Bussel’s article, “Kings County of Comedy,” which appears in the April 7-13 edition of Time Out New York.

Elon James White writes: “I don’t think it’s online, but I’m vain enough that I typed up the only part that has something to do with us…”

“As the scene grows, one can’t help but wonder how long it will remain casual. One person upping the ante is Elon James White of the Brooklyn Comedy Company (BcCo) who produces a weekly stand-up show in Prospect Heights and hopes to soon – gasp! – pay his headliners. ‘We’re probably the only independent comedy show holding auditions,’ He says. ‘We’re making it cool to do Brooklyn.’”

BONUS quote from honorary ProHo’er Josh, who hooked up with TONY writer Rachel through the Daily Heights message boards: “Everyone isn’t angling to get on The Late Late Show [with Craig Ferguson], which is nice … I prefer going to places without drink minimums that don’t have autographed pictures of Jerry Seinfeld on the walls.”

[PICTURED: Karith Foster at Brooklyn Comedy Company at last week’s “Ladies First” comedy night]

…means outdoor drinking, of course! And at what better place than Soda Bar, which just doubled its backyard patio space (seen here, still sparsely furnished). Last summer, the occasional cat was known to emerge from that formerly boarded-up lot and greet our drunken, dangling fingers. We just hope she’ll come back.

That’s pretty much the headline Elon James White of Brooklyn Comedy Company suggested, and that works for Daily Heights. Not as in, “oh, because she’s on TV, she must be good.” But as in, “I haven’t heard of her, but somebody actually thought she was funny enough to have a mass audience, so maybe it will be worthwhile to walk 5 minutes to Washington Avenue THIS MONDAY NIGHT and NOT PAY A COVER to see her. And if she bombs, there are four others on the bill, so that’s good odds, right?”

Here’s a not-bad video clip of Rachel Feinstein on Comedy Central’s official Premium Blend website (click “Watch Now” below her photo).

NOTE: They are actually taking table reservations for this one, so if it sounds like fun, you may want to e-mail Brooklyn Comedy Company.
UPCOMING on April 11th: Another “all star” lineup featuring Christian Finnegan, probably best known for playing “Chad” the white roommate in “The Mad Real World” sketch Chappelle’s Show.

Ripple Bar | 769 Washington Ave. (btw. St. John’s and Lincoln Pl.), Brooklyn, NY 11238. 718-230-4514.

Isabel and Chay (center, right) show Park Sloper Leah (left) how things are done in the PH.

Soda Bar | 629 Vanderbilt Ave. at St. Marks Ave. 718-230-8393.

NOTE! Entry #2 in the ProHo Cuties category. Send in your cuties (animal or human) to prohocuties@dailyheights.com.

Nichelle sent us this: “A night of live music and the best burlesque acts from the five boroughs starring pin-up cutie Peekaboo Pointe and hosted by the hula-hooping Miss Saturn. Wasabassco Burlesque Review 2 features more than 15 performers, including a snake charmer, tarot card reader, belly dancer, comic, The Wasabassco-a-gogo Dancers, a mermaid, a magician, and more with: Aimee Leigh, Albert Cadabra, Anais Sin, Anita Cookie, the reigning Miss Rivington: Darlinda Just Darlinda, Gothic belly dance by Maiiah, Mama Caliento, Mama Lou, Molly Crabapple, Little Brooklyn, Nasty Canasta, and Scott Rayow. $15.”

Southpaw | 125 5th Ave. in Park Slope, Brooklyn (between Sterling Place and St. John’s Place). 718-230-0236.

Here on the dailyheights.com message boards, we have already learned that the beer is cheap, the cocktails are strong, the food is at least decent, and if you don’t pay your rent, allegedly, you may get your door drilled shut while you’re sleeping.

Now, careful reader Laura B points DAILYHEIGHTS regulars to the latest revelations: “Did you notice this fascinating bit of information in a recent Chowhound post about the new restaurant Beast: “The bartender told us that the place used to be a Black Panther bar during the 70s. According to her, the FBI shut it down, and when the owner of Beast first began renovations she found shell casings in the cash register and ancient Rheingold cans scattered on the floor…”

[Photo: Michelle Vignes]

UPDATE: According to the latest anonymous post on the lengthy Beast Bar thread on the message boards, there’s a quarter-page-with-photo write-up of Beast in Time Out New York, and “I hear that Zagat Brooklyn has also contacted you…”

The Brooklyn Irish American Parade is tomorrow (Sun., March 20) at 1 PM, starting at Prospect Park West and Bartel-Pritchard Square (Map) (the traffic circle next to 15th St.); the reviewing stand is at Prospect Park West & 9th. Street. According to this site, the Grand Marshall Is NYPD Deputy Chief Joe Fox, and “dignitaries from the Irish Gov.’t” will be attending. There will be street vendors selling “Irish goods” and after the parade ends, festivities continue near Farrell’s Bar On Prospect Ave.

LEPRECHAUN TRAPPED IN SNOWDOME: redtail365 says he is selling this snowdome to help pay for his daughter’s funeral bill.

As previously reported, The Jane Pauley Show visited Prospect Heights’ own Freddy’s Bar and Backroom last month to film Knit Night. Two weeks later, news hit that the show was canceled, and the debut of Freddy’s on national television was in jeopardy. However, although the show is ending production in mid-April, the knitting craft segment — “Creative Outlets” — made the cut and will air toward the end of April or beginning of May.

Knit Night organizer Tony Limuaco says, “The clip was about 30 seconds long at the taping, which is pretty long for a clip. It might get cut shorter, hopefully cropping out the receding hairline of a man from Guam, or possibly his gut…. So get your TIVO all set up and check the site for the air date…. As you show up at Knit Night this Sunday, March 20, walk in proudly knowing that Freddy’s has national coverage.”

See Dailyheights’ earlier post about this subject: “Knitting Is the New Bowling.”

Discussion going on right now on the Craigslist NYC Housing Forum: “A couple friends of mine, and I, are currently looking for a new place starting may. We are all undergrad students with full time jobs, and in trying to decide on locations mutually feasible for our work and school (midtown/downtown work, NYU and Brooklyn College school) we’re growing more and more interested in the area of prospect heights/crown heights in brooklyn. Specifically, the area around the 2/3 and 4/5 trains. Does anyone know this area well, and have any advice? We’ve walked around there a few times at night and during rush hour to get a feel, it seems to be real block-by-block, but the shadiest parts we saw still didn’t seem that bad. Any advice/ideas/comments? …”

If that doesn’t catch your interest, then maybe you’ll want to go read about the Erotic Art Party for couples taking place in a 1600-square-foot loft “in or around Prospect Heights” later this month.

Here’s Kevin and Brendan Mooney standing in front of the pub (click photo to enlarge). I happened to be wearing my Mooney’s Pub T-shirt, so I stopped to say hello. The elder Mooney said he hoped this photo would help “sell papers,” and the younger asked if we would be interested in updating the Mooney’s website. That would be great, but I can’t find a Mooney’s website anywhere. Anybody?

Mooney’s Pub | 353 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn. 718-783-9085.

Jose says he made it to the opening of Beast this past weekend: "The place is decked out fancy, with gargoyles, dragons and lions–oh my–scattered about as decorations. The space is big, with a back dining room and an open kitchen. The bar, however, is tiny: less than a foot deep. This means you have to spread out your book, food, paper, whatever. Not good."

Apparently the service left a bit to be desired ("First night jitters, I was told. Things would be ironed out") but the beer was free and the food was cheap (nothing over $13). "I got a lot of promises, too. Brunch. A bunch of beer on tap. Sidewalk cafe. Concerts. A liquor license by Thursday … It’s the wait-and-see game. I’m going back this weekend to see the progress."

Beast | 638 Bergen St. at Vanderbilt Ave.; 718-399-6855.

Is it already that time of year again? Tamara the Friendly Bartender says Soda will host a big-screen Oscar party Sunday night. If Oscars, celebrity wine tastings, and tapas bar openings aren’t enough, you might want to check out DH’s garish but functional post-your-own-event calendar.

If Friday afternoon work avoidance is your plan, then go create some controversy in the forums. But don’t make me delete you.

Stargirl writes: "I’m trying to help Soda coordinate this film night (it will probably be on a Tuesday night, beginning in mid-March) and am looking for interested parties to submit films to show (i.e. films you’ve made) - so… I’m looking for FILMMAKERS new and old to submit stuff … if anyone is an aspiring filmmaker (or knows of one) and would like to potentially get your stuff shown at Soda for the brand-spankin’ new Soda film night (movies should be in VHS or on DVD) you can contact me at mstasavage@hotmail.com." Maybe PHer Seith Mann can show one of his films?

All the new development around here is getting overwhelming… Staceyjoy has pumped her insider real estate contacts for the following information:

"we’re getting a bakery
on St. Marks and Vanderbilt, in the building on the corner, the big
one that recently underwent a gut reno … I
know it’s not Blue Sky (from 5th Ave.), unfortunately. Also found out the Sweetpea Lounge, on the
corner of Dean and Vanderbilt, is due to open very soon … Very exciting, eh? Especially the bakery … BTW, Saturday marked the opening of Cato Photography right across the
street from me. The guy who owns it, John, is quite nice, and their
sign is lovely at night."

Black Table writer, Gothamist interviewer and comedy series host Nichelle gave us a heads up on the Barbes Reading Series. Tonight.

Heather writes: "The recent removal of pool tables from
Prospect Heights’ local bars has almost reached trend status. Soon after
Soda’s pool table vacated its premises a few weeks ago, Freddy’s bar also got rid of its pool table in The Backroom,
replacing it with a foosball table (see picture). Sources blame the
table’s dilapidated state for its disappearance. But also, “The people
didn’t want to play pool,” said Frank, the bar’s owner. In response
to the news that Soda ejected its own pool table reportedly due to bar
fights, Frank replied, “When you provide a game that has a baseball bat
attached to it, you want it out where the bartender can see it — not back
there.”

One of the Joshes writes: "Walking down Vanderbilt Ave. yesterday and saw a new lounge/restaurant being
built on the corner of Pacific, across the street from Le Gamin. Also, new
boutique (Red Lipstick) right by the bike shop. Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to gentrification at the speed of light."

PS. "It’s not that ‘blue lounge’ or whatever that
place is that halted construction. It’s down on the corner of Pacific, right
before McD’s. I peeked my head in and peeped the permits:
restaurant/lounge/bar is in the mix."

Next Tots and Tonic at Half Wine Bar Lounge; Wed., Feb. 16 from 3-5 pm.
Half, 626 Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238; 718-783-4100.

Heather writes: "Soda Bar is eager to host movie nights in its adjoining lounge, open since last November. One of the lounge’s walls now has a giant projection screen but plans for the series’ content and commencement are ambiguous. Anatole, the bar’s owner, is seeking someone to curate the series and says interested parties can call him at 646-339-8659." Soda Bar; 629 Vanderbilt Ave. btw Prospect Pl. and St. Mark’s Ave.; 718-230-8393.

The Citysearch review says Soda Bar in the 30s was "a German-owned ice cream parlor serving cherry-lime rickeys … vintage remnants (remain) such as wooden tables with lunch-tray grooves, a Royal Crown Cola calendar and cherry-red fountain-style bar stools salute old times." Soda Bar; 629 Vanderbilt Ave. btw Prospect Pl. and St. Mark’s Ave.; 718-230-8393. Photo credit: Oscar Perez on Citysearch.com.

Patty reminded us that Tots & Tonic comes to Half Wine Bar Lounge tomorrow (Wednesday, 1/19). If you go, bring a camera and send us some pictures. From T&T: "Tots and Tonic-The Happy Hour for new moms (and dads)
… T & T is a causal baby friendly event for new moms to meet each other."

The T&T website has links to Mom-Run businesses and support networks. They
will link you too, if you have a "Mom-Run Business." (I’m going to have
to ask my friends with Dad-Run Businesses what they think of this linking
policy.)

Patty reminded us that Tots & Tonic comes to Half Wine Bar Lounge tomorrow (Wednesday, 1/19). If you go, bring a camera and send us some pictures. From T&T: "Tots and Tonic-The Happy Hour for new moms (and dads)
… T & T is a causal baby friendly event for new moms to meet each other."

The T&T website has links to Mom-Run businesses and support networks. They
will link you too, if you have a "Mom-Run Business." (I’m going to have
to ask my friends with Dad-Run Businesses what they think of this linking
policy.)

Patty reminded us that Tots & Tonic comes to Half Wine Bar Lounge tomorrow (Wednesday, 1/19). If you go, bring a camera and send us some pictures. From T&T: "Tots and Tonic-The Happy Hour for new moms (and dads)
… T & T is a causal baby friendly event for new moms to meet each other."

The T&T website has links to Mom-Run businesses and support networks. They
will link you too, if you have a "Mom-Run Business." (I’m going to have
to ask my friends with Dad-Run Businesses what they think of this linking
policy.)