Mixed reaction to Beer Garage upgrade as neighbors cite past sidewalk and signage violations

The beer garage at 118 Christopher Street requested upgrading its restaurant‑wine license to a full on‑premise liquor license. Applicant representatives said the restaurant has operated under a wine license since 2021, plans limited cocktails and background music and would not become a destination sports bar. They submitted 38 neighbor signatures of support and said TVs (currently present) would be low and not face the street.

Neighbors and several community board members recounted a history of noncompliant operations at this storefront: past operable windows and a service shelf that extended service toward the sidewalk, inconsistent removal of fixtures, visible trash accumulation and occasional loud daytime activity. Nancy Paisley (S11) and others urged the committee to deny an upgrade because of the operation’s past conduct and the presence of a service window that blurred the indoor/outdoor boundary. Supporters who live nearby described the business as neighborly and low‑impact.

The committee asked applicants to remove street‑facing signage that invites service outside, to confirm that any former outdoor bench/shelf is permanently closed, to avoid outdoor speakers and to ensure the backyard (used only sparsely during COVID) remains closed for drinking purposes. The applicant said the window had been converted to a solid window in recent months and that any prior outdoor fixtures were removed; the committee asked for documentation and recommended steps for trash containment and daily pickup to address rodent concerns.