‘Happy Ending’ Nightclub on Broome Street Appears Kaput [Updated]
It’s been a rocky tenure for the Happy Ending reboot on Broome Street, but the end now appears closer than ever.
A tipster sent word that Happy Ending hasn’t been open since earlier this month. The purported closure could be related to recent raids here. In fact, the nightclub fell victim to two inter-agency M.A.R.C.H. raids in the last five months, most recently in early April, resulting in a total of seventeen summonses, police said.
There are no official announcements on any of the bar’s social media accounts regarding the closure; the last update was an event plug dated May 6.
Update: The 5th Precinct mistakenly noted this action as part of Vice Squad (i.e. massage parlor), but that is not the case. They issued the following statement – “We do receive numerous complaints from the community regarding this location.”
Sushi Belly, which operated a symbiotic restaurant venture onsite, likewise shuttered. A note on the Open Table page for reservations notes only that the establishment is “permanently closed.”
Happy Ending has been a nuisance establishment on this block for more than a decade. At one point, it was considered the single biggest offender in the 5th Precinct when it comes to resident complaints.
The first incarnation shuttered in October 2013. Then nightlife impresario Oliver Stumm reinvigorated the brand three years ago with a new look and Michelin-rated chef (Francis Gabarrus, who later departed). The shit hit the fan in summer 2014 when an employee allegedly raped a female patron in the bathroom; also co-owner/manager Teddy Perwieler was reportedly barred from entering the club thanks to allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, and Happy Ending investor, Julia Fox (that case was adjourned “in contemplation of dismissal” and Perwieler was forced to pay $600); and lastly, the city issued a partial-vacate order for the basement space after the aforementioned M.A.R.C.H. raid this past December (improper egresss).
Given the spate of issues at Happy ending, Community Board 3 last summer saw fit to deny the liquor license renewal – remember it was also accused of using an upstairs apartment for its kitchen – but the state disagreed with the recommendation and its privileges were re-upped.
We’ll keep you posted on what happens here…
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