Nublu Gets New Life, Reopens in Time for New Year’s

Shuttered NubluStephen Rex Brown

After abruptly shuttering during the summer and moving its parties to the basement of Lucky Cheng’s, Nublu will reopen at its original Avenue C location, serving beer and wine rather than hard liquor.

E-mailing from Sweden, Nublu’s owner, Ilhan Ersahin, said that the club would reopen tonight at 62 Avenue C and will once again operate from 8 p.m. till 4 a.m. nightly, but will now host earlier shows at lower volumes. He described the new operation as “less clubby style,” with “more wine/lounge/art/talky kinda vibes,” and said that finger food would be served. He added that there would be “more acoustic-friendly nights, neighborhood-style, with an international touch” in keeping with his record label.

Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom HallStephen Rex Brown Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall

Nublu closed in August after its liquor license was revoked by the State Liquor Authority due to its proximity to a Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall. The development prompted such an outcry among those who said the venue was one of the neighborhood’s last bastions of eclectic music that The Local’s posts about it were among the most commented of the year. Mr. Ersahin relocated the club’s parties to the basement of Lucky Cheng’s (itself set to relocate) and at one point considered reopening at a new location at 151 Avenue C.

Mr. Ersahin said he planned to go before Community Board 3 in the near future, to pitch what he called a “cultural extension of Nublu” at the alternate space on Avenue C.