9th Note Might Become A Brooklyn “Barcade”

by Aliyya Swaby | Jul 15, 2015 8:04 am

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Posted to: Arts & Culture, Business/ Economic Development, Ninth Square, True Vote

Jazzy saxophone solos and cocktails might be replaced by the beeps and whirs of arcade games along with craft beer in a Ninth Square night spot. That’ll happen if the founders of Brooklyn-based Barcade—a combination bar and arcade—get permission to open their sixth post at 56 Orange St., the home of former jazz bar 9th Note. (The chain’s Philadelphia outlet is pictured above.) The company’s founders asked the Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday night for special exceptions and variances to allow them to open. The zoning commissioners referred the matter to the City Plan Commission, which is to consider it Wednesday and return it to the zoning board in September with a recommendation. The Town Green Special Services District worked to recruit Barcade to the spot and spoke out in favor it at Tuesday night’s zoning hearing at 200 Orange St. Two neighbors spoke out against the bar, arguing it would not be a good fit for the Ninth Square. 9th Note was evicted earlier this year following noise complaints and the landlord’s claim that the operator failed to pay the $4,100 in monthly rent in a timely manner. Barcade founders Kevin (pictured) and Scott Beard asked for five variances and two special exceptions. They argued the requests are warranted since the law around arcades is outdated and unnecessary. They asked for variances to allow 50 game machines, instead of the three-machine maximum; to allow two game machines per 100 square feet of area where a maximum of one is allowed; to allow no space around the machines where three feet of side clearance and eight feet of front clearance is required; to not provide an attendant for the machines; and to allow no off-street bicycle stalls instead of 24. The requested special exceptions are for a cafe liquor license, instead of a restaurant license, and permission to have no parking spaces where 25 are required in a central business/residential district. Albert Annunziata, the business’s lawyer, called the rules for arcades “antiquated.” He said the arcade would be an “accessory use” to the sale of craft beer, since only 7 percent of the profit comes from “video game usage. It’s a cool feature to bring in other people to eat and drink.” The Town Green Special Services District has been courting the business for months and finally convinced it to come to New Haven, said Barcade co-founder Paul Kermizian. “We were pleasantly surprised by how much we liked the city,” he said. If it opened in New Haven, Barcade would serve about 25 American beers on draft from local and regional breweries and pub food from a full kitchen. Robert D’Amico, who lives in apartments above the space, said he doesn’t want a bar in that space at all. Those arguing for Barcade “don’t live where I live ... When you take alcohol and game machines, grown-ups become kids,” he said. “I’m tired of listening to what’s going on downstairs.” He said that “it took forever to get rid of” 9th Note (he had complained) and that he doesn’t trust Barcade to comply with noise restrictions. Kermizian said the founders plan to soundproof the space and that they would not have live music as Ninth Note did. Another neighbor spoke in opposition to Barcade—because he wants the glory of 9th Note to return. Robert Greenberg asked zoning commissioners to contrast the sound of renowned musicians such as Miles Davis with the sound of games like Donkey Kong. “I don’t know if changing the zoning to bring this business here is the kind of business we want on Orange Street,” he said. Win Davis, who heads the Town Green organization, and Steve Fontana (pictured), a city economic development officer, both spoke in favor of Barcade. Davis said two “qualified national retail opinions” vouched for the bar as a “great option” for New Haven. It will be a place “for people like myself to relive their youth,” he said. Annunziata said Barcade would have a strict 21 and over policy, except for minors accompanied by adults. The founders had been considering opening the sixth Barcade in Boston, said Kermizian, but New Haven officials kept “inquiring if we would consider” the smaller city. “We’re excited to be in Connecticut,” he said, especially since many regional breweries operate here.

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posted by: BetweenTwoRocks Some guys moves above a bar and then keeps complaining that the bar is too loud? Are you kidding me? There’s a ton of apartments across New Haven, but you chose to live downtown—where the nightlife is—and having a bar below you is too much? Even though there’s ALWAYS BEEN A BAR THERE? This is why we can’t have nice things. Hope the zoning commission fast tracks Barcade, as it would be a HUGE addition to New Haven.

posted by: Truth Avenger on July 15, 2015 9:41am Thank you Mr. Greenberg for being the voice of reason. How do you allow the railroading of a classy jazz bar, and then welcome with open arms, a Barcade? What’s next, the former Bentara becomes a pool hall? Ninth Square could be a contender, but not if it continues down the path of poor choices, and giveaway special exemptions. To those residents who helped drive out 9th Note, be careful what you wish for. The buzzing, ringing, and clanging of game machines and drunken patrons stumbling on to your streets may be the legacy you deserve.

posted by: LorcaNotOrca on July 15, 2015 10:00am It constantly baffles me that people who choose to live in apartments RIGHT DOWNTOWN in a city where there is nightlife, consistently complain about the noise, etc. No one wants to live above a noisy place, sure. But that’s what you’re going to get in some way/shape/form if you choose to live downtown, especially at the corner of Orange and Crown streets, where there has always been some kind of bar/restaurant, etc.

Lately that space has had a lot of turnover, and Barcade could be something that has some potential to stick around. The whole premise of kicking 9th Note out was infuriating. This is why we can’t have nice things.

What would Mr. D’Amico and his partners-in-silence prefer take that space? These are suburban complaints, and it would be particularly embarrassing, as a young person in New Haven, to have this kind of “get off my lawn” stuff ruining every chance we have to add to the fun of our city.

I haven’t forgotten all that noise complain nonsense around Ideat Village a few years ago either.

posted by: woosterman on July 15, 2015 10:08am I agree with ShadesofZero. The two idiots who complained are the reason we lack economic development in the city. Go move to the sticks, if you don’t want to hear any noise.

posted by: RobotShlomo on July 15, 2015 10:11am Hasn’t this always been the problem with New Haven? People move next door to Yale Bowl, then they complain “the football games are too loud!!”. They move next to the airport and then complain “there’s too much air traffic!!”. Then those people get their way, and ruin it for the rest of us. You moved DOWNTOWN, and now you’re complaining about the noise? Seriously? It’s a CITY, not a retirement home. There’s going to be activity. Mr. D’Amico should consider moving somewhere else in the city, because it looks as though he’ll never be satisfied with any tenant they decide to bring in.

posted by: HewNaven on July 15, 2015 10:39am What I don’t understand is the PEOPLE always doing their STUFF. And it’s never the STUFF I want to be doing! ARGGG!

posted by: Cyclogist on July 15, 2015 10:57am I will most likely spend all of my time here if this gets approved. Please get a tabletop arcade game in there! Definitely need Galaga too! I would be totally depressed if I couldn’t waste my paycheck on that game. Only thing I’m not in favor of is granting a special exception regarding bicycle parking. provide bicycle amenities for your patrons. You’ll be happy that you did. Bike racks are a good thing! Cars take up too much space, smell icky and cost way way to much.

posted by: HewNaven on July 15, 2015 11:36am Cycologist just reminded me of something: This arcade must have PROP CYCLE!! http://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=4763&image=1 http://www.coinopexpress.com/products/machines/dedicated_machines/Prop_Cycle_(DX)_662.html

posted by: robn on July 15, 2015 12:56pm Decades ago, the developers of Residences at 9th Square were granted a very lenient tax deal by the city to subsidize the development as well as HUD money for the financing. That’s why the rents remain low relative to other options downtown. This is why noise sensitive people don’t want to move but you can’t have it both ways. The goal of the subsidies (reinvigorating the ninth square) has been achieved and with that comes activity and some noise.

posted by: ADAK on July 15, 2015 1:08pm 9th Note shouldn’t have been kicked out because of noise (not paying rent is another issue). A Barcade shouldn’t be denied business because of arcade game noises… There’s a bunch of bars, live music venues, etc. in that area. It’s part of the “9 squares” of downtown life. Besides maybe noise curfews this shouldn’t be an issue. I, for one, want to see this go through. 9th Square can be one of the few blocks of downtown not controlled by Yale, and this area needs thriving, interesting businesses or that to succeed.

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on July 15, 2015 1:34pm Maybe he would like to move,But due to the rents going, May be he can afford to move.

posted by: Nadine H on July 15, 2015 2:21pm I for one hope they approve Barcade because as gamers, my husband and I will definitely be there! Agree with the other commenters about those who are complaining about the new business coming in. These are the type of people who would complain if a restaurant came there because the sound of the dishwasher is too loud. You live in the heart of downtown New Haven, there is going to be noise; if you don’t like it go move to the burbs!

posted by: Bradley on July 15, 2015 4:19pm 3/5ths, did you mean “can’t” in your last sentence? Mr. D’Amico doesn’t have to move to the ‘burbs. There are plenty of units in and near downtown that are quieter than an apartment above a bar/restaurant.

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on July 15, 2015 6:51pm posted by: Bradley on July 15, 2015 4:19pm 3/5ths, did you mean “can’t” in your last sentence? Mr. D’Amico doesn’t have to move to the ‘burbs. There are plenty of units in and near downtown that are quieter than an apartment above a bar/restaurant. My bad I did mean can’t” in my last sentence.Again there maybe plenty of units,But what is the rents going for?

posted by: Bill Saunders on July 15, 2015 10:53pm I am interested in knowing the timeline for Town Green’s recruitment of BARCADE. Did these ‘talks’ begin before of after the termination of the 9th Note’s lease. That is the question that needs to be answered.

posted by: robert1026 on July 18, 2015 2:00am My name is Robert D’Amico And I was at the zoning hearing. There were a few things I failed to say. The last place that was there was to be a restaurant but it didn’t work so the owner turned it into a night club. What will happen if you Okay the zoning change and Barcade doesn’t make it. We lost another restaurant That has been there for years. So what will that be a Strip Club. Think very hard before you act. We have one bad apple Gotham City on center St. already do we want more.