Manhattan Residents Clash With Bar Owners Over Proposed Location Near Two Schools

By: Lindsey Christ

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The owners of Boxers, a gay bar in Chelsea, have proposed a new location in Hell's Kitchen, but area residents spoke out against it Thursday, calling it too close for comfort given the spot's proximity to two neighborhood schools. NY1’s Lindsey Christ filed the following report.

It's a tough sell: A gay sports bar wants to open in a privately-owned building located in the corner of PS 111's schoolyard and across the street from a Catholic school.

“I would venture to say that we're the only neighborhood in the country that has a bar on an elementary schoolyard and man, I don't want to be known for that. Where's our dignity in this neighborhood?” said one resident.

However, the owners of Boxers in Chelsea told the local block association Thursday that they'll improve this corner in Hell's Kitchen by opening their second location here.

“We're open when the school's closed, and the school's closed when we're open,” said co-owner Rob Hynds.

They say their older clientele comes for the sports and goes home early, which is better than potential alternatives.

“Should it be a night club? As a gay parent of two, I would never want a nightclub there. Could it be a tavern that sells food? Yes, in my opinion I think that's fair. Other than that, there may be nothing but having a derelict building for three, four years. Is that good for the neighborhood?” said co-owner Bob Fluet.

Still, area residents aren’t thrilled by the idea.

“It just doesn't feel right to have a bar in a schoolyard,” said one resident.

Most opponents claim they don't have a problem with it being a gay bar, just that it's illegal to sell liquor within 200 feet of a school entrance: the Catholic School is within that zone.

As a solution, the bar plans to serve food in the front section of the building and keep booze 200 feet away.

The principal of PS 111 isn't buying it. She sent an e-mail to community members last week, expressing concern about foot-traffic and students distracted by the rooftop bar.
She claims the bar's patrons will be wearing only their boxers.

The owners of Boxers Sports Bar say she was referring to an old promotion at their Chelsea location that they won't repeat.

Tonight's meeting was a chance for the bar owners to make their case to the local block association, but it's the community board that has the power to recommend whether they get a liquor license or not.

That vote happens next week, and both police and the community board that oversees Boxers’ Chelsea location recommend they be approved.