This evening, Community Board 3 voted to reject a request from Soho House to support a liquor license at 139 Ludlow St., where the private members’ club hopes to establish an outpost on the Lower East Side. A resolution drafted by the SLA Committee last week opposing the liquor permit was backed by 25 members; 1o voted against the resolution; 2 abstained. Around a dozen community members were absent.
There was lengthy testimony tonight from both supporters and opponents. In the end, some CB3 members voted against Soho House, saying the exclusive club is wrong for the LES. But most of the opposition appeared to come from board members concerned about the over-saturation of nightlife venues in the immediate area. They were especially hesitant about a proposed roof deck, which would be only feet from the windows of some neighboring apartments.
Soho House now faces a hearing before the State Liquor Authority, which has the power to approve or reject the license. We’ll have a more detailed report tomorrow.
Wonderful result for the neighborhood!