The former Housewatch space is for lease on Avenue B

Photo last week by Stacie Joy 

A for-lease sign is up at 50 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

The previous tenant, Housewatch, quietly closed earlier this year after nearly 18 months in business. 

This is a large space that has been many different things over the years (Joey Bats Café, Gama Lounge, Lovecraft, Affaire Bistro and Lounge, China 1), with a lower level and access on both Avenue B and Fourth Street. 

There are also rumors of a new suitor for the Avenue B space.

50 Avenue B now on Housewatch

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Signage is now up for Housewatch, the new name of the bar at 50 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

It also marks the rebranding of the basement venue, Gama Lounge. That team, composed of several firefighters, is now running the ground-level space. (Housewatch is also in the firefighter's lexicon — the person who receives and acknowledges all alarms and maintains the firehouse directory.)

Housewatch takes over for Joey Bats Café, which we noted last week closed this outpost. Joey Bats will continue selling its signature pastéis de nata from the Essex Market, Grand Central Terminal and Chelsea Market. Joey Batista (aka Bats) was previously a partner in Gama Lounge.