[EVG Flashback] Avenue A transformed into fraternity-sorority party for Diablo Royale Este's 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

We first posted this on Sept. 8, 2010 ... Diablo Royale later apologized to neighbors...

On Sunday night, Diablo Royale Este — home of the Hopsicle! — at 169 Avenue A was host to a party that attracted what one resident described as "swarms" of young adults.



By Monday morning, the EV Grieve inbox was filled with e-mails about the bash. Such as this one from a reader:

You may be hearing from other people about this already, but there are swarms of what appear to be college students trolling East 12th Street between A and B. From what I can hear, it sounds like they are all trying to find some party. They're ranging in age from late teens to early 20s, and they are loud and obnoxious. ... it is so depressing. Just heard a big, "WHOOOOO!" I never thought the East Village would become one big frat/sorority party. I moved here to get away from those people!

And!

Am I the only one in town and experiencing over 500 18-20 year olds who have literally taken over the sidewalks and three-block radius, as I write?? I came home at 11 and Diablo Royal is having some event that has packed the sidewalks and streets with young people screaming and breaking bottles. There is one cop car parked outside and no cops to be seen. It's INSANE HERE.



I called 911 to complain and the operator said "It's Labor Day." Then I went and found one cop who said "it's nearly over," but I have no idea what it is. Jason Bieber??? I've NEVER seen this many people in one place since attending Obama's inauguration in DC.

Several Royalegoers told a resident that Diablo Royale was hosting a Boats 'N Hoes party.

And you can see what the readers were talking about in the photos in this post....the line for Diablo Royale stretched south on Avenue A and wrapped around the corner on East 10th Street...







One tipster said that officers from the Ninth Precinct eventually broke up the party. Lt. Patrick Ferguson at the Ninth Precinct told me that "summonses were issued to the club — they over promoted an event."



Meanwhile, some neighbors who were were already upset with Diablo Royale Este since their Cinco de Mayo opening, are now fuming. Said one longtime resident:

"Our worst fears are being realized as Diablo is catering to and becoming a destination for young party folk."

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Last night at Diablo Royale Este

Diablo Royale Este opens today: features two bars, one screening room and spit-roast pigs in the backyard

The first review of Diablo Royale Este is in!

Avenue A transformed into fraternity-sorority party for Diablo Royale Este's 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

On Sunday night, Diablo Royale Este — home of the Hopsicle! — at 169 Avenue A was host to a party that attracted what one resident described as "swarms" of young adults.



By Monday morning, the EV Grieve inbox was filled with e-mails about the bash. Such as this one from a reader:

You may be hearing from other people about this already, but there are swarms of what appear to be college students trolling East 12th Street between A and B. From what I can hear, it sounds like they are all trying to find some party. They're ranging in age from late teens to early 20s, and they are loud and obnoxious. ... it is so depressing. Just heard a big, "WHOOOOO!" I never thought the East Village would become one big frat/sorority party. I moved here to get away from those people!

And!

Am I the only one in town and experiencing over 500 18-20 year olds who have literally taken over the sidewalks and three-block radius, as I write?? I came home at 11 and Diablo Royal is having some event that has packed the sidewalks and streets with young people screaming and breaking bottles. There is one cop car parked outside and no cops to be seen. It's INSANE HERE.



I called 911 to complain and the operator said "It's Labor Day." Then I went and found one cop who said "it's nearly over," but I have no idea what it is. Jason Bieber??? I've NEVER seen this many people in one place since attending Obama's inauguration in DC.

Several Royalegoers told a resident that Diablo Royale was hosting a Boats 'N Hoes party.

And you can see what the readers were talking about in the photos in this post....the line for Diablo Royale stretched south on Avenue A and wrapped around the corner on East 10th Street...







One tipster said that officers from the Ninth Precinct eventually broke up the party. Lt. Patrick Ferguson at the Ninth Precinct told me that "summonses were issued to the club — they over promoted an event."



Meanwhile, some neighbors who were were already upset with Diablo Royale Este since their Cinco de Mayo opening, are now fuming. Said one longtime resident:

"Our worst fears are being realized as Diablo is catering to and becoming a destination for young party folk."

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Last night at Diablo Royale Este

Diablo Royale Este opens today: features two bars, one screening room and spit-roast pigs in the backyard

The first review of Diablo Royale Este is in!

Diablo Royale Este owner blasts the 'blasphemous lies' of residents, invites the State Liquor Authority to investigate

A discussion of Diablo Royale Este prompted a heated exchange during tonight's CB3/SLA subcommittee meeting between owner Jason Hennings and Avenue A residents.

Hennings and his attorney were present to discuss a review of the stipulations that the bi-level Mexican-themed bar and eatery at 169 Avenue A agreed to upon being approved for a liquor license. The restaurant opened in May. Among other things, it is stated the bar must closes its 18x20 backyard space by 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends.

Several Avenue A residents were on hand (many carrying signs reading "Northern Avenue A says No More") to discuss ongoing issues with the bar, including noise and overcrowding. (And several people brought up the Sept. 5 Boats 'N Hoes bash!) Residents also claim that the backyard stays open beyond its stated hours.



Several residents spoke in front of the committee about the crowds on the sidewalk. Avenue A resident Shawn Chittle recounted how he had to walk on Avenue A to catch the 14A because the sidewalks were so full. When he turned to look, the bus' rearview mirror clipped him in the forehead, causing a deep gash. Upon hearing this, Hennings was seen smiling, laughing and shaking his head, which prompted an angry reaction from Chittle.

Avenue A resident Andrew Coamey said that during the bar's Halloween party, Hennings allegedly approached him on the sidewalk ... that he would see him in 10 years and Coamey "would still be complaining about gentrification." At the time of the confrontation, Hennings was dressed as a gladiator.

After hearing a handful of residents speak out, Hennings called their claims "blasphemous lies." He apologized to the committee for being so upset, but that sitting there and hearing the residents was "angst provoking."

"I'm laughing at some of the stories that I hear." He said that not only does he own Diablo Royale Este, but he also manages the space. He estimates he's there 100 hours a week.

Hennings said that he has only ever received one complaint from residents. He said the Boats N' Hoes bash wasn't their party; that an NYU student had rented out the space and misled the bar on his intentions.

Hennings later singled out Coamey, who he described as a "full-time activist." Coamey quickly stood up and noted that the is the senior vice president for housing and chief financial officer of Housing Works Inc., overseeing 600 employees and a $50 million budget.

Acting committee chair Herman F. Hewitt asked Hennings if Diablo Royale Este operates as a restaurant. He said that they did, and he had his executive chef on hand as well. Hennings estimates that he spends 20 hours a week working on new recipes for the restaurant with his chef.

The committee decided to recommend sending a letter to the State Liquor Authority to investigate Diablo Royale's various stipulations and claims. Committee member David McWater asked Hennings if he would voluntarily agree to stop using the backyard. If he did so, then the committee wouldn't send a letter to the SLA.

"I'm happy to be investigated," Hennings said. He wanted the fact that he welcomed the investigation to be noted in the letter. Several times Hennings mentioned that he had surveillance cameras in the backyard, and that the committee could review the video.

Also on the docket: The committee voted down Jevan Damadian's plans to reopen 34 Avenue A, the onetime home of Aces and Eights....ditto for the "restaurant for the senses" planned in the old Superdive space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Diablo Royale Este opens today: features two bars, one screening room and spit-roast pigs in the backyard

Diablo Royale Este apologizes for 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

As multiple witness reported on Sunday night, Diablo Royale Este — home of the Hopsicle! — at 169 Avenue A hosted what partygoers in line described as a "Boats 'N Hoes" bash for NYU....



Per our report yesterday, hundreds of NYU students lined Avenue A and 10th Street. Police arrived and issued summonses to the bar/restaurant. You can read all that here.

Yesterday, residents received a flyer from Diablo Royale apologizing for the event. (Click to enlarge.)



In part, it reads:

"We were trying to ingratiate ourselves with our NYU neighbors by holding a supposed intimate gathering for a section of the graduate Department as part of a welcome back/orientation.

Unfortunately, our contact duped us, and not only did he invite one specific graduate section from NYU, but other sections as well, hence a supposed party of 75 morphed into something much greater."

And later!

"We pride ourselves on being a restaurant that caters to a mature audience, and by no means has our paradigm shifted."

This was just the second communication that nearby residents said that they ever received from the establishment. The first arrived upon their opening in May, in which Diablo Royale Este is described as a "neighborhood friendly, family establishment."



Meanwhile, after four months, several residents said that they are still waiting to find this "neighborhood friendly, family establishment."






Previously on EV Grieve:
Avenue A transformed into fraternity-sorority party for Diablo Royale Este's 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

From the tipline: Former Diablo Royale Este space will be home to a Greek restaurant

[From December 2012]

Neighborhood scourge Diablo Royale Este closed at the end of August 2012 after some ongoing issues with the State Liquor Authority ... and the space at 167 Avenue A has been on the market for nearly a year with at least two different brokers...

Now, word along here is that the space will soon yield a Greek place from restauranteur John Kapetanos, who operates Ethos Gallery, Ethos Meze and the Moonstruck Diners, among others.

A tipster says that the new restaurant will include a raw bar ... and serve seafood, ceviche as well as other traditional Greek fare. No word yet on an opening date. The listing was recently removed from the RKF site.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Diablo Royale Este owner blasts the 'blasphemous lies' of residents, invites the State Liquor Authority to investigate

Diablo Royale Este apologizes for 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

For lease signs up now at the former Diablo Royale Este on Avenue A

For lease signs up now at the former Diablo Royale Este on Avenue A

In our post last week on the one-year anniversary of Tompkins Square Bagels, owner Christopher Pugliese said that he'd love to open an old-fashioned Italian-style pork store/market in the now-empty space next door. The comments were overwhelmingly in favor of such a concept.

Diablo Royale Este closed at the end of August after some ongoing issues with the State Liquor Authority (among other things — the bar has long drawn the ire of neighbors since it opened in May 2010).

The space at 167 Avenue A had been on the market for months. However, a sign just went up here at the end of last week.

It's a big space — 4,000 square feet. There's isn't any mention of rent. However, the listing includes these "notes and highlights:"

400 sf backyard for seating (permitted to be open until 10pm on week days and 11pm on weekends)
Legal lower level with bar and seating
2 year-old kitchen and equipment
Full 4 am liquor license.
Occupancy for 150 people.

As much as everyone likes the idea of a market here — something people in the neighborhood want and need ... given the almighty valuable liquor license attached to this, the reality is we'll likely get stuck with another horrible bar that no one wants and exclusively for Weekend Woo-rriors from afar.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Diablo Royale Este owner blasts the 'blasphemous lies' of residents, invites the State Liquor Authority to investigate

Avenue A transformed into fraternity-sorority party for Diablo Royale Este's 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

Diablo Royale Este apologizes for 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

It's just another Saturday night on Avenue A

Diablo Royale Este opens today: features two bars, one screening room and spit-roast pigs in the backyard

Well, I've been following the transformation at 167 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street since last summer...



And, per the sign out front, the joint opens today...




Two bars...an outdoor space...a screening room... Holy 311!
Per the Times today:

DIABLO ROYALE ESTE: At this East Village branch of his Diablo Royale, Jason Hennings will spit-roast pigs, chickens and beef in the backyard. There is an array of tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and such.

Previously on EV Grieve:
My, what big plywood you have

Diablo Royale shows itself to Avenue A

Looking at 167 Avenue A: Another Hennings-Giraldi production?

[Updated] CB3/SLA votes against renewal for Diablo Royale; the Bean wins one, loses one

That's the word from attendees at tonight's CB3/SLA committee meeting going on right now... the Mexican-style saloon on Avenue A was up in the "Renewal with Complaint History" category. The Board voted 5-1 to deny a renewal of the Diablo liquor license.

According to the State Liquor Authority, the Diablo Royale license is active through Nov. 30.

In any event, a vote against a renewal here isn't the final word as we've seen in the case of Heathers and TenEleven.

Also, according to those in attendance, the committee didn't approved a request for The Bean's new location at Second Avenue and Third Street (beer and wine only), but denied the Bean's request for a license at 147 First Ave. and Ninth Street.

Updated 11-16. Ike Escava at The Bean sent us a note with a few important clarifications. Here's his email:

We decided to withdraw our application to serve wine & beer at 147 1st Ave after seeing that there were people in opposition to it. If we have community support at a later time we may try again but if it is unwanted in the community we will not. We will not even address this matter again internally until we are open and operating at that location. It is our intention to maintain the feeling and vibe of the shop at 54 2nd Ave that we built at 49 1/2 1st Ave. We applied for the wine & beer as a way to add something but we will be very careful not to let that change what we really are about.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Diablo Royale Este owner blasts the 'blasphemous lies' of residents, invites the State Liquor Authority to investigate

Diablo Royale Este is closed for 'renovations' this weekend

Diablo Royale Este was dark last night on Avenue A near 10th Street ...

According to the sign on the door... the Mexican-style saloon is closed for the weekend for some renovations...

On Nov. 14, the CB3/SLA committee voted not to renewal Diablo's liquor license... the bar has drawn the ire of neighbors since it opened in May 2010. (You can read more about that here.)

According to the State Liquor Authority, Diablo's liquor license expired on Wednesday.

Previously, the CB3/SLA committee turned down the request for a renewal from Heathers and TenEleven ... and in both cases, the bars received a renewal from the State Liquor Authority.

Diablo Royale aiming to license basement bar

Also on Monday night's CB3/SLA committee agenda...

Alterations/Upgrades
• Diablo Royale (East Village Café & Restaurant LLC), 167 Ave A (alt/op)

According to CB3 documents (PDF), Diablo Royale is hoping to: "license existing bar in basement; additional seating; relocate bathroom."

This could get interesting. The last time owner Jason Hennings came before the subcommittee, in November 2010, he blasted Avenue A residents for their "blasphemous lies." Hennings and his attorney were present to discuss a review of the stipulations that the bi-level Mexican eatery-saloonery agreed to prior to opening in May 2010.

Flashback to EVG coverage of that meeting:

Avenue A resident Andrew Coamey said that during the bar's Halloween party, Hennings allegedly approached him on the sidewalk ... that he would see him in 10 years and Coamey "would still be complaining about gentrification." At the time of the confrontation, Hennings was dressed as a gladiator.

After hearing a handful of residents speak out, Hennings called their claims "blasphemous lies." He apologized to the committee for being so upset, but that sitting there and hearing the residents was "angst provoking."

And here is the rest of the slate for the night. Right here.

Monday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. JASA/Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth St. at Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Diablo Royale Este owner blasts the 'blasphemous lies' of residents, invites the State Liquor Authority to investigate

[Updated] Last night at Diablo Royale Este

The EV Grieve inbox is lighting up this morning about a blowout at Diablo Royale Este — home of the Hopsicle! — on Avenue A.... More details and photos from last night's party are appreciated.


Updated 11:40 — A reader notes that there is a whole lotta broken beer and booze bottles this morning in the street in front of Diablo Royale Este...

The first review of Diablo Royale Este is in!

Well, Diablo Royale Este opened last night at 167 Avenue A... and from the sound of the first review here from a reader, this place should fit right in on Avenue A from 10th Street to 14th Street!

Went by at midnight. The place was a zoo. No bouncer. Just a lot of people and noise. So much for good neighbors.

No word yet on the spit-roasted pig in the backyard.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Diablo Royale Este opens today: features two bars, one screening room and spit-roast pigs in the backyard

Diablo Royale shows itself to Avenue A

After about 10 months or so of extensive work at 167 Avenue A, the EV location of Diablo Royale has come out from behind all the plywood...




No word on an opening date yet for Diablo Royale, which is Spanish for "another full liquor license on Avenue A."

Previously on EV Grieve:
My, what big plywood you have

3 Awful Avenue A bars: What are they now?

A few days ago we noticed that the sign went up for Ethos Meze, the new Greek restaurant opening this year at 167 Avenue A…




While the previous tenant here, Diablo Royale Este, has been closed for more than 18 months… the new sign is symbolic of sorts… an end of an era where three bars on Avenue A drew the ire of neighbors for the beer ponging, party busing, sidewalk peeing ways of its patrons...

-----


[September 2011]

From May 2010 to August 2012, Diablo Royale Este, which claimed it catered "to a mature audience," was popular with the party bus crowd … and, most famously, once hosted (unwittingly or not) a Boats 'N Hoes party for NYU students.

Diablo Royale Este eventually closed after some ongoing issues with the State Liquor Department.

-----

Then, at 200 Avenue A, there was Superdive.

Oh, the legendary Superdive, which started its reign of woorrorism with table-service kegs in June 2009… and remained open intermittently until October 2010… (Superdive threatened to return too many times… it was like trying to kill Jason Voorhees… )


[The glory days of 2009 via Meri Micara]

There was a midget dressed as a pirate working Champagne Tuesdays… Bargoers were encouraged to mix their own drinks… oh, lordy. We're just going to stop.

Today, the space is home to the ABC Animal Hospital.



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… and at 34 Avenue A, there was Aces & Eights, which arrived in March 2009 … residents quickly branded the place a beer-ponging frathole …


But, to the bar's credit, the general manager did try to make some changes, reaching out to EVG readers for input … and even making good use of the upstairs space for a cool art show…

The bar closed for good in October 2010.

The space is now home to Ruff Club, "a social club for dogs."

Why Diablo Royale Este is back open

Diablo Royale was back open for business this past weekend on Avenue A ...

The Mexican-style cantina had been closed for renovations, according to the sign on the door...

(We noticed that someone had removed the sign the following day.)

On Nov. 14, the CB3/SLA committee voted not to renewal Diablo's liquor license... the bar has drawn the ire of some neighbors since it opened in May 2010. According to the State Liquor Authority (SLA), the bar's license expired on Nov. 30.

However, they are back open for the time being. Under the State Administrative Procedures Act (SAPA), bar-restaurant owners can continue serving alcohol for four months while the SLA hears their appeal to have their liquor license renewed.

Earlier this year, the CB3/SLA committee turned down the request for a renewal from Heathers and TenEleven ... and in both cases, the bars received a renewal from the State Liquor Authority.

[Top photos by Shawn Chittle]