It is a shellfish use of space!
Crustacean-stuffed roll chain Luke’s Lobster is taking over the entire Smokestack Building in Brooklyn Bridge Park — where it previously shared a kiosk with sandwich shop Sub No. 7 during the warm months — and is using the extra legroom to create a licensed sit-down eatery, which will open for the season on March 15.
The seafood joint did a roaring trade when it was just hawking its nautical nosh from a window in the back of the historic boilerhouse under the Brooklyn Bridge, so the company has big expectations for its total takeover of the small structure.
“It has been a very successful spot for us, so we’re excited to keep it going,” said publicist Kalei Talwar.
The fishy business will fill the chimney-topped building with 12 indoor seats — joining more tables outdoors — where customers will be able to sip wine and beer alongside their clam chowder.
The local community board looked over Luke’s application to serve booze in February, and found everything was ship shape, unanimously approving the hooch-peddling permit, according to district manager Rob Perris.
The outpost will remain a counter-service operation and the menu will also keep the same lineup of Old Testament- and Talmud-flouting subs, soups, and sides for now, but Talwar says to look out for some new items later in the year.
Local lobster-roll lovers will recall that the park has a contentious history with the dish — back in 2010, it rejected Red Hook Lobster Pound’s pitch to run a concession stand in favor of some Manhattan outfits, so the eatery famously opened an unsanctioned stall in a tent next to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory that summer.
Luke’s Lobster is also originally from the outer-borough across the East River, and now has outposts in 10 states — plus five in Japan.
Luke’s Lobster [11 Water St. at Old Fulton Street in Dumbo, (917) 882–7516, www.lukes
