Wedding and bar mitzvah music is in, adult dancing is out.
That was the promise that owners of the Baku, a nightclub and restaurant at 2001 Emmons Avenue, made in writing to Community Board 15 in their efforts to get a special permit for live entertainment and dancing.
In response, CB 15 recently voted 24-5 to support the special permit as part of the city’s ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure).
Under the Sheepshead Bay Special District established in Oct. 1973, live entertainment, music and dancing is only allowed on the water or south side of Emmons Avenue. Baku is on the north side of Emmons Avenue.
“All Baku wanted was the ability to have bands and dancing for weddings, bar mitzvahs and special family events,” said CB 15 Chair Theresa Scavo. “But when I read the ULURP opening sentence it said entertainment with no restrictions.”
The no restrictions clause led some in the community to believe that Baku might either have more burlesque type dancing or rent out their hall for such functions.
However, Mark Thompson, the attorney for owner Alexander Abramovitch, assured local residents in writing that they will not have any kind of music or dancing that is not family style entertainment.
Additionally, the owners agreed to not rent out the hall for any adult entertainment.
“The owners are from Azerbaijan and Baku is the capital of the country,” said Thompson. “Part of their ethnic heritage is to dance at events. It’s an important part of their culture so this special permit will allow them to have music and dancing.”
With the community board’s blessing the matter now moves before Borough President Marty Markowitz, then City Planning and the City Council for final approval.
