Last month we reported that the owners of Prospect Heights burlesque bar Barrette were closing the spot and reopening it as a branch of their Fort Greene Mexican restaurant, Pequeña. A walk-by today shows the storefront midway through the conversion, its former all-black exterior now brightly painted. Kinda makes you want to have some fish tacos and a margarita.

Following the news that Barrette will be closing for good this weekend comes this additional word from owner Erica Crawford: A new branch of her Fort Greene restaurant, Pequeña, will open in the space later this summer. She writes:

“We are excited to announce that Pequeña will be occupying the storefront at 601 Vanderbilt, and we hope to be open for the end of the summer. Fresh lime margaritas, delicious Mexican food, great music and a full bar serving food until 2am/3am are all in the plans—please stay tuned!”

There you have it, out with the titties, in with the tacos.

So long suckers

We’ve heard chatter about this on the boards at Brooklynian, and now owner Erica Crawford confirms that our favorite Prospect Heights burlesque-bar-cum-cocktail-den Barrette is closing for good this weekend. Things seemed copacetic on Saturday night—a pair of boozed-up chicks were making out on the stage. We have a feeling their antics will be equally welcome at the nearby Manhattans.

Bid the place goodbye this Sunday when Barrette will be bleeding out the last of their kegs—drafts are $1 to the bitter end.

Drink some hard stuff at Cornelius

Hoping for a cheap late-night meal on my way home last night, I was thwarted at every turn: El Gran Castillo de Jagua had already closed (damn, I was looking forward to tearing into a roast chicken!), as had nearly every eatery on Vanderbilt Avenue, including the newly opened Cataldo’s. Then I remembered Cornelius, the bar that recently opened in the former Noo Na space, and that serves late-night eats from former Freemans sous chef Michelle Hanna. Read more »