13 new reasons to love the new Lucky 13 Saloon:
1. The space itself--bigger bar, more tables, back room with a full stage for live shows. Read about all the work that went into it and the successful Kickstarter campaign here: http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2014/08/the-return-of-lucky-13-an-interview-with-melody-henry/ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1685836827/lucky-13-saloon-live/description
2. Demigod Training every Wed. night at 9 in the back room, challenging in the best possible ways (bootcamp style, incorporating HIIT, Crossfit-style WODs, core work), available for the bargain price of $13, all proceeds from which go towards a good cause--paying the vet bills for owner Melody Henry's senior dog who is a Hurricane Katrina rescue. In her words, "this isn't just for your health and your ass but for a nice doggie too." As a former attendee of Melody's Pilates classes at Crunch, I can assure you that $13 is a steal. https://demigodtraining.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/melodyawesometrainer/
3. New and improved bathrooms. (Often, the more frightening horror show at the old Lucky 13 was not the one playing on screen but the one behind the BR door).
4. 4th Avenue: the industrial Gowanus location means that there won't be neighbor complaints about noise compared to the former residential location that proved problematic.
5. Proximity to Pickle Shack, Oaxaca, Zuzu Ramen, and other purveyors of affordable, fresh, tasty grub should you need some sustenance pre or post-boozing /headbanging/working out.
6(66). Repurposed antique church doors now serve as the gates to Hell/Satan's Den.
7. Proximity to Adult Ice Cream Wonderland, Ample Hills, Gowanus, because what goes better with headbanging and Absinthe than brainfreeze?
8. No Magic 8 Ball necessary.
9. No pool balls/tables/players in sight; no sports playing on the 42 inch flat screen TVs suspended from the ceiling on chains--more like silent horror movies playing on screen while Alice in Chains blasts from the juke box.
10. An excuse for word nerds to invoke the fun signifier, "Triskaidekaphobia," and argue about the superstitions behind its signified. (I like big words, and I cannot lie.)
11. Rocking New Jukebox, featuring patrons' selections and original music of up-and-coming bands (which will stay in place for a minimum of 1 year or up to 5 if it gets played and the owners/staff like it) by way of Kickstarter rewards for all of the $500 contributors.
12. Closer walk to the R train / easier spots from which to hail cabs due to the new location's proximity to Atlantic Ave and the 4th Ave thoroughfare, aka Marty Markowitz's Boulevard of Broken Brooklyn Dreams http://www.fuckedinparkslope.com/home/4th-ave-the-boulevard-of-broken-dreams.html
13. Serendipitous/*Lucky* encounters with cool new people with whom one may bond over anything from a mutual distaste for Hot Topic Wiccans or a mutual fondness for black metal, death metal, grindcore, Absinthe, obscure horror movies, or Trent(s) Reznor and Lane (the latter is a true story, and the Lucky 13 patron/musician in question also happened to attend a Yelp Elite Event at which he recruited me as lyricist for an up and coming metal band--stay tuned).
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(My old 13 reasons to love the original Lucky 13 still hold true for the most part):
1. Melody H., the green-haired, highly knowledgeable, multi-talented proprietress, who daylights as personal trainer and Crunch Pilates instructor extraordinaire;
2. Welcoming bartenders and bar-backs;
3. Award-winning jukebox and talented guest DJs;
4. Potent potables with fun names like the "Vegan White Russian" (on some nights this may signify both a soy-milk based version of the drink favored by "the Dude" as well as the evening's entertainment);
5. "White Trash Special," (PBR and a shot of whiskey for ~$6);
6. Enough types of Absinthe to make the heart grow fonder, including Marilyn Manson's Mansinthe for the black hearts out there;
7. Proper preparation of Absinthe-based drinks with all the necessary ingredients and accoutrements (in stark contrast to, e.g., the overpriced, improper (http://www.feeverte.net/faq-absinthe.html#B18) abomination, "Absinthe brouille à balancier" served @Apothéke);
8. Late-running happy hour;
9. Wallet-friendly drinks during (un/non)happy hours;
10. Creepy B horror movies played silently on screens in lieu of sports;
11. Vintage album cover art decor;
12. The motley crew of patrons which redefines "local color" in this neighborhood;
13. The provision of a vital public health and hygiene service insofar as the bar gives away heaps of free NYC condoms: "Get some; get yours."
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NB: Don't disregard the scores of positive reviews for the original Lucky 13 Yelp listing (http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=lucky+13&find_loc=brooklyn%2C+ny&ns=1) and the goodwill its brand has built up over the course of twelve (going on *13*) years. read more