Operator's Guide · BK04
Brooklyn Community Board 4
Bushwick
Most polarized Brooklyn board — 50/50 split between approve and deny on new SLA
24-Month Activity
Bushwick CB4 is the most contested SLA board in Brooklyn. ~24 approves vs 22 outright denies in our dataset — almost a coin flip. Saturation is the dominant rejection theme: the board has been openly opposing additional liquor concentration on Wyckoff, Myrtle, Knickerbocker, Troutman, and Broadway corridors. Renewals approve cleanly; new applications face heavy scrutiny.
✓ What they like
Patterns that win approval at this board
Established renewals with no incidents
Clean record + no NYPD 83rd Pct violations = clean renewal approval.
Operators with security-investment plans
Singularity (1717 Broadway) was approved after committee voted to support with additional security measures.
Amended paperwork after committee feedback
La Pausa (244 Wyckoff) got approval after committee feedback was incorporated.
Punta Cana / sports bars
Myrtle Avenue sports bars (e.g., Punta Cana 1204 Myrtle) approve with standard stipulations.
✗ What they don't like
Patterns that get denied or stipulated
Saturation on Wyckoff, Knickerbocker, Troutman, Myrtle
These corridors are flagged as oversaturated. New licenses on these streets face the highest denial rate in the dataset (Goodnight Pa, Troutman Billiards, Xanadu series, Casa Del Sabor, Altitude Club all denied).
Late-night hours on residential blocks
Casa Del Sabor was denied specifically over hours request.
OCM cannabis without community impact statement
Cannabis retail applicants who don't address neighborhood concerns get denied.
Stipulation pattern
The working contract operators sign
CB4 stipulations are aggressive on new licenses: hours capped to midnight Sun-Wed / 1am Thu-Sat on residential corridors, no DJs without separate approval, security plan filed with NYPD 83rd Precinct, façade/sound restrictions.
Tactical advice for operators
If you're applying here, do these things
- #1
Avoid Wyckoff/Knickerbocker/Troutman corridor for new licenses — denial probability is extremely high.
- #2
Lean into Myrtle Avenue or Broadway as alternatives where new approvals still happen.
- #3
Bring 83rd Precinct CO endorsement and a hard security-investment plan ($X capex documented).
- #4
Schedule before Permits & Licenses Committee, accept their feedback, return with amended paperwork.
Who to know
Reach the District Office at 718-628-8400 to schedule before Permits & Licenses Committee.
Recent activity
Last 24 applications by meeting date
| Date | Venue | Address | Type | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03 | House of Nancy | 219 Central Avenue, Brooklyn | op | Deny |
| 2026-03 | La Gualacena Dos-II | 251 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn | op | Deny |
| 2026-03 | Sajhoma Restaurant | 941 Broadway, Brooklyn | op | No action |
| 2026-03 | Sura | 31 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn | op | Approve |
| 2026-02 | 101 Wilson Bar | 101 Wilson Ave, Brooklyn | op/alt | Approve |
| 2026-02 | Bashira Cannabis | 133 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn | other | Approve |
| 2026-02 | Cilantro Club | 108 Central Ave, Brooklyn | op | Deny |
| 2026-02 | Damballa | 895 Broadway, Brooklyn | op | Deny |
| 2026-02 | Smilodon (The Museum) | 1329 Willoughby Ave, Brooklyn | op | Approve |
| 2026-02 | The Sampler | 234 Starr St, Brooklyn | op | Deny |
| 2025-12 | Baby Sips | 425 Troutman, Brooklyn | op | Approve |
| 2025-12 | Buzzwick | 1271 Broadway, Brooklyn | other | Approve |
| 2025-12 | El Nuevo Caribe | 214 Central Avenue, Brooklyn | op | Deny |
| 2025-12 | Extra Sauce Bushwick | 1495 DeKalb, Brooklyn | op | Approve |
| 2025-12 | The Emerald Dispensary | 85 Suydam, Brooklyn | other | Approve |
| 2025-11 | Cafe Ornithology | 1037 Broadway, Brooklyn | op (modify) | Approve |
| 2025-11 | Mai Mali | 105 Wilson Ave at Star, Brooklyn | op | Approve |
| 2025-11 | Rico Chimi | 1492 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn | op | Approve |
| 2025-11 | Troutman Billiards | 45 Irving at Troutman, Brooklyn | op | Deny |
| 2025-09 | DTCHOne Cannabis | 1271 Broadway, Brooklyn | other | Deny |
| 2025-09 | Danger Danger | 232 Knickerbocker, Brooklyn | op | No action |
| 2025-09 | El Nuevo Caribe | 214 Central Ave, Brooklyn | op | Deny |
| 2025-09 | Garibaldi De Noche | 1087 Broadway, Brooklyn | op | Deny |
| 2025-09 | Leos Restaurant | 207 Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn | op (modify) | Approve |