(Photo: Daniel Maurer)
After dropping into the soft-opening of Gowanus’s new shuffleboard bar this past weekend, we’ve stopped oo-ing and ah-ing long enough to talk to Jonathan Schnapp, who tells us the free shuffleboard will continue tonight and tomorrow. Huzzah! After that, he and co-owner Ashley Albert will take a breather for a few days and hopefully open fully next week. At this early stage in the game, the Royal Palms Website is short on details and the public is clamoring for information, so we asked Schnapp to tell us how all of this is going to work. There’s a lot going on here (DJs! bands! food trucks! 10 shuffleboard courts!), so we went ahead and — as best we could with our trembling hands — broke it into a FAQ. All of this, of course, is subject to change.
When is this place opening daily?
Like we said: next week, if all goes well.
What will the hours be?
Monday through Wednesday from 6 p.m. to midnight, Thursday and Friday from 6 p.m. till 2 a.m.; Saturdays from noon to 2 a.m., and Sundays from noon to midnight. If the soft-opening was any indicator, you’ll want to get there early or you’re in for a wait.
Can you book a court in advance?
For now, advance reservations are limited to parties. If you’re just looking for a casual game, you’ll have to walk in and reserve a court.
How much for a court?
$40 an hour.
What if the wait is horrible?
There’ll always be a “free-roll lane” for four-frame games. Just put your name on a chalkboard to play winner.
What if I want to have a cutesy birthday there? Girls just ruined Matchless.
Party rates start at $20 per person per hour for a wine and beer package. E-mail party@royalpalmsshuffle.com for more info.
How do I join a league?
The Monday night league is sold out and the Tuesday night one is on its way — so better e-mail league@royalpalmsshuffle.com right quick. $450 gets your team (preferably 6 members) weekly access during the 10-week season. There are two weeks of playoffs, and there’ll be all sorts of prizes — like trophies and maybe even a beach cruiser.
What’s the deal with the soft opening tonight and tomorrow?
From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., shuffleboard is free. It’s first-come, first-serve. Tonight, the Morris Grilled Cheese truck will be parked in the food-truck bay.
Any other games besides shuffleboard?
Right now there’s Tic-Tac-Toe. Schnapp hopes to have bingo nights, and a 26-foot shuffleboard table is currently being refurbished for those who like their biscuits on tables.
Anything interesting coming to the drink menu?
Yes. Barrel-aged cocktails on tap! Wine on tap, too.
Will there be live music?
Sure will. Among other things, there’ll be a house yacht-rock band for lobster-roll nights and a tiki band for luaus — probably starting February or March. Schnapp says the programming will be less Brooklyn Bowl and more Rodeo Bar — always interesting but never too intrusive.
So this place is in Gowanus. Does that mean it’s, like, in the middle of nowhere?
Not quite. At 514 Union Street, between Third Avenue and Nevins, it’s just a couple blocks from the Union Street R stop. It’s a five-block walk from the F and G at Carroll Street.