The family, friends and patrons of Gotham City Lounge on its final night, 4/12/19 at 10pm.
Here’s some super sad news: One of Bushwick’s quirkiest homegrown bars, Gotham City Lounge, has closed after 15 years under the M train on Myrtle Ave. The superhero-themed drinks den was a hidden refuge for neighborhood old-timers and comic-lovers alike.
Gotham City Lounge owner Ray Torrellas (right) with his wife and artist Lee Trice (left) receiving a going away gift.
The bar, whose buzzer entry harkened back to a rougher time, was “crammed with comics memorabilia from Wonder Woman posters to figurines of the Thing to Captain America’s shield,” according to NYMag’s review. “The proprietor-collector is schoolteacher Ray Torrellas, whose family has owned the building for nearly a century (Grandma once ran a church here). Nerd-core décor notwithstanding, Gotham’s prices ($3 pairs PBR with whiskey) and hospitality attract all sexes and ages, from twentysomething bike messengers shooting pool to middle-aged Watchmen fans.”
Gotham City Lounge bartenders Nicole and Jay working the final shift.
During Gotham’s closing night on April 12, Torrellas told us that “I loved everybody here but it’s time for me to move on. It’s my pool-league players that will be the ones who really miss place.”
Owner Ray Torrellas (front, left) outside with his fans on his bar’s closing night, 4/13/19 at 1am.
Local artist Lee Trice brought Torrellas a parody “Star Bong” action figure made by fellow NYC artist SUCKLORD. He told me Torrellas “is the man and he has a dope, old-school Cadillac that he would park out front. When I heard Gotham was closing I totally had to say goodbye and give him a gift.”
Customer Henry Rushmore (center).
Henry Rushmore, a patron, said he would miss the bar’s $3 beers. “Nobody here has a lot of cash and it was nice to have this place as the neighborhood got more expensive.”
Scroll through our group portraits and click on the photos for a closer look.
Gotham City Lounge’s resident pool players.
Gotham City Lounge owner Ray Torrellas (front, left) with his pool players.
Friends hanging out by the comics-adorned bathrooms.
Friends hanging out in front of Gotham City Lounge’s interior mural.
Friends hanging out in front of Gotham City Lounge.
Bartender Jay leading the last shot at closing time on Gotham City Lounge’s final night, 4/13/19 at 4am.
Regulars shutting down Gotham City Lounge on its final night, 4/13/19 at 4a.