Brooks1890 located at at 24-28 Jackson Ave. has closed after Via Google Maps
Jan. 17, 2025 By Shane O’Brien
Brooks 1890, a historic bar and restaurant that served as a cornerstone of Long Island City’s Court Square for over a century, has permanently closed its doors.
The iconic establishment at 24-28 Jackson Ave. across from the Long Island City Courthouse shuttered last week after operating for 135 years.
The closure of Brooks 1890 marks the end of an era for a business that began in 1890 as a private social club. Around 1910, it was converted into a restaurant and underwent several name changes over the decades, including Kleefeld Hall, Kleefeld’s Saloon, and Court Square Restaurant. In the early 1970s, Bill “Brooks” Gounaris purchased the establishment and gave it its current name.
Brooks 1890 was renowned for its historic charm and preserved interior, which featured tiled floors, wood timbers, tin-stamped ceilings, and stained glass. Its centerpiece, a mahogany bar over a century old, stood as a relic of the Gilded Age, while ornate chandeliers and carved ceilings added to the timeless atmosphere. The bar was a gathering place for lawyers, judges, and elected officials who worked at the nearby courthouse, making it a social hub for Long Island City’s legal community.
Long Island City residents recently noticed handwritten “closed for renovation” signs on the bar’s entrance. The reason for the closure remains unclear, as Gounaris was unavailable for comment.
However, Luca DiPalo, a former co-owner of the historic bar, told the Queens Post that the site has been sold to new owners, who plan to open an Asian-themed restaurant at the location in several months once renovations are complete.
Laura Rothrock, president of the Long Island City Partnership, paid tribute to Brooks 1890, recognizing its significance in the community.
“We’re deeply saddened to see an LIC institution like Brooks 1890 close its doors. We remain committed to supporting the businesses that have long been part of this community as well as those that are newer to the neighborhood,” Rothrock said in a statement.
Rothrock emphasized the Partnership’s efforts to bolster the area’s business ecosystem, noting that 30 new businesses opened in the LIC Business Improvement District in 2024.
The stained glass by the bar at Brooks. Via Instagram: Brooks 1890
Brooks 1890’s history is deeply rooted in the fabric of Long Island City. Its original proprietors, Martin Heilbut and Herman Kleefeld, left their legacy in the form of interlocking H and K initials, which remain preserved in stained glass above the bar. The establishment adapted over time, serving as a private club, a saloon, and a hotel before evolving into the beloved restaurant it became under Gounaris’s ownership.
The closure of Brooks 1890 highlights the challenges faced by longstanding businesses in a neighborhood undergoing rapid development. As luxury high-rises and new businesses continue to reshape Court Square, the loss of this historic institution underscores the importance of preserving the community’s cultural and historical landmarks.
Despite the loss, the Long Island City Partnership remains focused on supporting the neighborhood’s growth while honoring its storied past. Rothrock reaffirmed the organization’s mission to champion both established businesses and newcomers, ensuring that Long Island City continues to thrive as a vibrant, dynamic community.
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The Long Island Coty Partnership is talking out it’s rear. They’re allowing historic structures and beloved institutiona like M. Wells to get torn down and replaced with generic, cookie cutter apartment buildings that have no character or soul. DO BETTER.
Sad to see this, only was able to come a handful of times as it was a bit of hike for us, and we moved to another neighborhood morning after discovering it, but the food was good and the atmosphere was completely different from most of the other restaurants around, you could really feel the history, and I remember the staff were nice. Such a shame. I hope they preserve the building and build another eponymous glass tower. (Not that there is necessarily anything wrong with glass towers, we need more housing, but if you keep knocking down historic buildings to build them eventually the neighborhood loses personality and becomes less appealing for people to want to live there).