Timboo's Closes, Skylark Bar Moving In

It was back in December when I brought you the news that Timboo's Bar, unchanged since it opened in 1969, would be closing on New Year's Day. The bar, on Fifth Avenue and 11th Street, managed to stay open for a few extra weeks, but earlier this week the ax finally fell and it closed for good.

Timboo's, which was a combination of owners Timmy Hodgens and Bobby Booras' names, has long been regarded as one of the last of the blue collar watering holes that were once so common in this part of Brooklyn (Seventh Avenue actually used to be lined with them). Now the only ones that remain are Jackie's Fifth Amendment and O'Connor's further up Fifth, which is undergoing a renovation.

But the story thankfully doesn't end here. Time marches on, and Timboo's was just one in a long line of bars that have occupied the space. And another is on its way. Originally Loftus' back in the 40s (and a major hangout for ironworkers), then Steve's in the 50s, then Timboo's, it will next be known as Skylark Bar.

The new owner is Leah Allen, a native New Yorker who along with her husband runs Abilene Bar on Court Street. When reached by email she confirmed that she'll be taking over the space (even though the building will still be owned by Hodgens and Booras), and was kind enough to provide some details. Here's what she had to say:

"We will try to incorporate some of Timboo's charm where we can.  The aesthetic is still unfolding but we are leaning towards the Abilene Bar vibe with a 70s spin.  Most of our decor and some of our building materials have come from Film Biz Prop Shop & Build it Green, two great local business.  We hope to open in April.  We can't wait."

No word yet on whether that incredible Empire Diner wallpaper will survive the transition.

Comments

[Jocelyn]

I'm a fan of Abilene Bar, so this is encouraging news.

[Raymond]

Hey, author (no name?), do your homework. As for "blue collar" bars in Park Slope ( first of all, newbie, we say an old neighborhood place ), what about The Olde Carriage Inn, Smith's, and Farrell's, just to name the obvious. I grew up in this nabe, 50 yrs old, so yes I remember when 7th Avenue used to be lined with bars of all types, not only "blue collar" spots, And 5th Ave even more so. If you can't do basic research, then stay off the web. You sound like a hipster trying to re-image a neighborhood that you just moved into. I hope you're not getting paid for this.

[Brian Haynes]

I remember when Tim and Bobby bought the bar. It was viewed as the youngsters moving in. The name prior was Loftus.