Need some advice about the 5th Ave/Berkeley Pl area

tesser · February 2009

Hi! I'm new to this board and soon hope to be new to Park Slope. I'm really interested in an apartment on 5th Ave between Lincoln and Berkeley, and am thinking of taking it. But, I'm wondering about the noise level of that street since I've only really been there in the daytime/early evening.

The apartment is in the building right next to the Patio Lounge, and I know there are a few other bars in the immediate area, which I'm totally fine with (and happy about), but I'm trying to find out if that area gets crazy busy with drunk fratty types on the weekends. Or, even if not with fratty types, is it very much a going-out destination block? Should I expect to dodge piles of vomit when coming out of my apartment in the morning? I really don't think so, but I figured it would be best to make sure with you knowledgeable Slopers.

And Patio Lounge itself, is it an extremely loud bar? Like, will my walls shake?! And the patio at at that bar, does that also get very loud or is it kind of a chill crowd? I realize the best thing would be for me to go visit it myself, but I don't have a lot of time before I have to decide, and I also expect that the dead of winter might not be indicative of how it might be during the summer.

Any other comments/thoughts about pros/cons of living on that block? Thanks so much!!

veets · February 2009

If you are concerned about living above a bar do not take the apartment. Stay away from apartments ON 5th or 7th Ave. in Park Slope. Those ar the commericial, most heavily trafficed streets (especially 5th ave) so best to not live there.

opossumqueen · February 2009

I don't think most of the bars in this area have large, rowdy, vomiting crowds standing outside. Will people at the bars be loud? Probably more so on weekends, but I don't think of that bar as being a real roof raiser. However, Southpaw (a music etc. venue) nearby might seem pretty loud at times--not sure how far their sound travels.

Personally, I wouldn't live on 5th or 7th Ave, as veets said, b/c they are too commercial and busy for me. I just wouldn't consider living that close to a bar at all. But if you're okay with living amongst businesses, it might not be terrible. Lots of people apparently do live on those avenues. However, if you're a light sleeper, and get easily annoyed by noise from the neighbors, you might want to keep looking.

The location does have its pluses. I think the Key Foods there is great, and you're pretty close to Atlantic/Pacific with all its trains and a Target. Bogota Bistro is tasty and close. Southpaw is a decent venue that has a variety of shows.

pitu · February 2009

That location has a lot of pluses, but it's all about finding out how the sound is at night. It's not like moving in next to Union Hall, which indeed has larger crowds, live music most nights, and occasional vomit remnants in a half-block vicinity.

I've been walking my dogs by there at night and in the morning for a few years and don't find 5th and Berk particularly untoward . . . plus you'd have the best 24 hour deli, which is good for safety and groceries.

As others have said, living on the avenues is without doubt louder than living on a side street. Totally depends on your tolerance, and the location of the bedroom in terms of sound. Patio seems pretty chill to me. Why don't you hang out and talk to the bartender? Come to think of it, there's a more than one place on that block with outdoor space in the back . . .

santa · February 2009

every time ive been in Patio Lounge its been a happy dance party with middle aged black women.

it was kinda loud but you dont have to worry about some douche puking on the sidewalk.

carnivore · February 2009

Doesn't Patio have outdoor space? I'd imagine that could be loud to live over during the warmer months if your apartment faced that space.

slope4-35yrs · February 2009

Which side of 5th is it on? If on the east side (side nearer the park), and it's a floor-through, then you'd have 5th avenue traffic (buses, motorcycles) etc. in the front. Are there stop lights at corners closest to you? Buses make a lot of squealing noises accelerating and deaccelerating. But if on the east side, and in the back, there's a school yard in the block between 5th & 6th and Berkeley and Lincoln. Years ago I considered buying in that block but didn't because of the school yard where - maybe it's stopped now - but I'd notice basketball games and music going on pretty late on summer nights. There is still a church next to the building where I looked at that place.

tesser · February 2009

Thanks, everyone, for your responses! The apartment is on the west side of 5th, but it's not a floor through and it's in the back of the building, with a patio of its own which is directly next to Patio Lounge's patio. From what you're saying it doesn't sound like my walls will be shaking from the volume of the music, but their patio could be loud in the summertime, and the patio of MY apartment might not be all that pleasant to hang out on when the patio of the bar's is crowded. Does anyone know if they get super packed in the summertime? Is it a really busy bar?

Hmmmm... dammit! It's such a cute place and I love the patio and the location!!! I think I will go talk to the bartender next door and see if I can get an answer I want to hear (sounding doubtful at this point)...

opossumqueen · February 2009

It might be helpful to talk to some neighbors. Maybe the landlord can give you the number of other tenants in the building?

j0518 · February 2009

there's a *drum roll* patio in the back of the Patio Lounge. I can imagine that, during the summer months, there are going to be people back there during late hours.

As someone who has their bedroom in the back of a building on a residential block, when there's people just sitting outside on a deck or backyars late in a neighboring building, I can hear it. I can imagine that's magnified when you have a bar/restaurant with an outdoor space. Obviously, folks have dealt with this for years and there's ways to block out the noise. I'd echo what someone else said in that, if you're concerned already, it's probably not the best apartment to take.

pitu · February 2009

O yeah, the church. They get rockin' in there sometimes. I think it's louder than Patio, but only early Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Adjacent Patio patio. Probably one of the least obnoxious commercial patios you could live next to - they have tables and chairs, not a dance party back there. I've only been out back a few times, but it was always low-key. But still a commercial biz. And people smoke outside at bars, which probably sucks more for the 2nd and 3rd floor than the groundfloor next door.

Yeah, talk to those neighbors as much as you can.

belzjm · February 2009

if you can figure out whether the noise will be a problem for you, i think that is one of absolute best areas of park slope.

you are near the best restaurants, best bars, best shops, and best transportation in the slope. plus you're close to prospect park and within walking distance to downtown brooklyn, carroll gardens, boreum hill, etc.

i love that location, personally.

flux · February 2009

I agree with the last post. Its the best area in park slope. You will be near everything

burns · February 2009

i love the location too - i lived on douglass just off 5th for 18 months or so and never had a problem with noise.
everytime i have been to patio, they close off the patio at a reasonable hour (reasonable for neighbors, i was always pissed when they told us to come inside).

swngnmonk · February 2009

I'm on Union up the block, and the only real bar nuisances come from two places - Union Hall (as mentioned before) and 200 5th. The crowds at 200 Fifth tend to be there for sports events more than anything else, so it's a little more predictable.

Not sure where you're coming from, but if you're envisioning the East Village on a weekend night, it's nowhere close to that - Union Hall has gotten a lot better about managing their noise, and drunken bar patrons are managed pretty well at both places nowadays.

Is your bedroom going to be in the back, off the street? I think I'd find the truck/commuter noise to be the biggest annoyance, especially when angry drivers start laying into their horns, which happens all the time during the rush hours.

kctp702 · February 2009

that area is plenty quiet. I lived on degraw and 5th for a year and a half and never had noise issues. Patio is very low key, especially on weekdays, but be forewarned theres always lots of smoking going on out back if that bothers you(even though one side of the back is supposed to be 'non-smoking').

apophis36 · February 2009

A couple years ago, I lived on 5th Ave and Douglas on the first floor. The apartment was behind a shop, and not directly on 5th Ave, and I had no problems with noise, even though there were several restaurants within a few storefronts with backyard patios, etc. A lot depends on how the building is constructed, how insulated the doors and windows are, etc...It was actually one of the quietest places I've ever lived.

I had a back yard, and something to be aware of if you have outdoor space are the aggressive squirrel-sized rats that will pass through (They were big enough that I didn't let my cat outside--I was afraid they would kidnap her and call me demanding a ransom)...

That area is fantastic...I haven't been down that way in a little while but from what I remember, Patio was always pretty laid back and, well, loungy...If you were near Union Hall or 200 5th, it might be something different...

That's just my experience...I'd suggest going out at night and seeing what its like...

tesser · February 2009

Wow - all these responses! Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. I am really in love with the apartment and the location both, so I am definitely going to try to talk to some of the neighbors.

And good to know about the rats! I don't mind, but I will definitely think twice before letting my kitties out.

MOD · February 2009

tesser, I'll let you know the details of my personal knowledge if you want. PM me.

But my informed suggestion: IF you are NOT a deep sleeper, do NOT take the apartment. If you are a total hippy and a laid back person who stays up late: TAKE the apartment.

look deep into your soul, then decide.

mookie wilson · February 2009

i live in this area, although not on 5th. you're lucky to be a full block away from the incredibly noisy 200 fifth, but consider whether you want to be so close to arecibo, where drivers honk their horns all night long.

djchazz · March 2009

if you are that woried DO NOT RENT you are the type that will complain and wine about noise. just save everybody and find a quiet place

Need some advice about the 5th Ave/Berkeley Pl area

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