Jay-Z is bringing his swank 40/40 Club to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
The rap mogul and Nets’ part-owner — who is also on the board of directors for the arena’s holding company — announced today he’s expanding his sports bar and restaurant mini-chain by opening a new 9,000-square-foot, 350-seat hotspot at the NBA Nets’ future home.
Located on the suite level, the 40/40 Club will have many of the same high-end features as its Chelsea flagship.
The new club, set to open with the rest of the arena Sept. 28, would be accessible only to ticket holders for NBA games, concerts and other arena events, said Lauren Menache, a 40/40 spokeswoman.
It will only be open when the arena is hosting events. Booze will be served up until an hour after arena events end – but no later than 2 a.m.
Developer Forest City Ratner’s arena-drinking plan — which has come under fire from local civic groups — still needs to be approved by the State Liquor Authority.
Nets season ticket holders have first crack at reservations for the new 40/40 Club, but the venue isn’t limited to patrons splurging big bucks for luxury suites — unlike other VIP lounges at the arena that also plan to provide the same extended hours for serving booze.
Booze at food stands and from roving beer vendors will only be sold until the start of the fourth quarter of Net games, as NBA rules require, or an hour before the end of most concerts and other events.
Considering the 18,000-seat arena is next to such densely populated residential neighborhoods as Park Slope and Prospect Heights, Barclays Center opponents have charged that the later VIP drinking hours could lead to a host of problems for these communities, especially drunk drivers.