Battle for Suffolk Street Hinges on Hank Freid’s Holiday Inn Rooftop Bar

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The proposed rooftop bar at the Holiday Inn on Delancey Street would up the ante on local nightlife, and have a deleterious effect on those living within earshot, worried neighbors argue.

The man behind the food-and-beverage tune-up is Hank Freid, a controversial landlord who also operates a similar rooftop venue called Haven near Times Square. As previously reported, Freid’s nightlife pitch has two parts: the contested rooftop bar (the Haven Rooftop name was reportedly dropped) and the basement spot currently occupied by Retro Bar & Grill. Both venues would together attract upwards of 200 people at a time (half that can fit on the roof), with Haven boasting late closing times of midnight Sunday through Tuesday, and 2:00am Wednesday through Saturdays. Obviously of great concern is the close proximity to a dense residential area comprised of families, elderly, and young children.

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Hank Freid poster, Photo: LES Dwellers campaign

We’re told that the team backtracked last month and withdrew from the CB3 agenda in order to meet with neighbors. Hank Freid, his son, and attorney Terry Flynn presented their “new improved” vision for the Holiday Inn to neighbors a few weeks ago. The concept was reportedly revised to include:

• Organic food with juice options (seriously?)

• Removing the four televisions and the DJ, but no agreement on removing background music.

• Thick glass perimeter, which they claim is an insulator of sound. No roof canopy, only canvas coverage in certain places.

The opposition, led by the LES Dwellers and Suffolk Street Block Association, is entrenched and likely ready for a Showdown when the application is heard this Thursday (October 20).