Pacha New York, which took over the old Brooklyn Mirage event space in East Williamsburg, on Tuesday presented the firm's vision of a new and improved megaclub at a Community Board 1 meeting, according to Hell Gate.
Pacha Chief Executive Officer Kabir Mulchandani said the new club would be counter to how Brooklyn Mirage operated, where management in the latter years provided poor security and crowd control, and racked up multiple building code violations that prevented it from opening in its final year.
Mulchandani said prior management should be blamed for past snafus, according to Hell Gate.
"It has become exceptionally clear that there were many challenges that this venue faced, but I don't think the venue deserves blame—it's the management that deserves the blame. There's nothing wrong with the venue or right with the venue. It's about who runs the venue," he said, before launching into his presentation," said Mulchandani, according to the news outlet.
Pacha New York has already started selling tickets for events starting in June, with a June 20 opening weekend with an already sold-out show with DJ Michael Bibi.
Mulchandani told the community board updates his firm was making, including a laser system linked to a phone app will automatically tally attendees as they enter the venue to ensure the audience stays below its legal 7,600-person capacity; AI-powered security gates to eliminate the need for intrusive "heavy frisking" and to ensure faster entry; a free shuttle bus to L train stations in Brooklyn and Manhattan; a top-of-the-line sound system that will reduce noise pollution for neighbors; and a new cell tower and streetlights, according to Hell Gate.
That said, residents had a litany of complaints, the news site said.
An EMT warned the community board that a large venue like Pacha could dominate the area's medical resources; one woman, living a few blocks from the old Mirage location, talked about the vomit spattering her sidewalks the morning after a big show; parents talked about their children having trouble at school, due to lack of sleep; a longtime nightlife organizer accused Pacha of quashing smaller promoters and artists; and one homeowner wondered whether Pacha would foot the bill if someone coming from one of its shows were to collapse and injure themselves on her property, according to Hell Gate.
Credits to customers who purchased tickets for Mirage shows that never happened have been issued.
