The ongoing saga surrounding the reopening of The Brooklyn Mirage has reached a boiling point, with a string of last-minute cancellations, relocations, and mounting frustration among fans and artists alike. What was supposed to be a triumphant return for one of New York City’s most iconic electronic music venues has instead become a cautionary tale of missed deadlines, failed inspections, and vague public statements.
Originally slated to reopen the weekend of May 2–3 with a pair of shows headlined by Sara Landry, The Brooklyn Mirage was forced to postpone after failing to secure crucial permits from city inspectors. Despite a statement from venue operator Avant Gardner claiming the space was “show ready,” reports from attendees and photos taken that night revealed what still resembled an active construction site. The required permits for bracing, concrete stabilizers, and structural work remain unapproved by the Department of Buildings.
This weekend, the chaos continues. The highly anticipated May 9 show featuring Loud Luxury has been postponed to August 2, while the May 10 day-to-night event with Cloonee has been relocated to the Brooklyn Storehouse. Both announcements came via Instagram with limited details. While refunds are available for Loud Luxury’s rescheduled event through DICE, it remains unclear whether the same applies to Cloonee’s relocated performance.
A public statement issued by Avant Gardner sidestepped specific reasons for the repeated delays, instead offering apologies and promising updates: “We sincerely apologize and appreciate your continued patience as we work toward opening The Brooklyn Mirage. We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of what we know will be an incredible experience for our community.”
The Brooklyn Mirage, located within the Avant Gardner complex at 140 Stewart Ave, has long been a pillar of the city’s nightlife since opening in 2017. The current renovation project is part of an ambitious overhaul led by CEO Josh Wyatt, aimed at addressing prior complaints regarding sound quality, dancefloor congestion, and safety concerns. The redesign boasts a new 90-foot stage, structural upgrades, additional dancefloors, over 3,000 LED panels, and what’s being described as one of the largest prefabricated timber structures of its kind.
In an interview with EDM.com, Wyatt teased the venue’s technological capabilities: “When you walk into Brooklyn Mirage for the first time, you’re going to see a set design that will blow you away. Then when you come back two weeks or two months later, it’s going to look totally different… The type of technology that we’re designing… has never been done before—I think it’s pretty mind-blowing.”
However, these promises ring hollow as week after week goes by without a clear reopening date. City Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez, whose district includes The Brooklyn Mirage, recently toured the venue and provided rare insight into its status, though no formal updates have been issued by either the venue or city officials.
For now, the lights at Brooklyn Mirage remain off, and its once-eager fans are left wondering not when, but if, the venue will be ready to reclaim its place in New York’s nightlife scene.