Remember that sad summer news we told you about the closing of awesome craft beer bottle shop and bar, The Sampler? At the time, we knew little more than you did about the bar’s unexpected and mysterious closing, aside from an announcement that two buyers would be taking over the watering hole at some point in a very unknown future.
Well, we have new news, Bushwick. The Sampler, at 234 Starr St., just reopened on Jan. 5 and it’s business as usual again with delish craft brews, sliders, and homemade beer-cheese pretzels to nibble on.
Two local lovers of the “old” Sampler, Leo Tineo and Bushwick fireman Richard Mercado, entered into negotiations to buy the bar last summer, which we reported had closed due to a high employee turnover rate and a lack of customers.
The pair wanted to keep the name, the artisanal snacks, and the craft traditions of the place while giving it a touch of their Latino heritage and classic neighborhood flare.
“The art we have up is more along to what old-school Bushwick was,” Mercado told Bushwick Daily. “Legendary graffiti artis have put up some murals. We want to include and not exclude anyone.”
Check out The Sampler on Facebook to learn more about their nightly events such as open mics, art exhibits, vinyl DJ nights, and more.
They’re open Sun.-Wed. 12 p.m.-12 a.m. and Thurs.-Sat. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
Cover image courtesy of The Sampler