One of Brooklyn’s most iconic outdoor music venues may soon be reduced to rubble, as Avant Gardner filed a demolition permit on October 10, 2025, seeking to remove approximately 32,000 square feet of Brooklyn Mirage structures at an estimated cost of $1.5 million.
The filing, first reported by The Real Deal and subsequently confirmed by Curbed, marks a dramatic conclusion to the venue’s troubled trajectory since its closure in 2024.
The Department of Buildings cited numerous code compliance failures that rendered the venue unsafe for its typical crowd sizes of up to 6,000 people.
DOB Commissioner Jimmy Oddo described the venue as “potentially unsteady, combustible, illegal,” highlighting structural deficiencies including questionable footing, large trusses, cantilevered mezzanines, and exterior walls that failed to meet wind and seismic resilience standards.
Financial troubles compounded the venue’s structural problems when Avant Gardner filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2025, owing more than $155 million to creditors.
A $30 million redesign project that began with ambitious plans completely stalled, culminating in a canceled reopening that was announced mere hours before guests were set to arrive in May 2025.
The Brooklyn Mirage, which opened in 2017 and quickly rose to prominence as one of the country’s top 100 nightclubs, now faces an uncertain future as demolition permits proceed through bureaucratic and regulatory processes.
While the outdoor complex remains closed, the indoor venues continue to host events despite the company’s financial difficulties.
The iconic East Williamsburg establishment had hosted numerous major artists during its operation, including world-famous DJs like Drake and Tiësto.
NYC Councilwoman Jennifer Gutierrez expressed concern about the venue’s closure, noting the loss of jobs while hoping for safety and recovery.
DJ Luke Alexander, who performed at the venue multiple times, described the news as “sad” and “terrible” for the Brooklyn nightlife scene.
Industry insiders suggest the venue could have benefited from better audience targeting strategies to maintain sustainable revenue streams during its financial challenges.
Many performers who regularly appeared at the venue now face the challenge of finding alternative sync deal opportunities that once flourished through connections made at the popular nightspot.
While the demolition permit has been filed, the actual date for dismantling remains undetermined as city approvals and legal processes must still be completed, providing a final chapter to the venue’s once-promising story.
