South Brooklyn Pizza Replaces Brick Oven with Pool Tables

Change is afoot at in Carroll Gardens.

For several weeks now, papered-up windows at the lower Court Street pie shop have been hiding the transformation, but details have emerged.

Say goodbye to brick oven pizza and hello to pool tables and games.

"We're going to have pool tables, shuffle board, darts, foosball and video games," said Manager Ruben Alban, adding that there will also be TV's for watching sports. 

Though alcohol will be available, under the P.J. Hanley's license, the newly opened "game room" will be all ages.

The new face of South Brooklyn Pizza is set to open on Friday, May 13, though when we stopped by construction was still underway.

Locals with a hankering for pizza can still purchase slices and pies from the take-out window in between the former pizzeria and , which are under the same ownership, but the pizza will be cooked in a baking oven. The brick oven is history.

In the game room, food will be available from both spots.

Most residents embraced the change, though one who asked to remain nameless voiced concern about pool tables attracting the wrong crowd.

Alban said there will be two pool tables.

One resident said the all ages element was a turn-off.

"I understand there are a lot of families in the area," said Cory Hillman. "But I probably wouldn't go."

South Brooklyn, which opened circa 2008 after what some reports say amounted to $200,000 in renovations -- including restoration of its coal oven, also boasted chocolate chip cookies on its menu. And it was featured in a 2009 New York Times article that profiled a weekly party it hosted for gays and lesbians called “Fondle.”

The pizzeria will continue to operate its other locations -- one in the East Village and a new storefront on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn.