Keeping it Local: The Jalopy Expands Into Moonshine Space

When word got out last month that , the Prohibition-era themed landmark bar famed for bulldog decor, its beer selection and a rare working cigarette machine, , the neighborhood mourned.

Then they worried – rumors about a re-opening and new owners circulated. But the entire affair was shrouded in mystery, and the cherished bar's fate came into question.

As it turns out, Moonshine is officially no more – at least, not in its current incarnation. But the neighborhood can breathe a collective sigh of relief because Moonshine, the "Best Little Bar in Brooklyn," has been taken under the wing of its trusty next door neighbor, The Jalopy Theatre.

And soon, it will be back in business as part of the bigger and badder-than-ever Big Time Jalopy Tavern Bar & Grill.

The Big Time Jalopy Tavern Bar & Grill will cover pretty much all the bases: food, drink, music and fun, in addition to the existing music school, cafe and vintage instrument shop.

Jalopy owner Lynette Wiley said plans for the menu will be your typical "mom's kitchen" kind of food: soups, salads, sandwiches. 

"Light fare, open late," she said.

Perhaps one of the most dramatic changes to Moonshine will involve the music. In keeping with Jalopy's style, there will be a lot of "traditional roots music" influences, with a jukebox containing ragtime blues and jazz, and there are also plans to bring in a piano. The owners are also looking into featuring a country band as part of Friday and Saturday happy hour.

Some of Moonshine's beloved trademarks, such as the cigarette machine and the bulldogs, will be going with Moonshine's owner, who has no plans on relocating them or opening a new bar. But, said Wiley, the interior will remain mostly the same, with some functional changes being made, and the much-admired Prohibition-era backbar remaining as is.

And beer-lovers, fear not – the generous selection of beers at Moonshine will remain at Big Time.

Wiley said they felt like it was time to expand, and when the space opened up next door, it was a no-brainer.

"It should be a nice next step for Jalopy," said Wiley.

She said like many others that had good times at Moonshine, she'll miss it, but she's thrilled that she can now call it her own.

"It's very exciting for us... eventually we'll open it up as very similar to the Moonshine [where] we spent a lot of time over the years," she said.

Wiley said the response from the community has been positive, and that her Facebook page was inundated with approving sentiments as soon as the announcement was made.

"Everyone's been really supportive," she said. "We've heard wonderful things."

There are even plans to bring the pool table back in.

"It's tough when things change, and the pool team had to go find another place to play pool, and I felt really bad about that," said Wiley. "I'm sure there are people that are saddened by it, but I hope that we can win them over in the future."

Although there is no official opening date, Wiley said the hope and expectation is that things will be up and running in three months, pending some slight redecorating, a liquor license and all the standard procedural details.

But for longtime fans of both venues, and those who had any doubts about whether Moonshine would ultimately be in good hands, it will likely be worth the wait.