Sidecar, a South Slope favorite, is closing after 15 years

By Brooklyn Magazine Staff

Sidecar, a popular bar and restaurant in South Slope, surprised its fans when it tweeted Monday that it will be shutting its doors for good on January 31 after 15 years in business.

Citing the one-two punch of the ongoing pandemic and financial difficulties as reasons for the closure, Sidecar’s owners made the announcement in a thread on Twitter. The restaurant requested money from the Restaurant Revitalization Act, a nearly $30 billion Biden initiative announced last year to help the industry stay afloat.

However, it wasn’t “one of the lucky few that actually received the money.” Covid-19 has hurt the restaurant industry across the borough.

It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing that Sidecar will be closing for good on Monday, January 31st. A huge thanks are due to our loyal customers and my amazing staff for all the support in making it possible over the past 15 years. It’s been a true pleasure… pic.twitter.com/pfDV8bB5jw

— Sidecar (@SidecarBrooklyn) January 3, 2022

“It has become clear that sustaining in this climate is just not possible,” the restaurant’s co-owners and brothers Bart and John DeCoursy wrote on Twitter. They added the restaurant will be hosting a “month long Irish wake” before its scheduled January 31 shutdown for people to enjoy its last few weeks of existence.

Sidecar won accolades for its convivial atmosphere and upscale bar grub, including favorites like fried chicken, duck poutine and oysters. It garnered national attention when Food Network host Guy Fieri visited Sidecar in 2012 to see how their cuban sandwich is made.

The proprietors were reflective on Twitter, writing that they hoped it would survive beyond their ownership. “But we are all ultimately a product of our times, and 15 years in this city is something I can always hang my hat on. Peace and Love- hope to see you!,” they wrote.

Sidecar’s closure sparked a bevy of tributes from well-known celebrities and neighbors:

This is very sad news. Sidecar was the perfect place for me & my friends to go after performing in Brooklyn. The closest vibe to my high school show casts going to the diner. Thanks for all the drinks and grub and booths and jukeboxing. You will be missed. https://t.co/w7lgpS7pxJ

— Paul F. Tompkins (@PFTompkins) January 4, 2022

Oh no https://t.co/n9hvn7Nulj

— John Hodgman (@hodgman) January 4, 2022

Such sad news. I was there the first day they opened and have so many treasured memories at Sidecar. Thank you for all the good times and food, and I am so sorry you had such a tough time because of the pandemic. Truly sucks. https://t.co/b4ARtnhHQ7

— puloma basu (@pulomabasu) January 4, 2022

This has been one of my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn for years. Always there when I needed it, always a good time. It’s where Emily and got drunk at brunch, walked home and ended up adopting Max. Crushed. https://t.co/XUZTRU0T8x

— Jason Diamond (@imjasondiamond) January 3, 2022

Where @JessicaShaw and I have been having weekly meals for years. This is a real bummer. https://t.co/TBX2xq0gOl

— Sara Vilkomerson (@Vilkomerson) January 4, 2022

This is sad. @SidecarBrooklyn was the best. (And where we went for a drink when the pregnancy test came back positive for our first son. I was a little overwhelmed.) https://t.co/L7ELA19Wha

— Charles Duhigg (@cduhigg) January 4, 2022