Jane and Cathy talk over their plans at Tandem’s salvaged mahogany bar.
After a year of planning and construction, in addition to unexpected delays due to roof and plumbing issues, a change of layout, and interminable waits on regulatory compliance issues, Jane Virga’s bar, Tandem, is nearing completion and should be open for business this coming January.
I stopped in to hang out a bit with Jane and her sister Cathy and sample a few concoctions they were mixing at the imposing mahogany bar they’re nearly finished installing in the space. The bar is salvaged from an Elks Lodge in upstate NY where it’s rumored Ella Fitzgerald once played. Between sampling liquors, Jane and Cathy talked about the various design decisions they made throughout the process.
“We originally wanted a roll-up glass garage door in the front that we could open in the summer, but I think it was better to go with this,” Jane said, pointing to the tall salvaged wood doors with inset windows that will still open to the sidewalk but keep the indoor space its own cozy world.
The back wall of Tandem is covered in strips of salvaged wood and a stunning ceramic tile mosaic that Jane designed, shaped, fired, and glazed herself. Mod and rustic elements work to create the bar’s cool yet inviting aesthetic. Once the tables and chairs are brought in — and the heat is turned on — Tandem will be a truly comfortable place for us locals to relax.
Tandem is at 236 Troutman Street, between Wilson and Knickerbocker.
UPDATE: Tandem is now open.
chillinoncentral December 15th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hey, wait a minute… The (upcoming) Tandem on Troutman St is barely a 3-minute walk from the (upcoming) Chew and Chat on Wilson Ave and Starr St and barely a 5-minute walk from the (upcoming) Castle Braid in Troutman and Central. Can it be that the ‘Wick really is up and coming? Go, Tandem, Go, Bushwick, Go, Chew and Chat, Go, Bushwick, Go, Castle Braid, Go, Bushwick, it’s your birthday… =]
RachaelAnne December 15th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
See, this is exactly the kind of post that makes me want to live in Bushwick.
Mopar December 16th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Wow, the space is so beautiful. Love the mirrored tile with the raw wood.
Ingo Hart December 16th, 2008 at 12:40 am
She made that by hand? That is really quite amazing and beautiful. Love the ceiling heits too. Will there be food?
Mjay December 19th, 2008 at 12:54 am
ok, a bar, looks very cool, the drinks, are they going to be those obnoxious $12. a cocktail kind? any eats? how bout the wine list, can I drink something for under $10. a glass??
El Topp January 26th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Anyone have an exact date on opening night yet? I’ve been waiting for this one for a while.
mopar January 29th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
We are dying to go. I tried to call them a few weeks ago to see if they are open for business, but they apparently do not have a phone number. I guess they’re not open yet. Or are they?
We also stopped by twice to check out the Wick and they were closed both times, and a neighbor business said they had shut — after only a few weeks in business! He said another guy was going to open it up again. Hm.
ricmac01 January 29th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I think The Wick never really happened – had its opening night, so they say, but I’ve never seen it open when I travel by. I just guessed that the guy opening it must not have had his P’s and Q’s in place prior to opening? A guy could die of thirst….
Jeremy Sapienza January 29th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Tandem is NOT open yet. They are waiting to pass inspection, and as that is utterly arbitrary, having an opening date is impossible.
kristina January 31st, 2009 at 12:00 am
when does this place open!?
TD March 9th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
soon soon.
final inspections any day and good to go.
wahoooo
mopar March 23rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
As soon as Tandem is open, I’ll come try it out. I’ve been looking forward to the opening.
ryan April 15th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Uggh would love to check out tandem.
but cant find out if its open.
actually just read a writeup in Edible brooklyn.
walking by there and try to squeeze myself
under the door!
andrew April 16th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
i heard that it is finally opening on friday. is that true?
TD April 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
open!
Wahoo!
iampiama May 5th, 2009 at 12:50 am
it is OPEN
i’m moving in next door, definite perk and instant community!
the tiles and wood are gorgeous and moody.
i didn’t drink anything but i did smell food…
very excited. new haunt!
pants May 8th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
awesome. going to check it out tonight.