Brooklyn Mirage to Close as Avant Gardner Restructures

The Brooklyn Mirage, a prominent outdoor music venue in East Williamsburg, is being demolished after extended operational challenges and regulatory findings. The 32,000-square-foot venue, part of the larger Avant Gardner complex, has been closed since early 2024 after permit complications delayed its planned reopening.

Avant Gardner, the company behind the Mirage, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August with financial obligations reported at over $150 million. Court documents indicate that the company intends to sell its assets to an affiliate of its lender, pending approval at a hearing later this month.

The New York City Department of Buildings cited structural concerns at the Mirage, highlighting areas that required upgrades to fire protection and accessibility standards. Inspectors described portions of the venue as “potentially unsteady,” noting that it was no longer suitable for high-capacity events without significant improvements.

Demolition plans, filed with the city earlier this month, estimate the teardown will cost roughly $1.5 million. While the permit has been approved, a specific start date has not been announced.

Once known for its immersive light shows and international DJ lineups, the Mirage was a defining fixture of New York’s nightlife scene. Attention from regulators increased after two attendee deaths in 2023.

Despite the closure of the outdoor space, Avant Gardner’s indoor venues — the Great Hall and Kings Hall — are expected to remain operational through the end of the year as the company continues its restructuring.

The demolition will close a notable chapter in Brooklyn’s entertainment landscape.