Prospect Heights' Hot Bird reborn as a bar

A first look at Hot Bird. Photos by Clay Williams.

Anyone who has spent time in Prospect Heights or even just driven past it has seen the mutiple wall paintings advertising the food at long-defunct chicken joint, Hot Bird.

Recently, reports have come in that a new Hot Bird was rising from the ashes, reborn like the Phoenix bringing its legendary chicken to us all. That's not exactly true. The Hot Bird moniker has been taken up by a new bar on the corner of Clinton and Atlantic Avenues, just as the neighborhood borders Clinton HIll and Fort Greene. The bar, a former auto body shop, is right below one of the bright yellow signs. The space includes indoor and outdoor areas and will serve foods not limited to the avian variety.

As of Tuesday evening, Hot Bird is open to the public. The indoor space is warm and inviting with quite the selection of beer and liquor. The outdoor space has wide communal seating for all to enjoy.

While long-time residents and newcomers alike are most curious about the chicken, the food offerings, which haven't arrived yet, will not be limited to chicken. The sign outside announces a wide variety of food prepared by Alan Harding, "The man who ruined Smith Street." Following the Habana Outpost model, they will be preparing and serving the food from a food truck stationed in the outdoor space. The menu is extensive, skewing to the French cuisine that Harding is known for.

The truck and outdoor forumla has certainly been a big success at Habana Outpost. With a full liquor license, this could be the child-free oasis that many neighborhood singles and DINKs have been waiting for. Also, given that the space is surrounded by commercial buildings, noise concerns should be less significant, meaning late night debauchery on any given night.

Check back in for updates as Hot Bird takes flight. In the meantime, today's slideshow offers a glimpse of the space.

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Update:

Hot Bird Food Truck Open for Business