Former Bar and Grill Patty Buchanan's Gets Makeover

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Stony Brook Ale House, full view /Photo by Sze Chun Chan (JC)

By Ashley Withers

On Aug. 28, Patty Buchanan’s, a former bar and grill on Route 25A, was cited for sale of alcohol to a minor. This is the second violation that has occurred under the proprietorship of Arsani Koulta .

The citation was issued after Suffolk police conducted an inspection that resulted in the arrests of five bartenders.  One patron, Christian Dennis, 23, was also arrested for obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, according to the press release issued by the Suffolk County Police Department.

Buchanan’s is slated to become Stony Brook Ale House on Saturday, Oct. 20. Outside, workers pick at the glass of the bar’s window, removing remnants of the “Patty Buchanan’s” decal; inside, prospective employees fill out applications at freshly painted booths.

Dennis is now one of six new managers. He has been promoting for Long Island clubs like the Beach Bar and White House for about nine months. Dennis said the Ale House is, “entirely different from what it was—different staff, different outlook, different philosophy.”

 “It’s a new place,” he said. “The only thing that is similar are these same four walls.”

The Ale House is Koulta’s third establishment on the property. Koulta’s prior establishment, Tuts Grill and Bar—of the same location—was cited formerly for underage sale.  A similar incident occurred Nov. 7, in which citations were issued to the bartender , the manager and the underage person.

According to the New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA), the establishment’s liquor license is still registered under the name Tuts, and the first citation, issued last November, is still pending. William Crowley, NYSLA official, added, “We have a police referral that we are currently investigating.”

When asked about the investigation, Dennis replied, “No, we’re good.”

“We’re going to cooperate entirely and make a point to show it’s 21 and over in the bar only,” Dennis added. The Ale House will be equipped with an ID scanner for age verification. Security will also be positioned outside of all doors. On Saturdays, Dennis believes the Ale House will cater to a 25 and over crowd.

The management also plans to create a breakfast delivery service where LIRR commuters can order their breakfast through an unspecified website and have it delivered to the tracks before their morning commute. “The restaurant is going to be our main focal point,” said Dennis.

Additionally, there is talk about a driving service that may transport intoxicated patrons to some areas of Stony Brook. When asked about the service, Dennis replied, “It’s a non-entity right now, it’s a thought, it’s an idea. We need everything to be on paper first.”

The bar’s name was initially going to be changed to “Stewie Griffin’s”, titled after a character on the Fox cartoon Family Guy, but the landowner did not permit the name due to legalities.

The chameleonic locale is changing its colors to burgundy and cream and will re-open this Saturday. Details can be found at www.stonybrookalehouse.com.