Not a single scheduled show has taken place at The Brooklyn Mirage in 2025. Finally, the bankrupt Avant Gardner has filed to demolish the failed venue.
The Brooklyn Mirage‘s ugliest chapter might finally be drawing to a close as its bankrupt parent company, Avant Gardner, has filed for a permit to demolish a structure belonging to its sprawling New York City entertainment complex.
It is unclear whether Avant Gardner intends to tear down all or part of the the venue, which was slated to reopen on May 1 after an ambitious remodel spearheaded by previous CEO Josh Wyatt. The application is for a full demolition of 32,000 square feet, and the entire Avant Gardner complex occupies 80,000 square feet.
A spokesperson on behalf of Avant Gardner did not immediately respond to EDM Identity’s request for comment.
Back in April, an Avant Gardner representative wrote in an email that “The new Mirage will open on May 1” and “there are no delays in build schedule.” A few days later, the company shared a humorous relaunch teaser that projected confidence in its planned timeline.
But The Brooklyn Mirage did not reopen — not on May 1, nor for any of the dozens of events scheduled thereafter. At the time, Avant Gardner claimed that the venue was “show ready” and cited red tape surrounding permits before it stopped issuing public announcements altogether. But the NYC Department of Buildings alluded to “numerous objections to the performance space, both safety related and technical in nature” in an August statement.
In May, Avant Gardner announced that HARD Founder Gary Richards would replace Wyatt as CEO. By August, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in hopes of restructuring without liquidating its assets.
It remains to be seen what might fill the void left by The Brooklyn Mirage in New York City nightlife. No matter what, it’s safe to say that Avant Gardner is walking away with a black eye.
