'Bring a water gun' — House of Yes is opening an outdoor space tonight

House of Yes co-owner Anya Sapozhnikova (center) said the club will open for outdoor activities tonight. Eagle photo by David Brand

By David Brand

Bushwick’s beloved House of Yes will reopen tonight for outdoor activities along a fenced off section of Jefferson Street, a few blocks from the Ridgewood border

Co-owner Anya Sapozhnikova and other House of Yes staff members worked into the night Wednesday constructing a pink barricade outside the venue, where a huge Black Lives Matter banner hangs from the roof. House of Yes is located across the street from the Jefferson Street L stop.

Sapozhnikova said she received permission from the city to open the outdoor area and serve drinks, but she isn’t quite sure what to expect on opening weekend as she and other business owners navigate the state’s reopening rules. “We’ll figure out what this is, and by next weekend we’ll know what to do,” she said.

Photo by David Brand

The outdoor space will open at 5 p.m. tonight with social distancing rules in effect.

“THIS IS NOT A dance party,” according to the House of Yes website. “THIS IS A seated experience. An offering of drinks, food, and love. A chance to reconnect with community at a safe distance. A way to support a venue you love.”

The vibe will be different than most summer nights, but Sapozhnikova said she looks forward to kicking off the outdoor format.

“We’re going to do some weird House of Yes shit,” she said. “Bring a water gun.”