NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The State Liquor Authority suspended the liquor licenses of 14 more New York City-area bars and restaurants due to COVID-19-related violations, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday.
The SLA has suspended a total of 238 businesses’ liquor licenses since the pandemic began, Cuomo said in a press release.
The following 14 establishments lost their liquor licenses between Sept. 30 and Oct. 21, according to the release:
• "Zebra Lounge NY II" at 136-11 38th Avenue in Queens, on September 30, 2020: On September 27th, the New York City Sheriff's Office observed over 100 patrons inside the premises drinking, smoking and singing karaoke, in flagrant violation of the Governors' Executive Orders in place since March 16, 2020, which restricted indoor dining in New York City before September 30th and prohibited activities like karaoke.
• "Elite Palace" at 69-02 Garfield Avenue in Queens, on September 30, 2020: On September 25th, the New York City Sheriff's Office responded to the location following complaints of social distancing violations to find a wedding in progress with nearly three-hundred patrons inside -- six times the number of attendees currently allowed at events -- along with a band playing and numerous patrons observed standing, mingling and drinking, most without facial coverings.
• "El Nuevo Jomas Tavern" at 112 Westchester Avenue in Port Chester, on September 30, 2020: On September 26th, officers with the Port Chester Police Department responding to reports of underage drinking found the premises hosting a large party with approximately two-hundred guests, despite a maximum legal occupancy of only 90 -- which should be reduced to just 45 under COVID-related regulations. Police noted few patrons were wearing facial coverings, reported confiscating eighteen hookahs, and found the fire alarm system appeared to have been disarmed.
• "Leonard's of Great Neck" at 555 Northern Boulevard in Great Neck, on September 30, 2020: Following numerous complaints of a large gathering and excessive noise, the Nassau County Fire Marshall met with the manager outside the location on September 25th at around 6:00 pm. The manager stated the licensee was hosting a wedding with between 100 to 120 guests -- at least double the 50 person limit on non-essential gatherings. The Fire Marshal reported the licensee had been warned two weeks earlier about occupancy limits, and observed guests standing, drinking and ignoring social distancing, with one room set up inside the facility for eighty guests, and another for one-hundred-twenty.
• "Pine Grove Inn" at 1 First Street in East Patchogue, on October 2, 2020: On September 26th, in response to multiple 911 calls regarding social distancing violations, reckless driving, and vehicles blocking driveways in the surrounding area, the Suffolk County Police Department responded to the premises and found between 200 and 300 patrons attending a promoted event at an unlicensed outdoor area of the premises. Patrons -- most of whom were not wearing facial coverings -- were ignoring social distancing and walking around the outdoor area with open containers. Officers report that the licensee and several members of the waitstaff failed to wear facial coverings and found evidence of another advertised event at the location.
• "D'Ambiance" at 1177 Grand Avenue in Baldwin, on October 4, 2020: On October 1st an inspection by multiple Nassau County agencies found six patrons standing and drinking at the bar without facial coverings, with no evidence of food being served. The Town of Hempstead Code Enforcement and the Fire Marshal issued multiple summonses and revoked the establishment's Public Assembly License for failure to comply with local Fire and Building Code regulations. In addition, the Nassau County Police report that, on September 27th, an altercation beginning inside the bar resulted in a female being shot outside the premises after security pushed those involved in the altercation outside -- NCPD note no one from the bar reported the incident. Police responding to the scene later that night observed over thirty patrons inside the premises, which has a maximum occupancy of less than twenty-five under COVID-related regulations. Those observed that day were standing and drinking without facial coverings, with no evidence of food being served.
• "La Bohemia Restaurant" at 12 East 1st Street in Mount Vernon, on October 9, 2020: On October 1st, officers with the Mount Vernon Police Department conducted an inspection finding more than 100 patrons inside, over ninety of whom were crammed into a second-floor space that has a normal maximum occupancy of forty-nine, or just under twenty-five under COVID-related regulations. Officers report a nightclub-like atmosphere at the premises, which is licensed as a restaurant, with patrons not wearing facial coverings, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, and flagrantly ignoring social distancing. In addition, there was no evidence of food being served, the premises was using an unauthorized DJ, and numerous patrons were smoking hookah in apparent violation of the NYS Indoor Smoking Act.
• "Fat Buddha" at 212 Avenue A in Manhattan, on October 14, 2020: On October 9th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force and officers with the NYPD observed over twenty patrons standing, congregating and drinking directly in front of the business without facial coverings well past the 11 p.m. NYC curfew for outside dining. Investigators noted the kitchen was closed and there was no evidence of food being served, in addition to numerous patrons entering and exiting the premises with open containers. NYPD officers dispersed the crowd and issued a summons for Executive Order violations.
• "Rochelle's" at 19 Stanton Street in Manhattan, on October 14, 2020: On October 9th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force observed seven patrons standing and mingling inside without facial coverings. A security guard at the door and the premises' manager were also observed without facial coverings. The business was operating well past the midnight cut off for indoor service in New York City, with investigators finding no evidence of substantial food being served -- in direct violation of guidelines created to prevent congregation and mingling that have led to COVID-19 spikes in other states.
• "Wise Bar & Grill" at 35 Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn, on October 16, 2020: On October 9th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force conducted an inspection of the premises, which was operating in an "Orange Zone" area, where indoor dining was prohibited as part of Governor Cuomo's science-based Cluster Action Initiative. After initially observing individuals without facial coverings outside the bar waiting for tables inside, investigators entered, documenting 24 patrons inside eating and drinking, in flagrant violation of the law. In addition, an employee working in the kitchen was observed without a facial covering.
• "39 Fantastic Bar" at 3914 8th Avenue in Brooklyn, on October 16, 2020: On October 10th, NYPD officers found the bar operating for indoor service in an "Orange Zone," where indoor dining was prohibited. In an effort to avoid detection, the establishment had covered their windows to create the appearance they were closed, while slipping patrons inside. Despite a security guard attempting to block entry, officers discovered approximately 100 patrons in the unlicensed basement area, which has a maximum occupancy of only 25. Officers discovered ten karaoke rooms filled with patrons singing, drinking and using controlled substances in plain view, with officers arresting seven individuals for possession of ketamine and issuing a summons to the manager for operating a disorderly premise.
• "Tropical Fantasy Bar & Lounge" at 92-06 173rd Street in Queens, on October 18, 2020: On October 9th, NYPD officers observed the premises using a tent set up on the sidewalk in front of the premises, which was blocking the pedestrian right of way in violation of New York City's Open Restaurants program. According to the police, numerous patrons were observed standing, drinking and congregating under the tent. Despite additional warnings, including a follow-up visit by the NYPD on October 15th and an inspection by SLA investigators on October 17th, the premises continued to utilize the illegal tent. The location is a repeat offender, with pending charges for multiple EO violations already issued by the SLA.
• "Alfie's Place" at 3037 East 177th Street in the Bronx, on October 21, 2020: On October 17th, NYPD officers on patrol entered the premises, observing a bartender without a facial covering and several patrons standing at the bar, ignoring social distancing and without facial coverings. In addition, two patrons were observed standing and playing illegal video gaming devices. Police report no food was being served, and that the kitchen area had been physically separated from the premises and rented to a neighboring business without authorization from the SLA. During a follow up investigation, the SLA determined the establishment's liquor license had been illegally sold to a third party without approval, charging the licensee with "availing" the license by allowing persons who are not approved by the SLA to own or operate the premises.
• "Da Mikelle Palace" at 102 39-55A Queens Boulevard in Queens, on October 21, 2020: On October 18th, New York City Sheriff's Office deputies observed several individuals entering the business, which was operating in a "Red Zone" area identified by Governor Cuomo's Cluster Action Initiative and was limited to take out and delivery only. Despite operating with the establishment's front lights off to give the appearance the business was closed, deputies heard music playing inside and entered the premises, observing two rooms with about 25 patrons in each -- eating, drinking, and dancing without facial coverings or adherence to social distancing protocols. Deputies then entered an annexed space inside the building called the "Troyka Restaurant" and discovered approximately 45 additional patrons eating, drinking, and dancing to a live band -- with neither patrons, employees, nor band members wearing facial coverings. According to patrons, the gathering was a wedding reception, which would not have been allowed at this size under statewide COVID-19 regulations, which limit non-essential gatherings to 50 attendees. In "Red Zones," non-essential gatherings are not allowed at all, regardless of size.