Manhattan Bars Shut Down For Violating Gov's Pandemic Rules
MANHATTAN, NY — The New York State Liquor Authority shut down three Manhattan businesses Wednesday in the latest round of shutdowns as Gov. Andrew Cuomo cracks down on businesses encouraging gatherings amid the city's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Harlem's Grill on the Hill, Hell's Kitchen's Gossip and the Upper East Side's Nello were three of the 12 businesses suspended by the SLA on Wednesday, state officials announced. Twenty-nine establishments received violations following Tuesday night inspections.
"Noncompliance will lead us right back right where we were just a few months ago — so we must continue to crack down on the bad actors who violate the law and risk everyone's health and safety," Cuomo said.
The 12 suspensions are the latest round in a crackdown on bars after videos of late-night, maskless partiers drew the governor's attention. The state has pulled liquor licenses from at least a dozen bars in other boroughs in recent weeks, many in Astoria in Queens.
Under an order from the governor, establishments can only serve alcohol to people ordering "substantial food."
State officials labeled Gossip, located on Ninth Avenue and West 50th street, a "repeat offender" of Cuomo's rules. The business was shut down after inspectors observed 12 patrons drinking outside the business on Monday past the state's 11 p.m. curfew for outdoor dining. Investigators claimed many of the customers and some staff members were not wearing masks.
Grill on the Hill was busted Monday night for serving at least two outdoor tables of customers alcohol without food, state officials said. Customers were also spotted standing at the bar inside the Amsterdam Avenue and West 140th Street business.
Nello on the Upper East Side earned the most "flagrant" violation of the state's dining regulations, according to state officials. Investigators observed eight customers being served drinks and food at tables inside the ritzy Madison Avenue Italian spot on Tuesday. Indoor dining has been outlawed in the city since March.
The governor's task force has checked up on bars throughout the state 1,131 times and found 55 establishments with violations in the last week. Businesses face fines as high as $10,000 or immediate suspension of their liquor license for violating COVID-19 regulations.
Patch's Anna Quinn contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on the Harlem Patch
