SLA temporary suspends the liquor license at Black Emperor

Gov. Cuomo recently announced that the liquor licenses of 33 more NY State bars and restaurants have been temporarily suspended for what he has termed "egregious violations of coronavirus-related regulations."

Of those 33, one was in the East Village —Black Emperor at 197 Second Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Here's what the SLA said in its statement:

On August 31, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force observed in excess of eight patrons standing, drinking and congregating in front of the licensed premises. Inside, investigators observed three patrons sitting and drinking at the bar and one patron standing inside with a drink in his hand, all in flagrant violation of the Governor's Executive Order in place since March 16, 2020.

Updated 11 a.m.: Several readers have noted that Black Emperor had previously announced plans to temporarily close the bar after service on Aug. 31. 

Meanwhile, two other East Village bars-restaurants that had their licenses suspended by the SLA last month are back in service.

Maiden Lane on 10th Street and Avenue B resumed service with alcohol and expanded food offerings on Sept. 10. (They did reopen after their license was suspended in early August for food orders and a non-alcoholic drink menu.)

The Hairy Lemon, 28-30 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street, also had its license reinstated after nearly six weeks of closure. 

Report: Cloister Cafe granted temporary restraining order to reopen

Cloister Cafe will reopen tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 15) on Ninth Street after a judge granted it a temporary restraining order against the State Liquor Authority, Page Six reported. 

The SLA had suspended the Cloister's liquor license for alleged social-distancing infractions here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue last month. 

According to the SLA report that led to the suspension:

Investigators found the restaurant operating as a nightclub and hookah lounge with a live DJ, documenting numerous patrons ignoring social distancing with lines of customers congregating in front of the premises without facial coverings, at least twenty patrons consuming alcohol indoors under a fixed roof, and no receipts for food purchases.

For their part, Cloister Cafe claimed that the SLA didn't properly investigate the alleged violations — and just copied the claims from a Gothamist article.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Cloister Cafe owner sues state over suspended liquor license

Report: Judge denies temporary restraining order for Cloister Cafe

[Photo by Steven]

A judge denied a temporary restraining order that would have reinstated the liquor license at Cloister Cafe after it was suspended for alleged social-distancing infractions earlier this month by the State Liquor Authority.

As Page Six first reported over the weekend:

Applying for the order, the bar, run by Nick Drobenko and Provocateur’s Mike Satsky and Brian Gefter, argued that, "Our business will not survive another closure." But the judge said they'd "provided little hard information" to support that.

"I do not doubt that the statement is made in good faith and may prove accurate," Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote Thursday. "But the plaintiff's owners apparently own the building in which the restaurant is located and thus may be far better able to survive than many other restaurateurs."

According to the SLA report that led to the suspension:

Investigators found the restaurant operating as a nightclub and hookah lounge with a live DJ, documenting numerous patrons ignoring social distancing with lines of customers congregating in front of the premises without facial coverings, at least twenty patrons consuming alcohol indoors under a fixed roof, and no receipts for food purchases.

For their part, Cloister Cafe claimed that the SLA didn't properly investigate the alleged violations — and just copied the claims from a Gothamist article.

Meanwhile, on Avenue B, the owners of Hairy Lemon posted a letter to patrons about their recent SLA suspension...


[Photo by Stacie Joy]

According to the SLA:

On August 8th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force observed patrons standing and drinking without facial coverings outside the premises and confirmed that the location was operating a bar-type service, selling drinks to multiple patrons without substantial food.

The letter on the front door at the Hairy Lemon states in part that they "intend to fight our case and slightly remodel in order to comply with the strict new guidelines."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Cloister Cafe owner sues state over suspended liquor license

Report: Cloister Cafe owner sues state over suspended liquor license

The owner of the Cloister Cafe is suing the State Liquor Authority (SLA) after its license was recently suspended at 238 E. Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Here's the official report that the SLA posted:

On August 7th, the New York City Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the state's multi-agency task force at this establishment approximately 12:30 a.m. — well past the 11 p.m. NYC curfew. Investigators found the restaurant operating as a nightclub and hookah lounge with a live DJ, documenting numerous patrons ignoring social distancing with lines of customers congregating in front of the premises without facial coverings, at least twenty patrons consuming alcohol indoors under a fixed roof, and no receipts for food purchases. The inspection identified thirty-three significant fire and life safety violations, with the NYC Sheriff's Office issuing seven criminal court summonses.

The exclusive pandemic parties were reportedly hosted at Cloister Cafe — aka Café Tucano — by Provocateur, a former Meatpacking District club.

One recent attendee told Gothamist, in a story published on Aug. 4, that he saw "hundreds of people, nobody is social distancing, nobody is wearing masks. It’s like the normal club scene. There’s a lot of spenders there. If they do social distancing, they can’t make money. They need to have a packed room full of people to make money."

As Page Six first reported, Cloister Cafe claims that the SLA didn't properly investigate the alleged violations — and just copied the claims from Gothamist, which in part relied on two Instagram posts by "self-styled social-distancing watchdog" Kristina Alaniesse.

"Instead of investigating, the SLA decided to rely upon the Gothamist, which is hardly a legal treatiste," Cloister's lawyer Robert Garson told Page Six.

They believe the closure was "illegal, uninvestigated and uninformed based on a sole Instagram post."

"The liquor authority are acting like … they've imposed a form of [martial law] that they’re not adhering to proper investigation," Garson said. "There are lots of people hurting [in hospitality]. [Owner Nick Drobenko is] taking the fight, not for himself, but for them as well."

In a post yesterday about the lawsuit, Gothamist laid out their reporting that went into the original story:

In fact, our reporting was based on interviews with nearly a dozen people, including almost half a dozen who had been to their events in person. Alaniesse did however post two damning videos which were taken at the spot on July 30th and which were cited by investigators...

Multiple attendees told us masks and social distancing were not being enforced whatsoever at the club, and that parties were routinely going past 11 p.m. and early into the morning multiple times a week.

An SLA spokesperson told this to Gothamist:

[A]ny claim that Cafe Cloister’s summary suspension was based on social media posts or media accounts is demonstrably false. Both the New York City Sheriff’s Office and investigators with the state's multi-agency task force conducted an inspection of Cafe Cloister at approximately 12:30 am on August 7th — more than an hour after New York City’s 11:00 pm curfew for outdoor dining — and documented a multitude of violations, each of which put New Yorkers' health and safety in danger during a global pandemic.

SLA temporarily suspends the liquor license at St. Dymphna's on Avenue A

[Photos by Stacie Joy]

Updated 10/14: St. Dymphna's has reopened.

St. Dymphna's is temporarily closed now on Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

According to the paperwork from the State Liquor Authority posted on the front windows, the Irish-style pub had previously been warned — on June 18 and Aug. 5 — for patrons "lingering and/or congregating" outside the establishment.

The paperwork also states that on Aug. 11, an SLA agent saw patrons drinking "without accompanying appropriate food orders" ... and that "the licensee was unable to produce any receipts for food to comply with the requirement that the licensee serve food with any alcoholic beverage purchase."







Co-owner Brendan McElroy addressed the closure in an Instagram post yesterday:

With a heavy heart, I have to announce to you all that St Dymphna’s will be closed, pending a hearing for our liquor license suspension. We were unfairly targeted by the state liquor authority, and issued baseless citations — similar to what has happened to several other bars in the neighborhood. Our attorney is on the case and we will fight this. Looking forward to the day we when we reopen and hang out in our new backyard space...

St. Dymphna's opened here last August, relocating from its home of 24 years on St. Mark's Place.

Several other East Village establishments, including Lucky, the Hairy Lemon, Maiden Lane and the Wayland, had had their liquor licenses temporarily suspended in recent weeks.

Lucky owner Abby Ehmann had started a petition calling for Gov. Cuomo to reverse the state's new mandate that bars must serve substantial amounts of food with any alcohol purchase.

Updated 5:30 p.m.

The SLA posted this about their actions at St. Dymphna's:

On August 11th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force observed numerous patrons standing, drinking, and ignoring social distancing guidelines outside the premises, with multiple customers observed ordering beverages from a takeout window. Investigators checking sales receipts found that practically no food was purchased with orders that evening, in violation of the Governor's Executive Orders. This was the third strike for this business, a repeat offender that the SLA had charged for violating the Governor's Executive Orders on June 26th and on August 10th.

SLA suspends the liquor licenses at the Hairy Lemon, Cloister Cafe and the Wayland

[Cloister photos by Steven]

On Tuesday evening, Gov. Cuomo announced that the state had suspended liquor licenses for 38 bars in New York City and on Long Island "after finding egregious violations of pandemic-related Executive Orders."

Of those 38, four of the establishments are in the East Village. (We already covered Maiden Lane here.)

Here are the other three:

• Cloister Cafe, 238 E. Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Per the SLA:

On August 7th, the New York City Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the state's multi-agency task force at this establishment approximately 12:30 a.m. — well past the 11 p.m. NYC curfew. Investigators found the restaurant operating as a nightclub and hookah lounge with a live DJ, documenting numerous patrons ignoring social distancing with lines of customers congregating in front of the premises without facial coverings, at least twenty patrons consuming alcohol indoors under a fixed roof, and no receipts for food purchases. The inspection identified thirty-three significant fire and life safety violations, with the NYC Sheriff's Office issuing seven criminal court summonses.

The exclusive pandemic parties reportedly hosted here by Provocateur, a former Meatpacking District club, were a poorly kept secret in recent weeks at Cloister Cafe — now going as Café Tucano.

One recent attendee told Gothamist, in a story published on Aug. 4, that he saw "hundreds of people, nobody is social distancing, nobody is wearing masks. It’s like the normal club scene. There’s a lot of spenders there. If they do social distancing, they can’t make money. They need to have a packed room full of people to make money."

→→→



• The Hairy Lemon, 28-30 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street.

Per the SLA:

On August 8th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force observed patrons standing and drinking without facial coverings outside the premises and confirmed that the location was operating a bar-type service, selling drinks to multiple patrons without substantial food.

The Hairy Lemon had drawn neighbor complaints in recent weeks with crowds congregating to watch sports from the bar's front windows... photos here from Aug. 1 (via Stacie Joy)...





→→→


[Photo from Sunday after the closure]

• The Wayland, 700 E. Ninth St. at Avenue C.

Per the SLA:

On August 7th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force observed at least 13 patrons without facial coverings standing outside the bar, congregating and mingling. Investigators also noted patrons served drinks at an outdoor table without food.

[Updated] SLA suspends Maiden Lane's liquor license; patrons spotted 'with no food other than crackers'

[Photos by Stacie Joy]

Updated 9/12:
Maiden Lane had their liquor license reinstated, and they also have new menu offerings.
---

Maiden Lane, the bar-cafe on the northwest corner of Avenue B and 10th Street, is temporarily closed after a visit by State Liquor Authority operatives on Thursday evening...



According to the legal documents affixed to the cafe's door, "patrons were observed sitting in the licensee's sidewalk cafe with no food other than crackers." The paperwork doesn't cite any other infractions.



As we understand it, there wasn't any warning here. The SLA agent made his or her observations Thursday evening and Maiden Lane was ordered to close later on Friday.

---Updated 8/11---

Here's the official allegation via the SLA:

On August 6th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force observed the restaurant selling alcohol for consumption on the premises and 'to go' with just a 0.5-ounce package of oyster crackers — in flagrant violation of state requirements that substantial food be served to limit mingling in bars. Investigators documented six customers being served at a walk up bar at an outside window, approximately seventeen patrons drinking on the premises with only crackers, and another patron ordering two margaritas served with straws and no food, who then proceeded to walk across the street and get in a car.

---

Gov. Cuomo's recently enacted mandate directs that bars and restaurants must offer a "substantive" amount of food for patrons sitting outside their establishments ... including bars who previously didn't offer a full menu. Cuomo expounded on what constituted a meal — more than wings! — during a July 23 press conference...

Earlier today, Governor Cuomo said chicken wings are not substantial food for bars to be allowed to sell alcohol. He added that sandwiches were the "lowest level" of substantive food. #Buffalo His comments: pic.twitter.com/zaSXgfEq6S

— Stephen Marth (@StephenMarth) July 23, 2020

As some bar owners have said privately, the SLA agents don't even seem to know what the rules are (is a salad a meal?) ... and the enforcements can be at the capricious whim of the agent.

Even before the COVID-19 PAUSE, Maiden Lane had a European-style food menu that included small plates of spreads and dips served with toast or crackers, salads, sandwiches and retail tinned seafood, which they sell through an advertised Tin Shop.

We reached out to Maiden Lane founder Gareth Maccubbin for further comment.

With reporting by Stacie Joy

East Village bar owner petitioning against Cuomo’s COVID-19 menu mandate has liquor license suspended for not serving food

[Photos by Stacie Joy]

Last week, Abby Ehmann, the owner of Lucky at 168 Avenue B, launched a petition asking Gov. Cuomo to roll back his mandate that bars must serve a "substantive" amount of food in order to stay open during the pandemic.

Yesterday, Cuomo announced that the state has suspended liquor licenses for 11 New York State bars — including Lucky — for "egregious violations of pandemic-related Executive Orders." (To date during COVID-19, the state has suspended liquor licenses for 94 bars.)

This is what the State Liquor Authority had to say about Lucky:

On August 3rd, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force interviewed the owner of the business, who admitted to serving alcohol to patrons without food, in addition to acknowledging the business does not have a kitchen or prepare food, which has been a requirement of all licensed taverns dating back to 1964. The licensee previously had been cited and disciplined, in 2019, a "non bona fide" for having no food available.

Suspension orders remain in effect indefinitely, with the maximum penalty including the permanent revocation of the license and fines of up to $10,000 per violation, according to the SLA.

Ehmann has been advocating for a "seating not eating" rule. As she stated on the petition, signed by nearly 2,800 people as of last night: "Rather than legislating what customers must order, I believe it would be safer and smarter to require customers be seated while consuming whatever they want. If no standing is allowed, the possibility of overcrowding is eliminated."

With the threat of the tropical storm yesterday, Ehmann did not open her bar, and was unaware that she had her license suspended until we contacted her for comment.

Ehmann told EVG correspondent Stacie Joy that she believes the state targeted her business. News of the petition has been covered in the Daily News, WCBS News Radio 880 and Eater.

She offered this update last night on what happened:

I have been very vocal in my opposition to this law. On Monday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. I received a visit from two representatives of the NY State Liquor Authority. Their only concern was if my customers — all eight of them — had ordered food with their alcohol. No other safety measures were inspected or questioned. Also, no other bars or restaurants in close proximity to mine received such visits, causing me to believe that I was intentionally targeted.

This is troubling, especially given how many of my bar and restaurant owner peers have expressed fear of retaliation when asked to join me in this battle.

I thought that I had received my first warning — a somewhat unofficial document consisting of a Xeroxed piece of paper with the headline NOTICE AND WARNING [see image below] as opposed to an actual ticket specifying my violations. But moments ago I discovered that my business is listed as one of those whose license has been suspended. NO notification. NO "three strikes." This is an outrage.

As for background, on June 22, outdoor dining returned to NYC. At the time, Cuomo did not specify that only restaurants could provide the service. Bars, who previously were selling drinks to go, could now set up tables provided they also continue to serve snacks.

However, with some bars not adhering to any kind of social distancing, Cuomo said on July 23 that to stay open, establishments needed to offer menu items beyond chips and popcorn.

"To be a bar, you had to have food available — soups, sandwiches, etc.," he said during a press conference. "More than just hors d'oeuvres, chicken wings, you had to have some substantive food."

Bar owners, already under a financial strain and working with skeleton crews, were left scrambling to create a menu and kitchen or face significant fines or the threat of closure — even if they never served food before the COVID-19 PAUSE.

In reporting on the petition Monday, Eater noted that Lucky had been selling Hot Pockets via a microwave. Per Eater: "In the past, Ehmann received a $2,000 fine from the SLA for not offering food on the bar's kitchen-less premises."

Despite the suspension and further loss of revenue, Ehmann said that she is doubling down on the food issue with her petition drive.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• A petition to allow patrons to sit at a bar without having to order a meal

Gov. Cuomo approves bill to create public liquor license database

Gov. Cuomo has approved a bill (S55/A4315) that requires the State Liquor Authority (SLA) to create and maintain a public database of information specific to on-premises liquor licenses.

Two local elected officials — Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and Sen. Brad Hoylman — sponsored the bill that will enable residents a means to look up information on a bar, including whether it has permits for live music or sidewalk seating.

The two released statements on Friday after Cuomo's signature made it all official:

Sen. Hoylman:

Community boards, block associations, and residents across my district have for years called upon the State Liquor Authority to make information on these licenses more available and accessible, so that they can better understand their impact on our neighborhoods. This is basic, good government. Yet until now, to our enormous frustration, the only option for the public to learn this information was through filing a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request.

You shouldn’t have to file a FOIL request just to find out whether a bar in your neighborhood has a liquor license that permits live music or an outside patio. What’s more, under these constraints, police precincts aren’t able to respond to neighborhood noise complaints — as they have no way to confirm whether an establishment is operating within the parameters of their license or not.

Assemblywoman Glick:

For too long, it has been nearly impossible for community members to get very basic information about State Liquor Authority licensees that operate in our neighborhood. Now that liquor license information will be easily obtainable, people can see for themselves if nearby establishments are being good neighbors and are operating within the constraints of their license.

The news release included a statement from Susan Stetzer, district manager for Community Board 3: "Having information available online would be a tremendous help. We spend a lot of time working with community groups and with our local precincts to resolve issues that require information about a licensed business, particularly method of operation and outdoor use questions."

No word on when the SLA will actually make this online resource available to the public.

[Updated] Lamia's Fish Market headed to SLA for a beer-wine license for 45 Avenue B

[45-47 Avenue B file photo]

A restaurant called Lamia's Fish Market is in the works for the long-vacant storefront at 45 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street.

Lamia Funti, the applicant, appeared before CB3's SLA committee meeting back in April. The application was reportedly denied based in part on the history of the space. (The Lo-Down reported on this here.)

Media outlets have identified Funti as the co-owner of Le Souk on La Guardia Place along with her husband Marcus Jacobs. He was reportedly an owner of Le Souk at 47 Avenue B... Le Souk was a years-long thorn in the side of neighbors, as widely reported here ... and here ... and here ... and here.

In October 2009, the State Liquor Authority cancelled Le Souk's liquor license. (Read the SLA release here.)

According to a neighborhood block association member, Lamia's Fish Market has now applied directly to the New York State Liquor Authority for a beer-wine license. This application is one of many to be heard during an SLA board meeting today at their New York City office, 317 Lenox Ave. at 126th Street. (The block association rep didn't have an exact time for this applicant during the public meeting, only that it will be heard between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.)

The block association member provided a recap about the applicant(s).

The location is the former Le Souk space, and the principal/proprietor of this new establishment (Lamia Funti) is the wife of Marcus Andrews (formerly, Marcus Jacobs, one of the principals of the old Le Souk along with his brother Sam Jacobs). She is the manager of the current Le Souk, now located on LaGuardia Place in the Village, which Marcus owns. She is proposing a restaurant, not a club/lounge like the old Le Souk or the current business on Laguardia, with only a Beer/Wine license and a 12 am closing every night. This type of license would typically be approved by the SLA without question. However, this situation is unusual and merits special consideration by them.

Even though Ms. Funti was not officially involved with the old Le Souk on Avenue B, she is associated with the Jacob family and their other businesses. At the current Le Souk, which she manages, there have been online reports of fights (involving the owner), a stabbing, plus 311 calls and complaints. Given this background, many involved in the Block Association believe that, even on her own (much less because of her familial affiliations), she does not run the kind of business we want on Avenue B.

You can read CB3's lengthy Recommendation To Deny from the April meeting at the CB3 website here (PDF)

Updated 10/26

The SLA approved this applicant for a beer-wine license according to someone in attendance. More info as it becomes available.

Without a liquor license, Dahlia's decides to close for now

Back in February, the SLA temporarily suspended Dahlia's liquor license after serving a reported 50 minors one night.

Since then, we haven't seen many, if any, diners inside the Mexican restaurant on Second Avenue at East Fifth Street ... even with meal deals that include a soft drink.

So, for now, Dahlia's has closed until the liquor license issue is resolved, as the sign out front shows...



Patrons are directed to their sister establishment, a tapas bar on East Ninth Street.

According to the Post, officers from the 9th Precinct a half block away found the exits at Dahlia's locked "and more than 40 well-heeled teens — one only 15 years old — quaffing 'monster margaritas' and mojitos" one night in January.

Said SLA Chair Vincent Bradley in a statement: "In addition to demonstrating a total disregard for the law by blatantly catering to minors, this licensee further jeopardized the health and safety of these young patrons by crowding them into a locked bar to avoid detection by law enforcement."

On Feb. 12, the SLA charged Dahlia's with 55 violations, including 50 separate sales to minors, failure to supervise, and code violations for exceeding maximum capacity and having locked doors. The licensee, named as Huascar Then, was also arrested.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Dahlia's busted after cops find 43 minors drinking inside locked restaurant

More about the underage drinking bust at Dahlia's; plus, reaction from NYU students

Report: Dahlia's busted after cops find 43 minors drinking inside locked restaurant

[EVG photo from 2014]

The State Liquor Authority (SLA) has yanked the liquor license from Dahlia's on Second Avenue and East Fifth Street after the NYPD found more than 40 teens drinking inside the Mexican restaurant on Jan. 30, the Post reports.

After reportedly serving teens, the SLA served up an emergency liquor license suspension. The restaurant, known as Mary Ann's until 2014, can still sell food, but not alcohol.

Here's some passages from the Post:

[C]ops found the exits locked and more than 40 well-heeled teens — one only 15 years old — quaffing “monster margaritas” and mojitos.

And!

Cops from the 9th Precinct arrived at Dahlia’s after receiving a 911 call reporting underage drinking. At the crowded bar, they documented that 43 patrons were younger than 18, including five 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old.

Most of the teenage drinkers were from monied Westchester suburbs like Scarsdale and Larchmont, officials said. None had been asked for ID.

SLA officials also said that the holder of the liquor license, Huascar Then, and five servers were arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, unlawfully dealing with a child and criminal nuisance.

SLA Chair Vincent Bradley issued this statement: "In addition to demonstrating a total disregard for the law by blatantly catering to minors, this licensee further jeopardized the health and safety of these young patrons by crowding them into a locked bar to avoid detection by law enforcement."

As you probably know, the 9th Precinct is a 1/2 block from the restaurant.

Updated 10:45 a.m.

I walked by Dahlia's this morning... you wouldn't know that the restaurant isn't serving liquor... see next update below...








Updated noon:

The gates are up now at the restaurant... and the suspended license legalese is posted...





Thanks to EVG correspondent Steven for the photos.

Updated 3:30 p.m.

Several readers (including Vinny & O) mentioned that Dahlia's is not open today. Also, maybe randomly, one of the Dahlia's signs was lying on Second Avenue in front of the restaurant ...


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Updated 7 p.m.

The restaurant is open this evening. An EVG reader who looked inside said there were three patrons...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Slowly but surely the exterior of the former Mary Ann's is becoming Dahlia's

Lit Lounge is back for a return engagement in front of CB3's SLA committee

[EVG photo from September]

A familiar name is on CB3's SLA committee docket this month.

Lit Lounge actually appears twice on the agenda… for an alteration and corporate change…



According to the paperwork (PDF!) filed online ahead of the Nov. 16 meeting, Lit is reducing its size from two floors to one, cutting the occupancy of the bar at 93 Second Ave. between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street to 157 in the process.

Meanwhile! As DNAinfo reported, as of Sept. 29, Cock owner Allan Mannarelli is now the majority owner/managing member of Lit. Hence the corporate change… (and if anyone can explain the 40 percent…)



In August, the SLA committee voted against Mannarelli's application to move the Cock from its current Second Avenue home several blocks north to the Lit space.

Per DNAinfo:

Mannarelli said the owners were considering a move to split the space and possibly add a new bar on the ground floor. “LIT [is] still alive,” he added, although plans to move Lit Lounge to Brooklyn were not completely off the table.

And so the maneuvering continues.

Lit first closed at the end of July after 13 years. There was talk of a relocation to Brooklyn, but those plans haven't been realized. Lit did briefly reopen on the weekend in late September.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Confirmed: Lit Lounge is closing on 2nd Avenue

New, confusing signs up at the former Lit Lounge space

On the CB3-SLA docket: A new applicant for the former Bodhi Tree space; a scratch for NatureEs

Last month, the folks behind Shorty’s Authentic Philly Steaks & Sandwiches had designs on opening their fifth NYC location at 58 Third Ave. between East 10th Street and East 11th Street.

However, Team Shorty's withdrew their proposal ahead of the October CB3-SLA committee meeting. Now, there's a new applicant for the space, which, until July, housed the Thai restaurant Bodhi Tree.

There aren't many details on the application (PDF!) filed ahead of this month's CB3-SLA committee meeting on Nov. 16. The restaurant is going by the name of Mulan East with posted hours of 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; until 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The configuration shows 17 tables good for 46 seats and well as a service bar with four seats. According to the paperwork, the two principals, listed as Ling Xia He and Yung Ping Wong, have not previously held a liquor license. They are seeking a beer-wine license for this space.

In other applicant news this month, the plan to convert the now-closed NatureEs juice bar/wellness center on East First Street into a Spanish bistro appears to be on hold. The applicants have withdrawn from the November CB3-SLA meeting.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Shorty's eyeing former Bodhi Tree space on 3rd Avenue

At NatureEs, the Mars Bar replacement that apparently is no longer open

Owners of the Cock head straight to State Liquor Authority for Lit Lounge space

In August, CB3's SLA committee voted against Allan Mannarelli's application to move the Cock from its current Second Avenue home several blocks north to the former Lit Lounge space.

Afterwards, according to a report by Lisha Arino at DNAinfo, Mannarelli said that he planned to appeal directly to the State Liquor Authority (SLA).

He has kept his word: The application will be heard this morning in front of the SLA (PDF here)...



Residents who were opposed to the move to 93 Second Ave. between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street said that the block was already oversaturated with bars, with 61 licensed operators in the immediate vicinity, among other reasons.

Meanwhile, signs appeared on the Lit door later in August noting that the bar/club would reopen on Sept. 11 after a "deep clean vacation." It didn't open that weekend. However, Lit was up and running this past Friday and Saturday night…

lit opens back up tomorrow

Posted by Lit Lounge on Thursday, September 24, 2015

Lit first closed at the end of July after 13 years. There was talk of a relocation to Brooklyn, but those plans have yet to materialize.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Confirmed: Lit Lounge is closing on 2nd Avenue

New, confusing signs up at the former Lit Lounge space

Familiar names looking to open new concept in the former Gandhi space

On Monday, we reported that Gandhi, an East Sixth Street mainstay, had closed for good.

Apparently the space won't be sitting vacant for too long.

Applicants seeking a new liquor license will appear before CB3's SLA committee this month.

According to public paperwork (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website, Shane Covey, co-owner of Upstate around the corner, and Adam Elzer, operating partner at Sauce Restaurant, Supper, Lil Frankie's and Frank, have designs on a new restaurant here just west of First Avenue.

There isn't any mention of the type of food that will be served here. Paperwork shows a configuration of 14 tables, good for 40 seats, and one bar with 8 seats. The proposed hours are 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday-Sunday.

This month's CB3-SLA meeting is Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Board 3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Reader report: The Cock won't be moving into Idle Hands

As previously noted, The Cock was looking to move from Second Avenue to 25 Avenue B, into the current home of Idle Hands.

This item went before CB3's SLA committee on Monday night.

Several EVG readers in attendance noted that Allan Mannarelli, an owner of The Cock, decided to withdraw the application when it became clear that the committee was going to issue a denial. Several residents apparently spoke out against the application, including members of the East 4th Street A/B Block Association.

We understand the fact that he was a managing member of the quaint former establishment called Superdive wasn't lost on residents.

Paperwork on file with CB3 (PDF!) showed that The Cock was planning on taking both floors of the Idle Hands space. No word on what might happen next to Idle Hands.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Lower Avenue B residents meeting tonight to discuss the Cock (25 comments)

October CB3/SLA highlights: The International and The Cock on the move

[EVG file photo of the International]

CB3 released the SLA licensing committee docket yesterday … there will be two meetings this month — Oct. 6 and Oct. 20. We'll look at the whole agenda (only 21 items in total) in another post.

For the time being, we'll note two bars on the move.

First there's The International, whose owner Molly Fitch is eyeing the vacant space next door that previously housed South Brooklyn Pizza Co. We first reported this last Thursday. You can find out what's in store for 122 First Ave. here. (This item will be heard on Oct. 20.)

Meanwhile, The Cock appears to be leaving its Second Avenue home for Avenue B … specifically 25 Avenue B, according to paperwork at CB3. (The item is set for Oct. 6.)



No. 25 near East Second Street is currently home to Idle Hands. No word on what might become of Idle Hands.

You may find the full agenda here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The International eyeing move next door to the former South Brooklyn Pizza space

September's CB3/SLA docket is amazingly small

Wow, just nine items (nine items!) on the September CB3/SLA committee agenda. That just might be a record-low.

Anyway! First of all, the meeting is Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. — Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

And now!

Applications within Saturated Areas
• To be Determined, 98 Ave C (wb)

This is the vacant storefront between Alphabet City Beer Co. and Alphabet City Wine Co. Don't have info on this applicant just yet.

• Taqueria Lower East Side (Barraza Foods Inc), 121 Orchard St (op)

• Nadico Hotel LLC, 163 Orchard St (op)

• Epicure Kitchen LLC, 45 Ave B (wb)

Oh, one of those long-empty spaces where LeSouk enjoyed its reign of terror.

Sidewalk Cafe Application
• Berkli Parc Cafe (HH Hospitality LLC), 61 Delancey St (small unenclosed)

New Liquor License Applications
• Taqueria Saint Marks (Barraza Foods Inc), 79 St Marks Pl (op)

• Sliders (Aleppo Slider LLC), 647 E 11th St (upgrade to op)

Haven't met anyone who has been to this place.

• To be Determined, 171 E B'way (op)

• Huertas (Molinero LLC), 107 1st Ave (upgrade to op)

Huertas, a restaurant featuring "the cuisine of Northern Spain," opened back in April.

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b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

Why the East Village may have a few glum underage drinkers

[Couldn't think of a better way to illustrate this post]

The State Liquor Authority yesterday announced the results of a two-week investigation to curb underage booze sales in New York City.

Per the the official news release on the bust:

From April 17 through May 1, 2014, the unit conducted seven details, with decoys visiting 74 grocery and liquor stores [in the] five boroughs of New York City. In total, the undercover minors were able to purchase alcohol at 32 of premises visited, including one out of 15 stores in the Bronx, 15 out of 16 stores in Brooklyn, 5 out of 21 stores Manhattan, 8 out of 16 stores in Queens, and 3 out of 6 stores on Staten Island. During the investigation, SLA Investigators entered the grocery and liquor stores separately from the undercover minor to observe and verify when illegal transactions occurred.

And it turns out that all five places busted in Manhattan happened to be in the East Village…

• Uncle Johnny Grocery Corp., 55-57 Avenue D
• Loma Deli Market Inc., 133 Avenue D
• Avenue C Food Corp., 185 Avenue C, Store 2
• Yankee Two Deli Inc., 122 Avenue C
• Loisaida Ave Deli Corp., 301 East 4th Street

Probably better that the SLA did this as opposed to some newspaper intern.

H/T The Observer