Lounge’s Liquor License Suspended Over COVID Violations In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Dixwell Social Lounge in Hamden had its liquor license suspended indefinitely Friday after it was found to be violating the state’s coronavirus regulations last weekend, according to officials.

Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull issued a summary suspension of the liquor permit for Dixwell Social Lounge at 940 Dixwell Ave. following a referral from the Hamden Police Department on Wednesday.

The Dixwell Social Lounge was the scene of a large gathering early Sunday morning that violated Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive orders that were implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Police responded to Dixwell Social Lounge around 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 on the report of a "fight in progress," according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said officers couldn't get into the parking lot because of numerous parked vehicles and then saw about "500 people" at the scene, even though only 125 people were allowed in the premise at the time. The investigating officer reported that he didn't see anyone wearing a facial mask, according to Smith.

Police also noted that people were not social distancing, were not wearing face masks, were consuming alcoholic beverages without consuming food, and that a DJ was performing at a distance in violation of sector rules.

These observations are supported by a video submitted to the Department of Consumer Protection and provided by the City of New Haven’s Department of Public Health, according to Seagull. Police also saw cars in the parking lot with plates from multiple states, in addition to a large party bus.

Police reported that a main road had to close to safely empty the facility, which took 30 minutes. DCP’s Liquor Control Division has received at least two complaints from private citizens about the premise from the same weekend, according to Seagull.

“It was apparent that the owners of this establishment were not enforcing the COVID-19 safety guidelines at all,” Hamden Deputy Police Chief Bo Kicak wrote in a letter to the Liquor Control Division.

In his request for assistance, Kicak wrote: “If the Dixwell Social Lounge continues operation, it will continue to pose an absolute threat to public safety as well as being a constant drain on police resources.”

The Quinnipiack Valley Health District issued a cease-and-desist order on Dixwell Social Lounge on Nov. 4 and the establishment is closed indefinitely, according to Smith.

“I want to thank the Hamden Police Department and local public health officials for their work and cooperation in this matter,” Seagull said. “Public health and safety remains our top priority, and we expect liquor establishments to adhere to the guidelines implemented to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Patrons in Connecticut should be able to feel safe when they visit liquor establishments in our state, and this type of incident puts that safety in jeopardy. We take these matters very seriously at DCP, and I look forward to a resolution.”

Max Reiss, Lamont’s director of communications, released a statement praising the decision to suspend the lounge’s liquor license and the work of local authorities in Hamden.

“The Lamont administration applauds the work of local authorities in Hamden to enforce the sector rules that are designed to protect public health and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Reiss said in the statement. “We continue to see local officials standing up across the state to look out for the health and well-being of their residents, and that sends a clear signal that they are taking the virus seriously. Reckless and irresponsible gatherings of hundreds of people pose a high risk of becoming ‘super-spreader’ events, and the actions of these individuals could very well lead to outbreaks not just in Connecticut, but throughout the Northeast.

“Governor Lamont’s announcement of the shift to Phase 2.1 is meant to cut down on these kinds of events to ensure our healthcare institutions like hospitals and nursing homes are able to care for our loved ones, to keep restaurant and entertainment venues open, and to keep as many of our schools open as possible so that as many students as possible can receive in-person instruction. This action in Hamden affirms Governor Lamont’s approach.”