NJ Bar's License Suspended After Wild July 4 Party: Officials

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — One day before restaurants are allowed to reopen for indoor dining, a Burlington County restaurant’s liquor license has been suspended over a “quarantine release party” authorities say involved about 500 people.

Burlington City-based Il Portico Ristorante’s liquor license and permit to serve alcohol outdoors were both suspended following what the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) called “a raucous Fourth of July party that violated social distancing requirements” and other orders related to the coronavirus.

ABC is also looking to revoke the restaurant’s liquor license in connection with a second incident in which it says the restaurant violated mesures designed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

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The initial party stretched from the night of July 3 into the early morning hours of July 4, the ABC said on Thursday. It took place inside and outside the establishment, and multiple law enforcement agencies were needed to ensure the large crowd safely left the scene, authorities said.

On July 30, ABC sought to suspend Il Portico’s license for 145 days over allegations that it served patrons inside, didn’t require face coverings and served alcohol outside of normal business hours and outside the restaurant, beyond the scope of the restaurant’s COVID-19 Expansion Permit.

Covid-19 Expansion Permits, created by an ABC Special Ruling in June, are one-time temporary permits that allow establishments to extend the area in which they are permitted to serve alcohol to include decks, patios, parking lots, sidewalks and other open outdoor areas adjacent or close by their premises.

Establishments that have these permits must adhere to social distancing guidelines and other measures put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The temporary permits expire on Nov. 30.

There was live entertainment that took place inside, according to the state. The state said the restaurant went well beyond its 49-person capacity limit and failed to follow social distancing protocols.

During a hearing held on Aug. 21, Acting Director James Graziano ordered an immediate two-week suspension of the Il Portico’s liquor license and its “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises Permit” which had allowed the restaurant to serve alcohol on an outside deck adjacent to its licensed premises. The suspensions run concurrently from Aug. 22 through Sept. 4.

“Il Portico’s conduct on the night in question failed to meet even the minimum standards of reasonable and responsible operation required of an alcoholic beverage licensee,” Graziano said. “ABC requires licensees to conform to the requirements of the permits allowing them to operate outdoors during the public health crisis. Those that fail to do so will lose that privilege.”

ABC filed additional charges on Aug. 25, saying that the restaurant continued to violate Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive orders. In particular, investigators found that patrons were once again drinking inside the restaurant during an Aug. 14 follow-up visit, according to the ABC.

“The actions announced today puts licensees on notice that they will be held accountable if they violate the safety measures in place to protect the public from the unnecessary risk of COVID-19 spread,” Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. “We will not allow our State’s reopening efforts to be compromised by bar and restaurant owners who conduct themselves with disregard for the laws and regulations of this State.”

Il Portico is entitled to a full hearing on the charges filed in each visit, the state said. Il Portico is the latest establishment facing the revocation of its liquor license for COVID-19 violations but the first to have its COVID-19 Expansion Permit suspended for those violations, according to authorities.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know