Supreme Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order Against Montauk Bar

The Supreme Court granted a temporary restraining order issued by the Town of East Hampton against the Harbor Raw Bar and Lounge in Montauk on Tuesday, according to the Town.

“This is part of the Town of East Hampton’s effort to address those businesses that have turned their establishments into nightclubs without the requisite approvals and invited overcrowding without regard to the occupancy limits set forth in state law,” Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell said.

The order, given by the Honorable Denise F. Molia, against the bar, located on 440 West Lake Drive, will be in place until July 30 when the Town will return to court for a “further conference on this matter.”

The restraining order addresses the two “greatest threats to the health, safety and welfare of the public at large,” according to the Town.

The Town is attempting to prevent the use of the premises as a nightclub and ordering—with the threat of holding in the business in criminal contempt in the event of no compliance—that the operators adhere to the maximum occupancy for the restaurant, which is 68 people, according to the press release.

According to Cantwell, the bar has been cited on multiple, separate occasions with overcrowding and, at times, has had up to 300 people inside since May. The bar also is not equipped with sprinkler systems, Cantwell said.

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