Community Rallies Around Bar that Lost Liquor License

In response to the state Liquor Authority removing Bracco's liquor license, hundreds of people in Freeport have rallied around the bar and started a petition to get its license back.

Bracco's, which is located at 319 Woodcleft Ave., lost its license last Tuesday. It was ordered based on referrals from the Freeport Police Department documenting a large brawl following an unauthorized concert by rapper 50 Cent at Bracco’s on Aug. 6. Prior to the event, the Freeport Police reached out to Bracco’s licensee, who confirmed the well-known rapper would only be promoting his brand of vodka and not performing. Upon arriving, 50 Cent performed for 45 minutes, drawing a crowd estimated at 500 patrons, dangerously crammed in the outdoor area of the restaurant with a maximum capacity of 200, while hundreds of additional people packed the sidewalk directly outside the bar.

The melee that followed the performance included the destruction of property at Bracco’s and neighboring businesses, fistfights in the streets, the arrest of three people and injury to two officers as patrons from the VIP area of Bracco’s hurled glass bottles and other debris at officers while bouncers from the bar idly watched. The disorder and large crowd shut down traffic on Woodcleft Avenue, and Freeport Police required the assistance of the Nassau County Police Department to quell the violence and disorder.

But despite the violence, many members of Freeport and the surrounding community are rallying around Bracco's, saying that it's the most successful establishment on Freeport's Nautical Mile, and that shutting it down could have serious repercussions for the village.

"'Not in our backyard!' The all-too familiar battle cry of Long Island," the petition reads. "By suspending Bracco's Clam Bar's Liquor License, what has been done is weaken an already struggling seasonal waterfront area. Take a good look around: there are too many vacant properties already on the Mile. The largest business on the Mile will now have to cut jobs, cut food and beverage deliveries, and cut all entertainment."

As of writing, 852 people had signed the petition, which had a goal of 1,000. There were also 227 messages of support from people who signed the petition. To view or sign the petition, click here.

Photo: Google Maps.