390-Person Party Busted In Midtown, Sheriff Says

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Authorities shut down an alcohol-fueled party in Midtown over the weekend in which nearly 400 people were in attendance, flouting pandemic restrictions on large gatherings, according to the New York City Sheriff's office.

The illegal bottle club at 202 West 36th St. was busted around 2:45 a.m. Saturday. Sheriff's deputies found more than 393 people assembled inside the venue, which does not have a liquor license, Sheriff Joseph Fucito said in an email.

Many of the revelers were not wearing masks, Fucito said.

Four people — including three organizers and a DJ — were arrested and charged with violating state health orders and beverage control laws.

The sheriff's office clarified in a tweet that the party was not being held at Pig n' Whistle, a pub located at the same address on 36th Street, but rather in a commercial space next door.

11/28/20 @ 0245 HRS: Deputy Sheriffs shut down illegal bottle club @ 202 West 36th St, NY: 393+ people, violation of emergency orders, no liquor license, warehousing liquor, 4 organizers charged with offenses for penal, health, alcohol beverage control laws & arrest warrant. pic.twitter.com/5zXIwuRkrG
— NYC SHERIFF (@NYCSHERIFF) November 28, 2020

Authorities have broken up a number of parties in recent weeks despite admonishing the public to stay home amid a citywide uptick in coronavirus cases. On Nov. 22, a 120-person party in the Garment District was shut down, hours after deputies busted a crowded sex party in Astoria where at least 80 people were gathered.