Nanuet Bar Penalized By State Over Fights, Drugs, Prostitution Allegations

Fights, drug sales and prostitution allegations at the Player’s Club in Nanuet have led the New York State Liquor Authority to issue an emergency suspension of the bar’s license to sell alcohol.

The suspension was ordered by members of the SLA, Chairman Dennis Rosen, Commissioner Jeanique Greene and Commissioner Noreen Healey at a meeting of the full board on Wednesday. Effective immediately, no alcohol can be served or consumed at the bar on Route 59, which is also known as 360 West Route 59 Corp.

The decision came after Clarkstown police referrals detailing the bar condoned illegal drug activity and prostitution, as well as being the site of several violent incidents, according to the agency. Violations over the past year include four separate occasions when an undercover police officer was able to purchase cocaine, one incident where an officer was propositioned by two of the club’s dancers for sex, and a Jan. 16 fight in which four people were stabbed.

The bar was charged with 16 separate violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control law, including permitting the trafficking of controlled substances, paying employees off the books, employing unregistered bouncers, total lack of supervision, and employing dancers to induce patrons to purchase alcohol at inflated prices, according to the state agency.

“Bars where serious violations such as drug sales, prostitution and violence occur will lose the privilege of holding a liquor license,” said State Liquor Authority CEO Trina Mead. “The SLA will continue working with the Clarkstown Police and our partners in law enforcement across the state to hold licensees accountable.”

Prior violations for 360 West Route 59 Corp. include a $1,500 penalty in 2005 for a sale to a minor and a $4,000 penalty in 2008 for submitting a false statement on a personal questionnaire. The bar also has a pending case with 12 violations of the ABC law, including charges for lewd and indecent performance, permitting drug trafficking and lack of supervision, according to the state agency.

The bar’s operator received a cancellation of a previous license, the Sport Cup at 404 Nanuet Mall. In addition, the operator owns The Sport Cup II, which received a $7,000 penalty in 2005 and has an open disciplinary matter pending for failure to notify the SLA regarding the licensee’s arrest, according to the agency.