3rd Brooklyn Bar Loses Liquor License For Flouting Pandemic Rules

BROOKLYN, NY — A third Smith Street bar has had its liquor license suspended after flouting rules meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the governor announced.

Bar Tabac on the corner of Smith and Dean streets was one of seven watering holes that had their licenses suspended by the New York State Liquor Authority on Thursday, the latest in a crackdown on restaurants or bars not following pandemic-related restrictions.

The bar is the third on Smith Street, a dining hotspot in the borough, to have its liquor license pulled this week. Regular Visitors, which sits just a block from Bar Tabac, and Union Grounds in Carroll Gardens also faced the suspension.

"Noncompliance will lead us right back right where we were just a few months ago — so we must continue to crack down on the bad actors who violate the law and risk everyone's health and safety," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who convened the task force of investigators to check on the state's bars after videos of late-night, maskless partiers.

The suspension for Bar Tabac comes after investigators visiting the watering hole last Friday found seven employees without face coverings, including the manager, bartender, host and four kitchen staff members, according to the governor's office.

The bar "was well aware of the requirements," given that they had also faced violations related to coronavirus rules back in June, the governor's office said.

Bar Tabac has also ran into issues with New York City officials during its reopening, data shows. It has faced at least eight "NonCompliance with Phased Reopening" complaints since June, among other calls for noise or problems with its outdoor dining set up, according to the city's 311 hotline.

The state has pulled liquor licenses from dozens of bars in recent weeks, many in Astoria in Queens.

More liquor license suspensions for Brooklyn bars are likely in the works.

The governor's task force checked up on establishments 1,966 times since Monday, including 835 inspections just on Wednesday, according to Cuomo. Investigators found 96 violations throughout the week, including 41 on Wednesday.

Cuomo said that formal charges from the latest inspections are being prepared.

Businesses face fines as high as $10,000 or immediate suspension of their liquor license for violating COVID-19 regulations.