Brooklyn Bars Lose Liquor Licenses In Pandemic Rules Crackdown

BROOKLYN, NY — Two Smith Street bars are among the latest New York City watering holes to have their liquor licenses suspended for not following rules meant to curb COVID-19's spread.

Union Grounds in Carroll Gardens and Regular Visitors in Boerum Hill both had their licenses suspended by the New York State Liquor Authority this week after investigators found crowds of people drinking outside, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.

The SLA suspended the licenses of 12 bars during meetings Tuesday and Wednesday and found violations at 29 establishments.

"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," Cuomo said.

The 12 suspensions are the latest round in a crackdown on bars after videos of late-night, maskless partiers drew the governor's attention. The state has pulled liquor licenses from at least a dozen bars in other boroughs in recent weeks, many in Astoria in Queens.

Under an order from the governor, establishments can only serve alcohol to people ordering "substantial food."

At Union Grounds, investigators with the state found 12 people standing and drinking outside the bar on Friday without food. They also found that the owner, bartender and a waiter weren't wearing face coverings, according to the governor's office.

Regular Visitors was also inspected on Friday. Investigators found about 20 people drinking outside without food, according to Cuomo.

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

The governor's task force has checked up on bars throughout the state 1,131 times and found 55 establishments with violations in the last week.

Just on Tuesday night, 29 bars were found in violation of the state rules, all but one of which were in New York City. Seven of those bars were in Brooklyn.

Cuomo said 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.