Long Island Bar Investigated For Breaking PAUSE Order: Police

PATCHOGUE, NY — Suffolk County police say they are investigating Patchogue's Dublin Deck for noncompliance with the state's NY ON PAUSE order after a large crowd was seen gathering at the bar Saturday night.

According to Newsday, the Suffolk County Police Department received multiple 911 calls for non-compliance with social distancing orders at the bar, which is located on the water of the Patchogue River at 325 River Ave.

The police department told Newsday that it is taking social distancing violations very seriously, and it is "following up throughout this weekend with Dublin Deck, other locations in Patchogue and other downtowns in our jurisdiction."

Videos online showed dozens of people crowded into the bar, many drinking and partying.

Dublin Deck posted an explanation of the events to its Facebook page Saturday night, but it has since deleted its Facebook page. It says it takes the coronavirus and the state's orders very seriously.

"We feel it's important to make people aware that the recent Instagram videos and social media attention occurred after quick rainfall sent guests inside to the bar area," the statement reads. "There are no excuses when it comes to public safety. We should not have allowed anybody inside whatsoever. Moving forward we have restructured our "to go" model to ensure that this doesn't' happen again."

Despite the bar's assertions that the people inside were to-go customers waiting for food, videos from the bar show people milling around inside and carrying open cans of beer. There are multiple bartenders at the bar and music playing in the background.