2nd Hamptons Spot's Liquor License Suspended For COVID Violations

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A second business in Southampton has had its liquor license suspended for violations of coronavirus protocols, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

On Saturday, Cuomo announced the suspension of six additional New York State liquor licenses for "egregious" violations of coronavirus-related regulations — with one of the six including Blu Mar, located at 136 Main Street in Southampton.

According to Cuomo, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force and Suffolk County Sheriff's Department observed a line of patrons waiting to enter the establishment while ignoring social distancing, and 11 patrons standing and drinking on the patio.

Investigators returned one hour later, documenting several patrons standing around the bar; multiple patrons and staff were observed throughout the night without facial coverings, Cuomo said.

That same evening, an 18-year-old underage agent was able to purchase alcohol on two separate occasions without being asked for identification, Cuomo said.

The business is a "repeat offender", with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department previously finding the restaurant operating as a nightclub on August 16, with a DJ, patrons dancing, not wearing facial coverings and ignoring social distancing, and an exotic entertainer dancing on top of the bar, in violation of the establishment's license, which does not permit adult entertainment, Cuomo said.

The crackdown brought the number of liquor licenses suspended during the coronavirus pandemic to 168, Cuomo said.

Between Monday and Friday nights, the state's multi-agency task force — led by New York State Police and the New York State Liquor Authority — conducted 5,981 compliance checks, documenting violations at 35 establishments. Businesses found in violation of COVID-19 regulations face fines up to $10,000 per violation, while "egregious violations" can result in the immediate suspension of a bar or restaurant's liquor license, Cuomo said.

It's not the first time a Southampton business saw its license suspended: Recently, 75 Main also saw its license suspended due to "egregious" coronavirus protocol violations, Cuomo said.

"New Yorkers' hard work is paying off, with the state maintaining an infection rate of less than 1% for over three weeks straight — but we must remain vigilant and continue to follow the guidelines that got us here or risk backsliding," Cuomo said. "Compliance in higher-risk industries like bars and restaurants has been key to achieving this progress, and as today's suspensions show, the state will hold bad actors who put public health in danger accountable. The vast majority of bar owners continue to take this public health emergency seriously, but my message to the small number who openly flout the rules is simple: We will not tolerate you putting yourselves, your customers, your employees, your neighbors, and our reopening at risk."