ICYMI: Washington Heights' Vapor Lounge Shut Down By State, Officials Say

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A Washington Heights nightclub has lost its liquor license after a rash of violent incidents, multiple state violations and for serving to minors, state officials announced this week.

Vapor Lounge, located on the corner of West 176th Street and Broadway, had its liquor license immediately suspended Wednesday by the New York State Liquor Authority, the state agency announced. The club acted as a hub of violent activity in the neighborhood and 25 arrests were made within a 500-foot vicinity of Vapor Lounge in the past year, according to state officials.

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"This licensee has created an incredibly dangerous environment that threatens the safety of their customers, the police, and ultimately the surrounding community as is evidenced by the continuous flow of complaints, arrests, and violence stemming from this location," Christopher R. Riano, counsel to the SLA, said in a statement.

"The SLA will continue taking swift action against licensees who condone violence, strain police resources, and threaten the safety of their communities."

Fighting at Vapor Lounge got so bad that the NYPD dedicated two patrol cars each night to "cope with large, unruly crowds," according to the SLA.

On August 14, Vapor Lounge was charged with 16 violations. The club was previously hit with $9,000 in fines after the state discovered it had sold alcohol to minors on three different occasions, state officials said.

Since July 21, the nightclub was the scene of three fights in which multiple people were beaten and robbed. On July 21 a club patron suffered a broken nose and facial lacerations after a bottle was smashed on his face, on Aug. 1 a man was slashed inside the club and on Aug. 8 a huge brawl broke out inside the club and spilled out onto the street, state officials said.

During the Aug. 8 brawl two patrons were beaten and robbed and a police officer responding to the scene was assaulted in front of the club, officials said.

Photo by Google Maps street view