After repeated warnings over a month-long period, the state liquor authority has suspended the license of Crown Heights bar Atlantic Boat Club — which was allegedly continuing to serve patrons on site despite a state-mandated shutdown on dining in.
The SLA suspended the license of the bar, located along Atlantic Avenue near Grand Avenue, about 10 days after police officers and deputies from the city’s sheriff’s office found a long line of people waiting outside of the space. Inside, the officers found 14 people being served drinks at the bar, according to the SLA. The officers then issued summons to the owner and emptied out the bar. Eater has reached out to the bar for more details.
The summons marked the fourth infraction for the bar in just one month. Following the state mandate for restaurants to operate at half capacity in early March, police officers found 86 people inside the bar on March 15, when it shouldn’t have had more than 10 people inside. On March 26, and April 15 — the day after the police had emptied out the bar — officers again found a few patrons drinking inside the bar, according to the SLA.
The Crown Heights bar could now face fines of up to $10,000 for each violation and could also have its liquor license revoked. While a majority of the city’s restaurants and bars have continually complied with the shutdown orders, the police has issued summons against a handful of places over the last month for serving people on the premises, including a hookah lounge in Bay Ridge, a juice bar in Queens, and a sports bar in Gravesend, Brooklyn.
On its website, the Atlantic Boat Club — which serves hearty bar fare like wings, burgers, and fish and grits — says it’s open for delivery and pick up, but a call to the restaurant on Monday went unanswered. Eater has reached out to the bar for more information.