NYC restaurant that hosted GOP club's party loses liquor license
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have criticized the restaurant party
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Queens restaurant that hosted a large holiday party with maskless patrons had its liquor license suspended for violating several COVID-19 regulations and other health safety laws, state authorities announced Thursday.
Il Bacco Ristorante in Little Neck was thrust into the limelight in recent weeks after video emerged online showing a large group of maskless partiers dancing in a conga line to the Bee Gees’ "You Should Be Dancing" during a gathering organized by the Whitestone Republican Club.
At the time of the party, which was held earlier this month, indoor dining was open at 25 percent capacity, and the club has insisted it was in compliance with state guidance.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But the State Liquor Authority said Thursday it yanked the restaurant’s liquor license last Thursday following an investigation that was launched in response to the viral video.
"During a follow-up inspection, investigators found flagrant violations of indoor dining regulations and existing health safety and Alcoholic Beverage Control laws, while verifying the maskless party depicted in the video did in fact occur," the SLA said in a statement.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"This summary suspension should send a strong message that we have zero tolerance for establishments that put New Yorkers’ health at risk."
DE BLASIO UNDER FIRE FOR DANCING IN DESERTED TIMES SQUARE
During a Dec. 23 inspection of the restaurant by the SLA, customers were spotted dining indoors in violation of COVID-19 restrictions, and staff were not properly wearing face masks, authorities said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Other violations stemmed from broken emergency exit lights and improperly stored propane tanks, according to authorities.
The Whitestone Republican Club party was on Dec. 9 at the Il Bacco Ristorante in Little Neck, Queens, reports say. (Google Street View)
The restaurant could not immediately be reached for comment. A message posted to its Facebook page on Monday says it will be closed until indoor dining resumes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have criticized the restaurant party, which the mayor said the city would investigate.
At least three coronavirus cases have been linked to the event, the Queens Daily Eagle has reported, with one man, James Trent, briefly hospitalized with the illness.
Trent, chair of the local party affiliate Queens Village Republican Club, attended the party and told the outlet he began having symptoms two days after the party, on Dec. 9.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I wasn’t on the conga line. I ate by myself," he told the Daily Eagle. "I don’t know how I got this."
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Trent was admitted to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset earlier this week and released Thursday, the Whitestone Republican Club said in a statement to NBC News.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We wish the best to Jim Trent for a speedy recovery and understand that his hospitalization was purely precautionary, and that he is being released today," the club told the outlet.
"Whether he contracted the virus at our event, his club’s holiday party held a few days prior, or in the normal course of life will likely never be known."