SLA ISSUES EMERGENCY SUSPENSION FOR DUO TAPAS BAR AND LOUNGE

The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the license of S & S Duo LLC, also known as “Duo Tapas Bar and Lounge,” at 748 Yonkers Avenue in Yonkers today. The suspension was ordered by Chairman Vincent Bradley, Commissioner Lily Fan, and Commissioner Greeley Ford at a special meeting of the Full Board on February 9, 2022. Effective immediately, no alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises. 

On February 6, 2022, at 2:09 am, officers with the Yonkers Police Department were called to the licensed premises in response to a 911 call. Two employees had been shot after a fight had broken out between two groups inside the premises. Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital where one died from his injuries.

On February 8, 2022, the SLA charged Duo Tapas Bar and Lounge with multiple violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, including operating a disorderly premises, becoming a focal point for police attention, a sustained pattern of noise and misconduct, using a DJ in violation of their approved method of operation, and failure to supervise. During the suspension, the SLA will prosecute these violations, the maximum penalty for which is revocation of the license.

“SLA license holders have an obligation to maintain orderly operations,” said SLA Chairman Vincent Bradley. “This business has failed to uphold the obligations required by a license holder and the Board is taking action to enforce those expectations and support local law enforcement.”

The State Administrative Procedure Act authorizes a State agency to summarily suspend a license when the agency finds that public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action. When the SLA summarily suspends a license, it also serves a Notice of Pleading alleging one or more disciplinary violations. In invoking a summary suspension, the SLA has deemed the violation to be sufficiently serious upon initial review to warrant an immediate suspension. The SLA’s decision to summarily suspend a license is not a final determination on the merits of the case. The licensee is entitled to a prompt hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.