SLA Issues Emergency Suspension for Richmond Hill Bar

SLA ISSUES EMERGENCY SUSPENSION FOR RICHMOND HILL BAR

Multiple Shooting Leads to License Suspension

Albany, NY – The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the license of Rose Lounge NYC LTD, doing business as “Rose Lounge” at 89-25 130^th Street in Queens. The suspension was ordered by Chairman Vincent Bradley, Commissioner Lily Fan and Commissioner Greeley Ford on Tuesday, December 11^th at a special meeting of the Full Board.  Effective immediately, no alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises.

On December 8^th at approximately 3:45 a.m. the New York City Police Department (NYPD) were called to respond to a large fight that broke out inside the Rose Lounge.  Minutes later, multiple 911 calls reported shots fired, when NYPD officers responded within minutes they found five gunshot victims.  The victims, four women and a man, were rushed by ambulance to New York Presbyterian Hospital.         

On the day of the shooting, the SLA, NYPD and the NYC Department of Health (DOH) conducted an inspection of the premises resulting in sixty-seven violations, including fourteen NYPD criminal court summonses and twenty-seven DOH violations.  On December 10^th, the SLA charged the Rose Lounge with ten violations, including operating a disorderly premsies, employing unlicensed bouncers, becoming a focal point for police attention, in addition to serious health and safety violations including blocked exits, defective fire alarms, defective emergency lighting and hazardous electrical wiring.    

The shooting was just the latest in a series of disturbing incidents at the Rose Lounge, licensed on March 6, 2018.  On November 3, 2018 a woman reported an attempted rape by a man claiming to be a bouncer.  On April 15^th two men were shot outside Rose Lounge following a fight that broke out inside the bar, spilling out onto the street. On March 25^th, officers responded to a 911 call for a fight at the premises requiring additional units to control the dispute.   On March 9^th the bar hosted a birthday party for a deceased member of a gang despite warning from the NYPD of similar events leading to disorderly crowds and arrests. 

“The continuing violence and disorder occurring at this establishment clearly shows this bar is being run in a manner that is an imminent threat to the public health, safety and welfare,” said Counsel to the Authority Christopher R. Riano.   “I commend the Authority for shutting down this dangerous bar that has menaced their neighbors, placed their patrons in danger and taxed the resources of the 102^nd Precinct.”    

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 an expedited administrative law hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. An order of summary suspension remains in effect until such time as it is modified by the SLA or a reviewing Court.

On the Web: www.sla.ny.gov

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