Two Astoria bars/restaurants’ liquor licenses suspended
M.I.A. Made in Astoria (27-35 21st Street) and Brik Bar (32-16 Steinway Street) are two of three establishments in Queens to have their liquor licenses suspended for violating New York’s COVID-19 guidelines, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo.
On Tuesday, the governor announced that the State Liquor Authority suspended the licenses of Brik Bar (Astoria), Made In Astoria (Astoria) and Maspeth Pizza (Maspeth), as well as Secrets Gentlemen’s Club on Long Island.
The suspension will stay in effect until each business attends a hearing, according to reports.
Here’s what Governor Cuomo had to say on Tuesday about the suspensions:
The restaurants and bars that encourage young people to congregate threaten to bring us back to the hell we experienced three months ago – yesterday, the State Liquor Authority suspended the liquor licenses of four bars and restaurants. This is a dangerous situation, and the bad operators will make it worse for themselves and everyone, so be smart, wear a mask, stay New York Tough.”
According to several reports, large crowds gathered outside Brik Bar for drinking and partying. Despite several warnings and violations, they broke social distancing rules on July 16 and July 18, causing the city to issue an order temporarily suspending them from participating in the Open Restaurants initiative.
As for Made in Astoria, the bar was found serving alcohol to patrons who were standing, drinking and congregating, but not dining, past 11 p.m. They were also warned for earlier violations.
