Those planning to visit Chelsea bars during Cinco de Mayo will find their choices restricted this year.
Two local restaurants faced discipline from the Licensing Commission at its March 7 meeting, with infractions resulting in liquor license suspensions for the Cinco de Mayo weekend on May 4 and 5. (The restaurant Cinco de Mayo in Chelsea was not disciplined or called to the Commission).
Beyond the weekend suspension, the Commission voted to reduce Acapulco’s operating hours indefinitely. The Fifth Street establishment must now close at 11 p.m. rather than 1 a.m.
An incident last November prompted the Acapulco sanctions. A security worker at the restaurant struck a customer over the head with a police baton.
Bar La Cueva at 802 Broadway received similar treatment: hours were cut from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m., along with the weekend suspension. The punishment addressed an incident involving overserved patrons and longstanding complaints about noise and disorderly conduct.
Commission member James Guido also requested a hearing next month to consider revoking Bar La Cueva’s entertainment licenses.
Acapulco’s attorney contended that the establishment’s problems reflect a citywide issue where security companies operate with quasi-law enforcement authority.
Several commissioners acknowledged this broader concern but felt Acapulco warranted stricter penalties than simply replacing its security contractor.
“You say security is a problem, but you’ve
had the same company for a decade,” Commissioner Roseann Bongiovanni said.
Bar La Cueva’s difficulties appeared to extend beyond the recent overservice incident, as commissioners noted years of noise and patron complaints.
A neighbor wrote in a letter that the “karaoke singing by drunks is terribly loud and they overserve their patrons.”
John Dodge, representing the bar, argued that his clients handled the incident responsibly by asking intoxicated patrons to leave.
Bongiovanni countered that the bar has a troubling history, including a 14-day liquor license suspension approximately two years ago.
“They have been a complete nuisance and
annoyance to the neighborhood; you can roll your eyes all you want, counselor,” she said to Dodge.
Fine Mart, a liquor and convenience store at 260 Broadway, faced harsher consequences than either bar. The Commission suspended its liquor license for six weeks total due to three violations: an employee striking an intoxicated woman in the store, selling nips after the city’s nip ban took effect, and selling alcohol to a minor.
City Manager Tom Ambrosino, a strong advocate for the nip ban on 50 ml bottles, emphasized that businesses must face consequences for violating the ordinance.
“The ban has been
important in the city’s efforts to try to make Broadway a more attractive place
to shop and dine,” Ambrosino said. “We’ve spent a lot of money to make it a better place. Having the nip ban in place is an important part of that. “(Fine
Mart) has a prominent place in the corridor and has to comply with its
license.”