PEARL RIVER – The state has issued a summary suspension of Hudson West Sports Bar & Grill’s liquor license after officials reported that the majority of up to 100 patrons found inside the bar on Aug. 7 were underage. Some as young as 16 were consuming alcohol, according to the New York State Liquor Authority.
Orangetown Police were called to the bar the next night, Aug. 8, and reported finding a 16-year-old unconscious. She was transported to Montefiore Nyack Hospital, and according to state officials, several witnesses said she had been served shots of alcohol.
According to the State Liquor Authority order, issued Aug. 14, no alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises.
A summary suspension of a liquor license is issued when SLA determines emergency action is required to protect public health, safety or welfare. A summary suspension is not a final determination; a licensee is entitled to a prompt hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
What authorities reported finding
On Aug. 7, the bar was the target of a joint operation by the SLA Enforcement Bureau, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Orangetown Police Department.
According to SLA officials, investigators estimated that about 70-100 patrons were in the establishment; 12 patrons were confirmed to be 21 or old and at least 60 were under 21.
SLA investigators allege that they observed bartenders sell alcohol to four minors. Investigators reported that they obtained signed statements from 13 more minors; among them were several teens ages 16 and 17 who admitted they consumed alcohol inside the premises.
Report of medical emergency the next night
On Aug. 8, another event was advertised to start at 10 p.m., according to authorities.
At approximately 12:44 a.m. Aug. 9, Orangetown Police responded to a medical emergency and found a 16-year-old unconscious and severely intoxicated. A witness reported that the minor had been served multiple shots inside the premises without identification being checked at the point of sale. She was transported to Nyack Hospital.
“The evidence presented to the Authority alleges an alarming and continuing failure to protect underage patrons,” SLA Chair Lily Fan said in a statement. “When a 16-year-old is hospitalized just one night after a major enforcement operation uncovered widespread underage drinking, immediate action is necessary to protect public health and safety.”
What’s next
The SLA has charged the licensee with multiple violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, including:
The maximum penalty for the charges is revocation of the state liquor license.
No date has been announced for a hearing.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Pearl River bar accused of serving minors, liquor license at stake
Reporting by Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
