Xio Lounge (Photo: QueensPost)
Aug. 4, 2013 Staff Report
Xio Lounge, a Sunnyside lounge bar, has been closed by the Health Department.
The bar, located at 39-19 Queens Boulevard, was slapped with a number of violations totaling 31 points. The violations, which were issued August 1, were for the following:
Sanitary Violations
1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
3) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
4) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
5) Pesticide use not in accordance with label or applicable laws. Prohibited chemical used/stored. Open bait station used.
6) “Wash hands” sign not posted at hand wash facility.
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The owner of Xio was not available to comment on the bar’s closing. Furthermore, there is no word on whether it has reopened.
Xio has been subject to a great deal of criticism from neighboring residents in the past.
For instance, several residents claimed at a police precinct meeting in April that the patrons of Xio would walk into their courtyards to smoke pot. The police made a number of arrests following the complaints—and few complaints have been reported since.
