A Jamaica bar with a history of violence has had its license suspended.
The State Liquor Authority (SLA) suspended the license of 502 Bar Restaurant Corp., located at 170-13 Jamaica Ave., on Wednesday, Dec. 20. No alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises effective immediately.
On Dec. 11, according to the SLA, the bar’s manager struck two patrons with his van following a fight and a stabbing incident involving a security guard working for the bar.
Police said the security guard was stabbed in the back after four people got into a physical altercation outside of the bar. Once the manager learned about the incident, he drove his van onto the sidewalk with the intention of running over the participants of the original dispute and struck two patrons. The manager was arrested at the scene and charged with felony assault.
On Dec. 16, just days after being charged with a felony, the manager was back working at the bar while police continued their investigation into the Dec. 11 incident. The manager identified himself as one of the co-owners of the bar, but the SLA indicated that his name does not appear as a principal on the liquor license.
According to the SLA, the licensee has never been seen at the bar by police personnel despite indicating that she would be the sole manager, and has effectively given authority to the manager, an unapproved person, to operate and supervise the premises.
Reportedly, 502 Bar Restaurant Corp. has had a history of violent incidents since the liquor license was obtained almost one year ago. On Feb. 11, a victim was slashed and stabbed directly in front of the licensed premises. The SLA reported that no one from the bar called the police to report the incident.
Days later, on Feb. 27, a patron struck a security guard over the head with a bottle. On April 27, a patron was hit in the face with a glass bottle and on Sept. 3, a patron was stabbed in the abdomen after a dispute that occurred inside the licensed premises.
The bar has also received five summonses for security guard violations on July 7, Sept. 7, Oct. 21 and Dec. 1 and 16. The Sept. 7 incident revealed that a minor was drinking alcohol inside the establishment.
Finally, the bar also received three summonses for selling to intoxicated patrons on Dec. 1, Nov. 3 and Oct. 6.
On Dec. 19, the SLA charged 502 Bar Restaurant Corp with 27 violations of the ABC Law, including disorderly premises, inadequate supervision and becoming a focal point for police attention.
“This licensee falsely represented that she would be running her business and instead she seemingly left it in the hands of an irresponsible manager who consistently failed to provide adequate supervision, resulting in numerous assaults and violent incidents, including two in which the manager was the perpetrator,” said Counsel to the Authority Christopher R. Riano. “It is patently clear that the continued operation of this establishment would impose a huge threat to its patrons, employees and the community.”
