A Flushing strip club with a history of violence has been barred from serving alcohol, and that change that could potentially become permanent.
On Oct. 4, the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) suspended the license of Angels of the World Inc., also known as Angels Strip Club, located at 32-17 College Point Blvd. Effective immediately, no alcohol may be sold or consumed at the strip club.
The decision came three days after the Oct. 1 murder of 25-year-old Jaquan Campbell of Brooklyn, who had visited the club and was later gunned down near the College Point Multiplex. Accompanied by his girlfriend, Campbell exited the club following a reported dispute and was pursued by four men who crashed into his car near the movie theater. Campbell was then fatally shot in the chest.
During the club’s suspension period, the SLA intends to seek the permanent revocation of their license.
According to the NYPD, the club has wracked up a number of grand larceny reports plus 264 911 calls since 2018. Because of this, the NYPD is tasked to direct patrols every night the club is open, ultimately becoming a drain on police resources.
“The continued operation of this club poses a real and imminent threat to patrons, police officers and the surrounding neighborhood,” said Counsel to the Authority Christopher R. Riano. “The club has amassed a startling number of violent incidents in less than three years in operation and it is clear this licensee has no desire, or is simply incapable of operating a safe, lawful establishment.”
The NYPD documented the following six other violent incidents that occurred at Angels Strip Club since December 2017:
- On Sept. 22, a club patron was robbed at gunpoint as he was leaving the premises;
- On Aug. 29, two female bartenders reported a group patrons, including recording artist Cardi B, assaulted them with bottles, hookahs and chairs;
- On Aug. 14, a female bartender was reportedly assaulted by five patrons;
- On July 11, NYPD officers arrested two men who were in possession of a loaded, defaced firearm;
- On May 8, four patrons were robbed at gunpoint directly in front of Angel’s Strip Club;
- On Dec. 9, 2017, two patrons assaulted another with a hookah and glass bottles;
- On Dec. 8, 2017, a patron fired a gunshot at another patron near the front entrance of the club.
On Oct. 3, Angels Strip Club was charged by the SLA with five violations of the ABC Law, including for operating a disorderly premises, failure to supervise, and for becoming a focal point for police attention.
The SLA’s decision to suspend a license is not a final determination on the merits of the case. Angel’s Strip Club is entitled to an expedited administrative law hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. However, an order of summary suspension remains in effect until such time as it is modified by the SLA or a reviewing court.
