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SLA suspends Newburgh bar’s liquor license
(photo: Bob McCormick)
ALBANY – The New York State Liquor Authority suspended the license of Untouchable Bar & Restaurant at 40 Liberty Street in the City of Newburgh.
Effective immediately, the SLA board’s decision means the bar cannot sell or allow alcohol to be consumed on the premises.
On January 7, Newburgh Police responded to reports of a shooting at the bar and according to a referral from the police, a fight between two patrons started inside the establishment and moved outside, where one of the patrons fired six gunshots and struck another patron in the foot.
Police found several shell casings in front of the bar and were informed by a security guard working there that another large fight was occurring inside.
Officers found several patrons, including the original gunshot victim, fighting inside. The gunshot victim walked toward one officer in an aggressive manner and hit him in the upper chest, which physically pushed the officer back through the entrance and outside. The victim was arrested for obstructing governmental administration.
On January 12, a Newburgh Police officer was patrolling near the bar in the early morning due to the recent shooting and recurring violent incidents, when he observed over 100 patrons leaving the bar at about 2:45 a.m. A large disorderly crowd formed in the middle of the street and a fight broke out between over 25 patrons.
Additional officers were called to the scene to clear the area and no arrests were made due to the chaos caused by the large crowd.
The next evening, of January 12, SLA investigators conducted a joint inspection of the bar with Newburgh Police and were told by a security guard at the front door and told them they could not enter. A police officer told the guard they were conducting an inspection and entered the bar. Inside, they observed no tables and chairs in the dining room, and no food menus, both of which are required by the ABC law. They also saw a pool table and a DJ setting up his equipment, even though the licensee represented in his application that the premises would operate as a restaurant with no DJ or security guards.
Three employees were present during the inspection, all of whom were paid in cash and not listed on the business’ payrolls.
Untouchable was previously charged with five violations of the ABC law on September 14, 2017 after an SLA investigation revealed the establishment did not appear to be operating as a restaurant.
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