State suspends Elliot's Restaurant and Bar's liquor license

Freeport establishment among 38 to get license suspended

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Elliot’s Restaurant and Bar, a local favorite on the Nautical Mile, was among 38 establishments that had their liquor licenses suspended from the State Liquor Authority on Tuesday due to violations of pandemic executive orders. 

In a news release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailed an incident that occurred at Elliot’s on Aug. 5, where investigators with the state’s multi-agency task force found multiple customers walking around and drinking at the restaurant’s outside bar. Investigators also said kitchen staff were not wearing masks, and management was serving patrons alcohol without food. 

When they confronted management about the issue, investigators said management tried to pass off falsified receipts with food orders until they admitted to fabricating them and that Elliot’s was running a bar service. 

Despite being caught with multiple violations, Elliot’s continued to operate that night, where investigators found the restaurants “crammed” with about 100 patrons. 

The investigators then contacted Freeport Police, who found about 69 patrons there, ignoring social distancing at the outside bar. 

Suspension orders remain in effect, with the maximum penalty including the permanent revocation of the licenses and fines of up to $10,000 per violation. 

So far, the state’s Liquor Authority has issued 132 license suspensions. 

 We will not allow a handful of bad actors or reckless businesses to halt or reverse New York's progress," Cuomo said. "This is about enforcement, and while state investigators are working tirelessly to enforce compliance, local governments must step up and do their jobs."   

Management at Elliot’s Restaurant and Bar could not be reached for comment. 

This story will be updated.