If there's anything we learned from American Horror Story, it's that someone else's nightmare may just be your dream come true (actually we're too scared to watch the show—but that house looks really pretty!). After being shuttered for a while following a raid and a liquor license snafu, Coco66 is for rent. About that liquor license—back in July it was noted that the bar's owner, David Kelleran, had been operating without one, and one promoter familiar with the place declared, "They'll never get a liquor license there again. [Kelleran's] family owns the building, so no one is going to buy it from him and get a license. It's majorly screwed, for many years at least." more ›

PiPs, a ping pong club and art gallery (or "ping pong gallery and art club," says owner Bill Mack) has been up and running in Williamsburg since July, but it's only now that they're adding the magic ingredient for success in the neighborhood: booze. Booze that you can drink, and cash that you can win, at their big tournament tomorrow night! more ›

We've been following the story of Canz, the Long Island-based boobs-and-sports bar that's been poaching Hooters girls, with some curiosity for a while now. The latest curve in this strange trip involves the brand-new, CC Sabathia-blessed Murray Hill location, which opened last week with plenty of booze but apparently without a liquor license. more ›

[Update below] Until it suddenly closed in August due to lease problems the foodie favorite in a former diner M. Wells could seemingly do no wrong (unless you were GQ's Alan Richman). Luckily, when it shut its doors owners Hugue Dufour and Sarah Obraitis promised that they would be back. And hey! Somebody calling themselves M. Wells Diner has gone and applied for a liquor license in Long Island City! more ›

A Woodhaven church is reportedly squaring off against their hookah-and-booze-swilling neighbors, who are trying to keep the peace while simultaneously applying for a liquor license. But the owner of the hookah lounge says he's not sure what the brouhaha is all about. more ›

Finally, some good news out of the food truck court that once was the Tavern on the Green: for the first time ever a New York City food truck has been given permission to serve booze, starting today. The SLA has given the green light to for the Pera Turkish Taco Truck to serve beer, wine and cocktails during regular operating hours—but only if the potent potables are consumed in the truck’s assigned seating area on the terrace. more ›

Bar and restaurant owners in Manhattan neighborhoods like the East Village have grown accustomed to encountering stiff opposition from the local community boards (in some cases, they even blame anti-nightlife community board sentiment for driving them out of business). Brooklyn, however, has pretty much been a cakewalk for new bar proprietors—even when they bring the threat of hip hop or gun violence, the community boards have seemed reluctant to take action. But is it closing time for new bars in north Brooklyn? Brooklyn 11211 reports that Community Board 1 is considering a moratorium on new liquor licenses! more ›

The Post didn't really need to count the number of liquor licenses for us to know that neighborhoods like the East Village, Hell's Kitchen and Greenwich Village have a lot of bars, but now we know just how many there are. The 10003 zip code, which makes up a good chunk of the East Village, wins for most liquored up neighborhood, with 474 liquor licenses within its boundaries. And apparently, it's a nightmare. One resident said, "It's like a red-light district. It's honking cabs all night. It's like a bad, disturbing dream." Well, hopefully all those drunks will get themselves into the neighborhood's 27 AA groups! more ›

Queens resident Ellen Lee has pleaded guilty to forging signatures and falsifying information on over 170 liquor license applications, and faces up to four years in prison. Lee was hired by immigrants who were looking to open bars and needed help with State Liquor Authority paperwork. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. told the Daily News, "False documents like the ones filed by the defendant lead directly to the establishment of bars in areas where they do not belong." It's unclear where exactly these bars were established, because according to some, bars don't belong anywhere in this city. more ›

Two state legislators from Brooklyn are leading an effort to tighten a loophole in a State Liquor Authority rule prohibiting bars from opening within 200 feet of schools and places of worship. This would save pious worshipers from temptation by the devil's spirits, and prevent their prayers from being distracted by the sounds of sinful barroom chatter. The current law allows liquor license applicants to measure the distance from door-to-door, but if the new bill passes (it was already approved by the Senate), the SLA will start measuring it from the property lines. more ›

Is the world’s first steampunk bar (according to owner Andy Heidel) at risk of shutting down before it even gets started? The Brooklyn Paper reports that Prospect Heights' Way Station has high hopes of becoming a live-music venue... but can't seem to get a liquor license. more ›

Investigators have previously said that "everyone's hand was out" for bribes at SLA, and now two women have been caught planning to bribe liquor authority officials to help speed up a booze license approval. A court ordered wiretap allegedly found that Annie Guerrero, the owner of El Nido Del Aguila, in Inwood, and Maria Elena Nunez, the owner of an expediting company that represents businesses applying for liquor licenses, colluded to bribe an SLA official with $5,000, in hopes of avoiding a full SLA review. more ›

The lovely-looking restaurant and bar The Breslin begins lunch service tomorrow, and co-owner Ken Friedman (The Spotted Pig) is planning on serving alcohol despite objections from the Masjid Ar-Rahman mosque across the street. Earlier this month the mosque’s leaders called a meeting with Friedman at The Ace Hotel, where The Breslin is located, and asked, "Can you move the bar?" Friedman's response makes us want to hurry over to The Breslin right now for a dram of Laphroaig to show our support (and drown out the voices): more ›

Is the long-shuttered age-old West Village "speakeasy" Chumley's finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, or is this just more false hope? After closing in April 2007 because an interior wall collapsed during repair work, the classic landmark bar, which opened in 1831, has had more false starts and rumored advances than the Arrested Development movie. At one point, the owner described the state of his establishment as "a bombed-out farmhouse" from a WWII movie. But now it's been learned that Chumley's is applying for a liquor license and seeking the blessing of the local Community Board, which it most definitely deserves. Keep hope alive! On second thought, forget it. more ›

Hobbled by a corruption investigation, the State Liquor Authority is taking longer than ever to issue liquor licenses, and restaurateurs and bar owners are paying a heavy price. It used to be common practice for diners to bring their own wine or beer while restaurateurs waited for the bureaucracy to finish its business, but in March the SLA warned license applicants they could be rejected if caught letting customers imbibe. Warren Pesetsky, a lawyer who represents many applicants and was the SLA's general counsel from 1976 to 1981, tells the Times, "They are taking longer than they ever have to approve new applications. When things were working at their best several years ago, it took three months." Employees at the SLA's Harlem office are under investigation by the state Inspector General for possibly taking bribes to expedite license applications. No one has been charged yet, but a lawyer for the state restaurant association thinks the investigation has a chilling effect on the 9 license examiners in Harlem: "Everyone there is afraid if they cough, they might get investigated." Meanwhile, new restaurants are having a hard time hanging on until the license is approved, which now takes over seven months in some cases. more ›

Brooklyn's Community Board 2 unanimously disapproved of the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory's application for a liquor license last week. Located by the pier at Fulton Ferry Landing in Dumbo, the ice cream parlor draws crowds of tourists and local families during the summer months. Mark Thompson, one of the co-owners, tells the Brooklyn Paper he's not looking to open a bar, but "it upsets me because here I have all these people on the pier looking for something to do, and I can’t give them anything else. I just want to make the pier a positive experience instead of standing there and looking at the view." Because views are boring sober! In withholding support for the license application, which could still be approved by the SLA, members of CB2 expressed concern about serving alcohol in a place where “two disparate age groups” gather. Others felt there isn't enough space on the pier to accommodate crowds on a sugar high and booze buzz. more ›

Carl Andrews, former state senator from Brooklyn, has resigned from his $171,000-a-year job as aide to Governor Paterson in the midst of allegations that he illegally pressured the State Liquor Authority to renew liquor licenses for the Cipriani restaurants in Manhattan. After SLA Chairman Daniel Boyle (a Republican appointee) told the Post that Andrews tried to "intimidate" him into voting for the renewal, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launched a criminal investigation. more ›

As the New York State inspector general looks into allegations of intimidation leveled by State Liquor Authority chairman Daniel Boyle against Governor Paterson's office, sources in the SLA tell the Post that the two other SLA commissioners were given the use of cars as a perk for voting to renew liquor licenses for the embattled Cipriani restaurant empire. The investigation was launched after Boyle told the Post that Carl Andrews, an aide to Paterson, pressured him (unsuccessfully) to vote for Cipriani's license renewal. more ›

It was rough sledding last night for restaurant and bar owners seeking liquor license approval from Community Board 3, which covers the Lower East Side and the East Village, among other 'hoods. Perhaps the biggest loser was fastidious cocktail impresario Sasha Petraske (Milk and Honey), whose humble request to serve wine at his would-be wine bar Mercury Dime (pictured) on East 5th Street was mercilessly shot down, despite the fact that he's operated Milk and Honey on Eldridge since 2000 without a single noise complaint. more ›

They may have mob ties and a history of tax evasion, but the Ciprianis have been allowed to hold onto their liquor license after the omnipotent State Liquor Authority accepted a settlement offer from the family, who operate luxurious restaurants and catering halls in Manhattan. One of Cipriani's owners, Arrigo Cipriani, previously pleaded guilty to felony tax evasion charges, and state law prohibits convicted felons from obtaining liquor licenses. more ›

With the Knitting Factory looking for a new home, and Luna Lounge being closed since April, all signs are pointing to the former moving into the latter. In fact, a sign on the front door of the now defunct Luna Lounge says as much. more ›

At last night's full Community Board Six Meeting in Borough Hall, passionate outcries were heard once again arguing over the motion to recommend against the renewal of Union Hall's liquor license. However, this time the loud voices were not coming from angry neighbors, but rather Board members themselves, speaking one after the next in favor of the Union Hall's continued presence in Park Slope. The CB6 not only rejected the motion put forth last week by Board member (and Brazen Head bar owner) Lou Sones, but overwhelmingly passed a new motion to take an official stance supporting Union Hall's liquor license renewal when it comes up before the SLA on May 31st. more ›

Before the big meeting tomorrow at Borough Hall, the Brooklyn Paper weighs in on the great Union Hall debate of Aught Eight. Recently some neighbors, led by Jon Crow, rallied together to stop the renewal of the establishment's liquor license at the end of the month; one neighbor, who has since moved, told us, "This place had a serious impact on my life, on my wife's health, and threatened the health and well-being of my child. No one's fun is worth that, to me." more ›

Late last month some residents of Park Slope secured themselves a Community Board meeting with CB6 to air their complaints about Union Hall, and attempt to stop their liquor license from getting renewed. The meeting took place last night, lasted more than two hours, and to everyone's surprise -- the board voted against Union Hall. The vote of six to two (with two abstentions) means CB6 will advise the State Liquor Authority (SLA) against renewing the liquor license of Union Hall. more ›

As if Brooklyn music venues aren't suffering enough right now, residents are currently rising up against what they call a "nuisance bar" in Park Slope. That bar is Union Hall. Jon Crow, one of those spearheading the campaign to shut the venue down, emailed us about an upcoming public hearing regarding the renewal of Union Hall's liquor license, admitting, "those of us fighting this nuisance bar are fully aware this hearing won't close it down." more ›

When Hog Pit co-owner Felisa Dell sent an email to Eater on April 7th confirming the closure of her Meatpacking District BBQ joint, she insinuated that “the mayor and the State Liquor Authority are now only issuing Liquor Licenses until 2 a.m. It's very sneaky, but in 5 years the 4 a.m. liquor license will be a thing of the past, without any community input.” Today the NY Sun backs Dell up, reporting that many Manhattan bar owners are finding it “nearly impossible to open new nightlife establishments that are permitted to serve alcohol until 4 a.m.” more ›

Restaurateur David Bouley has emerged victorious (for now) after what he described as a “witch hunt” by some Tribeca Community Board members trying to stymie his liquor license application for Brush Stroke, a planned three floor Japanese restaurant on West Broadway. The dissenting board members have fiercely opposed what would be the fourth Bouley establishment on their turf because limos double-park out front and sometimes his restaurant waste leaves stains on the sidewalk. more ›

Last night the committee that represents Tribeca for Community Board 1 voted against recommending full board approval for a liquor license for Brushstrokes, David Bouley’s planned Japanese restaurant and cooking school, which would be his fourth eatery in the neighborhood. In withholding approval for the license, the committee cited prior health code violations, a carbon monoxide leak, the glut of limos crowding the street outside his restaurants, and controversy surrounding Bouley’s attempt to claim $2.2 million for lost business income after 9/11 despite winning a $5.8 million contract with the Red Cross to feed Ground Zero recovery workers. more ›