Gov. Murphy: 10 NJ Bars, Restaurants Broke COVID-19 Rules

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday announced that the state is seeking to suspend the liquor licenses at 10 bars and restaurants accused of violating coronavirus restrictions (see list below).

"It gives me no pleasure to file these charges," Murphy said during a news conference on Friday. "It is the last thing, frankly, we want to do. We will not tolerate knucklehead behavior and we will not hesitate to shut you down."

The ABC launched an enforcement campaign to ensure that licensees were in compliance with executive order 194, which prohibited indoor food and beverage sales between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and prohibited patrons from being seated at an indoor bar at all times, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said.

“It gives us no pleasure to take these actions, but we’re in the midst of a pandemic and we need everyone in this state to do their part,” said Grewal. “Results of our enforcement sweeps thus far demonstrate that the majority of licensees are following the governor’s orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"Those who flout curfews, seating restrictions, face covering mandates, and other mitigation measures will face consequences.”

Charges have been issued against the entities holding liquor licenses for the following establishments:

• Eddy's Bar & Liquors, Bayonne. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar and for failing to enforce face-covering requirements. Penalty sought: 15-day suspension.
• Wicked Wolf, Hoboken. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar. Penalty sought: 10-day suspension.
• Reilly’s Bar & Grill, Kearny. Cited for violating 10 p.m. curfew, allowing patrons to consume food/drink while not seated, and exceeding occupancy limits. Penalty sought: 30-day suspension.
• Graystone Inn, Little Falls. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, and exceeding occupancy limits on two separate occasions. Penalty sought: 40-day suspension.
• George Street Ale House, New Brunswick. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, and failing to enforce social distancing and face-covering requirements. Penalty sought: 25-day suspension.
• Black Betty's Saloon, Sayreville. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, and failing to enforce social distancing and face-covering requirements. Also cited for allowing lewd activity on premises. Penalty sought: 70-day suspension.
• 30 Strikes, Stratford. Cited for violating 10 p.m. curfew. Penalty sought: 10-day suspension.
• Jalapenos Bar and Grill, Gloucester City. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, and failing to enforce face-covering requirements (second offense). Penalty sought: 20-day suspension.
• 814 South Pub & Kitchen, Somerdale. Cited for violating 10 p.m. curfew, failing to maintain a six-foot distance between tables, and failing to enforce face-covering requirements. Penalty sought: 25-day suspension.
• B&B Saloon, Atlantic City. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, exceeding occupancy limits, and failing to enforce social distancing and face-covering requirements. Also cited for allowing alcohol to be consumed beyond the licensed premises, hindering an inspection, employing a criminally disqualified individual, and violating conditions imposed on the license after a shooting left two people dead last month. Penalty sought: 115-day suspension.

The ABC has led investigations resulting in nearly 500 random inspections of bars and restaurants to ensure compliance with the restrictions passed by Murphy last month, which ceased indoor food and beverage services between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and prohibited patrons sitting at indoor bars at all times.

Nearly 90 percent of the establishments inspected were found to be in compliance.

“ABC will continue to crisscross the state doing surprise inspections of bars and restaurants to identify and hold accountable those operating in violation of the restrictions in place to protect public health and safety,” said James B. Graziano, director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. “The majority of our licensees are complying with these commonsense measures. We will not allow our law-abiding licensees to be put at an economic disadvantage by a rogue few who think they are above ABC regulations and the laws of our State.”

Since March, ABC has taken enforcement action more than 200 times in response to coronavirus-related violations by licensees. Those actions have delivered warnings, and sought fines, license suspensions, and license revocations.

Russ Crespolini contributed to this story.