State OKs Barclays Center's Liquor License, But Sets Cutoff at 1 a.m.

The New York State Liquor Board voted Wednesday to approve alcohol sales at Barclays Center—ending a process that pitted business groups against community advocates concerned about the effects of late-night bar and club patrons on neighborhoods surrounding the arena.

With the Prospect Heights arena scheduled to open in less than a month, the affirmative decision by the three-member board was highly expected.

However, NYSLB chair Dennis Rosen handed Atlantic Yards critics a small victory in the form of a 1 a.m. cutoff time for Barclays Center alcohol sales—not 2 a.m. as had been requested by developer Forest City Ratner and its food and liquor contractor, Levy Restaurants.

FCRC and Levy Restaurants retain the right to appeal the 1 a.m. cutoff to SLA if they feel it presents an economic hardship.

Barclays Center's liquor license was the subject of in April and of a June public hearing in Harlem in which FCRC and Levy Restaurants