Inwood's La Marina Inspected By NYPD, Liquor Authority: Officials

INWOOD, NY — The New York State Liquor Authority is currently reviewing the results of a multi-agency inspection that resulted in the temporary closing of raucous Inwood party spot La Marina, an authority spokesperson confirmed.

The NYPD led the crackdown on La Marina on Friday, July 13 in coordination with the State Liquor Authority and the City Health Department after receiving complaints regarding noise and underage drinking violations, a department spokesperson said.

The business was hit with 13 summonses by the NYPD and tallied more than 60 violations of the state liquor law during the inspection, an NYPD spokesperson said. The State Liquor Authority is currently reviewing the violations.

"The reports from the inspection are currently under review by SLA’s Office of Counsel," a liquor authority spokesperson said in a statement.

The raid resulted in the city Health Department shuttering the business for unsanitary handling of food, evidence of mice and flies and improperly installed or maintained plumbing, according to city records.

The business tallied up 74 violation points, well over the 28 point cutoff needed to score a dreaded "C." The Health Department generally opts to close restaurants after an inspection if it deems a violation a "public health hazard" that can not be corrected before an inspection ends or for "serious and persistent violations," according to its grading methodology.

The outdoor restaurant and event venue had two recent run-ins with the police before Friday's crackdown, an NYPD spokesperson said. On June 15 an employee of La Marina was arrested for serving alcohol to minors and on July 7 two NYPD officers were hurt after a drunk La Marina drove an SUV into with their patrol car.

La Marina reopened on Wednesday, but could be hit with further punishment once the State Liquor Authority completes its review of the raid. The liquor authority recently shut down Uptown businesses such as Inwood's Viva Tapas Bar & Lounge in March and Washington Heights' Vapor Lounge and Mia Sushi & Steakhouse in 2017.

La Marina opened in 2012 after its owners struck a deal with the city to open the business on land owned by the city Parks Department. Business owners pay the city to operate on what used to be public parkland located where Inwood Hill Park meets Fort Tryon Park along the Hudson River.

Friday's crackdown was first reported by parks watchdog A Walk in The Park.

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