NJ ABC Charges More Bars With COVID-19 Violations
New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced on June 8th that the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) filed charges this week seeking to suspend the liquor licenses for four bars and two craft breweries based on violations of Governor Murphy’s COVID-19 emergency orders. More specifically, the emergency order prohibited on-premises consumption of food and/or alcohol. The charges also allege that three of those licensees would be assessed fines for violating COVID-19 mask requirements.
Pursuant to previous orders issued by the Governor’s office, businesses licensed to engage in the sale and on-site consumption of alcohol in the state were permitted to remain open during the COVID-19 state-of-emergency, but only for take-out or delivery services of food and alcohol. This meant that restaurants and bars could not offer table or bar service. Furthermore, workers and customers are required to wear masks on the premises.
This is not the first set of charges brought against licensees for alleged violations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous acts by licensees have resulted in more serious penalties, including license revocation.
For the present violations, the Division of ABC is seeking 10-day license suspensions against the following establishments for allowing patrons and/or employees to eat and/or drink on licensed premises:
- Black Cat Bar & Grill, Absecon
- Tavern 519, Kingwood
- Woody’s Roadside Tavern, Farmingdale
- Human Village Brewing Co., Pitman (Additional $750 fine for mask violations)
- Kelly Green Brewing Co., Pitman (Additional $750 fine for mask violations)
- Robert’s Place, Margate (Additional $750 fine for mask violations)
NJ Liquor Law Attorney
Contact our office for more information about how we can help with any liquor license questions or issues with the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control in New Jersey. William Fay, is a former Deputy Attorney General with the Division of ABC and understands the intricacies involved in the complex alcoholic beverage industry.