Legislators demand State Liquor Authority suspend license of troublesome bar where a violent stabbing occurred
Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) demanded the New York State Liquor Authority investigate and suspend the liquor license of Vapor Lounge following a violent stabbing and lewd incident in a letter to the authority.
The lounge, located at 3758 East Tremont Avenue, has become a nuisance in the neighborhood and sparked outrage when social media posts showed a woman dancing in her underwear at a bachelor party hosted there on Super Bowl Sunday. More recently, three men were caught on video beating and stabbing a man inside the bar on March 7.
“The most recent incident at Vapor Lounge, demands the need for consistent monitoring and enforcement at this location. We respectfully request your agency take all measures to restrict their operation and suspend their license upon a formal investigation. This coordinated action by your office would be a positive development for the Throggs Neck community and deeply appreciated by our offices,” Klein and Benedetto wrote to the SLA.
In addition to the incidents that have occured in the last two months the establishment was also fined $10,000 in 2016 for employing unlicensed security and assaults.
The letter to the State Liquor Authority is below.
March 15, 2018
New York State Liquor Authority
Chairman Vincent Bradley, Esq.
Commissioner Greeley T. Ford
80 S. Swan Street, 9th Floor
Albany, New York • 12210-8002
New York State Liquor Authority
Chairman Vincent Bradley, Esq.
Commissioner Greeley T. Ford
80 S. Swan Street, 9th Floor
Albany, New York • 12210-8002
RE: Vapor Lounge #1270813
Dear Chairman Bradley:
We are writing to inform you of a disturbing incident that occurred at the Vapor Lounge, located at 3758 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, New York 10465, State Liquor Authority License within the establishment that resulted in an individual being stabbed and beaten unconscious. #1270813. According to police reports, on March 7, 2018 at 2:30 a.m., an altercation occurred take action against the establishment. Neighbors expressed concerns about this violent incident to our offices. We contacted Community Board #10, whose members plan to urge the New York State Liquor Authority to urge the New York State Liquor Authority to take action against the establishment.
Recent incidents at Vapor Lounge, which has become a troublesome nightlife location within our district, is of concern to the Throggs Neck community and our offices. Over the past year due to violent incidents and other quality of life concerns, community opposition has been galvanized by this establishment’s lack of compliance with law and order.
This year alone, Vapor Lounge has been the host to one registered assault in January and hosted a lewd unlicensed event during the Super Bowl. There have also been community complaints regarding violence outside the establishment allegedly committed by patrons within. In 2016, the lounge was fined $10,000 for unlicensed security personal and several assault incidents.
The most recent violent incident at Vapor Lounge, demands the need for consistent monitoring and enforcement at this location. We respectfully request your agency take all measures to restrict their operation and suspend their license upon a formal investigation. This coordinated action by your office would be a positive development for the Throggs Neck community and deeply appreciated by our offices.
By way of this correspondence, we urge your consideration of these matters as you move forward with reviewing actions against Vapor Lounge. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you require any additional information, please contact Jose Rodriguez at Senator Klein’s District Office at (718) 822-2049, John Collazi at Assemblyman Benedetto’s office at (718)-892-2235.
Sincerely,
Jeffery Klein State Senator
Michael Benedetto Assembly Member
