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Juliet Supperclub Under Investigation by State Liquor Authority

By Mathew Katz | November 18, 2011 12:39pm
Police investigate a shooting at the Juliet Supperclub at 539. W. 21st St. on Nov. 15, 2011.
Police investigate a shooting at the Juliet Supperclub at 539. W. 21st St. on Nov. 15, 2011.
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DNAinfo/Mathew Katz

CHELSEA — It may be the end for the Juliet Supperclub.

The popular celebrity club at 539 W. 21st St. is under investigation by the State Liquor authority following a deadly shooting there early Tuesday morning.

The shooting comes on the heels of a fatal stabbing outside the club in September, prompting the club to close temporarily while staff is trained in additional security measures, a club spokeswman said.

"We're obviously aware of both of the incidents," said Bill Crowley, a spokesman for the SLA. "Once the police are done with their investigation, we'll be looking into it."

The authority has the ability to revoke the club's liquor license, depending on the outcome of the investigation. Crowley pointed out that the club is entitled to a hearing for its license, and that it had no prior violations since being issued a license in 2004.

In the meantime, the club has canceled its popular Monday night party in the wake of the shooting, and will keep the club closed indefinitely while staff are trained in additional security measures, a club spokeswoman said.

The club's now-defunct "Just Chill Mondays" feature a DJ and no cover, and was popular among celebrities and clubgoers alike. It was at that party that Artis Arthur, 43, of Brooklyn was killed and two others were wounded after a deadly shooting early Tuesday morning.

Several celebrities, including New York Giants players Chris Canty, Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, Antrel Rolle and Aaron Ross, were all at the club during the shooting.

One of the victims, Tracy Ryals, 28, of Harlem, served five years in prison after being convicted of a 2004 manslaughter. He was released in September 2010, sources said.

In September, Christopher Adames, 23, of Morningside Heights, was killed after being stabbed multiple times in the torso outside the club.

Authorities have charged Manuel Pinero, a promoter associated with the club, in that murder. Both men were in the club that night, according to authorities.

"The [stuff] that keeps happening at Juliet is bugged out," tweeted Lauren Rocco-Milani. "Its over for that place, for real now."

"Shooting at Juliet? I'll take myself somewhere else from now on," tweeted user RichBaxter.

Mitchell said the club has always taken security precautions, including security guards that searched patrons' belongings, a mandatory coat check, and undercover NYPD officers stationed outside.

But some accused the club of not doing enough to stop a gunman from entering the building.

"I left after a year and [the club] obviously went downhill from there," wrote the club's former doorman, Ruben Rivera, in an email.

Days later, many on Twitter are predicting the end for the club, though some added a bit of humor to their mockery of the club's fate.

"Can you imagine being somewhere as awful as The Juliet Supper Club and dying?," tweeted Amanda Spurlock. "Not worth it."