INWOOD — Negro Claro has received community approval for a new outdoor bar — less than a week after two men were shot in front of the 10th Avenue nightclub.
Manhattan Community Board 12 gave Negro Claro Lounge, located at 3805 10th Ave., the green light at the board's general April 23 to add the extension to its 27-seat patio area. The board voted 23-12 to approve the bar, with one conflict and two abstentions.
The addendum is currently used as a service bar for staff to fill out customer's orders.
If the bar gets final approval — the State Liquor Authority must sign off on it before it becomes official — it will function as a customer-facing counter where patrons will be able to walk up and order drinks.
The community approval, however, comes after three people were injured April 20 after a fight broke out in front of the nightclub. Two men were shot and another man was stabbed in the fracas, authorities said.
One of the shooting victims was stabbed, too, police said.
No arrests have been made yet, but a police source said an arrest could be imminent.
The community board, meanwhile, voted to approve Negro Claro's new bar before the shooting, Aldemar Diaz, licensing committee chair, told general board members before the final vote. Diaz cited owner Wendy Bonilla's high level of cooperation with the police.
"What happened Saturday morning could happen to any business owner," Diaz said. "You can control patrons in your establishment to the extent that you can ask them to leave if they become violent. What happens afterwards is a law enforcement issue.
"If the precinct does not see fit to withdraw their support, it is my personal opinion that this committee should not be inclined to withdraw theirs."
Sources in the police department confirmed that Bonilla, who could not be reached for comment, has been cooperating with authorities.
