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Community Board Votes Against Liquor License Renewal for Lighthouse Cafe

By Carla Zanoni | June 1, 2011 10:58am
Community Board 12 voted against recommending a liquor license renewal for Lighthouse Cafe Restaurant, which operates as a nightclub in lower Washington Heights.
Community Board 12 voted against recommending a liquor license renewal for Lighthouse Cafe Restaurant, which operates as a nightclub in lower Washington Heights.
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DNAinfo/Carla Zanoni

By Carla Zanoni

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — An infamously raucous bar in lower Washington Heights may have its liquor license pulled after Community Board 12 voted to not recommend the establishment have its license renewed by the State Liquor Authority.

Lighthouse Café Restaurant, a nightclub at 1952 Amsterdam Ave., between West 156th and West 157th streets, had put in a request for their liquor license to be renewed during CB12’s general meeting last week.

But the majority of CB12's members said the bar had been given too much leeway in the past and did not deserve to maintain its license.

The 33rd Precinct had recommended against the license renewal earlier in May, citing incidents of "disorderly conduct, overcrowding, noise pollution and selling to intoxicated customer(s)," according to CB12’s economic development committee.

"The police are correct," said board member Richard Lewis during the board's general meeting. "They have serious problems at this location, including underage drinking."

The board’s economic development committee had originally voted to recommend the license with stipulations regarding serving drunk patrons and closing the bar 45 minutes early at 3:15 a.m., but the full board changed the resolution when it came to a vote.

The owners were unable to be reached, with no phone number listed for the establishment and no answer at the front door of the club.

A final decision regarding the Lighthouse Café's liquor license will be made by the SLA. Even without the board’s approval, the club could still receive a license from the SLA, as the community board only serves in an advisory role.