INWOOD - An Uptown bar that was shut down for 45 days last year after workers were caught serving alcohol to underage customers is back in hot water with the State Liquor Authority.
Cavala Café at 5035 Broadway is facing 17 charges, including misrepresenting the business’s ownership and method of operation and creating a public disturbance that has attracted the attention of police. The charges come as Cavala’s on-premise liquor license is set to expire at the end of July. Businesses must apply for a renewal of their licenses every two years.
In June 2014, a representative for Cavala appeared before Community Board 12 to seek a new liquor license because the current license is under the name La Estufa, a business that operated at the site prior to Cavala. They also sought approval for a sidewalk café.
The board voted against both applications based on noise and other complaints from residents.
According to SLA records, Cavala’s license is currently registered to Miguel Acosta.
The charges state that Acosta allowed a person not authorized by the SLA to represent him as the business’s owner and make use of the license beginning in December 2013.
The SLA has also charged Acosta with purchasing alcoholic beverages from an unlicensed seller and misrepresenting the business’s method of operation concerning live music and the hours of operation.
In addition, the charges noted that the venue has created a “sustained and continuing pattern of noise, disturbance, misconduct or disorder” that has attracted the attention of police on at least one occasion this year.
Several of the charges have the potential to result in the license being suspended again or permanently revoked.
The SLA will meet with Acosta again on June 23, according to a person familiar with the case.
Acosta could not immediately be reached for comment.
