QUEENS — Rego Park residents may finally be able to get some sleep as a nightclub, which they said has been attracting noisy and rowdy patrons, is losing its liquor license, officials said.
On Tuesday, the State Liquor Authority voted to cancel Rumba's license amid numerous complaints and violations, the agency said.
The cancellation order is effective Jan. 12, according to the SLA, which drew criticism when it renewed the venue’s license in July, even though Community Board 6 voted against it in June.
According to local Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz, who received numerous complaints about the club, the attorney for Rumba voluntarily offered the cancellation of his client’s license.
The move, the councilwoman said in a statement, is “seen as an attempt to avoid the stigma of having a license revoked, which would carry with it legal ramifications."
“Let [the cancellation] serve as notice upon businesses that they cannot just come into our neighborhood and be a disruptive presence without consequences," Koslowitz said.
According to the SLA, the club, at 67-63 Woodhaven Blvd., went before the board on Dec. 6 and made an offer to pay $8,000 civil penalty, which was rejected by the board.
Deputy Inspector Judith Harrison, the commanding officer of the 112th Precinct, said in a written statement provided to the SLA, that between Jan. 1 and Dec. 27 last year, there had been 90 complaints about Rumba via the 311 system, including 50 related to illegal parking and 38 about noise.
On Dec. 17, 2015, Harrison said, the club was issued a disorderly premise summons following a fight which started inside the club, and then spilled outside the venue. A man was arrested for criminal mischief, when he shattered three car windows using a pole, according to Harrison.
“The patrons are loud and disorderly,” Harrison noted. “Security doesn't seem to be able to handle the crowds.”
The club was inspected on Dec. 18 by the NYPD, FDNY, Department of Health and State Liquor Authority, according to Koslowitz.
As a result, Rumba was issued 40 violations, in addition to multiple prior offenses, including making unauthorized alterations, such as installing a stage for performers, allowing patrons to dance despite not having a cabaret license, failing to comply with various fire safety regulations and not maintaining books and records for inspection, Koslowitz said.
Jeyson Segovia, the owner of Rumba, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Wednesday.
But in December, he said that he was "aware of the complaints" and apologized to neighbors. He also said that in January, he was planning to turn the venue into a sports bar and restaurant rather than a night club.
