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Troubled Inwood Nightspot Served Booze Despite Losing Liquor License: NYPD

By Carolina Pichardo | February 17, 2016 11:28am
 Cavala Cafe at 5035 Broadway.
Cavala Cafe at 5035 Broadway.
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DNAinfo/Carolina Pichardo

INWOOD — A problem-plagued nightspot was caught slinging drinks despite losing its liquor license late last year — but is still operating as a restaurant without serving booze, the NYPD said.

Cavala Cafe, located at the corner of West 215th Street and Broadway, got into hot water over a host of issues dating back to 2014.

The State Liquor Authority said the number of noise complaints its office received from residents, coupled with the six violations for selling alcohol to minors, resulted in Cavala's liquor license being pulled on Dec. 1, 2015, at an SLA full board meeting

Police made an arrest there several weeks ago for selling alcohol without a license, but since then the 34th Precinct has "seen no subsequent violations," Deputy Inspector Chris Morello said.

A lawyer for Cavala requested a 60-day hold on the license cancelation, noting the operators were trying to sell the cafe, according to a recording of the Dec. 1 meeting.

But the SLA declined to approve the request, due to the establishment's history and "public outcry."

An SLA rep confirmed the business can remain open but can't serve alcohol.

In 2014, the restaurant was shut down for serving liquor to minors. It also earned the ire of residents for not soundproofing the space after the owners said at an SLA disciplinary hearing that they would.

The following year, the business faced a slew of charges from the SLA, including misrepresenting the business’ method of operation in regard to live music and hours of operation.