Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Video: Apotheke Owner Claims He Never Set Bar On Fire
By
Jen Carlson
Published Aug 25, 2010
Modified Aug 25, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Aug 25, 2010
Modified Aug 25, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Back in June the owner of Chinatown hot spot Apotheke was under scrutiny for doing what he does best: setting his bar on fire. Owner Albert Trummer and his staff pulled out all of their tricks when The Real Housewives of New York were filming there, and soon after he was arrested for his regular pyrotechnic performances. (When we visited the bar and interviewed him in 2008, he was even getting fire on the floor!)
In court yesterday Trummer claimed he never set fire to his "performance bar," however—he said he merely mixed flaming drinks on it. And as he told the courtroom, "There is no (fire code) requirement for flaming drinks."
According to the NY Post, prior to his arrest he had already received a warning for his scorching stunts, and fire marshalls believed he was creating a dangerous atmosphere. Not to be all Smokey the Bear over here, but this below video does make the whole thing look a little unsafe!
And after the jump, some customers who ordered flaming cocktails comment on their glasses burning their lips:
Tagged
albert trummer
apotheke
Chinatown
court
fire
flaming drinks
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .