Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
NYPD Eyes LES Bars As Los Feliz Returns
By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 18, 2011
Modified Apr 18, 2011
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
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 18, 2011
Modified Apr 18, 2011
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
Earlier this month the police shuttered Rob Shamlian's two LES spots Los Feliz and Mason Dixon, citing underage drinking. Los Feliz reopened this weekend and Mason Dixon is expected to reopen soon, but their shutterings have brought new attention to the dramatically increased police presence in the area of late. Bar owners are claiming conspiracy ("There is something amiss when a restaurant with great food, great relationships with the neighbors, no noise complaints, and a responsible policy toward underage drinking gets shut down."), and recent statements from the number two at the 7th Precinct, while denying a conspiracy, certainly should give bar owners pause.
Last Wednesday Captain David Miller spoke about the issue at a Community Council meeting. Coming from Chelsea—which has had deadly nightlife problems—Miller is acutely aware of "why we all have to work as a community to make sure things like this don’t happen," and that is at the heart of the recent crackdown.
To those bars that say they couldn't have underage drinkers since they have bouncers, Miller disagrees. They may have bouncers, but their bouncers are being bribed: "We actually had an establishment where the bouncers would know the individuals were underage. They say, ‘come here, it’s okay. Give me $20 and you can come in.'"
And to the bars that say they are being shut down without any warning during busy Friday nights, Miller flat out calls BS:
No bar owner who’s ever had a problem can tell you I did not walk in there first and talk with them personally. It’s a two prong approach. I sit down and talk with them, to try to rectify the problems… We have one location now that was supposedly a restaurant. They decided to throw out their kitchen, for lack of a better term… They’re supposed to be closed at 12 o’clock… the SLA (State Liquor Authority) is now involved. They’re either going to change back to what they originally promised or they’re not going to be operating as a business anymore… I went there personally to talk to the owner and he basically told me, ‘write me a summons and get out.’ So I understand there are owners like that who are just going to try to make as much money as they can. That’s not the majority of the owners. It’s 3% at the most.
In no way though is the crackdown going to cease. Miller and the po-po don't want "Mardi Gras situation down here." All of which is to say, LES bar owners? Be prepared, the police are watching.
Tagged
7th precinct
LES
los feliz
Lower East Side
manhattan
mason dixon
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE 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
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
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
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
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 .