Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
East Village Blog Narcs Out Retailers Of Illicit Four Loko
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 23, 2011
Modified Jul 23, 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
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 23, 2011
Modified Jul 23, 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
In a town where you can pretty much buy whatever the hell you want, is it shocking that one can still pick up the zesty alco-caffeinated version of our fallen friend Four Loko? The Local East Village reports that you can still find the banned version in neighborhood bodegas. Also still available in the East Village: heroin. But only one of those substances turns your poop blue!
Selling the banned brew could result in a $2,000 fine for the offending store, but some owners plead ignorance, stating that they're unaware of the recall; one even told the blog, "No one came to investigate if we got it out or not." He also gives the name of a distributer who continues to supply the store with the original Four Loko, and the names and locations of all five stores that still sell the secret sauce are published in the piece as well. Way to narc out our pushers, Local East Village!
The beverage's creator Phusion Projects voluntarily removed the caffeine and other stimulants from the brew in November under the threat of running afoul of an FDA ban. Stores had until December 10, 2010 to liquidate their stock, and once it was (supposedly) all gone, the city mourned, but those in the know knew that as long as there is a market, the Loko will flow. "We've been getting complaints for a long time that we're not selling the old Four Loko," one empty-handed vendor says, "With the new one, the craziness is not that there so people don't buy it." Indeed!
Hopefully the authorities will take pity on the original-Loko retailers, despite Local East Village's blatant disregard of the Loko Code. Pro tip to shopkeeps on the level: rack your shelves with the bogus Loko and keep the goods in the back. We also have it on good authority that if you play a certain version of a card game in which the loser must drink half a Four Loko (we'll call it "LokoTonk"), you're guaranteed to have an interesting Friday night. Or Tuesday night. Or Sunday afternoon.
Tagged
bodegas
booze
craziness
drugs
drunken buffoonery
east village
fda
four loko
liquor board
never forget
terrible substances
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability
Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.
By
Samantha Dady
Published Oct 26, 2026
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
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
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
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
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 .