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Boozy Williamsburg Art Class No Longer Boozy After Cop Raid
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published May 25, 2013
Modified May 25, 2013
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By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published May 25, 2013
Modified May 25, 2013
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Last year, budding Brooklyn artists were gifted with boozy painting classes, courtesy of Williamsburg paint-by-numbers outfit the Painting Lounge. But apparently the the Daily News decided to ask the NYPD if the lounge's bring-your-own-booze policy was legal or not, and it wasn't, so the cops raided the joint and now it's no longer BYOB. Nothing kills a wine-and-Warhol party like a journalist-instigated cop raid, eh?
The Painting Lounge's premise was pretty simple; for $50, you got a two-hour lesson on recreating a famous masterpiece, plus you could bring your own bit of liquid courage to keep the creative juices flowing. But according to the lounge's website, that added alcoholic incentive is no more: "We were informed on Thursday, May 23rd from the NY State Liquor Authority that the ban on BYOB enforced on restaurants in New York also applies to our art classes," a note on the website reads. "Classes will continue as scheduled, however students will not be allowed to bring alcoholic beverages."
According to the Daily News, Painting Lounge owner Kevin Tarasuk texted one of their reporters late Thursday to tell them three cops had just shut the venue down. And apparently the raid came just a few hours after the Daily News asked cops whether or not BYOB establishments in the city were legal. It's unclear whether or not the newspaper mentioned specific venues in their inquiry, but regardless, it pretty much sounds like they killed the fun for the rest of us. "We're pretty disappointed with the reporter who called the police on us," Tarasuk told us. "This woman, the writer of the article, called me up and kind of sabotaged me a bit, came to the studio and sort of harassed me and called the police on me. She's a neighborhood person who thinks she's supporting the neighborhood and supporting small business. There's certainly a more ethical way to go about getting a story."
The State Liquor Authority started cracking down on BYOB restaurants a few years ago, and it appears other businesses are subject to the same rules. "If the business wants to give away the alcoholic beverages or allow BYOB, it needs a bottle club license," SLA spokesman William Crowley told the Daily News. "If it wants to sell alcoholic beverages, it needs the standard (full liquor) license."
Though establishments aren't technically allowed to permit patrons to bring their own booze if they have a seating capacity of more than 20, the practice is fairly widespread. But, for the sake of preserving the pure joy associated with bringing your own six-pack of Modelo Especial to dinner, we'll refrain from naming any names right now. Meanwhile, Tarasuk tells us the lounge is still open for business, and most of their weekend customers will still be attending class. They're happy to provide refunds to those who prefer to paint with a glass of Pinot Grigio in hand, though, and Tarasuk plans to apply for a liquor license soon. "Hopefully in a few months everything will be resolved," he said.
Tagged
brooklyn
BYOB
daily news
kevin tarasuk
painting lounge
sad
williamsburg
Rebecca Fishbein
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