New York state officials withdrew the liquor license from a restaurant that hosted a “Covid conga row” and may have caused at least one infection, officials said on Thursday.
The Whitestone Republican Club held its Christmas party at Il Bacco, on Northern Boulevard in the Queens neighborhood, and the group danced all night without masks.
In wide circulation video recording, almost a dozen revelers – none of them wearing a mask – could be seen dancing and singing to the Bee Gees’ “You Should Be Dancing”. The head of the conga line appeared to be holding a flag in support of President Donald Trump.
“After the video of a potential holiday party at Il Bacco with unmasked dancing appeared, the SLA immediately launched an investigation,” the State Liquor Authority said in a statement.
“During a follow-up inspection, investigators found blatant violations of indoor dining regulations and existing laws on health safety and alcohol control by verifying that the maskless party portrayed in the video actually occurred.”
At least one guest at the party tested positive for coronavirus, the Whitestone Republican Club said on Thursday.
“We wish Jim Trent the best for a speedy recovery and understand that his hospitalization was purely for precaution, and that he is being released today,” the club said in a statement. “If he contracted the virus at our event, his club’s Christmas party held a few days earlier or in the normal course of life will probably never be known.”
The club has not apologized to the party, saying its members will not give in to the “threat of force by official penalty and retaliation”.
“Defending our personal freedoms is fundamental in a free society and no one should be penalized, embarrassed or ostracized for the way they choose to live their lives,” the club said in a statement.
An answering machine at Il Bacco said it will remain closed until internal meals are allowed again.
Several emails to Il Bacco requesting management’s comments on the license suspension were not returned immediately.
“This summary suspension should send a strong message that we have zero tolerance for establishments that endanger the health of New Yorkers,” added the state beverage authority.
These partygoers drew the ire of New York governor Andrew Cuomo of Queens.
“Conga lines are not smart,” said Cuomo as soon as the viral video appeared. “Why would you do a unmasked Covid conga line in the middle of a Covid pandemic – whatever your political beliefs – defies logical explanation, as far as I’m concerned.”
