Bars In New York Are Finding Really Creative Ways To Skirt New Drink Laws
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Restaurants and bars in New York are running on technicalities to creatively circumvent new state mandates imposed by Gov Andrew Cuomo, which declare that they cannot serve drinks without food during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cuomo warned that “egregious violations” by food and drink establishments can cause their liquor licenses to be taken away, as well as have their names exposed, according to ABC7 New York. He added that New York State is already looking at “over 5,000” complaints about businesses that are not complying with the regulations.
“It’s wrong, it’s dangerous, it’s selfish, it’s unacceptable, it’s also illegal,” he proclaimed.
In response, businesses are introducing new menu items like a generous serving of nine whole french fries and “a piece of meat,” the news outlet reported.
One bar in the Hudson Valley, the dangerously-named Handshake Bar and Grill, is offering a “CUOMO” menu, which stands for “Cuomo’s Unnecessary Obligated Menu Options.” New items include a serving of onion rings with only two onion rings, “Cuomo Fries” with very few fries, and “Few Chips Off Your Shoulder.”
Customers at the Lafayette Brewing Company in Buffalo can also order from a US$1 menu featuring specials like “just a few grapes, not sure the color,” and “The Smallest Piece of Cheesecake in Buffalo.”
Liverpool’s Home Team Pub has also reacted to the law with an option for up to seven Tater Tots—“We are not sure how to count, schools closed,” it explained on the menu—and “Handful o’ Tortilla Chips” with “salsa, if you’re lucky.”
And Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar is seemingly also honoring Saratoga Springs, where it is located, as the founding city of the potato chip by “repeating history” with “the first Cuomo chip.”
As part of the new guidelines, patrons of food establishments are also required to put on face coverings, and customers seated at bar tops will have to maintain a six-foot distance.
Home Team Pub in Liverpool has a $1 menu to comply with @NYGovCuomo’s “no food-no booze” order. @RichAzzopardi has responded to similar tactics with approval: “As long as everyone is seated and not mingling at the bar” and “could be an app or a small plate.” pic.twitter.com/OLw8QtncnN
— Andrew Donovan (@AndrewDonovan) July 17, 2020
[via ABC7 New York, images via various sources]
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