South Amboy Go-Go Bar Did Not Follow COVID Rules, State Says

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ — A South Amboy go-go bar now faces having its liquor license suspended for allegedly allowing patrons to sit at the bar (violating Gov. Murphy's rules against bar seating). The bar was also cited for allowing lewd activity on the premises.

The bar is Black Betty's Saloon on Rt. 35 in South Amboy. State inspectors would not elaborate on what the alleged "lewd activity" was, but you can read the complaint filed Friday against Black Betty's.

The state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control ("ABC") seeks to take Black Betty's liquor license away for 70 days. Black Betty's also failed to enforce social distancing and also did not require face masks, said the AG.

Black Betty's was on a list New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal released Friday of 10 bars and restaurants across the state that he said violated Gov. Murphy's COVID restaurant rules.

ABC inspectors spent the month of November doing secret surveillance of nearly 500 bars across the state. The bars were observed at random. Nearly 90 percent were found to be in compliance, said the AG.

The following 10 were not.

"It gives us no pleasure to take these actions, but we're in the midst of a pandemic and we need everyone in this state to do their part," said Grewal.

Here are all 10 bars cited:

• Eddy's Bar & Liquors, Bayonne. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar and for failing to enforce face covering requirements. Penalty sought: 15-day suspension.
• Wicked Wolf, Hoboken. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar. Penalty sought: 10-day suspension.
• Reilly's Bar & Grill, Kearny. Cited for violating 10 p.m. curfew, allowing patrons to consume food/drink while not seated, and exceeding occupancy limits. Penalty sought: 30-day suspension.
• Graystone Inn, Little Falls. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, and exceeding occupancy limits on two separate occasions. Penalty sought: 40-day suspension.
• George Street Ale House, New Brunswick. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, and failing to enforce social distancing and face covering requirements. Penalty sought: 25-day suspension.
• Black Betty's Saloon, Sayreville. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, and failing to enforce social distancing and face covering requirements. Also cited for allowing lewd activity on premises. Penalty sought: 70-day suspension.
• 30 Strikes, Stratford. Cited for violating 10 p.m. curfew. Penalty sought: 10-day suspension.
• Jalapenos Bar and Grill, Gloucester City. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, and failing to enforce face covering requirements (second offense). Penalty sought: 20-day suspension.
• 814 South Pub & Kitchen, Somerdale. Cited for violating 10 p.m. curfew, failing to maintain a six-foot distance between tables, and failing to enforce face covering requirements. Penalty sought: 25-day suspension.
• B&B Saloon, Atlantic City. Cited for allowing patrons to sit at the bar, exceeding occupancy limits, and failing to enforce social distancing and face covering requirements. Also cited for allowing alcohol to be consumed beyond the licensed premises, hindering an inspection, employing a criminally disqualified individual, and violating conditions imposed on the license after a shooting left two people dead last month. Penalty sought: 115-day suspension