33 NJ Bars, Restaurants Allegedly Broke COVID Rules In Past Month

NEW JERSEY — State officials are continuing to crack down on businesses that have allegedly violated New Jersey's coronavirus executive orders, with several more facing possible penalties this week, the State Police announced on Monday.

La Dolce Vita in West Orange was cited for a third time for executive order violations and Fire N Ice in Woodbridge was also cited this past week, said Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the State Police.

Some restaurants also may have their liquor licenses revoked for repeatedly violating Gov. Phil Murphy's year-old executive order requiring bars and restaurants to prevent the spread of the disease.

They face sanctions as the state may soon expand indoor capacity limits in restaurants and other businesses.

In February, Murphy increased indoor dining capacity limits from 25 percent to 35 percent. On Feb. 25, he said another expansion could be coming sooner than later, and that capacity limits could soon hit 50 percent. Read more here: What You Can Do Amid COVID In NJ - And What’s Next With Vaccines

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, however, has emphasized that the state will continue to target establishments that break the law and do little to prevent the virus from spreading – even as the number of vaccinations continues to grow and New Jersey's COVID cases continue to drop.

"We will not allow a small percentage of bars and restaurants that disregard mitigation measures to jeopardize public health," Grewal has said.

Shamrock Beef and Ale in Wildwood faces the possibility of having its liquor license revoked after being cited four times for not being compliant, Callahan has announced.

The New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is also looking to revoke the West Orange-based Luba Lounge after it was cited 28 times for violations, Callahan said during a recent news conference. The Black Diamond Billiards in Union was also cited four times in February for not enforcing the use of face coverings and maintaining social distancing.

Several other establishments were found to be in violation of the executive order throughout the month. Businesses are found to be in violation for not enforcing the use of face coverings and maintaining six feet of social distancing, as well as violating the indoor capacity limits.

The following restaurants were also recently cited for compliance issues by ABC:

ATLANTIC COUNTY

• The Island Gym in Ventnor
• Ventura's Offshore Cafe in Northfield
• Oyster Creek Restaurant in Leeds Point
• Pitney Pub in Galloway
• Steakouts Homeplate in Buena
• Villa Fazzolari in Buena
• Munsey Restaurant and Bar in Buena

CAMDEN COUNTY

• The Texas Roadhouse in Gloucester Township
• Bobby Ray’s in Pennsauken
• Kaminski Sports Bar and Restaurant in Cherry Hill
• Fat Albert's Billiards in Somerdale

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

• Lake House Restaurant in Franklin Township

HUDSON COUNTY

• The Hoboken Elks Lodge

MERCER COUNTY

• GlenRoc Liquors in Ewing

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

• Riverside Sports Bar in Perth Amboy
• Bagoda's Place in Perth Amboy
• Passions Nightclub in Perth Amboy
• Courthouse Inn in Perth Amboy
• Portuguese Manor Restaurant in Perth Amboy
• Yuyi Sushi in Woodbridge
• Cafe Luna in Old Bridge

PASSAIC COUNTY

• The Sear House Grill in Little Falls
• Emerald Corner in Clifton

UNION COUNTY

• El Chingon Tex-Mex Restaurant in Union
• Stage House Tavern in Scotch Plains
• Sheelen's Crossing in Fanwood
• Patty's Place in Union

WARREN COUNTY

• Desiderio's Stone Tavern, Washington Township

In addition to the businesses, two residents were individually charged with violations:

• An employee at a Newark grocery store was cited for refusing to wear a mask; and
• A homeowner in East Orange was cited for throwing a party in which more than 100 people were in attendance.