Midtown Restaurant Loses Liquor License Over Outdoor Dining Setup

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — An Italian eatery in Midtown became one of the latest to lose its liquor license this month after inspectors found dozens of customers eating indoors just days before the state reopened indoor dining.

On Feb. 6, state inspectors stopped by Il Gattopardo, on West 54th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues.

They found 32 customers "eating and drinking inside of a fully enclosed structure" outside the restaurant, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office said Wednesday. That violates state rules requiring outdoor dining areas to have at least two open sides to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.

The eatery lost its license the following day.

Business owners have complained that the state's rules are difficult to follow — covering two long sides of a rectangular tent is not allowed, for example, but covering a long and a short side is acceptable.

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Many New Yorkers have questioned whether the elaborate dining structures that have popped up around the city can really be considered outdoors at all, given how many appear to be completely enclosed. Even so, most have escaped punishment.

"The vast majority of bar and restaurants are following the rules, but we have zero tolerance for those who openly ignore public health measures, putting New Yorkers' lives at risk — and we will continue to hold them accountable," Cuomo said in a statement.

Il Gattopardo did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.