Two Local Restaurants Hit With Liquor License Suspensions

MT. SINAI, NY— Savino's Hideaway and Spiro's Lounge & Restaurant were the latest Long Island restaurants to lose their liquor licenses to COVID-19 rule violations last week. Savino's in Mt. Sinai and Spiro's in Rocky Point were both cited by the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) for having more patrons inside at one time than allowed by guidelines.

The fines for SLA violations can be up to $10,000 per citation and there is a risk either establishment could permanently lose their licenses. Robke's Italian in Northport recently had their license reinstated after a ban.

The owners of Savino's Hideaway issued the following statement on Facebook on Sunday:

Savino’s Hideaway recognizes the threat of the COVID-19 virus on society and has prioritized the health and safety of our customers and employees.

The sudden imposed 10 p.m. shutdown rule without prior notice or explicit guidance from the state causes unbearable stress not only on our staff but the staff on all restaurants alike. Most customers come home from work between 5 and 6 p.m. and then decide to go out to dinner between 7 and 9 pm.

This shutdown rule undoubtedly creates a bottleneck effect when customers decide to dine between these hours. The matter get further complicated by walk-in traffic. There is absolutely no way to determine walk- in traffic on a day to day basis in the restaurant business.

Customers who waited online for their takeout order at Savino’s waited in close proximity to the bar which resulted in us being non-compliant with the State Liquor Authority. A representative from the SLA informed us that customers are to wait outside or inside their cars in order to be served. We informed the representative that this was not possible as customers refused to wait in the freezing 25-degree weather, causing an increase of customers waiting in the lobby.

Both restaurants remain open.