This Long Island City strip club refuses to be dry.
Lawyers for 21 Group Inc., which currently operates Show Palace, are moving ahead with another appeal after their latest effort to get a liquor license was knocked down last week.
The nude bar had taken the New York State Liquor Authority to court in 2012 after civic leaders twice convinced the agency to reject the liquor application.
A state Supreme Court judge sided with bar owners in 2013, but an appeals court later overturned that decision.
Last week, the Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court refused to even hear the strip club’s case.
“As far as we’re concerned we’ve pretty much raised all the arguments we can,” said 21 Group lawyer Albert Pirro, who plans to continue litigation.
Local lawmakers and residents argued a strip club conflicted with the neighborhood’s new, family-friendly rebirth.
“(This) ruling is a true victory for communities across New York who deserve a voice in the liquor licensing process,” said
Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, who filed a brief in support of the SLA’s decision to turn down the club’s application. “New
Yorkers shouldn’t have to hire lawyers and lobbyists to protect their quality of life.”
But Pirro says the bar is properly zoned and owners should be able to serve liquor.
“To essentially allow the residents to determine whether or not a particular use should get a liquor license based upon zoning is mixing apple and oranges,” he said. Lisa L. Colangelo
