Three Utica Night Clubs Face Charges
Cristina Picozzi
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Entertainment
The Venue, Tropical Delight, and The Bogie II,
three of Utica's most popular bars, have all been charged with a variety of violations within the last two months.
On Nov. 19, there were 100 underage drinkers at The Venue, which accounted for more than half of the people there. Among them were undercover cops who charged the club for serving liquor and beer to minors.
Dave Hadasz, the bar's owner, had his liquor license suspended and has been charged for not "properly supervising," according to Bill Crowley, New York State Liquor Authority spokesperson.
Not only has the Whitesboro Street bar had its liquor license suspended, but there were also reports of bugs being found in liquor bottles that were being served to patrons.
Now, The Venue is a juice bar where no alcoholic beverages are being served and is now open to those 16 and up.
"I know my sorority, Chi Beta Sigma, use to have bar nights there," said Meghan Olsen, sophomore. "Even though it [the bar] was small, it was good enough."
Not long after The Venue's dilemma, The Bogie II was officially shutdown. Located at 113 North Genesse Street, there had been numerous acts of violence that have taken place at the club since it first opened in 2006. The Observer Dispatch reported two stabbings' and two shootings that happened in the wee hours of Saturday morning on Dec. 19.
Police say two people were stabbed around 1:20 AM followed by gunfire when the cops arrived.
Utica Deputy Police Chief, Mark Williams, told the OD these kids were clearly "not intimated by police presence," something that could be potentially dangerous.
After these violent acts, state liquor authorities suspended their license. Anthony Festa, owner of the bar, was charged with allowing minors to drink as well as hiring uncertified security workers. Festa walked out in the middle of his Jan. 7 trial, according to the OD.
This pushed Mayor David Roefaro to order the Bogie II to be shutdown by Jan. 15. The club will be closed for a full year.
three of Utica's most popular bars, have all been charged with a variety of violations within the last two months.
On Nov. 19, there were 100 underage drinkers at The Venue, which accounted for more than half of the people there. Among them were undercover cops who charged the club for serving liquor and beer to minors.
Dave Hadasz, the bar's owner, had his liquor license suspended and has been charged for not "properly supervising," according to Bill Crowley, New York State Liquor Authority spokesperson.
Not only has the Whitesboro Street bar had its liquor license suspended, but there were also reports of bugs being found in liquor bottles that were being served to patrons.
Now, The Venue is a juice bar where no alcoholic beverages are being served and is now open to those 16 and up.
"I know my sorority, Chi Beta Sigma, use to have bar nights there," said Meghan Olsen, sophomore. "Even though it [the bar] was small, it was good enough."
Not long after The Venue's dilemma, The Bogie II was officially shutdown. Located at 113 North Genesse Street, there had been numerous acts of violence that have taken place at the club since it first opened in 2006. The Observer Dispatch reported two stabbings' and two shootings that happened in the wee hours of Saturday morning on Dec. 19.
Police say two people were stabbed around 1:20 AM followed by gunfire when the cops arrived.
Utica Deputy Police Chief, Mark Williams, told the OD these kids were clearly "not intimated by police presence," something that could be potentially dangerous.
After these violent acts, state liquor authorities suspended their license. Anthony Festa, owner of the bar, was charged with allowing minors to drink as well as hiring uncertified security workers. Festa walked out in the middle of his Jan. 7 trial, according to the OD.
This pushed Mayor David Roefaro to order the Bogie II to be shutdown by Jan. 15. The club will be closed for a full year.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
no reason
noreason
posted 2/06/10 @ 11:33 PM EST
I don't like the way they emphasize where the "alleged" perpetrators were from,... "three from Utica, one from Brooklyn,one from The Bronx". Honestly, they make it sound like It's obvious that there was going to be trouble from these five because,well,they were from Utica,Bklyn, n The Bronx. (Continued…)
Cristina
posted 2/16/10 @ 12:47 PM EST
I doesn't matter where the people are from, knowing that they were local or from out of town is important. in journalism everyone is identified regardless of color, age, or location. (Continued…)
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