Il Portico Italian Ristorante in Burlington had its COVID-19 Expansion Permit suspended and is facing license revocation for repeated violations of the state’s COVID-19 orders and a raucous Fourth of July party, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control announced Thursday.
On the night of July 3 into the early morning hours of July 4, local authorities responded to complaints of a party with approximately 500 people. Multiple law enforcement agencies were needed to shut the party down.
Per charges issued on July 30, ABC sought a 145-day suspension of Il Portico’s liquor license for numerous violations of Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive orders and ABC regulations, including serving patrons inside the licensed premises, allowing the consumption of alcohol in outdoor areas beyond the scope of the restaurant’s COVID-19 Expansion Permit, permitting patrons on premises without masks, and allowing patrons to be served outside of normal business hours.
Charges seeking revocation of the establishment’s liquor license were issued by the ABC on August 25 as a result of the restaurant’s continued violation of standing executive orders.
Attorney General Gurbir Grewal attends the daily COVID-19 briefing in Trenton on March 23, 2020. – EDWIN J. TORRES/GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
“The actions announced today puts licensees on notice that they will be held accountable if they violate the safety measures in place to protect the public from the unnecessary risk of COVID-19 spread,” said Attorney General Gurbir Grewal in a prepared statement. “We will not allow our state’s reopening efforts to be compromised by bar and restaurant owners who conduct themselves with disregard for the laws and regulations of this state.”
According to documents filed in the case, Il Portico failed to comply with mandatory social distancing requirements, failed to ensure patrons were wearing face masks, and failed to comply with the prohibition on serving patrons indoors at the July event reportedly billed as a “quarantine release party.”
Il Portico provided live entertainment inside the establishment and let patrons inside as well, according to filed documents.
The restaurant also remained open beyond the time limits prescribed in its permit and exceeded its 49-person capacity limitation, according to the Attorney General.
On Aug. 21, Acting ABC Director James Graziano ordered a two-week suspension of Il Portico’s liquor license and its expansion permit. The suspensions run concurrently from Aug. 22 through Sept. 4.
“Il Portico’s conduct on the night in question failed to meet even the minimum standards of reasonable and responsible operation required of an alcoholic beverage licensee,” Graziano said in a prepared statement. “ABC requires licensees to conform to the requirements of the permits allowing them to operate outdoors during the public health crisis. Those that fail to do so will lose that privilege.”
On Aug. 14, on a separate visit, investigators again found Il Portico allowed patrons to consume alcoholic beverages inside the building, according to charges issued on Aug. 25. With the new charges, New Jersey seeks to revoke Il Portico’s liquor license based on its continued non-compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.
The licensee is entitled to a full hearing on the merits of the disciplinary charges issued in connection with the July 3, July 4 and Aug. 14 incidents.
Il Portico is the latest establishment facing the revocation of its liquor license for COVID-19 violations but the first to have its COVID-19 expansion permit suspended. The ABC has taken action 159 times in response to COVID-19-related violations by licensees since March, including notices of charges, fines in lieu of prosecution letters, and warning letters.
Two other bars, Post Time Pub in Blairstown and Mt. Royal Inn in East Greenwich, also face license revocation for allowing patrons to consume alcohol inside their restaurants on two separate occasions in violation of the executive orders banning indoor dining.
A representative for Il Portico Italian Ristorante did not return a request for comment by press time.
