Everyone knows it’s not officially a party until the cops show up.
On Saturday, May 30, the Bronx Beer Garden’s ‘World BBQ’, a hip-hop event, soon became a day to remember, but for all the wrong reasons.
The event was scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m. and drew in a massive crowd which far exceeded the local establishment’s occupancy permit.
According to John Marano, Community Board 10 first vice chairman, the Bronx Beer Garden’s occupancy rating for its bar is 126 and its dining area another 164 customers.
Saturday’s event drew close to 800 hip-hop fans after World Famous NYC, its promoter, announced the event over social media and advertised ‘free jungle juice’ would be provided there.
Jungle juice refers to an homemade mixture of liquor which can result in severe intoxication.
As the crowd grew, management did not turn anyone away, Marano said.
The bar’s backyard area was teeming with several hundred patrons in its yard and on the deck.
Nearby residents soon contacted the 45th Precinct to report noise complaints as close to 50 to 100 party-goers flowed out of the bar and onto the sidewalk.
According to a NYPD spokesperson, at approximately 5:50 p.m. that same evening, a 24-year old woman suffered lacerations to her head after a bottle was thrown at her by an unknown suspect in front of the Bronx Beer Garden and was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center. No arrests were made.
The 45th Precinct and the FDNY arrived on the scene and immediately evacuated everyone from the establishment.
As soon as the event was shut down, the bar’s owner voluntarily surrendered her liquor license to the precinct, which still has it in its possession.
The precinct is now in conversation with the New York Sate Liquor Authority regarding the license.
The establishment’s liquor license was renewed this past April.
The New York City Department of Buildings is closely investigating the Bronx Beer Garden’s backyard deck to determine its stability.
When the crowds dispersed, they went quietly, however they began traveling up and down East Tremont Avenue looking for another local watering hole to quench their thirst for entertainment.
Unfortunately for them, the majority of the East Tremont Avenue bars swiftly refused to serve alcohol for a hour and a half.
Located at 3392 E. Tremont Avenue, the Bronx Beer Garden opened last July 20 and has had previously reported incidents, including fights and noise complaints, according to a CB 10 member
On the evening of Tuesday, June 2, CB 10 met with the 45th Precinct, Councilman James Vacca’s office, and the Bronx Beer Garden’s current and future owners to discuss recent events.
“We shared our dissatisfaction with them about last Saturday’s event and how poorly managed it was,” Marano explained. “The police and fire departments acted very swiftly in shutting it down and we are very thankful for their quick response that night. The current owner of Bronx Beer Garden has shown a lot of remorse for what has happened and she has been working very closely with the police department to help rectify this issue.”
It was announced during the meeting that the Bronx Beer Garden will be sold within the next three weeks to a month.
In addition, the location will not retain its current name.
Calls to the owner, Michelle Kausma, were not returned.
