Liquor license woes are legendary in New York these days. All too often restaurants have to open without one. It gets reported in the media at opening time but then we are left to wonder - did they ever get that license? Heck, do they even want one?
Here's an update on the status at some local favorites. Each restaurant has its charms and fans will attest to the food, but saving a few bucks on booze is an additional plus, especially these days.
Here's an update on the status at some local favorites. Each restaurant has its charms and fans will attest to the food, but saving a few bucks on booze is an additional plus, especially these days.
- Motorino, East Williamsburg pizza hotspot (319 Graham Ave), is still without a liquor license. They welcome you to bring in beer or wine. Another Brooklyn pizza mecca, Lucali (575 Henry Street, Carroll Gardens), has also remained sans liquor license so pack your own. (Photo - Motorino pie)
- Petite self-professed "neo-Korean" East Villager Persimmon (277 E. 10th Street) is still going strong in the wake of summer critical praise and the Times review. Their website cryptically says they are "BYOB again," so go ahead.
- Kuma Inn (113 Ludlow Street, 2nd Floor) continues to wow them on the LES. They are BYO for the time being but they do have corkage fees, depending on your booze of choice: $5 for 750ml wine, $1 per 12oz beer, $3 for 300ml of sake, $4 for 720ml of sake and $10 for 1.5L. No hard liquor allowed.
Please clarify, if the place doesn't have a liquor license, by law you can't charge customers even for services related to alcohol ie "corkage" I have no problem tipping the server for the extra service, just giving more money to an undeserving proprietor.
Interesting. We will look into this and let you know what we find out.