BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County Department of Health has shut down Gabels on Hertel Avenue for defying the New York Pause order by holding an "unofficial happy hour."
Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein says a neighbor notified the county that the North Buffalo bar was serving drinks inside every day. Bars and restaurants in New York state can only offer takeout and deliveryunder the governor's executive order issued last month.
The health department sent an undercover inspector to the business, who found the bar was indeed serving alcohol to customers inside, Burstein said.
Sheriff's deputies were brought in to clear out the establishment and shut it down. The county also reported the illegal activity to the New York State Liquor Authority.
Gabels management must now deliver a plan to the county outlining a policy that explains how it will prevent such activity from happening again.
The future of the bar's liquor license is now in the hands of the state liquor authority.
Earlier this month, the SLA suspended the liquor licenses of Swannie House in Buffalo and AJ's Hollow in Clarence after undercover inspectors found both establishments were also violating the executive order by serving food or alcohol to customers inside.
