Ruschmeyer's restaurant loses temporary liquor license due to violations, State Liquor Authority says

Montauk restaurant Ruschmeyer's lost its temporary liquor license after violating two of the limitations it had accepted, allowing dancing and social media advertisements for DJ events, the New York State Liquor Authority said.

When the liquor authority withdrew Ruschmeyer's temporary permit on June 13, it made it clear the restaurant's "adverse" history of violations factored into the decision.

At the May 25 hearing granting the temporary permit, the authority, in a YouTube video it sent, said that last year Ruschmeyer's allowed "complete mayhem" for mid-20-year-olds.   

Stopping the sale of beer, wine and liquor can severely impact a restaurant's ability to draw customers — a risk noted at the May hearing.

Ruschmeyer's had changed hands the month before, according to published reports, which is why the new owners had to apply for a temporary permit and a new liquor license.

The restaurant's current owners could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.
The temporary permit was pulled two days after an East Hampton police officer, responding to a bouncer’s call for help with an unruly patron, observed dancing in two locations at the restaurant, the liquor authority said. 

Police informed the liquor authority, which said it then "discovered advertising of DJ events on social media sites."

In addition to capacity limits and spot checks, the owners had agreed “there will be no dancing, the location will operate strictly as a restaurant," the liquor authority said. DJs are not allowed, and only "background" or recorded music could be played.

Other stipulations Ruschmeyer’s agreed to include a 1 a.m. closing time, a maximum indoor crowd of 132, and the hiring of seven security guards, the liquor authority said. The establishment also accepted five unannounced inspections this summer and had fixed the violations, according to the YouTube video.

New restaurant owners must apply for new liquor licenses, which can be a lengthy process; so the State Liquor Authority offers temporary permits that can be approved in three to four weeks, officials said.

If Ruschmeyer's remains open, patrons will not be allowed to bring their own beer, wine or liquor, because that is only allowed at licensed establishments, the liquor authority said.