It’s Official! Gravesend’s Pleasure Island Denied Liquor License

We reported exactly one month ago that the State Liquor Authority voted to deny Gravesend’s Pleasure Island (816 Avenue U) a liquor license unless they could rally community support within 30 days. The deadline passed, and, with no community support reported, the denial is now official.

“My office has been working with the community since last May to preserve its’ peace and quiet,” said Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz. “While I applaud the Liquor Authority for making the right decision, I also credit the community that rallied against this troublesome establishment by writing, emailing and calling the Liquor Authority to make their feelings known.”

The owners hoped to reopen Pleasure Island and reestablish it as an upscale restaurant and lounge, rather than the rowdy club that angered Orthodox residents living around the establishment. With one of the previous owners serving as a minority partner in the new business, residents expressed outrage, flooding Community Board 15, 311 and local elected officials with hundreds of calls and complaints.

According to Cymbrowitz, the former owners were hit with serious violations, including serving alcohol after hours and failure to permit an inspection, and police response to the location included assault and harassment calls.

“I am a supporter of small business and believe that it is important to encourage their growth. Not only do they create jobs, but they generally provide something for the community,” Cymbrowitz said in a press release issued today. “However, this business was a plague on the community.”