The board of the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) has suspended the liquor license for P&G’s, a popular bar and restaurant in New Paltz that’s been under the control of the Beck family for generations. SLA board members held an emergency meeting in response to allegations of numerous violations of state alcohol law on the premises.
On March 15, SLA agents conducted an inspection in response to complaints about underage drinking. What they allege is that out of 200 patrons in the bar that night, about 120 were under 21. Investigators say that 63 of them admitted that they were purchasing or consuming alcohol on the premises despite being underage, and 33 of those signed statements to that effect. 14 minors were ticketed for fake ID, and four bartenders were arrested for serving minors. It’s further alleged that at least four of the underage individuals served at the bar were 18 years of age.
The summary proceeding to suspend the liquor license, which is just the first step in a lengthy process, contains allegations that jell-o shots — illegal in New York bars — were being served, that bartenders were not consistently checking ID, and that the employees staffing the door were checking only sporadically. The identification observed were performed with flashlights, rather than technology designed to root out counterfeit or altered ID.
Both the license holder Mike Beck Jr. and previous license holder Mike Beck Sr. declined to comment while the investigation is open, but the younger Beck referred questions to attorney Joseph O’Connor, who said, “We’re in direct contact with representatives of the liquor authority throughout the day to address whatever problems there were,” and to get the situation resolved as soon as possible.
O’Connor appreciates the significance P&G’s has in New Paltz, as the attorney’s life has been shaped by the “cornerstone of New Paltz.” “My parents met there,” O’Connor said, and “I was a bartender there in 1989. It’s a wonderful place,” and the Becks “are doing everything they can do to address this.” O’Connor also has close family members who have owned bars, and said that “it’s a hard and tough business.” P&G’s “is one of the special businesses in the community I live in.”
New Paltz regulars craving a burger or another one of the P&G’s signature dishes don’t have to wait; the kitchen remains open. As for how long it will be before it will be possible to order a cold one from the tap, O’Connor can’t say for certain. “It’s so early, I’m not sure the charges are formally drafted other than the summary proceeding. The next step is to negotiate with the [liquor authority] lawyers,” and then the board members will have to weigh in and decide what it will take to rescind this suspension. “I cannot put a time frame on it.”
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