A Wildwood bar won’t be able to serve alcohol this summer after repeatedly violating COVID-19 restrictions.
Shamrock Beef and Ale on Pacific Avenue agreed to give up its liquor licens from May 1 through Sept. 30, under a settlement between Alcoholic Beverage Control and Tommy G’s Shamrock LLC, which hold the bar’s license.
Castaway’s Pirate Bar and Club Amnesia, which also operate under the Tommy G license at the same location, also must serve the suspension.
The bar was found to have numerous violations of the governor’s executive orders during the pandemic, including social distancing and the then-10 p.m. curfew on indoor food and drinks.
The violations were first discovered during two inspections by Wildwood police in November.
The Shamrock served a 100-day suspension for those infractions that ended March 1.
Two days later, the ABC found more violations.
“The significant suspension we’re announcing today sends a clear message that flouting COVID-19 public health measures will not be tolerated,” Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said. "As the weather warms up, ABC will be keeping a close eye on clubs, bars and restaurants that attract summer crowds to make certain they’re doing their part to ensure patrons are enjoying themselves safely.”
The settlement between the ABC and Tommy G’s also requires the licensee to terminate its current management team and acknowledge that Club Amnesia is an indoor facility subject to indoor operations requirements imposed under last year’s Executive Order No. 163 and appropriate New Jersey Department of Health guidelines.
Since declaring a COVID-19 public health emergency in March 2020, Murphy signed a series of executive orders aimed at reducing the spread of the virus by limiting and restricting activities in eating and drinking establishments across the state.
Beginning in May 2020, Shamrock racked up a dozen ABC charges for violating those orders.
“As a result of its blatant and continued disregard for ABC regulations and the law, Shamrock Beef and Ale has lost the privilege of serving alcohol during the busy summer months,” said James Graziano, director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control. “We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, compliance with COVID-19 executive orders is a requirement, not an option. Public safety is paramount to the ABC and we will continue to hold accountable any establishment whose failure to comply threatens the health of its patrons and the public at large.”
The ABC has initiated enforcement actions against 264 establishments in response to COVID-19 related violations by licensees dating to March 2020. Those actions have delivered warnings, and sought fines, license suspensions, and license revocations.
For the latest information on executive orders and regulations pertaining to sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages during the COVID-19 state of emergency, visit the ABC’s website at https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-alcoholic-beverage-control-home/.
