New York yanks liquor license after restaurant hosts Republican holiday party

The Whitestone Republican Club held a holiday party at a Queens, NY restaurant called Il Bacco.

Footage of the party went viral. Guests could be seen dancing and singing to the Bee Gees' "You Should Be Dancing." Vickie Paladino, a Republican candidate for New York City Council, is seen at one point leading the dance.

At least one person has been hospitalized for COVID-19 after attending the party. James Trent, chair of the Queens Village Republican Club, was admitted to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset where he is recovering from COVID-19.

Trent told The Queens Daily Eagle he was surprised that he got COVID after attending the party because he "…wasn't doing anything risky."

"I wasn't on the conga line. I ate by myself," he said. "I don't know how I got this."

At least two other people from the party, a husband and wife, have tested positive for the virus. Reports indicate that at least 50 people were in attendance. Restaurants were permitted to be open for indoor dining at 25 percent capacity in New York City at the time of the event, but patrons were required to wear masks except when sitting at their table.

In a statement the State Liquor Authority (SLA) said, "After video surfaced of a potential super-spreader holiday party at Il Bacco with mask-less dancing, the SLA immediately launched an investigation."

The liquor authority added, "During a follow-up inspection, investigators found flagrant violations of indoor dining regulations and existing health safety and Alcoholic Beverage Control laws, while verifying the mask-less party depicted in the video did in fact occur."

Calls to Il Bacco are directed to an answering machine stating that the restaurant will be closed until indoor dining is allowed again, according to NBC.

Club spokesman Robert Hornak told The Eagle that the club and the restaurant followed the rules as they existed at the time.

"We held an intimate gathering observing all the COVID guidelines in place at the time," Hornak said. "Every attendee was told to wear a mask, and everyone had one when entering, or was given one."

The Whitestone Republican Club defended the party in a defiant statement on Facebook. "Defending our personal liberties is paramount in a free society, and no one should be penalized, shamed, or ostracized for how they choose to live their life,” said the club in the statement.

Democrats across the country, have faced criticism for violating their own imposed COVID mandates. New York State Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo, who publicly criticized the party, Thursday announced his plans to attend the Buffalo Bills playoff game, after having instituted one of the country's strictest lockdowns.

The restaurant faces up to $10,000 per violation of the restrictions.