NEW YORK (WPIX)—
Turns out that round of shots you ordered at the bar the other night -- may not have been what you thought you were paying for.The State Liquor Authority is cracking down on hot spots across New York City after records revealed that many local establishments are ripping off patrons by refilling top notch bottles with cheaper booze, watering down cocktails, and serving drinks full of fruit flies.
According to records, the SLA fined many well known city clubs for a multitude of violations in 2008-2009 -- including Chelsea hot spot Marquee -- whom apparently settled with the agency for $100,000 in October.
Among the club's violations: hostile environment that led to fights, unregistered security guards and "contaminated" bottles, which a Marquee rep said was for fruit flies found in bottles of liquor.
Music venue BLVD/Crash Mansion was also forced to pay out over $16,000 in fines. On three separate occasions, the club, located on The Bowery, was charged with serving contaminated, fruit fly-infested alcohol, an improper display of its liquor license and allowing dancing without a proper cabaret license.
The SLA also found that many clubs in the city were violating a subdivision of the Alcoholic Beverage Control law by keeping liquor in improperly labeled containers.
Many of the club owners attempted to explain themselves, claiming the SLA's actions translate into a hidden state tax that is ruining their businesses.
"It made us sound like we are Public Enemy No. 1," a bartender told the New York Post. "It could have put us out of business."
