Neighbors protesing the trendy Beatrice Inn's effort to renew its liquor license were outraged last week to find out that they were effectively wasting their breath.
By the time the issue had come to local Community Board 2 for a vote on Sept. 18, the hip celebrity hangout's renewal had already been approved by the State Liquor Authority (S.L.A.).
"Advise us on how to get rid of this place," pleaded one aghast neighbor.
Raymond Lee, chairman of the board's S.L.A. committee, explained that there was really little that the panel could do because -- despite allegations of the popular hotspot's "coke den" reputation -- the Beatrice on 285 West 12th Street had no record of violations with the S. read more »
