Ferris Wheel’s Liquor License Suspended Due To COVID-19 Regulation Violations

OSWEGO – The Ferris Wheel bar in the city of Oswego has had its liquor license suspended yesterday after State Liquor Authority Investigators discovered dozens of patrons at the establishment not wearing face covers or socially distancing.

According to a press release from Governor Andrew Cuomo, based on numerous complaints that the bar was overcrowded with no social distancing, SLA Investigators visited the establishment on August 27 and observed approximately fifteen patrons lined up outside the bar waiting to enter.

The line quickly grew to approximately 25 individuals, several of whom were observed without facial coverings and all ignoring social distancing. Investigators disclosed their identity and entered the premises, discovering between 40 and 50 patrons on the second floor, dancing and consuming alcohol, in complete disregard of the social distancing and face covering regulations. Investigators also noted that no food was being served during the inspection.

The Ferris Wheel’s liquor license had just been issued on July 8, 2020.

“Establishments, especially bars, should all be following the rules and guidelines set forth by the state,” Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow told Oswego County Today. “We know that investigators are regularly going through our community, and we work in full cooperation with them, to ensure social distancing compliance. To ignore the guidelines set forth by the state is disrespectful and ignorant to the rest of our community who have already sacrificed so much and I encourage and appreciate businesses who follow the guidelines and help protect Oswego residents from COVID-19. ”

This is one of 168 bars across the state to have its liquor license suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic due to egregious violations of pandemic-related Executive Orders.

“New Yorkers’ hard work is paying off, with the state maintaining an infection rate of less than 1% for over three weeks straight — but we must remain vigilant and continue to follow the guidelines that got us here or risk backsliding,” Cuomo said in the press release. “Compliance in higher-risk industries like bars and restaurants has been key to achieving this progress, and as today’s suspensions show, the state will hold bad actors who put public health in danger accountable. The vast majority of bar owners continue to take this public health emergency seriously, but my message to the small number who openly flout the rules is simple: we will not tolerate you putting yourselves, your customers, your employees, your neighbors, and our reopening at risk.”

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