REPORT: NYC's Black Gay Bar Chi Chiz to Lose Liquor License?

Photo: Chi Chiz Gallery

There are new developments in the ongoing problems with Chi Chiz, the predominately Black gay bar on New York City's Christopher Street recently subjected to several raids and closures. In late August, the New York Police Department's nuisance abatement lawsuit was postponed until November. And in a separate action last week, the New York State Liquor Authority heard testimony from undercover police officers who completed drug buys at the bar, reports Gay City News. The Liquor Authority seeks to revoke the bar’s license, "which would effectively close the establishment."

"A New York City police department detective said a drug dealer met an undercover officer at a Starbucks near Seventh Avenue and Grove Street to make a drug sale, but the dealer insisted they walk two-and-a-half blocks to finalize the sale in Chi Chiz. “He kept on arguing with the undercover to go, and the undercover was adamant about not going there,” Frederic Ortiz said at a September 23 hearing at the authority’s New York City offices. ... Police arrested two men after the drug sale was completed, one outside Chi Chiz and a second inside the bar. Neither man was a bar employee or owner.

Citing the same drug arrests, the city brought a nuisance abatement lawsuit against Chi Chiz in March that sought to close the bar. On August 26, that case was postponed until November because Chi Chiz brought a counter-claim charging the suit was motivated by racial and anti-gay animus. Both actions may be moot. Lynn disclosed at the liquor authority hearing that the Chi Chiz owners are trying to sell the business. A new owner might close the business and reopen under a new name with a different business model.

The NYPD cites four drug sales that police say happened at Chi Chiz  between July of 2009 and January of 2010. But the bars owners' and many patrons believe the NYPD and Bloomberg Administration is targeting the bar because local residents resent the club and black/Latino gay youth in the West Village.

In March 2010, Chi Chiz was raided and temporarily shut down by the NYPD. On the night of the raid, owners and witnesses identified an undercover NYPD officer who shouted anti-gay epithets outside the club.

You May Have Missed:
Report: NYPD Officer Shouted Anti-Gay Slurs at Black Gay Bar
Activists Fight Closure of Chi Chiz
UPDATE: Chi Chiz Remains Open for Now

Comments

[Mike D]

I believe the resentment and harrassment charges by the cops concerning Chi Chiz. There are a few 'white' bars that dot Christopher St., but I doubt they are targeted for drugs as heavily. Its' really a shame, because if anybody's actualy gone there, they would know Chi Chiz is just a bar where Blk dudes (and those that want them)go to see, be seen, cruise, play Spades and chat - just like any other bar on the 'strip'. I used to go when the Eagle and such were (?) in the area. If there wasn't massive amounts of drug deals going on there - I don't know what to say....
This is the same type of harrassment that used (?) to happen on the Piers - pre and post renovation. The people down there only want us around for a few thangs. Once the 'noveltly' of that wears off - apparently we should go back to where we came from...SMH

[soulbrotha]

It seems so obvious that this is a set-up. I just hope the patrons and owners don't roll over and play dead and instead fight the city tooth and nail against this sham.

[NGblog]

What you call liquor license being revoked, I hear $hakedown.

[Jim]

“...a different business model.”

That’s a new code word for “white.”

[Diva1961]

@Jim: You are exactly right. That is the new code for turning any minority establishment into a white establishment. Just like saying an minority applicant doesn't have the correct degree, when a white a white applicant has no degree.

One has to always listen to what is not being said. The between the lines conversation is astonding. I worked as a professor in large white university for 18 years, and the things the academicians said who make any klansman pround.

Of course the klansman would have to be well educated to understand the words used ( and these klans type people are indeed in higher education), but the way people speak about equlity for all (meaning no more affimative action or any program to level the playing field). This talk about we know have a black president and how there is no more racism because of it. People are crazy.

If Chi Chi's only sold soda I would go just to support them and let them know I know the racist deal that's going down.

What drug dealer would drag a sale two blocks elsewhere to complete a deal. Especially if they could lose the deal? It's so illogical on sooo many levels.

[Dan]

Been going to Chi Chiz for years, and have never encountered such as testified here. Can't help believing the worst -- it's sheer racism. How sad.