New York’s State Liquor Authority has issued a warning to a restaurant after it began selling 25-cent martinis and Manhattans to customers in an effort to lure them in.
Anton’s Cafe and Wine Bar in the West Village announced earlier this month that it was reintroducing 25-cent martinis and Manhattans for customers every weekday lunch during January.
However, the discounted drinks offer was apparently in violation of a State Liquor Authority (SLA) law that prohibits businesses from serving free alcohol or discounted drinks priced at under half of their original price.
On Saturday, Anton’s chef and co-owner Nick Anderer said that the discounted drinks offer had come to an abrupt end after he was made aware of the violation.
“Starting next week, and for the remainder of the month, as per mandate from a State Liquor Authority official, we will be offering $9 Martinis and Manhattans for lunch,” the chef said.
“Apparently, ’special' prices on liquor/wine cannot be offered any lower than 50 percent of an establishment’s regular pricing. Wish us luck as we battle through a pending SLA case…just when we thought all the bureaucratic hurdles were behind us...And pls don’t cancel your lunch reservations…laissez les bons temps rouler!” Anderer said.
“This includes offerings of free drinks, or multiple drinks for free or for the price of a single drink, or for a low initial price followed by a price increment per hour or other period of time.”
An SLA spokesperson told The Epoch Times that it issued the restaurant with a warning.
“The SLA did not bring charges against this licensee. Following complaints about 25 cent martinis, SLA Investigators reached out to the licensee to issue a warning and remind them of their obligations,” the spokesperson said.
“In order to prevent over-service, the ABC Law prohibits licensees from offering unlimited drinks. The SLA has long considered drink specials that are priced lower than one-half of the businesses’ regular price for the same drink to constitute the type of offering the law prevents.”
“The SLA has long considered drink specials that are priced lower than one-half of the businesses’ regular price for the same drink to constitute the type of offering the law prevents. Following complaints about 25 cent martinis, SLA Investigators reached out to the licensee to issue a warning and remind them of their obligations,” the SLA spokesperson said.
Anton’s Cafe did not immediately respond to a request for comment.