Officials shut down New York City club following nearly 400-person party

New York City officials said they shut down an illegal club over the weekend that hosted nearly 400 people in violation of health precautions amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The New York City Sheriff’s Office tweeted Sunday that officials shut down an “illegal bottle club” in Manhattan with more than 393 people at 2:45 a.m. on Saturday. Four people were charged in connection with the gathering.

11/28/20 @ 0245 HRS: Deputy Sheriffs shut down illegal bottle club @ 202 West 36th St, NY: 393+ people, violation of emergency orders, no liquor license, warehousing liquor, 4 organizers charged with offenses for penal, health, alcohol beverage control laws & arrest warrant. pic.twitter.com/5zXIwuRkrG

— NYC SHERIFF (@NYCSHERIFF) November 28, 2020

The sheriff’s office also tweeted that the location did not have a liquor license alongside a photo of dozens of bottles of alcohol. 

In New York state, all private indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people. All bars, restaurants and other establishments also must close in-person services from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. 

Sheriff Joseph Fucito said on Sunday that his office has responded to similar gatherings approximately twice every weekend for months, The New York Times reported. Individuals paid to attend the gathering over the weekend and for alcohol. 

One of the individuals arrested at the party was the D.J., according to the times. 

COVID-19 cases have increased in New York City since the start of the fall. Health officials on Saturday reported 2,098 coronavirus cases and five fatalities in the city, according to the Times.