Greenpoint music venue shut down by DOB for operating without permits
GREENPOINT, Brooklyn (WABC) -- The New York City Department of Buildings shut down a well-known rock venue in Brooklyn over the weekend.
Saint Vitus Bar, on Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint, was closed by inspectors in the middle of a band's performance Friday night.
They say they received complaints in previous years about the bar and that the venue operating without the proper permits.
As a result, officials conducted an inspection and said they found approximately 250 people assembled in an illegal eating and drinking establishment.
They issued a violation to the property owner for "operating the unpermitted place of assembly, contrary to the legal occupancy of the building."
DOB officials said it is the second time the venue has been issued a violation. The other violation was given in July 2023.
"They need to get a temporary CO, right now, I believe to operate and come into compliance," said NYC City Councilmember Keith Powers. "We're going to help them try to get through those issues, hopefully."
The DOB added Saint Vitus Bar never applied for a certificate of occupancy when it opened its doors in 2011.
Saint Vitus' owners say they're working to resolve the issue to re-open its doors.
"It's one of the few independent music venues in New York City that still exists," said Powers. "They're fighting to stay alive here."
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