W55 Liquor License Survey response

Two weeks ago, we asked all the folks on our mailing list to take a short six-question sponsored by the West 55 Block Association to determine if we should become more active about this issue. The main conclusion: Survey responders were split on the questions, with the majority leaning towards NOT getting involved with the movement to decrease the number of liquor licenses. Here are the results:

Of the 260 people on our email list, 27 responded to the liquor license survey. Of these 27, 25 said they lived on West 55th Street.


1. Are you concerned about the growing number of places serving alcohol in Hell's Kitchen?

Yes, very much: 22.2% (6)
Yes, a little 22.2% (6)
I don't care one way or the other 11.1% (3)
No, not at all 44.4% (12)
Rating Average 2.78

Conclusion: Most of the people who answered the poll don’t care one way or the other or are not at all concerned about the growing number of places serving alcohol in Hell’s Kitchen.

2. Have you noticed an increase in noise in the neighborhood?

Yes, and it bothers me a lot 18.5% (5)
Yes, and it bothers me a little 18.5% (5)
Yes, but it doesn't bother me 11.1% (3)
No, I have not noticed an increase in noise 51.9% (14)
Rating Average 2.96

Conclusion: Most of the people who answered this poll have not noticed an increase in noise in the neighborhood.

3. On a scale of 1-4 how much of the noise in the neighborhood do you think is caused by people drinking alcohol at restaurants, bars, clubs, on the street? (1 is a strong link between alcohol and noise level, 4 is no link between alcohol and noise level.)

1- strong link 25.9% (7)
2- somewhat of a link 40.7% (11)
3- weak link 22.2% (6)
4- no link 11.1% (3)
5- Rating Average 2.19

Conclusion: Most of the people who answered the poll this there is somewhat of a link between noise and people drinking alcohol at restaurants, bars, clubs, on the street.

4. Do you think the West 55th Street Block Association should get more involved in trying to decrease the number of liquor licenses that are approved for the Hell's Kitchen area?

Yes, absolutely 18.5% (5)
Yes, why not? 25.9% (7)
No, it's no big deal 37.0% (10)
No, absolutely not 18.5% (5)
Rating Average 2.56

Conclusion: Survey responders were split on these question, with the majority leaning towards NOT getting involved with the movement to decrease the number of liquor licenses.

About 45% of the people who answered the poll think the West 55th Street Block Association should get more involved in trying to decrease the number of liquor licenses that are approved for the Hell's Kitchen area.

About 55% of the people who answered the poll think the West 55th Street Block Association should NOT get more involved in trying to decrease the number of liquor licenses that are approved for the Hell's Kitchen area.

5. How much would you PERSONALLY commit to supporting an effort to decrease the number of liquor licenses granted in the Hell's Kitchen area?

I would help a lot -- 3 or more hours a week 0.0% (0)
I would help some -- 1 or 2 hours a month 11.1% (3)
I could help from time to time 33.3% (9)
I would not be able to help 55.6% (15)
Rating Average 3.44

Conclusion: Most of the people who answered the poll would not be able to help on this issue. But several said they could help from time to time.


A sample of written comments:

>>>“a couple of months ago I counted 4times as many liquor licenses being granted in Clinton as ten years ago. CB4 should be able to give a year by year count of the number of applications and approvals they've dealt with.”

>>>“Address the noise, kitchen smells and exhaust fan noise coming from three business on west side of 8th ave between 55th and 56th sts. These issues affect residents at the backs of buildings near the corner of 55th st and 8th ave.

Many trucks delivering to Westerly Market are idling beyond the legal time, while parked outside 310 W 55thSt. Can the store owner/manager have some affect on them.”

>>>“Most of the noise we hear is from large groups of young people traveling west on 55th street between 8th and 9th. I'm not sure where they have been or, for that matter, where they are going. Usually this occurs between 1:00 and 3:00 AM. I don't think there is anyway that limiting future availability of future liquor licenses is going to solve the current problem.”

>>>“It's NYC. Peoples who live here and visit here enjoy local bars and restaurants. BA should get involved with specific bars and restaurants that are not respectful of residents or are creating nuisance issues.”

>>>“Neighborhoods need restaurants and restaurants need alcohol, places were friends and neighbors can gather ,,,,,people can drink on 34 street and walk up to 55 St ,,,some can just drink in the street ,,,,,more important than trying to restrict liquor licenses, that would compromise businesses,,,,,in an already depressed economy ,,,,,,

This is NYC . . . not the country . . . you want peace, quiet and tranquility move to the country and drive 10 minutes to go out for dinner.

How about doing something about the homeless that live on the streets between 54 - 62 Street . . . on 9 Avenue . . . the homeless who have passed out from over consumption of alcohol . . . and goodness knows what else . . . medically concerned . . . those who may even be dead . . . as we continue to step over their bodies . . .

and rest assured they were not drinking in any neighborhood establishment.”

>>> “I think nightlife makes this neighborhood great, and if anything, additional liquor licenses should be encouraged to add to the vitality of the neighborhood.”

>>> “Obviously, this is a very tricky situation. We want to keep the area quiet and SAFE for residents, yet still encourage real estate development. This is a conversation that should be held with sensitivity to both sides of the issue.”

>>> “We're really enjoying all the new wine bars. And they're so packed, we could use a few more, so we could get a seat! ;-)”

>>> “Something odd is going on in the area. Many yuppie people hanging out, don't seem like neighborhood people. I have noticed in the last few months that neighborhood is changing and the people seem more suburban than city people.”

>>> “Since these restaurants are making good cash money, ought to be enough to fund foot patrol from our police in the early morning hours.?”

>>> “As a group, I think we should keep the focus of the block association on the BLOCK itself (and its IMMEDIATE environs) and not get involved with battles over liquor licenses for establishments in other parts of Hell's Kitchen. 1) We might lose our 501(c)3 if we get involved with causes that are not necessarily "charitable" 2) One of the great things that define NYC are its energy and nightlife. I'm appalled at the Disneyfication of NYC that started under Giuliani. I'm not opposed to new clubs, per se. And I'm definitely not opposed to new clubs that are far away from where I live 3) There are so many more POSITIVE ways to channel our energies as a group. Beautification and mentoring should be the GROUP's focus, not fighting the state liquor board. I have NO PROBLEM if people want to protest new liquor licenses on their own. And I have no problem with the Block Association serving as a vehicle for advertising these protests. But I don't believe it is appropriate for the W.55th Street Block Association as an organization to get involved.”

NOTE from CG: 501(c)(3) status for the W55 BA is still pending with the IRS. We are not official yet. We will let you know when we are. DO NOT DEDUCT YOUR DONATIONS FROM YOUR TAXES.