By Maya Mau
At their January 2022 meeting, the Community Board 7 Business and Consumer Issues Committee approved three new liquor licenses for Upper West Side businesses, giving insight into what’s coming and happening in the neighborhood.
The Wallace, a luxury boutique hotel at 242 West 76th Street (between Broadway and West End), requested a permit to serve alcohol in the lounge in the lobby and on the lower level for corporate events. The hotel hopes that this will be the final piece to adding food and beverage to a hotel that needs those services. The hotel, which was renovated and reopened in October 2020, features 124 guest rooms including 50 suites. It prides itself on having technologically advanced amenities. Though the bar will be for hotel guests, it will also be open to the public. Though some committee members expressed reservations about the parking situation, the request was approved by the committee.
Sunrise Senior Living, an operator of retirement homes and other housing for senior citizens, runs hundreds of facilities across the nation and in Canada. They are currently constructing another at 2330 Broadway (between 84th and 85th) and plan on opening in the first half of 2023. As they do at their other locations, they hope to provide dining services, including beer and wine, for residents and guests. There is already another location in Manhattan at 139 East 56th Street. After a few members expressed excitement, the request was approved.
Tropical Sensation, a Dominican restaurant at 953 Amsterdam Avenue (on the corner of 107th), recently renegotiated a lease with the landlord, who wanted a new entity formed. As such, the restaurant was required to get new certificates, including a new liquor license. However, it is the same family that will be running the full-service restaurant with recorded music. The request was approved by the committee.
The liquor licenses are pending final approval by the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA).