The Greenpoint bar Coco66 has reopened nearly two years after cops conducted a disputed liquor license bust and poured out nearly $8,000 of booze in a Prohibition–style raid.
Flyers taped to front door of the watering hole at 66 Greenpoint Ave. announced that it would be back in action until 4 a.m. every night with all-night happy hour, DJs, and “yer fave bartenders.”
The NYPD, the State Liquor Authority, and other agencies stormed into the venue on July 10, 2011, arrested owner David Kelleran, drained his booze down bar sinks, and shut the place down for operating the establishment without a liquor license.
Kelleran previously admitted to this newspaper that his liquor license had lapsed, claiming that his check to the state had bounced but that he only received a warning letter three days after the raid.
Last year he sued the NYPD, claiming cops never should have poured out a drop of spirits and alleging they raided the wrong bar — it was his next-door restaurant, dubbed 68, that had problems with its liquor license, Kelleran claimed.
“The lawsuit has not been resolved,” said Kelleran’s attorney Craig Trainor.
Coco66 came to the attention of cops after neighbors complained about noise and over-capacity crowds in the months before the raid.
So Greenpointers say they will keep a close eye on the newly resurrected nightlife spot.
“It was definitely a pretty wild place,” said Billy Hearst, who lives nearby. “I’m curious to see what it’s going to be like this time.
Reach reporter Danielle Furfaro at dfurfaro@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2511. Follow her at twitter.com/DanielleFurfaro.
