Rob Shamlian Opens ‘The Cellar’ at Tiny Fork Despite SLA Denial
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Controversial operator Rob Shamlian continues to defy the Lower East Side community in which he’s so financially entrenched. Despite an emphatic denial by the State Liquor Authority, the basement space at his latest Hell Square venture, Tiny Fork, is officially operational. It’s called The Cellar (how clever), yet no liquor license exists to serve down there (listed as “inactive” in SLA records). Nevertheless, the opening “preview party” transpired last week.
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Seating at the Cellar, Photo: Joonbug
Pay-for-play site Joonbug provided the following shill for the Cellar on Monday:
But after dinner (or before dinner, who are we kidding?) drinks are more convenient than ever at The Cellar, the recently-opened lounge beneath Tiny Fork. This word-of-mouth (er, blog) space is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 10pm, and features a full-service bar in its nautical themed decor.
The SLA heard, and subsequently denied the case for Tiny Fork’s alteration in early October. Chairman Rosen singled out a few reasons for the decision, including concern that the addition of a cellar bar would move the establishment more toward a tavern than its initial stated method of operation (i.e. restaurant). He also mentioned Shamlian’s less-than-stellar reputation on the Lower East Side.
So, this can only mean that Shamlian is illegally operating a basement club at this address.