The Problem With Community Boards, Too, Or, Making The East Village Oversaturated With Boutiques, One Denied Liquor License At A Time

I understand your wanting to sleep, but where do you think I’m supposed to consume overpriced Euro-bistro fare in advance of vomiting absurdly marked-up bottles of wine in your gutter? You make it so hard to yobbo out in this town:

Neighborhood boos have nixed the booze at the European Union, a highly touted restaurant-pub slated to open later this month in the East Village.

The State Liquor Authority — responding to noise, traffic and sanitation concerns of area residents — has denied filmmaker-restaurateur Bob Giraldi and his partner, Jason Hennings, a liquor license for the eatery at 235 E. 4th St.

“We don’t have anything in particular against the establishment or the people involved, but Avenue B and East 4th Street are oversaturated with destination night spots,” said Susan Stetzer, district manager of Community Board 3.

“On Fridays and Saturdays between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., there are hundreds of people on the street. People can’t sleep. There’s tremendous horn honking.”

And, she added, “you can’t stand at the bus stop in the morning there’s so much vomit and garbage.”

Stetzer pointed out that the European Union — which has already spent more than $1 million on renovations — is being touted for its architecture and its well-known chef, Gwenael Le Pape.

“It’s designed to bring people into the area — and the area can’t accommodate one more person, one more cab or one more car,” she said.

See also: “Limits on Liquor Licenses Pinch Restaurant Owners,” (Times, February 1, 2006).