Community Board 2 backs SLA committee recommendation to deny liquor license for Francesco Café

Manhattan Community Board 2 discussed multiple public complaints about Francesco Café (55½ Green Street) during the licensing portion of its June meeting and proceeded in line with the SLA committee’s recommendation to deny the applicant’s request for a new beer-and-wine license.

Residents described past incidents they said raised doubts about the applicant’s ability to operate without disturbing a narrow residential block. Susan B. Anthony told the board that she had observed loud music from a private party at the cafe and said the owner had previously served wine without a permit. Rhonda Roland Scherer cited the State Liquor Authority’s earlier finding that the applicant lacked the character and fitness to hold a license and urged the board to affirm the SLA’s denial.

SLA committee chairs reported a number of "deny unless with stipulations" recommendations across recent applications and flagged Francesco’s application for separate discussion. After public comment and committee explanation that the applicant declined a layover to work with neighbors, the board voted in favor of the SLA committee’s recommendation on the Francesco matter.

Why it matters: The vote records local objections to late-night alcohol service on a narrow residential street and underscores the board’s role in recommending for or against SLA licensing based on neighborhood character and documented incidents.

What’s next: The board’s recommendation becomes part of the record submitted to the State Liquor Authority, which makes the binding licensing determination.