Astoria sex club busted for breaking COVID rules

Sheriff’s deputies busted an Astoria swingers club, where more than 80 people gathered Saturday and Sunday. Photo via NYC Sheriff/Twitter

By David Brand

Authorities early Sunday morning busted a sex party in Astoria, where more than 80 people crowded into a three-story club in violation of COVID capacity limits. 

Deputies from the New York City Sheriff’s Office broke up the festivities at 40-19 20th Avenue just after midnight Sunday. The event was organized by the company Caligula, which touts itself as “the hottest on-premise swingers club in all of New York” on its voicemail message. Caligula did not respond to a phone message seeking comment and has removed its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Caligula has in the past advertised “Nymphomania,” “Anything But Clothes” and “Sinful Sunday Social” events. 

The venue is located inside Queens’ “yellow zone,” where gatherings are capped at 25 people. In zip code 11105, where the club is located, the 7-day average COVID test positivity rate stands at 2.93 percent, according to the most recent data from the city Health Department.

Two club organizers were hit with various charges for allegedly violating the state’s emergency health orders. 

In addition to exceeding capacity rules, Caligula did not have a liquor license, the city sheriff said.

The penalties include a $1,000 fine for violating health codes and running an unlicensed bottle club, Gothamist reported. 

One patron was also charged with multiple misdemeanors, according to the sheriff’s office.