Illegal 200-person party busted inside Ozone Park catering hall

Queens Luxe Banquet Hall on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park. Photo via City Sheriff’s Office

By David Brand

New York City deputy sheriffs broke up an illegal party inside an Ozone Park catering hall early Saturday morning, scattering more than 215 attendees who gathering in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions.

Four employees were charged with criminal and public health offenses for organizing the party inside the Queens Luxe Banquet Hall on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“Patrons were not social distancing, not wearing proper face coverings, and not adhering to the Mayoral and Gubernatorial COVID-19 Emergency Executive orders,” the sheriff’s office told the New York Post.

Indoor gatherings are capped at 50 people in New York City under state public health rules.

In addition to violating capacity and gathering rules, the catering hall did not have a liquor license, the sheriff’s office said.

Luxe Banquet Hall has not yet responded to requests for comment.