32 charged at New York gay bar after police drugs raid
A popular New York gay bar has been temporarily closed down following a drugs raid, police have confirmed.
Mr. Black, a popular gay venue in the NoHo district of New York City is well known for hosting evenings with bare-bottomed waiters.
32 people were arrested following the raid at 4:35 am on Saturday morning (9:45 am GMT).
Manhattan South narcotics police claim the venue was being used as an “open-air drugs market” and allegedly recovered 60 bags and vials of cocaine and a considerable amount of ecstacy.
Police allegedly found customers smoking cabanas, using cocaine and selling Ecstasy pills.
GaySocialites, quotes a customer saying: “Everyone knows you can do drugs without hiding at Mr. Black’s bar. It was almost like the staff there protected the drug users and dealers from police.”
The bar which was opened in 2006 is sited in a 1855 built Bavarian style beer hall is according to its website “neither too big that you loose yourself, nor too small that you can’t dance in.”
Police have charged 17 employees and 15 customers with the sale, use and possession of drugs.
The owners of Mr. Black were unreachable for comment.
