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Why Socialista in the Jane Hotel Building Was Shuttered

Where: 113 Jane Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10014

We reported last week that the sudden closing of restaurant Socialista brought even more drama to to the ever-growing list of issues at the Jane, the "micro-luxury" Manhattan hotel that has been plagued with a list of woes since its opening this fall. To be clear, the Socialista club is not affiliated with the Jane itself; it simply rents the space in the building from the hotel.

But since most of the hotel's public issues have had to do with a fairly serious and public rift between hoteliers Sean MacPherson/Eric Goode regarding complaints and protests by the building's SRO tenants — who claim the living conditions in the building are not so good (rats, occasional water issues) #&151; the Health Department calling out an establishment in the same building certainly doesn't help the hotel's image at all.

Official word on what caused the Health Department to step in at Socialista, via Grub Street:

Socialista was closed on Sunday, December 21 following an inspection that found several critical violations, including a sewage backup in the establishment’s kitchen while servers were preparing food, a non-functioning hand washing sink in a food preparation area, and mice droppings in two areas, including a bar. The establishment was also found without a compartment sink in the bar area to sanitize glassware. On December 13, 2008, Socialista was cited for allowing patrons to smoke, providing ashtrays, and not posting “No Smoking” signs or a no smoking policy, as required by the Smoke Free Air Act. Socialista was again found in violation of the Smoke Free Air Act on December 21.

Yikes. Again, we hope everyone down at 113 Jane Street can come together and work in (clean, smoke-free) harmony by the time 2009 gets going.