No Vodka for Veselka?

Posted by Sarah DiGregorio at 1:42 PM, March 14, 2008

No word yet on when the new Bowery branch of Veselka, the venerable Ukrainian soul food spot, will open, but when it does, you may not be able to toss back Ukrainian vodka with your borscht.

Community Board 3 has denied a full liquor license to Veselka Bowery, on the grounds that there are eight other full, on-premise liquor licenses within 500 feet planned restaurant, and that the first location operates successfully with only a beer and wine license.

The board concludes that the only justification for a full liquor license is the high rent. Ouch.

Although the minutes from the community board meeting indicate that Veselka withdrew its application, a source at the restaurant said he believed the fight for a full bar is "going forward, through turbulence."