Update:

Original post: Nightclubs and cabarets have been officially banned in downtown Patchogue.

During Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, the majority of trustees approved a law that prohibits any business in the village’s D2 or D3 zoning areas to apply to become a nightclub or cabaret.

Those businesses that have already obtained a nightclub license, such as Stereo Garden, will be grandfathered in, according to the village.

In the meeting, Patchogue Village Attorney Brian Egan clarified the key distinction of a nightclub or caberet.

“The permanent or temporary removal of chairs from such an establishment to permit any live entertainment, disc jockeys, dancing, [during] hours of operation beyond normal times of dining, shall constitute the creation of a nightclub or cabaret,” he said, reading from the statute.

Egan proceeded, saying the creation of this law comes in response to increasing amount of restaurant and bars opening up its floors during nighttime.

“We’ve had the increase frequency of the establishments who have their approved use as a restaurant moving tables and chairs to increase their occupancy,” explained Egan.

“Increasing their occupancy is illegal on a fire department standpoint, and illegal on its approved use stand point.”

No one spoke out against the measure, which was approved by the Village Board with village trustee Thomas Ferb abstaining and Patchogue’s mayor, Paul Pontieri, away on vacation.

Later, the executive director of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, David Kennedy, said he believes all the existing downtown establishments “want to comply and will comply with the codes as they currently stand now.”

“It doesn’t appear there’s really much interest from any of the current bar and restaurant owners on Main Street to take that next stop to a cabaret-nightclub,” he added. “Certainly the nightlife in Patchogue is thriving and doing well, and we don’t see the need for nightclubs beyond what currently exists.”

This is an ongoing story; check back for developments.