Patchogue Bar Spurs Controversy With Shooting Death Gambling Pool

PATCHOGUE, NY — The Cliffton in Patchogue Village has again become embroiled in controversy from social media posts when a post on the bar's Instagram account detailed a gambling pool comparing shooting deaths in Chicago and New York City. The bar found itself in hot water about a year ago, after many people complained about a post that included a transphobic joke at the expense of two bar patrons who didn't know their photo was being taken.

This time, the public outcry is about a gambling pool the self-professed dive bar is holding on Labor Day weekend based on how many shooting deaths will happen in New York City and Chicago. An Instagram post from last week showed the purchased boxes of bets with a caption reading: "Numbers are up early. Let the shooting sprees begin." Another photo lists the rules of the gambling pool, and how the official count of deaths will be obtained, from The New York Times and Chicago Tribune.

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Stephen Finney of Mastic saw the posts Sunday on Instagram but tells Patch they have since been removed. Although Finney has never been to the bar, he says he has no plans to patronize it in the future.

"After the transphobic posts last year there was absolutely no way I'd go there. Many of my friends in the service industry feel the same way."

James Skidmore, former president of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, told Patch that the process to remove the bar from the chamber has started.

"It needs to go through proper channels and be put to a vote as per the bylaws of the chamber."

The Long Island chapter of the Brady anti-gun violence group announced they went a step further and lodged formal complaints with the Patchogue mayor, the Attorney General of New York State, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, media outlets and the FBI.

Attempts to contact the owners of The Cliffton have been unsuccessful.

What do you think about this controversy? Tell us in the comments.