Party on Hold at Montauk's Harbor Raw Bar

After reports of overcrowding and other problems at Harbor Raw Bar and Lounge near the Montauk Docks, East Hampton Town got a judge on Wednesday to agree to put the clamps on the party.

In her decision, Acting Supreme Court Justice Denise F. Molia granted a temporary restraining order that blocked the use of the restaurant as a nightclub and said that its owners could face criminal contempt charges if they allowed the number of patrons to exceed its official occupancy limit of 68 guests.

According to a statement issued by East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell, Harbor had been cited on multiple occasions with as many as 300 people on premises.

The restraining order is in place until July 30, when the both sides will return for a court conference.

Harbor was represented in the proceeding by Harvey Arnoff, a Riverhead lawyer.

Spiritoso L.L.C. paid $2.85 million when it bought the property at 440 West Lake Drive in Montauk on Jan. 30. The key management players are James Willis and Robert Hirsh, according to Whalebone Magazine. They brought in Ja Rule for a well-attended Memorial Day weekend rap performance.

In his statement, Mr. Cantwell said, "This is part of the Town of East Hampton's effort to address those businesses that have turned their establishment into nightclubs with the requisite approvals and invited overcrowding without regard to the occupancy limits set forth in state law."

He said that Harbor did not have a sprinkler system and that it had been cited on multiple occasions since May for overcrowding.