New Hell's Kitchen Gay Bar Alienates Neighbors

Neighbors in Manhattan's historic Restaurant Row are complaining about noise coming from Hell's Kitchen's newest gay bar(s) Vodka Soda and Bottoms Up. The bars, which are partly owned by the son of famous crime fiction writer Mickey Spillane are being accused of flaunting laws governing cabaret licenses.

"They basically set up a nightclub in a residential area," neighbor Eduardo Pirolli told DNAInfo.

At a Quality of Life Committee meeting of Community Board 4 on Monday, Pirolli and other residents of Restaurant Row, complained of "extremely amplified music" that shakes the walls of their buildings, as well as crowds of patrons whose cigarette smoke wafts into their apartments from the sidewalk.

"You come into our building, our building smells like an open ashtray," Pirolli said.

According to DNAInfo, the two attached bars, which occupy the first and second floors of 315 West 46th Street have a permit that only allows them to play background music and prohibits them from hosting DJ's or having a dance floor.

Although owners claim that there is no dancing in the establishment, photos on their Facebook page suggest otherwise.