Beer Truck Nixed at Nyack Street Fair

Sunday's in Nyack will have a variety of merchants, eats and drinks. But one thing that won't be present is a beer truck.

The bar-on-wheels—a trailer that serves beer from three taps—was the hopeful enterprise of Nyack's . The downtown bar had planned to set up the mobile watering hole in the Riverspace parking lot from noon to 5 p.m. during the all-day bazaar.

The truck was slated to include an enclosed area with two security guards, and patrons would not be able to leave the designated space with alcohol. Only people of legal drinking age would be allowed to enter, said Robert Lewis, an attorney representing Pour House at Thursday evening's board of trustees meeting.

Lewis also noted food would not be served as to not compete with nearby restaurants.

But a number of legal intricacies hindered the idea. Pour House, as of last night, was still waiting for approval from the State Liquor Authority. Further, trustees noted Pour House had to notify , a step that had not been taken. 

Trustees also noted the truck was an issue from both liability and public policy standpoints.

"It's potentially opening up [Nyack] for a number of problems," said trustee Steve Knowlton, who added that the street fair can bring upward of 20,000 visitors.

"I don't want to see public consumption of beer or open [alcohol] containers downtown," added Richard Kavesh, Nyack's mayor.

Trustees added that the truck may reinforce the image of Nyack as a drinking destination, a label linked to recent incidents like and .

Knowlton noted the truck may have a place in a different context, like a Nyack Oktoberfest where food is also served and beer is a cultural centerpiece.