Sayreville revokes Krome’s liquor license
Borough officials charge club owners violated
stipulations of renewal
SAYREVILLE — Drinking at Krome, the former Club Bené, located on Route 35, will no longer be an option, since the borough has revoked the liquor license of the nightclub.
The council voted 5 to 1 last week to revoke the liquor license.
Only Councilman Jeff Pawlowski voted against the motion to revoke the license, saying that he was not in favor of closing down anyone’s business.
"I am not a Club Bené defender," said Pawlowski.
"A suspension would have been a better solution, rather than putting it totally out of business." he added.
Borough officials found that the club had been in violation of stipulations placed on the renewal of the license in at least nine separate instances.
According to Borough Attorney Judy Verrone, the club failed to notify the borough of a change of name from Club Bené to Krome, thereby violating the liquor license.
Also, the club was found guilty of allowing alcohol to be served on the premises when underage persons were present.
According to borough officials, there were also seven other violations when the club allowed violent acts and disturbances to continue in the area of the club, thus becoming a nuisance to nearby residents.
In one of those incidents, which occurred on Oct. 8, a New Brunswick man allegedly shot four to five times in the air with a .22 caliber automatic handgun while in the parking lot of the nightclub.
Although no one was injured, the incident resulted in several other fights and congestion around the club, and police were forced to call for assistance of police from neighboring municipalities.
Residents who live near the club and testified on behalf of borough police thanked the council for revoking the club’s license.
"I’m glad you heard our pleas," said resident Debbie Jackson.
Jackson said the borough should not feel guilty about their decision to revoke the club’s license.
"The borough council did not put Tom Beninato out of business; Tom Beninato put himself out of business," said Jackson.
Beninato is the president of Kozy Lanes Inc., the company trading as Club Bené or Krome.
Resident Tom O’Leary also thanked the council for the decision.
"I feel you all made a very good decision in the public’s interest," said O’Leary.
In July, police testified to the council against the renewal of the liquor license of the club.
After hearing the case against the club, the borough decided on Sept. 25 to renew the license of Krome, with stipulations.
Then on Oct. 18, borough police filed 21 additional charges against the club, citing violations of renewed stipulations placed on the renewal of the liquor license.
Late last month, club owners announced that plans were under way to sell the property even if the license were not renewed.
Last weekend, the club was open for business for a children’s event, according to Frank Beninato Jr., attorney for the nightclub.
After the borough’s decision, the club appealed to the New Jersey director of Alcoholic Beverage Control on Thursday to reverse the decision by the borough, but that appeal was denied, Beninato said.
The club is now planning on filing an application with the borough to appeal the revocation, Beninato said.

