UPDATE: Operator Of The Sloppy Tuna In Montauk Says It Will Open This Summer

UPDATE: 3:16 P.M.

The operator of The Sloppy Tuna in Montauk says it will reopen this summer on schedule. The fate of the popular restaurant/bar was in doubt following a statement by owner Drew Doscher on Tuesday night stating that it would not reopen again, at least not in the same location, after a New York State Supreme Court ruling forced the owners to relinquish their control of the restaurant and bar and place it into temporary receivership.

Drew Doscher, who owns 50 percent of The Sloppy Tuna, known as 148 South Emerson Associates, LLC, said the bar would reopen somewhere else and an announcement on where would be coming soon.

“The Sloppy Tuna as you and we know it will unfortunately not be opening at the same location in Montauk this summer …,” Mr. Doscher posted on the Sloppy Tuna’s Facebook page on Tuesday night. “It is with my deepest sorrow that so many employees and tourists from all over the world will never enjoy the true Sloppy Tuna Montauk again.”

Charles Russo, a Hauppauge attorney, is currently the court appointed temporary receiver of the bar and will remain so, unless The Sloppy Tuna’s owners can show cause in a Riverhead court on April 6 as to why the order of receivership should not be continued, according to court documents dated March 16.

Mr. Russo said the restaurant/bar will reopen this summer as The Sloppy Tuna. On Wednesday, he called Mr. Doscher’s claims “completely erroneous.”

“It’s our full intention to open on time and conduct business as usual,” Mr. Russo said.

The court order states that Mr. Doscher would have to “immediately surrender control over and access to the daily operations and financial management of 148 South Emerson Associates, LLC to the temporary receiver … including but not limited to any/all keys to the premises, financial books and records, all usernames, passwords and account numbers connected to any/all bank accounts associated with the company … all tax records … employment agreements … and any other documents requested …”

Michael Meyer, the co-owner of the business, has been embroiled in a lawsuit with Mr. Doscher. Mr. Meyer and Mr. Doscher own the property along with Michael Meagher and Stephen Smith.

Mr. Russo said he would only be running the company and would not profit from it. He said the LLC would still profit from the business and rent would continue to be paid on the land.

Mr. Doscher on Wednesday said he would not comment on the issue beyond his Facebook post.

ORIGINAL STORY: 12:43 P.M.

The Sloppy Tuna faces an uncertain future after a New York State Supreme Court ruling could force its owners to relinquish their control of the popular Montauk restaurant and bar and place it into temporary receivership.

However, according to The Sloppy Tuna’s co-owner Drew Doscher of 148 South Emerson Associates, LLC, the bar will not open again this summer, at least not at its current location.

“The Sloppy Tuna as you and we know it will unfortunately not be opening at the same location in Montauk this summer …,” Mr. Doscher posted on the Sloppy Tuna’s Facebook page on Tuesday night. “It is with my deepest sorrow that so many employees and tourists from all over the world will never enjoy the true Sloppy Tuna Montauk again.”

Charles Russo, a Hauppauge attorney, would be the court appointed temporary receiver of the bar, unless its owners can show cause in a Riverhead court on April 6 as to why an order of receivership should not be carried out, according to court documents dated March 16.

The court order states that Mr. Doscher would have to “immediately surrender control over and access to the daily operations and financial management of 148 South Emerson Associates, LLC to the temporary receiver … including but not limited to any/all keys to the premises, financial books and records, all usernames, passwords and account numbers connected to any/all bank accounts associated with the company … all tax records … employment agreements … and any other documents requested …”

Michael Meyer, a 50 percent partner in 148 South Emerson Associates, LLC, have been embroiled in a lawsuit with Mr. Doscher. Michael Meagher and Stephen Smith own the property along with Mr. Meyer and Mr. Doscher.

According Mr. Doscher’s Facebook post, it is not clear where, or if, the new location of The Sloppy Tuna would be in Montauk.

The popular bar/restaurant, like many others in Montauk over the past couple of years, has been the subject of criticism and has received citations for being packed with rowdy summer crowds.

On Monday, a warrant was issued by East Hampton Justice Court for the arrest of the bar’s head of security, Robert Anderson, for failure to appear in court to answer to multiple violations. He faces fines of up to $10,000 and possible jail time.

Mr. Doscher could not be reached for further comment on the issue of temporary receivership or a possible relocation of The Sloppy Tuna. Mr. Russo did not immediately return calls to his law office seeking comment.