#East Village partiers boo cops trying to break up sidewalk drinking amid coronavirus

Brazen outdoor drinking continued for a second night in the hotspot neighborhood Saturday, with boozers booing police who asked nicely that the mostly unmasked and non-socially distanced crowds go on home.

The drinking violated open container laws in the neighborhood for the second straight night.

“Is this f–king Mardi Gras? It looks like Ohio State decided to have Spring Break tonight,” one angry East Villager told The Post.

Marked NYPD vehicles circled streets in the neighborhood Saturday night, with sirens on while playing a pre-recorded message advising drinkers to keep at a safe distance.

Police ramped up their presence, with an albeit light touch, after Friday night revelers drew scorn from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and locals alike.

Police make their presence known to crowds gathered in front of East Village bars selling “to-go” drinks today.

William Miller

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“They’ve been out here all day doing really stupid s–t,” said Jamie, 64, who was sitting on a stoop in the neighborhood with friends.

“They’re not wearing masks. I don’t even think they live here. They’re just here to party.”

She noted, though, that while she’d like to see the police take action, she didn’t want unnecessary confrontations.

Partygoers have flocked to the neighborhood during the first weekend under Phase One of the state’s coronavirus reopening.

While restaurants and bars remain banned from allowing patrons inside, they’re still allowed to offer take-out and delivery booze options.

Many out Saturday night were not wearing masks, prompting a bartender at East Village Social to take to the sidewalk with a megaphone to ask crowds to cover their faces.

Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, criticized the bars for facilitating the outdoor boozefest but said elected officials share some blame for not creating safe ways for the establishments to make money.

“Serving customers who hang out on the sidewalks and streets violating open container laws, and setting up tables before we are permitted, jeopardizes the progress we’ve made to flatten the curve. And serving patrons not wearing masks does not help either,” Rigie said in a statement.

“However, this pent-up demand demonstrates why our restaurants and bars need a lawful, regulated outdoor eating and drinking system now, and must be provided clear guidelines and expectations on when they can open outdoors and inside.”