Brooklyn bartender delivers cocktails on bike amid coronavirus shutdowns

Coronavirus shutdowns are hurting so many businesses in New York City, especially bars and restaurants.

News 12 Staff

Mar 26, 2020, 12:19 PM

Updated 1,492 days ago

Share:

Coronavirus shutdowns are hurting so many businesses in New York City, especially bars and restaurants.
News 12 is told most of the staff at Izzy Rose in Clinton Hill was laid off, inspiring one worker to make the most of the change by delivering cocktails on the go.
When Tom Roughton woke up to the news that bars and restaurants would close except for takeout and delivery last Monday, the Izzy Rose bartender decided he wasn’t giving up.
“I called up the owner and I said like ‘we need to get some bottles, we need to get cracking’ and she was all over it,” says Roughton.
Customers call him to place orders for drinks like "the new normal" or "boundary tester." Then, the avid bicyclist delivers the booze on his bike across northern Brooklyn between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
undefined
"Oftentimes I'll get a call on my Bluetooth speaker while I'm riding and I'll tell them, I'll take their order when I get back,” says Roughton.
On top of that, he acts as cupid for those quarantined.
“All the singles are heavily on the dating apps, and so we kind of had the idea that we could, you know, we could facilitate that date just like we were before as the bar, you know. You can have a drink sent to you and one to your new match or you can send a cupcake send them too, and we send a little note with it,” says Roughton.
Roughton adds they are always sanitary, but especially during these times.
"We use the Square contactless reader before we leave every time we give it a wipe with some sanitizer spray. I use the hotspot on my phone when I go out. And they can either use Apple Pay or they put a chip in it and they touch it once. I put it in my bag as soon as I get back here, spray it down again. And before we leave every time a little sanitizer wash,” says Roughton.
The bar wants to continue deliveries as long as it can because it sees that the service is needed.


More from News 12
1:56
Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

1:46
NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

1:51
Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

1:43
See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

1:59
6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

0:29
Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

0:27
Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

1:55
Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

0:24
Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

2:03
Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

1:34
MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:30
Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

1:35
NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

2:02
Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

0:05
Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

1:54
Bronx Children's Museum offers familiar fun, valuable education for youth and families

Bronx Children's Museum offers familiar fun, valuable education for youth and families

0:19
NYPD: Woman wanted for punching another woman, stealing her phone in Highbridge

NYPD: Woman wanted for punching another woman, stealing her phone in Highbridge

2:07
Council Member Feliz plans to tackle rising vacant storefronts in the Bronx

Council Member Feliz plans to tackle rising vacant storefronts in the Bronx