Within a week of the grand opening of the Loft at Dreamland last month, the Oak Bluffs bar violated nine liquor control regulations, police said Tuesday.
In a public disciplinary hearing before the town selectmen, Det. James Morse said the liquor license violations he found included over-serving intoxicated patrons, which he observed during a Saturday night visit to the new bar and entertainment venue.
In prior years, the 5,300-square-foot space on Oak Bluffs avenue was used for sporadic events and band concerts under the name Dreamland MV, but in March, it reopened as an adult game room, featuring billiards, shuffleboard and other arcade games.
Owner J.B. Blau, who also owns the Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company downstairs with his partner, Alex Nagi, as well as Sharky’s Cantina, told the board via email that he could not attend the hearing due to illness. Mr. Blau did not return a phone call from the Gazette seeking comment on Wednesday.
In his absence, selectmen postponed disciplinary measures until both sides could be heard.
A continuation of the hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 7.
Meanwhile, the owners must work to correct the violations or risk suspension of their liquor license.
“We have some people who have been in this business for a long time in multiple locations, and they should know the rules,” said selectman Gregory A. Coogan. “Right or wrong, I feel like we are being avoided here a little bit tonight.”
Selectman Walter Vail expressed discomfort with allowing the bar to operate.
“Right now I feel like I am taking a risk by not doing anything,” he said.
Selectman Gail Barmakian agreed.
“I don’t want to close him down but I want at least some insurance that they are going to continue working these things out,” she said.
In all, Mr. Morse documented nine violations to state alcoholic beverages rules, including two counts of over-serving patrons with extreme levels of drunkenness.
“Approximately five minutes after I entered, a patron approximately 25 years of age . . . fell backwards into me,” he said during the hearing.
The man exhibited “boisterous” behavior and had “bloodshot, glassy eyes,” he added.
A second alleged inebriate walked in a “serpentine” manner before “passing in and out of consciousness,” while seated in a chair, Mr. Morse said.
“The level of intoxication of this patron was extreme and obvious prior to his buying a can of beer,” Mr. Morse wrote in the written police report.
Both patrons were eventually removed from the bar, he wrote.
Mr. Morse also observed the bartender serve three drinks to a single patron (the limit is two) as well as a pitcher of beer to a single patron (two or more patrons are required), according to the report.
The report also notes that management changed the layout of the establishment without receiving approval, and failed to post drunk driving warning signs as well as the occupancy load.
Police are also alleging a failure to obtain an updated occupancy permit from the fire department as well as a licenses for entertainment and pool tables. Management applied for the entertainment license in November, but never finalized it, administrative assistant Alice Butler told the board.
Mr. Blau later successfully argued his case to the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, which found that the loft was not required to apply for a new liquor license.
Police chief Erik Blake, who attended the hearing, said his department wants to work with the owners to correct the violations.
“I have been here 28 years, and so has he, so there is really no excuse to open up a business, change the use and then ask for forgiveness later,” he said.
In other spot checks of local establishments also conducted in March, Mr. Morse found that the Ritz Cafe failed to publicize a $5 cover charge and did not provide a receipt for the charge, according to his report.
At Linda Jean’s, also on Circuit avenue, Mr. Morse said signage displaying penalties for drunk driving were missing from the premises.
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