Local Licensing Issues

The Amherst Select Board has granted Jason DiCaprio a full liquor license for a new brewery called High Horse that will move into space now occupied by the Amherst Brewing Company on North Pleasant Street. That eatery is moving at the end of the month and reopening at the former Leading Edge fitness facility August. […]

The Brookline Tab reports that a series of updated alcohol regulations proposed by the Brookline Board of Selectmen’s licensing review committee would tighten up Brookline’s liquor laws. If approved in their current form, the proposed regulations would reduce the number of drinks allowed without a meal, require employees to bring drinks to tables, and authorize […]

Newburyport News Interesting piece about whether a “sweepstakes machine” that allows people to play blackjack and poker for a prize is just a vending machine or is it considered gambling. That’s the question Salisbury selectmen are pondering after tabling a request for a business license by Dan Brown of New Bedford’s Nutel Communications. Nutel is […]

Big Shirl’s Kitchen in North Adams was given the go-ahead to allow its customers to bring in their own beer and wine, but the City Council will be looking at ways to regulate the practice, according to a Berkshires website covering local news. The council on Tuesday referred a request to create an ordinance related […]

West Tisbury diners on Martha’s Vineyard could soon be sipping beer and wine in a popular vacation spot that has long banned the sale of alcohol. Residents of West Tisbury, a “dry” island community on Martha’s Vineyard, hope to decide at Town Meeting if restaurants there will be permitted to serve beer and wine with […]

The Eagle Tribune reports that a large crowd of patrons and bystanders interfered with rescue workers as they tried to tend to a shooting victim at the Marabu nightclub on Union Street. Eric Santiago, 28, who gave an address of 2 Appleton St., Apt. 7, — which happens to be the address of Lawrence District […]

The Salem News reports that Ipswich Selectmen have revoked the all-alcohol liquor license held by Richard Poore, the former owner of the Whittier Motel. Poore and his company, North Shore Resorts, operated the motel — a landmark at the corner of Routes 1A and 133 — with a restaurant and bar from 1972 until January, […]

Although the recently auctioned Bay Pointe Country Club’s (in Wareham) future remains in question, already-booked brides and grooms can still get married there and reception guests can still toast them. The country club’s mortgage holder, which made the highest and only bids at last week’s auction, hired a management company to help with operations. “We […]

The Norwell Mariner reports that Bo’-Tes Imports and Market Place will be able to offer all manner of liquor rather than just beer and wine after being approved for a full liquor license by the board of selectmen. Tom and Mary Campanelli, owners of the specialty market located at 714 Main St. in Norwell, appeared […]

After a multimonth lull in the project, the developer of the Hilton Garden Inn extended-stay hotel under construction in the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone (DREZ) has new reason to cheer. The Devens Enterprise Commission granted tentative approval to both a common victualler (food preparation/sales) and a liquor license for the hotel. The approvals were conditioned […]

See the attached link for the ABCC information on the farmers’ market wine application; this license is governed by local authorities only and does not need ABCC approval. http://www.mass.gov/abcc/pdf/6-9-11%20Advisory%20for%20Farmer%20Market%20License.pdf

The owners of Wines & More in Mansfield Crossing have assured the town that the business is strong and it does not need a loan to stay in business. But, as reported by the Sun Chronicle, the liquor retailer might have to prove that after selectmen denied the store permission to put its liquor license […]

One third of Attleboro’s liquor stores have been accused of selling alcohol to minors. According to the city’s licensing board, a 19-year-old was able to buy booze at five shops in one night. It was the first offense for four stores. The licenses for Cozy Mart, Twin Liquors, Attleboro Liquor Mart and Yankee Spirits will […]

The Salem News reports that Danvers Selectmen have revoked the liquor license of the former Tequilas Bar and Grill on Route 1, the first time in 2 1/2 years the board voted to strip a license from a holder whose establishment had closed. Danversbank now has the Tequilas all-alcoholic-beverages license because it was pledged as […]

Interesting piece in the Worcester Telegram about the potential conflict of interest when a police officer maintains an ownership interest in a watering hole. Many police departments have a policy that requires the police chief to approve any outside employment by police officers.

Starting on June 1, some bars, nightclubs, and discos will be required to follow a new state fire safety regulation, 527 CMR 10.13, which requires any operator of a bar, night club, discotheque or dance hall that holds more than 100 people to designate what will be known as “crowd managers,” or individuals that are […]

The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune had a good piece of investigative reporting on the city of Lawrence bars and nightclubs, and the support those establishments receive from the city’s political leaders, including controversial Mayor W. Lantigua. The article discusses how Lantigua began using his political influence for the bars and clubs in 2003, the same year he […]

Foxboro has become the latest community to add a 0.75 percent local option meals tax on top of the state’s 6.25 percent tax. After about 90 minutes of debate this week, annual town meeting voted 318 in favor of the tax, 221 opposed. The tax will add 75 cents to a $100 tab for food […]

The Boston Herald reports that Olives owner Todd English, who has been taking some flak for focusing onhis out-of-state eateries, may be headed back to the kitchen at Olives. The Boston Licensing Board recently approved English’s request to be named manager of the shuttered Charlestown eatery. He would replace his ex-wife, Olivia, on the Olives […]

The Fall River Herald News reports that after obtaining a $5 million loan from BankFive, three city businessmen and partners are preparing to construct first-floor restaurants at the former Quaker Fabric headquarters and are seeking two available liquor licenses, Anthony Cordeiro said. “All of this becomes a modern look to a 140-year-old building tied into […]

The North Adams Board of Licensing has approved a restaurant license for the North Adams Country Club and golf course on the condition that no more than 35 percent of its total gross come from alcohol sales. The board referred to the past problems with the former Mountainview Restaurant, which had opened as a dining […]