Last call for the Kells
The Boston Licensing Board tomorrow hears from the owners of the Kells on Brighton Avenue on their plan to sell the bar's liquor license to the Tavern in the Square chain.
Today, though, the board heard what could be the last police complaint related to the bar: That it served a drink near closing time on Dec. 13 to an underage guy using his older brother's out of state license e- who then got knocked unconscious by a bar worker rushing outside to deal with a possible fight.
Kells attorney Carolyn Conway said the knockdown was accidental - the kid was leaning against a tree when knocked into the fight-quelling worker, and that was enough to send him to the ground and knock him out.
Kells workers said the kid looked enough like his older brother to pass with his Rhode Island license. Board Chairman Daniel Pokaski, however, said workers at a bar in a student-heavy neighborhood in a student-heavy city should know better - and that out-of-state licenses are not considered legitimate IDs for drinking purposes in Boston.
The board will decide Thursday what to do about the infraction and about the request to sell the liquor license. The latter could make the former moot, since the board's powers consist of being able to suspend or revoke the license.
Comments
Does this mean Privus goes away, too?
I've always though Privus and The Kells were linked somehow by more than proximity. The Kells blows six ways to Sunday, but I would miss the Bon Chon chicken at Privus.
I know they have the same
I know they have the same owner, but so far I haven't heard anything about them closing as well. I hope they stay open, I love sushi and live jazz on Wednesdays!
"and that out-of-state
"and that out-of-state licenses are not considered legitimate IDs for drinking purposes in Boston."
That's not true at all. Out of state ID's are not recognized, but out of state licenses always are. Because, you know, if you own a car, then you're ok to drink, or something.
Heck
There was a period of time (early 90s, as I recall) when MA stoped issuing IDs (non-licence IDs that is), and the bars were refusing to take Passports. So yes, folks, in MA you *had* to drive to drink!
not always true...
a drinking establishment in massachusetts is not required to take an out of state license as ID for purchasing alcohol. they *may*, but they do not have to. and if they do take one, they are not protected against a possible claim for serving a minor. here's what the ABBC considers acceptable forms of ID to purchase alcohol.
What's crazy
It's not like the state the license was issued within even matters in this case. Is the licensing board suggesting that RI uses substandard cameras for their licenses whereas a MA license would have had a picture that could discern the difference between these younger and older near-twins? Get real. The guy produced an ID that looked like him. They served him a drink. That's enough due diligence for a bar in my opinion. I don't want to have to produce 3 forms of ID and sign a sworn statement just because the occasional teenager might imbibe a few ounces of booze. Geez.
Kaz for the win!
Boston: Where Everything Is Your Fault If You Sell Alcohol For A Living
It's pretty much a money
It's pretty much a money grab.
Why does the "liquor id" cost $10 more than the Massachusetts state ID?
Why does Massachusetts encourage out of state residents to purchase a Massachusetts liquor ID?
It's just a giant cash grab.
Know what would fix this problem?
Making the drinking age 18.
Seriously, does anybody who lives in this state have any common sense?
Um...
Where are you seeing a whole bunch of people on this blog saying "Thank goodness the drinking age is 21!!" ? :)
Personally, I believe the drinking age gets kids killed, and should be at least rolled back to 18, if not further. Just to start with.
I used to be a big proponent
I used to be a big proponent of lowering the drinking age to 18 for various reasons. Then I visited a university in england where almost everyone had a bottle of alcohol on their night stand, which was drank from at various points in the day, including 7am. So clearly, THAT policy isn't working out so great either.
Now I just think 21 is a good age for hard liquor, but wine and beer should be on a graduated system. Ie: 18 is fine to drink wine and beer at a restaurant with food, 19 at a bar with no food and 20 to buy for home use.
Mind you, I think Menino limiting clubs in boston from allow 18-20s did more harm than good.
18 Not So Great
I was 18 when the drinking age was lowered to 18. It was fun while it lasted, but I really don't think it was a good thing. Sure, we were drinking before it was lowered, but once it was lowered the drinking ratcheted up a lot. There were seniors in high school who could legally drink.Of course, those were the days when bars didn't really care that much that you might be drunk as a pig and driving. Things are different today, but ow that I have had and have kids in the 18-21 age range I'm glad the can't legally drink.
Secret versus Public
So you would rather have your kids drinking - sometimes way too much - quietly and in private rather than having a beer or two out with friends? That's the difference. Out of sight, out of mind, and out of control is the result of raising the drinking age. But we don't see the drinking by young people, so it isn't there? It isn't happening?
My niece is an ER nurse - she'll tell you different! So will any of the many college administrators who are campaigning for a lower drinking age. They have to deal with the consequences of the current policy.
Hell, I'll tell you
Hell, I'll tell you different.
We used to buy from a 16 year old friend that worked at his uncles convenience store and drink in the woods. Yup 16. Ahh the days of week old warm beer.
Prohibition in a free and open capitalist society doesn't work, it just drives it underground. You either give your good kids guidance and advice, or you ignore them and let the jungle teach them the hard way while hoping for the best.