Thursday the Liquor Commission meets for an unusually high number of Disciplinary Hearings
- Bok Choy Cafe, 2117 63rd Street
- The Cellar Door, 5150 Main Street
- Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 5157 Main Street
- Gatto’s 5123 Main Street
The nature of the Disciplinary Hearings can vary. The Police Department regularly attempts under-aged buys, but sometimes it is for other items. Earlier this year there was one involving an under-aged server.
These all involved the use of vertical IDs. All vertical IDs are under 21 only.
What gets me, is that The Cellar Door and Gattos is hardly the underage hangouts. Both places really cater to an older bar crowd.
Sorry, Watcher. You may have “heard” a business was pinched, but until you know for sure you might want to be more circumspect in your suggestions. I’m pulling the comment pending more information. Feel free to contact me if you have it.
Chief Porter indicated that offenders are cited and then referred to the Liquor Commission for a Disciplinary Hearing. The underage buyer does use the vertical license, no doctoring. Just presents it.
One afternoon last Spring I was perched on a bar stool enjoying a Snakebite at Ballydoyle (knocked off early from the loading dock), when a young woman came in and ordered a Jamenson’s on the rocks from the bar tender. The place was mostly empty (this being a time when most employed people are at desks versus bar stools) so you tend to people watch. An older man had come in with her and sat down at a table without ordering anything. It looked suspicious. My first thought was ‘why don’t you have your dad over there buy the drinks?’
The bartender must have felt, as I did, that this didn’t add up. He asked for her ID and she quickly presented him with one. A slight smile crept over both their faces as he studied it. ‘This says your 17′ he said. She took it back and scurried out the door. As she left, dad got up from his table and spoke a few words to the bartender before he too left. Turns out he was a cop and this was an underage drinking sting and if this bartender worked for me I would have stuffed a little gesture of appreciation in this weeks paycheck. That’s why I’m surprised to see Ballydoyle on this list.
Then again, maybe the offender ordered a Miller Light this time. What young woman orders a Jamenson?
An Irish one!
Wow, Meat, sounds like just the job for my unemployed teenager. I wonder if he should apply as an “underaged buyer” at the PD or Village Hall?
The Village already works with the high schools, EJ.
I am familiar with the current Ballydoyle case. But, I will hold off on my opinions so I don’t catch any grief.
Did anybody read the article in the Downers Grove Sun about our thriving downtown??? My one problem with the article is that it doesn’t give any credit to the the improved nightlife in the downtown area.
Brickbats to all the open liquor stacks in aisles of supermarkets. At least the booze is fenced in Naperville.
UPDATE:
Bok Choy was a first time offender and the Underage Buyer was not carded. The Cellar Door was also a first offense and the UB was not carded. The Liquor Commission approved forwarding recommendations of a $1,000 fine, 2-4 day suspension of serving privileges, and up to $1,000 in court costs (my understanding is that’s automatic) to the mayor, who is the Liquor Commissioner.
This is the second offense for Ballydoyle Irish Pub. To make it worse, the UB was carded, presented a “vertical” underage ID, and the server took it to a manager for approval, which was given. Those two steps-taking an underage ID and checking with a boss-add severity to the offense, and the LC members expressed the seriousness of accepting the vertical ID and then serving anyway. Owner Phil Cullen was both embarrassed and not pleased, and he reported the employees involved were interviewed and immediately let go.
For Ballydoyle’s, the LC approved forwarding recommendations of a $4,000 fine, 1-3 day suspension of serving privileges, and up to $1,000 in court costs to the mayor, who is the Liquor Commissioner.
Gatto’s is a recent open, and this was their first offense, but here again an ID was asked for, the UB offered the underage vertical ID, and the drink was served. Both Frank and Charles Gatto were present for the hearing. The Liquor Commission approved forwarding recommendations of a $3,000 fine, 1-2 day suspension of serving privileges, and up to $1,000 in court costs.
Police Chief Porter verified that the UB, when asked, presents their vertical DL or ID, which, in addition to looking completely different from the regular DL/ID, clearly states they are underage and indicates when they will be 21. Normally two officers accompany the UB, and they perform them on a regular basis.
I asked the LC if it could be made an ordinance in DG that vertical licenses were not acceptable as an ID for purchasing alcohol, but apparently that can’t be done. Instead, at each application and disciplinary hearing LC members check the business manual and ask for specific language reflecting that vertical licenses be understood as underage regardless of any circumstances. The Sec Of State has an example sheet here that could be laminated and posted in serving establishments to remind employees.
Surprised at Bally Doyle, they always card me hard and I don’t look close to 21.
Be happy. You look younger than you think!