Crime & Safety

Waltham Bar Gets Two Week Suspension For Alcohol Violations

The License Commission could close the bar permanently if problems continue, officials say.

 

The Waltham License Commission has suspended alcohol and food service at Guanachapi’s Bar & Grill on River Street after repeated liquor violations, according to Commissioner Robert Hardiman.

The commission, at its Jan. 22 meeting, ordered the bar closed for two weeks for “repeat over-pouring,” Hardiman told Waltham Patch. The suspension lasts until Feb. 13, Hardiman said. The bar can reopen on Feb. 14. 

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Specifically, the suspension stems from two indicents in September and December 2012, in which drivers allegedly drove drunk after leaving Guanachapi's. Both drivers were later involved in accidents in Waltham.

The bar’s owner, whom Hardiman could not recall, said he would not appeal the decision to the Massachusetts Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, according to Hardiman.

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"The problem is not the owner. The owner is a nice guy. The staff is not paying attention. They are not counting how many drinks they are serving to people," Hardiman said.

The suspension is the latest in a recent string of troubles at the bar, Hardiman said. The commission has previously suspended the bar for three days and cut its hours, Hardiman said.

Two complaints from the Waltham Police Department prompted the latest suspension, Hardiman said. During the first incident on Sept. 16, 2012, Waltham Police arrested a man and charged him with OUI after he crashed his car through a fence near the former Bright School, Waltham Police Lt. Kevin O’Connell told the Commission during its Jan. 22 meeting.

In the second incident on Dec. 23, 2012, police arrested a driver and charged him with OUI after he was allegedly involved in a crash on Moody Street. In both cases, the drivers told police they had been coming from Guanachapi's.

Nobody could be reached at Guanachapi’s for comment.

The commission could consider more disciplinary actions if the problems continue, Hardiman said, including permanently revoking the license. Hardiman said. The Commission could cut the bar’s hours or even revoke its entertainment license, Hardiman said. The commission could also order the owner to hire a Waltham Police detail to patrol the bar, Hardiman said. 


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