Beer Garden to close for the season after license suspension

• Posted by Bars & Bands October 24, 2023 - Filed in Food & Dining - #Worcester  #Franklin Street  #Downtown Worcester  #Beer Garden and Taproom  #License Commission  - 9,489 views

  

  WORCESTER - Days after the City of Worcester's License Commission ordered a three-day suspension of its liquor license, the Worcester Beer Garden & Tap Room announced it would be closing for the season on October 30th.

  The popular restaurant and bar, located at 64-66 Franklin Street, expressed gratitude to its patrons and staff, promising a bright future for the venue. "It is our privilege to serve the Grid District residents and the Worcester community," the announcement read.

  The decision by the License Commission came on the heels of several violations discovered by the Worcester police during a recent investigation at the establishment, according to an article by the Worcester Guardian.

  The inquiry revealed that the Beer Garden had not recorded crowd manager safety checks for multiple days. Additionally, an expired liquor license from 2022 was displayed during a police visit on September 8th, as noted in Officer Patrick Harrington's report.

  The venue's frequent managerial changes further complicated the situation, the Guardian reported. Sgt. Thomas Needham of the Alcohol Enforcement Unit highlighted that these changes were often a result of the restaurant's reliance on seasonal business. Joseph Donovan, Vice President of the Beer Garden, explained that their seasonal model means managers frequently depart, given the establishment's trend of bustling activity in good weather and relative quiet during the winter months.

  Donovan told the Telegram & Gazette: "We've had to close, call it 'hibernate,' over a couple of winters. That has led to most of the inconsistency with the managers, having to restaff in the spring for reopening."

  Nevertheless, the License Commission said the violations were a potential to endanger patrons. Harrington informed Donovan and the Beer Garden's Director of Operations, Adam Percoco, that this wasn't the establishment's first brush with non-compliance. "Unfortunately there’s been a history there," Harrington remarked, according to the Guardian, noting it was the third instance of a violation during a compliance check.

  The License Commission determined that the venue would be closed on November 3rd, 10th, and 17th, a decision that is moot now that the Beer Garden will close for the season.

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