<p>Within a week of the grand opening of the Loft last month, the Oak Bluffs bar violated nine liquor control regulations, police said Tuesday.</p>
Within a week of the grand opening of the Loft at Dreamland last month, the Oak Bluffs bar violated nine liquor control regulations, police said Tuesday.
In a public disciplinary hearing before the town selectmen, Det. James Morse said the liquor license violations he found included over-serving intoxicated patrons, which he observed during a Saturday night visit to the new bar and entertainment venue.
In prior years, the 5,300-square-foot space on Oak Bluffs avenue was used for sporadic events and band concerts under the name Dreamland MV, but in March, it reopened as an adult game room, featuring billiards, shuffleboard and other arcade games.
Owner J.B. Blau, who also owns the Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company downstairs with his partner, Alex Nagi, as well as Sharky’s Cantina, told the board via email that he could not attend the hearing due to illness. Mr. Blau did not return a phone call from the Gazette seeking comment on Wednesday.
In his absence, selectmen postponed disciplinary measures until both sides could be heard.
A continuation of the hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 7.
Meanwhile, the owners must work to correct the violations or risk suspension of their liquor license.
“We have some people who have been in this business for a long time in multiple locations, and they should know the rules,” said selectman Gregory A. Coogan. “Right or wrong, I feel like we are being avoided here a little bit tonight.”
Selectman Walter Vail expressed discomfort with allowing the bar to operate.
“Right now I feel like I am taking a risk by not doing anything,” he said.
Selectman Gail Barmakian agreed.
“I don’t want to close him down but I want at least some insurance that they are going to continue working these things out,” she said.
In all, Mr. Morse documented nine violations to state alcoholic beverages rules, including two counts of over-serving patrons with extreme levels of drunkenness.
“Approximately five minutes after I entered, a patron approximately 25 years of age . . . fell backwards into me,” he said during the hearing.
The man exhibited “boisterous” behavior and had “bloodshot, glassy eyes,” he added.
A second alleged inebriate walked in a “serpentine” manner before “passing in and out of consciousness,” while seated in a chair, Mr. Morse said.
“The level of intoxication of this patron was extreme and obvious prior to his buying a can of beer,” Mr. Morse wrote in the written police report.
Both patrons were eventually removed from the bar, he wrote.
Mr. Morse also observed the bartender serve three drinks to a single patron (the limit is two) as well as a pitcher of beer to a single patron (two or more patrons are required), according to the report.
The report also notes that management changed the layout of the establishment without receiving approval, and failed to post drunk driving warning signs as well as the occupancy load.
Police are also alleging a failure to obtain an updated occupancy permit from the fire department as well as a licenses for entertainment and pool tables. Management applied for the entertainment license in November, but never finalized it, administrative assistant Alice Butler told the board.
Mr. Blau later successfully argued his case to the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, which found that the loft was not required to apply for a new liquor license.
Police chief Erik Blake, who attended the hearing, said his department wants to work with the owners to correct the violations.
“I have been here 28 years, and so has he, so there is really no excuse to open up a business, change the use and then ask for forgiveness later,” he said.
In other spot checks of local establishments also conducted in March, Mr. Morse found that the Ritz Cafe failed to publicize a $5 cover charge and did not provide a receipt for the charge, according to his report.
At Linda Jean’s, also on Circuit avenue, Mr. Morse said signage displaying penalties for drunk driving were missing from the premises.

Comments
Are you kidding me?
JTAre you kidding me? Ridiculous...if a person is going to go into an establishment and throw the book at them they should at least be accompanied by someone who can back up their allegations. I really don't get how a conversation with the owner isn't the first step here, especially considering they just opened.
sound like officer morse is
freedomsound like officer morse is badge heavy!!!
Detective Morse was doing his
True freedomDetective Morse was doing his job. The charges are accurate, and the laws are beyond reasonable. The laws were blatantly broken and Morse did his duty to the community by reporting it. It's easy to sling mud at the law enforcement community, safe, sound and protected at your computer. It is also right to challenge law enforcement when they violate the law (Baltimore, Ferguson, etc.). But don't mix up the two. Morse's report was accurate, and only the tip of the iceberg.
Shocking!!! There were
NoIslandForOldLocalsShocking!!! There were intoxicated patrons in a bar in Oak Bluffs!!! Call in the National Guard!
Hmmm weird... When does the
30 Year Islander West TisburyHmmm weird... When does the Oceanview open? Season's Nostalgia? Did the creation of The Loft happen overnight?
I had fun there. Speaking for one.
I hope the powers that be are
George Stein EdgartownI hope the powers that be are as vigilant about all paperwork issues in every town. Drunks do happen but there is no excuse for abandoning rules. Unless of course you want to save money on a septic system
The article said the license
William EdgThe article said the license was applied for in November. They opened in March. The only people who can tell you what it is like to apply for anything in Oak Bluffs is other people who have applied. I can personally tell you it is, well, it is OAK BLUFFS!
Really? A 2 drink limit? What
misstheoldvineyard obReally? A 2 drink limit? What a joke. Do you seriously believe that every bar on this island or anywhere else for that matter only serve 2 drinks to a person over the course of a night? Sounds like you are just out to harass the new establishment which actually gives 20 somethings and up a place to go, socialize and play pool. It's really sad how much the cops of today do nothing but harass. Especially to our young people. It's definitely not like it used to be, this is turning into a very sad place to live. And no I am not a 20 something I am a grandparent.
I think you misunderstood
InformedI think you misunderstood something. There is not a two drink limit for patrons. You just can't go to the bar and grab a bunch of drinks at once. Or order a pitcher of beer for yourself. The rules permit boilermakers (beer and a shot of whisky). They permit multiple boilermakers, so long as the patron isn't trashed. But there are some limits, to prevent absolute mayhem and destruction. Problem drinkers after a bad day getting loaded like George Thorogood. And if you venture out on the roads (hopefully sober) in the night time, you should appreciate these very rules. It's no fun having a trashed bar patron lose consciousness at the wheel while doing 45mph in your direction. I miss the old Vineyard too. But not that part of it.
I'm saddened but not
Then AgainI'm saddened but not surprised by the comments on this article. First, thank you to Detective Morse for doing your job. And thank you to the selectmen for addressing the very real and serious issues here. You could have looked the other way, and you didn't. You are less popular for it. That's the definition of character. Keep it up!
The Loft was opened in haste, and with contempt for the regulations and the community. These regulations are important. They protect lives. It would appear that Mr. Blau thinks he is more qualified than the Fire Chief to determine safe occupancy of a bar in an old wood building above commercial kitchen. More qualified than the building inspector, the health inspector, the MVC, and anybody else that stands in between him and a dollar.
JB is a master at marketing. He is using his JB Vineyard Facebook page to define the debate on this situation. Several commenters there suggest he didn't pay off the right people. He's left those comments up for all to see. It's an attack on the credibility of the police department and the town government. I suggest the town fight back.
I expect a slap on the wrist at most for Mr. Blau. Hugely frustrating to competing business owners who follow the rules in a low margin business and don't want to break the law to make money. Eventually, the state or the feds will get involved.
One request OB. Level the playing field. If you aren't going to enforce the laws, let us know. I hope you do decide to enforce them. But if this is a free for all, just say so. It isn't right that Mr. Blau benefits from the protection of aggressive protectionist rules while avoiding compliance himself.
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