LYNN — Six local businesses stated their case in response to disorderly conduct by patrons at the License Commission meeting on Tuesday. 

Four businesses were called for a conference regarding violations of overserving, lack of management and control, and violation of local rules and regulations. 

One of the businesses on the docket, Suegra Molina Lounge on Western Avenue, stated the background of a fight regarding patrons on May 9, during the conference. One male patron was said to enter the establishment with a group of eight people, and later left and returned alone. 

Upon returning, the individual bought a bottle of alcohol for another table of people, whom he did not come to the establishment with. When the bottle was rejected by the receivers, the patron grew angry and made the receiving table uncomfortable. 

When asked to settle his bill and leave the establishment by the management on staff, the patron grew more irritated and smashed a bottle of alcohol on the floor. At that point, Lynn police were contacted to respond to the incident. 

A friend of the disorderly patron took them outdoors to deescalate the situation, but this escalated into a physical fight outside the establishment. 

The commission asked the establishment’s owner during the conference whether they were providing a bottle service, which the commission stated is against Lynn rules and regulations. 

A warning was presented to the establishment, with hopes that management will make necessary changes in accordance with the city’s rules and regulations. 

Another business, Mama Blanca Restaurant & Lounge on Oxford Street, spoke about a dispute between two females regarding a male patron’s relationship status to both of the women on April 13, to the commission. One male who entered the establishment with a female party, allegedly called another woman to join the group’s gathering. 

The situation escalated when the two women began arguing with each other, whether the male party was one or the other’s boyfriend. One of the women called the police on the other woman stating she had stolen her boyfriend. 

A fight broke out, where the two women started pulling each other’s hair. The management of the establishment asked both parties to leave, and they did. No charges or arrests were made from the altercation. 

The commission questioned why the police were not called sooner by the establishment’s management, where the manager of the business stated that it all happened too fast, and he first wanted to try and deescalate the situation. 

The commission stated that calling the police should be the first step in the order of operations when altercations like this break out. “It’s your responsibility to call the police because these things can escalate,” License Commissioner Margaret Phelps said. 

The commission then issued a warning to the establishment and asked them to revisit their rules and regulations book. 

Another establishment, Asian Garden on Market Street, referred to an incident where an individual consumed too much alcohol as a result of consuming too many scorpion bowls on May 1. 

One male patron entered the establishment and ordered a large scorpion bowl drink for himself. Within two hours, the patron ingested three scorpion bowls. Despite efforts from servers and the bartender, the patron did not purchase or eat any food, while consuming more than 12 fl oz of alcohol. 

When the patron requested a fourth scorpion bowl, the bartender refused and offered him a glass of water. As a result of overconsumption, the gentleman began to fall in the establishment and was then prevented from falling by other surrounding patrons. 

The commission called the situation an act of overserving, “the gentleman maybe had one too many,” Phelps said. She then gave the establishment’s attorney and manager a warning for the three licensing violations. 

The second half of the License Commission meeting was a hearing for two businesses in danger of losing their licenses. 

The first business, Tequila’ Bar & Grill on Central Avenue, failed to appear at their conference meeting on May 26, and were in violation of overserving, lack of management and control, and in violation to the city’s rules and regulations. Since the owner did not comment or attend the conference it issued a hearing. 

Two reports were presented to the establishment, one on April 2 and another on April 18. The incident on April 2, regarded an intoxicated male coming into the establishment and asking for a drink. When the server realized they were already intoxicated, they denied the request and asked the individual to leave. 

Instead of leaving, the male walked to the back of the establishment where multiple people were playing a game of pool. When the server followed the individual to the back and asked them again to leave, the man threatened to hit the server with a pool stick. 

The Lynn police were then called by one of the staff members directly after the threat of assault. The commission stated, however, that the moment an individual disobeys the request of a server to leave due to prior intoxication whether its alcohol or another illicit substance, the police must be called immediately. 

The commission warned the owner that if they cannot attend a future conference, they should contact the secretary to arrange an alternative and avoid a hearing that could lead to a license suspension.

The last business to be issued violations, Provenza Lounge and Grill on Union Street, referred to a patron disagreement resulting in a fight on April 18, during the hearing stating a violation of overserving, a lack of management and control, and violation of rules and regulations. 

During an 88-person event, a group of patrons began an argument inside the establishment. The police were not called by the staff, however, due to them not noticing the altercation at the time. 

The argument broke out into a fight down the block on Joy Street, outside of the establishment’s jurisdiction. The commission stated that because the argument began inside the establishment, it was their responsibility to deescalate it and call the police. 

The business was issued an approval regarding the evidence provided on their part, stating they had no understanding of the situation, and if they did it would’ve been handled properly. 

No licenses were revoked in the commission meeting, however, all businesses had one thing in common: disorderly conduct by patrons. 

The next Lynn License Commission meeting on July 21 at Lynn City Hall in room 107, located at 3 City Hall Square is open to the public. More information about meetings and hearings are provided on the License Commission Website https://www.lynnma.gov/city_government/boards_and_commissions/licensing_commission.