Baltimore Bar Frequented by College Students Closed by Liquor Board for Serving Minors

Jan 28, 2015 | Research

Craigs's

The Baltimore City Liquor Board voted 3-0 last Thursday to suspend the license of Craig’s/Favorites Pub, a bar that was reportedly popular among students at Loyola University Maryland and Towson University, for its ongoing threat to public safety and for serving alcohol to minors. Craig’s must cease alcohol sales for 104 days, until its liquor license is up for renewal in April.

The suspension was in part a result of two enforcement inspections, one conducted by police on Oct. 25, 2014 when 105 of 125 patrons were found to be underage students, and another on Dec. 4, 2014 when four underage Loyola students were caught drinking in the establishment by Baltimore police.

Officials at Loyola were increasingly concerned with the establishment. As reported in the Baltimore Business Journal, “Public Safety department officials at Loyola University Maryland said the bar became a source of concern after they identified 19 incidents last year involving students drinking at Craig’s that included a sexual assault allegation, an indecent exposure report, two assaults and people treated for alcohol poisoning.”

Research has found that reducing access and availability to alcohol is an important aspect of preventing excessive drinking among college students, and one that is often best addressed through increased enforcement efforts.

The three-hour hearing and ultimate closure has garnered a great deal of media coverage and conversation on social media, generating stories in the Baltimore Business Journal, The Brew and Fox 45, and “trending” on Twitter, stemming from a live-tweet session hosted by Loyola’s school newspaper The Greyhound during the hearing.

New leadership at the liquor board is being credited in The Brew’s Jan. 26 article for taking action against Craig’s, a business that has had numerous complaints from area neighbors, college administrators and city and state leadership, including City Councilman Bill Henry and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott D. Shellenberger.

During the deliberations over the possible license suspension, new Liquor Board Chairman Thomas Ward characterized Craig’s as “an absolute detriment to the community in every respect” and asked that, in the event of an appeal, the bar’s closure order not be lifted until the appellate court reviewed the written testimony from the Liquor Board hearing.

Baltimore Bar Frequented by College Students Closed by Liquor Board for Serving Minors

Jan 28, 2015 | Research

Craigs's

The Baltimore City Liquor Board voted 3-0 last Thursday to suspend the license of Craig’s/Favorites Pub, a bar that was reportedly popular among students at Loyola University Maryland and Towson University, for its ongoing threat to public safety and for serving alcohol to minors. Craig’s must cease alcohol sales for 104 days, until its liquor license is up for renewal in April.

The suspension was in part a result of two enforcement inspections, one conducted by police on Oct. 25, 2014 when 105 of 125 patrons were found to be underage students, and another on Dec. 4, 2014 when four underage Loyola students were caught drinking in the establishment by Baltimore police.

Officials at Loyola were increasingly concerned with the establishment. As reported in the Baltimore Business Journal, “Public Safety department officials at Loyola University Maryland said the bar became a source of concern after they identified 19 incidents last year involving students drinking at Craig’s that included a sexual assault allegation, an indecent exposure report, two assaults and people treated for alcohol poisoning.”

Research has found that reducing access and availability to alcohol is an important aspect of preventing excessive drinking among college students, and one that is often best addressed through increased enforcement efforts.

The three-hour hearing and ultimate closure has garnered a great deal of media coverage and conversation on social media, generating stories in the Baltimore Business Journal, The Brew and Fox 45, and “trending” on Twitter, stemming from a live-tweet session hosted by Loyola’s school newspaper The Greyhound during the hearing.

New leadership at the liquor board is being credited in The Brew’s Jan. 26 article for taking action against Craig’s, a business that has had numerous complaints from area neighbors, college administrators and city and state leadership, including City Councilman Bill Henry and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott D. Shellenberger.

During the deliberations over the possible license suspension, new Liquor Board Chairman Thomas Ward characterized Craig’s as “an absolute detriment to the community in every respect” and asked that, in the event of an appeal, the bar’s closure order not be lifted until the appellate court reviewed the written testimony from the Liquor Board hearing.

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