License commission orders seven-day suspension for 3 G's Sports Bar after police say bar opened during suspension

The Worcester License Commission on May 15 voted to impose a seven-day suspension on the liquor license for 3 G's Sports Bar, 152 Milbury Street, after police testimony and video evidence that the establishment served customers during a previously ordered suspension.

The commission's action followed a detailed Worcester Police Department report, read into the record by Sergeant Dean, describing an incident in which bar staff reopened the premises in the early morning hours and served alcoholic beverages to patrons while the business was under an earlier suspension. Detective Joe Essex downloaded surveillance video the police used as evidence, and Sergeant Dean described repeated entries on the video showing staff preparing drinks, serving patrons and locking and unlocking the front door after midnight.

"The record speaks for itself," Michael Obara, the owner/manager of 3 G's Sports Bar, told the commission, acknowledging the evidence and saying the employee involved was terminated.

Commissioners said the reopening while a suspension was in effect was a serious breach. After discussion, the commission voted to add five days of suspension for the violation and to require that two previously ordered suspension days also be served, for a total of seven suspension days to be served May 23–May 29, 2025.

Police testimony described staff behavior and timeline in detail: an employee identified as Christine Curtis reportedly opened the door and turned on TVs after midnight, prepared and consumed drinks, and served patrons; an individual identified as "Danny" assisted in cleaning and was present. Sergeant Dean said he observed what he judged to be signs of intoxication in the employee and that patrons were present after closing. Police recovered and preserved video; Detective Essex downloaded footage and logged it into evidence.

Obara told the commission he had sent staff a group text instructing employees not to show up for the date in question and said the incident "boggled my mind." He said the employee who reopened the bar was not a night bartender and that the bar had terminated her employment.

Members of the commission said the incident showed inadequate controls and that the manager is responsible for violations occurring on licensed premises regardless of presence at the time of the incident. The commission also noted the licensee is in the process of selling the bar and said a transfer of the license will be subject to the usual qualification review.

The commission read the applicable rules into the record, including Rule 1 (hours and sales cutoff) and Rule 14 (manager responsibility for violations on the premises). The motion imposing suspension passed on a roll-call vote; Commissioners present recorded affirmative votes.