Licensing commission refers review of minors-in-bars rules to law department and fines Village Smokehouse

At its May 15 meeting the Lowell Licensing Commission voted to refer to the city law department a review of local alcohol-licensing rules that members said may allow minors to enter premises that operate as bars, and the commission found the Middle Street Village Incorporated (doing business as the Village Smokehouse) in violation of state and local laws and assessed monetary fines.

Commissioners voted unanimously to ask the law department to research whether changes are appropriate to the city code, the commission’s alcoholic-beverage regulations and the licensing scheme to address minors entering establishments that operate more like bars than restaurants.

The referral motion was moved by Commissioner Donahue and seconded by Commissioner Mercier; the motion carried 5–0.

The referral grew out of a communication from Superintendent of Police Gregory Hooten dated May 13 about compliance-check allegations at local licensees and a broader discussion after a violation hearing involving Middle Street Village Inc., d/b/a the Village Smokehouse (98 Middle Street).…