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Chelsea licensing commission rejects Nocturno’s bid for 2 a.m. closing, approves earlier weekend opening
Summary
The Chelsea Licensing Commission denied a request by Nocturno to extend closing hours to 2 a.m. on Thursday–Sunday after the police department warned of staffing and public‑safety risks; the panel did approve earlier weekend opening (12 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays) and matching entertainment hours.
Nocturno, an entertainment venue at 158 Broadway, asked the Chelsea Licensing Commission on Nov. 13 for a closing time of 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday and for earlier weekend openings to help the business compete with venues in neighboring cities. Owner Nelson Molina told the commission that recent renovations elsewhere and nearby establishments staying open later have cut his sales and caused monthly losses he estimated at roughly $10,000, and that an extra hour would allow him to hire staff and boost revenue.
The Chelsea Police Department, citing a written letter from Police Chief Keith Houghton and oral testimony from Capt. Jason Farden and Sgt. Jose Otero, urged the commission to deny the 2 a.m. request. Capt. Farden read the chief’s statement emphasizing that Chelsea has not permitted weekend 2 a.m. closings for close to 40 years, that patrol staffing falls sharply after about 1:30 a.m., and that extended hours correlate with increased calls for service, noise complaints and safety concerns. Sgt. Otero and Sgt. Chung echoed those concerns in person and described historical disturbance calls around late‑night hours, pointing to neighborhood density and limited overnight coverage as key risks.
Commissioners weighed economic hardship arguments against public‑safety and neighborhood quality‑of‑life concerns. One commissioner suggested trialing later hours for two weekend nights as a compromise, but the motion to approve partial days failed for lack of a second. The commission did approve a separate motion to let the applicant open earlier on Saturdays and Sundays at 12 p.m. (noon) and to match the amusement and entertainment license to those weekend hours; that motion passed by voice vote.
The chair and police representatives stressed that any future request should include stronger community evidence of need, more complete financial documentation and community support, such as petitions, and that police would perform follow‑up administrative inspections if hours change. The commission also reminded the business of obligations around security staffing, camera operation and providing footage promptly when requested.
The commission’s decision preserves Chelsea’s long‑standing policy limiting late‑night closing hours while offering the applicant a limited schedule change intended to support pre‑game and daytime business.
