The meeting opened with a detailed examination of an altercation at Dirty Nellies, a bar located on Blackstone Street, stemming from an incident on July 28, 2024. The board heard testimony concerning an assault involving a shod foot and the failure to call 911. Noel Summers, representing Dirty Nellies, explained that they became aware of the incident after a patron reported it to their other venue. Detective James Walsh read into record a report detailing that the victim, Robert Levis Hugh, had been involved in a confrontation with a bartender named Jimmy. The altercation resulted in Hugh sustaining a broken jaw. According to Summers, video footage showed that Hugh initiated the confrontation by hitting the bartender, leading to further escalation outside the bar. The bartender, who was found to be intoxicated, was subsequently terminated from employment.

Chairwoman Kathleen Joyce questioned Summers about the bartender’s employment history and actions taken by the establishment following the incident. Summers assured the board that Jimmy had been a reliable employee for over a year with no prior issues, and emphasized the establishment’s immediate response upon learning of the incident.

Attention then shifted to Bill’s Bar on Lansdowne Street, where another incident of assault was discussed. Detective Wallace presented a police report regarding an altercation involving a patron named Zayn Atwood and a staff member. Atwood alleged that he was assaulted by the staff member, who was later identified as Terrell Bradshaw. A manager from Bill’s Bar testified to calling 911 after witnessing Bradshaw being attacked.

The board also addressed compliance issues at Shisha Lounge on Cambridge Street, where allegations were made about unauthorized alcohol presence, an unlicensed patio, and an expired smoking permit. The owner, Mark Burke, refuted the claims, attributing the expired permit to a miscommunication and denying the existence of a patio. Burke explained that the area in question was used for maintenance, not for customer service. Despite his explanations, the board emphasized the importance of adherence to licensing conditions and the need for clarity in operational boundaries.

In addition, the board discussed The Landing, a Boston Harbor Cruises LLC establishment, cited for serving multiple alcoholic drinks to patrons simultaneously. Detective William Gallagher testified about observing violations during a police inspection on July 4, 2024. The establishment’s representative acknowledged the oversight and assured the board of policy changes to prevent future infractions. The board was particularly focused on ensuring that all establishments adhered to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 138, Section 64, regulating the service of alcohol.