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Chicago
bars found breaking the law
13
liquor establishments cited for conducting 'bottle service'
DATE:
August 14, 2006
CONTACT: Ted Penesis (ted.penesis@illinois.gov)
CHICAGO-The Illinois Liquor Control Commission
(ILCC) issued notices of violations to thirteen liquor license
holders during an inspection of 22 Chicago establishments.
The primary objective of the August 3, 2006 inspections was
to determine whether "bottle service" was being
conducted illegally on these premises, as published in recent
media reports and advertisements.
"Bottle service" is the selling of an entire bottle
of distilled spirits (ie., vodka, gin, whiskey, etc.) to a
table or group of patrons. Any establishment found conducting
this practice-which is prohibited under Illinois law-is subject
to a fine, suspension, or revocation of their liquor license.
Those cited will have their cases heard before the ILCC on
Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 10am in the James R. Thompson
Center, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago. During these hearings,
the cited establishments will have an opportunity to show
cause as to why their liquor license should not be fined,
suspended, or revoked.
"Bottle service does not allow the bar staff to properly
supervise alcohol consumption by its patrons," says ILCC
Executive Director Michael Malone. "The health, safety,
and welfare of the general public is at risk when licensees
allow their patrons to be overserved."
Those liquor establishments selected for inspection had either
appeared in a recent news article or placed advertisements
in the local media discussing their use of bottle service.
Of those inspected, the following establishments were cited
for conducting bottle service:
- LePassage: 937 N. Rush/1 E. Oak
- Plush: 1104 W. Madison
- Stone Lotus: 873 N. Orleans
- Victor Hotel: 311 N. Sangamon
- Zentra: 923 W. Weed
- Reserve: 858 W. Lake
- Four: 1551 W. Division
- Virgin Lounge: 123 N. Halsted/857 Randolph
- RiNo: 343 W. Erie
- Hard Drive (Hyatt): 151 E. Wacker
- Enclave: 213 W. Institute
- Jet Vodka Lounge: 1551 N. Sheffield
- Wet: 209 W. Lake
Bottle service was outlawed as part of the Happy Hour Law,
which was passed by the Illinois General Assembly in 1989.
"It is designed to eliminate the over-consumption of
alcoholic liquor and to eliminate promotions that encourage
over-consumption," Malone states. "We take this
law seriously; those found guilty will face the consequences."
Other activities prohibited by the Happy Hour Law include
the following:
- Serving two or more drinks to one person for consumption
by that person.
- Serving an unlimited amount of drinks during a set period
of time for a fixed price.
- Reducing prices of drinks during a specified period during
the day or to a specified group of individuals.
- Increasing the volume of alcoholic liquor contained in
a without proportionately increasing the price regularly
charged for that drink on that given day.
- Encouraging or permitting games or contests which involve
drinking alcoholic liquor or awarding drinks as prizes.
- Advertising, in any way, any practice prohibited by the
Happy Hour Law.
- Serving traditionally "individual" drinks in
carafes, pitchers, etc., is considered by the Commission
to be a violation of Happy Hour.
Further information on liquor license laws can be found by
visiting the Legal
Divison section of the website.
Other
Industry Education Links:
News Releases
ILCC Newsletters
Illinois
Liquor Control Act
Browse and/or download
Illinois Liquor Control Commission
Rules and Regulations
Browse and/or download
Tobacco Program
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