City of Boston officials call for end to “egregious violations” of coronavirus rules in Allston-Brighton bars

The city says Allston-Brighton residents have been sending in photos of “egregious” flouting of social-distancing rules even if college party animals haven’t really returned to Boston.

– News covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

A not socially distant Scorpion Bowl for three …
Image via the New York Times Cooking Section

City of Boston officials call for an end to “egregious violations” of coronavirus rules in Allston and Brighton bars.

“No dancing,” certainly no “adult dancers” and for sure “no scorpion bowls.”

So sayeth Boston Licensing Board staff to many bars and restaurants in the Allston-Brighton area where city officials say residents have been sending them photos of “egregious” flouting of social-distancing rules even before the college student have returned to the area given COVID-19 pandemic college closures.

Party, party, PARTY!
A Universal Pictures image

Quincy Quarry suspects that a major source of the problems are recent college graduates still living in the area who are looking to relive their drunken college escapades as well as relieve some pandemic cabin fever.

The licensing board first hauled into a virtual hearing all of the city’s beer gardens, which received only a light talking-to, with both proprietors and the city officials agreeing that the guidance from the state was “confusing.”

Not socially distant beer pong match spectators
Image via fadedindustry.com

Then on the second day of hearings there was not the same level of congeniality as Allston-Brighton establishments where called on the carpet. 

“A number of these violations are simply blatant disregard for the requirements to be opened and operated during this pandemic,” said Boston Licensing Board executive secretary Lesley Delaney Hawkins.

Ms. Hawkins added that there have been “increasing numbers of reports of places operating as night clubs,” which are forbidden to operate under current state coronavirus rules.

A Garage Boston night club in Allston Christmas party cage dancer
A Garage Boston online image

Added Boston Licensing Board Board Chair Kathleen Joyce, there appears to be a “lack of understanding” that no shows are allowed, and no music other than in the background.  “People need to be seated, seated at tables, eating food and drinking.  There’s no clubs, there’s no shows, there’s no dancing.”

More hearings are on tap when the busy restaurants in yuppie-overrun South Boston and the swanky Seaport District along with establishments with club and veterans licenses will have to come before the board.

Source: Boston calls for end to ‘egregious violations’ of coronavirus rules in Allston-Brighton bars

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