Thursday, 4:30 PM
City officials order nightclubs to suspend admitting minors
By David Abel, GLOBE STAFF
The city of Boston has ordered nine local nightclubs that sponsor 19-plus nights to suspend admitting minors until police and club owners agree on a plan to stem a recent rash of violence at the establishments.
Last week, Patricia A. Malone, director of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing, sent a letter to the clubs, explaining that the events are taxing police. "In recent months, there has been an alarming increase in problems of [violence] associated with these events," she wrote.
The order temporarily ends the 19-plus nights -- which allow entrance to patrons 19 and over -- at The Roxy, New York Jukebox, Aria, Rumor, Nick’s/Venu, Avalon Axis, Embassy Modern, Jake Ivory’s/Bill’s Bar, and Who’s on First, according to Malone’s letter. All of the clubs are either in the Theater District or Lansdowne Street area.
In a phone interview, Malone said she would not provide details of the violence because each incident is under investigation by police. There is no reason to believe the incidents are related, she said. But she said some license-violating act of violence occurred at each of the clubs that received a letter.
"We’re talking about violent incidents that have not happened with regard to clubs in the city before the past few months," Malone said. "We’re talking about serious issues of public safety."
About 50 clubs in Boston are licensed to hold 19-plus events, Malone said. Each must seek a special license and draft a security plan that explains how they will identify those younger than age 21 from those older. The clubs, which generally use stamps or bracelets to identify those of age to drink alcohol, are only permitted to hold 19-plus events one night a week.
None of the club owners could be reached Thursday night.
Malone said the throngs of local college students who flock to the 19-plus nights need not fear that they will have no place to party.
The suspension, she said, should not last more than several weeks. ‘‘Everyone’s on the same page,’’ she said. ‘‘These events have to be safe.’’
Underage residents, however, were worried what the city's move would mean for their social lives.
'I think it's awful, because now I have nowhere to go," said Stephen Broadus, 20, while walking through Kenmore Square.
Eric Lubarksky, 22, commiserated with his underage friend: "I think it's ridiculous, because my friends are underage and it makes it more difficult for me to go out."
Phil Burns, 19, said the city’s order might push more students to break the law. "It makes the only option for an underage person to have a fake ID," Burns said. "How am I going to go out and meet girls?"
