Two days ago news broke that popular Red Sox bar Professor Thom's wouldn't be able to serve alcohol at their huge Lost viewing party on Tuesday night due to "Community Board relations." Now, a newsletter from the bar explains the situation, revealing that they'll be closed down until Feb. 22. Turns out they forgot to renew their liquor license with the SLA in time, and while local Community Board 3 could have given them a temporary waiver, it declined to offer the courtesy. Why? From the mass email:
...they said, "We can not grant waivers to bars with a history of complaints." The "history" in question was a March 2009 anonymous letter complaining of someone loitering outside the bar. So, 'fess up! Which one of you was it? Which one of you stopped walking for a millisecond on our sidewalk drawing the ire of a local care-too-well?...It doesn't matter really. It's a system they have in place to force bars to face their complainants and we're stuck in it.A sad state, but at least they have a good sense of humor about the whole thing. See the bar's full letter to patrons.
It's possible you've heard the rumors already: Thom's is closed! Due to a procedural error regarding the renewal of our liquor license the bar will not be open again until at earliest February 22.· Professor Thom's Geared up for Lost Premiere [~ENY~]
The truth is that this is a common mistake made by bars and restaurants for which the local community boards have authority to grant waivers. However, they said, "We can not grant waivers to bars with a history of complaints." The "history" in question was a March 2009 anonymous letter complaining of someone loitering outside the bar.
So, 'fess up! Which one of you was it? Which one of you stopped walking for a millisecond on our sidewalk drawing the ire of a local care-too-well? Which of you inspires letters? Adam? Tommy? Allie? Not you Mel? Paul? It was Paul wasn't it? Melinda?! Oh dear. Oh, Rob.
It doesn't matter really. It's a system they have in place to force bars to face their complainants and we're stuck in it.
While we will try to open earlier than stated above, for now we remain shut.
In all honesty we apologize for this great inconvenience to our guests and staff alike. Thank you for all of your kind words in this matter and we hope to see you soon at the grand reopening!
Keep up with events on the bar's Sox Blog and Q's Blog.
Read below for all of the things you will not be missing.
"Here comes the blind commissioner
They've got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker
The other is in his pants
And the riot squad they're restless
They need somewhere to go..."