Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection

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Press Releases

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03/19/2019

Clubhouse Café Of Hamden Cancels Liquor Permit

March 19th, 2019 – Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull announced today that The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) has received an immediate cancelation of the liquor permit for The Clubhouse Café at 3820 Whitney Avenue in Hamden.

 

The Clubhouse Café has remained closed since January 30th, 2019 when the Commissioner issued a summary suspension of the premises liquor permit. The summary suspension came after an evening inspection by officers from the Hamden Police Department where they identified more than 130 minors on premises, some of whom were in possession of alcoholic beverages.

 

Following the suspension, the Liquor Control Division initiated a follow up investigation into the business operations of the café.  Many of the minors were found to be students at Quinnipiac University, a local college near the premises.

 

As a result of settlement talks with the bar ownership and their attorney, DCP accepted an Offer In Compromise today which results in the immediate cancelation of their liquor permit. In addition, the following conditions are in place:

 

  • Ownership agrees that the ownership and the permittee will not apply for a liquor permit in the State of Connecticut for at least one year from today;
  • Ownership agrees that no member of the ownership company will have any management or employee status at the premises if a liquor permit is ever applied for at this location; and
  • Ownership agrees that the presence of alcoholic beverages, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and the use of a caterer liquor permit on the premises will not be allowed by the ownership while the property is under the control of the Anthony M. Dandonoli, the current owner of the property and the premises.

“I want to thank Acting Chief John Cappiello and the men and women of the Hamden Police Department for their efforts and cooperation in this matter,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull, “We take the presence of underage patrons on liquor premises very seriously, and I am pleased that this matter has been settled.”

 

Those who have complaints regarding liquor permittees in the State of Connecticut may file complaints with the Liquor Control Division by emailing dcp.liquorcontrol@ct.gov.

 

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Media Contact
Lora Rae Anderson
lorarae.anderson@ct.gov
(860) 713-6019 (office)
(860) 247-8711 (cell)

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