St. Charles suspends liquor licenses

The city of St. Charles has suspended the liquor licenses of two downtown taverns, one of which served alcohol to two minors in December.

The St. Charles Liquor Commission this week handed down a one-day suspension and a $500 fine for The Beehive, 204 W. Main St., and a four-day suspension and $1,500 fine for Scotland Yard, 310 W. Main St.

Officials said The Beehive served two minors through a third party on Dec. 29, 2009, after a routine compliance check by police. Scotland Yard stayed open after its liquor permit allowed on New Year's Day, according to the city.

Also facing sanctions are the East Side Pub & Grill, 2400 E. Main St., and The House Pub, 16 S. First Ave. Those establishments have requested formal hearings, expected to take place in May, over allegations they also stayed open after hours.

City officials noted that Scotland Yard, East Side Pub & Grill and The House Pub all have been sanctioned or warned previously.

East Side Pub & Grill was fined for serving a minor in 2005 and for serving after hours in 2008. The business also was warned about staying open after hours last February.

Scotland Yard was fined for serving minors in 2007 and staying open too late last August. The House Pub was warned about "over-service of alcohol" last November, officials said.

"These establishments will be subject to increasing levels of fines, suspensions and revocation if necessary should they continue to have difficulty complying with the city's liquor control codes and requirements," Mayor Don DeWitte said in a statement. "The possession of a liquor license in this community is a privilege."