Danvers Bar Faces Liquor License Violations After Fight

DANVERS, MA -- A bartender who ejected patrons following a fight last month should have notified Danvers Police, Chief Patrick Ambrose told selectmen Tuesday night. While an officer conducting a traffic stop near the bar responded to a report of an altercation, all of the involved parties denied that anything was wrong. But an investigation the following day by a Danvers Police detective revealed that there was more to the story.

"It got heated...At no time did the employees make any effort to notify the police," Ambrose said. "An officer was on scene, and no effort was made to come forward to have contact with the officer."

No charges were filed. Closed circuit surveillance video reviewed by police showed a patron being thrown out of the Osborn, then another patron having to be dragged out. Another patron that got involved was tackled to the ground, Ambrose said.

Danvers's liquor licensing guidelines require license holders to contact police whenever a physical altercation takes place. Selectmen unanimously voted to shcedule a public hearing with the tavern's owners.

Joel Hartnett, who owns the Osborn according to state records, could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning. The bar has not listed violations with the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

Subscribe to Danvers Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).