16 Minors Caught With Alcohol At Newton Bar: State

NEWTON, MA — A Newton restaurant could be punished after 16 people under the age of 21 were caught with alcohol there Thursday night, according to state officials.

Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission investigators caught the minors with alcohol at Union Street Restaurant around 10:30 p.m., according to the Office of the State Treasurer.

The restaurant will be summoned for a hearing before the commission. If found in violation of state law, the establishment’s liquor license could be suspended, modified or revoked.

Officials said the bust was part of the beverage commission's enforcement effort at college-area bars and liquor stores to prevent underage drinking.

"Massachusetts bars and restaurants need to take their responsibilities seriously," said state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. "We will continue to monitor and enforce the laws because we know this saves lives and prevents tragedies."

In 2019, the beverage commission's college-area enforcement programs found 1,226 minors in possession of or transporting alcoholic beverages; 127 adults procuring alcohol for minors and 232 individuals in possession of false identification; with 337 cases of beer and 230 bottles of alcohol confiscated by investigators, preventing delivery to approximately 3,648 underage people.

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