Park Sports Bar Under Fire—Again

Tuesday night's township council meeting was short and sweet, with council members putting off a final vote on the dissolution of the Montclair Parking Authority.

But the council did get an earful from Nancy LeRoy, a resident of South Park Street, related to ongoing problems at the controversial Park Sports Bar & Restaurant.

LeRoy said that a restriction placed on the recent renewal of the business' liquor license has not been enforced.

"The previous council renewed the liquor license of the Park Sports Bar with a restriction ... and that restriction is that the licensee would need to hire proffessional security to maintain order outside and inside the bar," she said. "But there is no security. There is no one there. I'd like to know what happens when a resolution is passed with a restriction and that restriction is not enforced."

Indeed, in late June, the previous council agreed to renew the liquor license of the Park Sports Bar & Restaurant at the corner of South Park and Church streets—but only on the condition that it hire an off-duty police officer or professional security guard each night, starting at 10 p.m.

The move was the result of dozens of complaints from area residents, who charge that the business promotes drunken, disgusting, and disorderly conduct.

"The problem is that [the owner] is trying to operate a business in a residential area that's full of apartments," said then-Councilor Nick Lewis. "A lot of the complaints are about boorish clientele and I'm not sure we can do anything about boorish people."

LeRoy said police have responded to complaints at the bar at least 94 times since January 2010—compared with only 13 times for all the other bars in town combined during the same time period.

In June, the owner, Jeff Melnikoff, apologized and said he felt sorry for the residents.

Following LeRoy's comments on Tuesday night, Mayor Robert Jackson asked the township manager to schedule a meeting between Meinikoff and the council's economic development committee.

Already, the council has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for Meinikoff on October 11.

Municipal Prosecutor Kenneth Strait Jr. has filed a dozen charges against the bar, arguing that the business has been the site of fights and unsavory behavior, resulting in many calls to police in recent years.

The hearing on October 11 will focus on these 12 separate charges involving 12 separate incidents at the sports bar and restaurant.

What do you think of the Park Sports Bar? Let us know in the comments section below.