Vibe Lounge Loses Liquor License Following April 23 Shooting

PAWTUCKET, RI — The city's Board of License Commissioners on Tuesday voted 7-0 to revoke liquor and entertainment licenses held by the Vibe Lounge and Hookah Bar at 25 Broad Street.

The unanimous vote by the City Council, sitting in their capacity as license commissioners, came during a hearing that was called after Police Chief Tina Goncalves declared the nightclub a "public nuisance." Goncalves made the nuisance declaration hours after an April 23 shooting that left a man seriously injured outside the bar.

At last night's virtual hearing, lawyer Peter Petrarca represented bar owners Victor and Leslie Silva, who did not testify. The Silvas now have the right to appeal the board's revocation to the R.I. Department of Business Regulation.

City Solicitor Frank J. Milos, Jr. presented witnesses from the Warwick Police Department: Sgt. David Medeiros, Capt. David Holden, and Officer Sloan Kinney. The three described dealing with a string of situations at the bar, including closing-time violations, a fight, and unruly crowds. They also described the department's response to the April 23 shooting.

"It was total chaos," Medeiros testified, while describing a scene where a crowd of bar patrons taunted and harassed police as they tried to administer first aid to the shooting victim, who was shot five times and lying on the sidewalk. Medeiros said that a bouncer at the bar had initially tried to block police from responding to reports of shots fired, saying that the gunshot sounds were just "part of the music."

"Police had a hard time getting inside," Medeioros said.

Deputy City Clerk Michelle Hardy was called to testify. She said she had explained liquor license rules to Victor Silva. Silva had wanted permission to have a 2 p.m. closing time, and she said she explained to him repeatedly that was not allowed, and gave him copies of the rules.

The police officers also said they had explained the rules to Silva time and again. Kinney, in her testimony, described conducting a compliance check and finding people drinking at the bar well past closing time. Silva had told her that it was just staff waiting to cash out and get paid. However, the rules require that staff vacate the building by 1:30 p.m.

Petrarca tried to poke holes in police testimony, and suggested that there is no direct link between the Vibe Lounge and the shooting. Capt. Holden had testified that surveillance video collected by police showed the alleged shooter inside the venue.

Petrarca asserted that the alleged shooter had been kicked out of the Vibe Lounge about 45 minutes before the shooting occurred, and that the club did the right thing by doing so. "The mere fact that a shooting occurred in the vicinity of the club does not ultimately mean the club is liable," the lawyer said.

Petrarca said he was being "ambushed" with new evidence at the hearing, and said it was not fair that he was not able to view the surveillance video. He also wanted other documents from the police, and accused Milos of impeding his right to discovery. Milos said he had the same materials that Petrarca did, and noted that an attempted homicide investigation is underway. The Major Crime Unit is in possession of the video footage.

City Council President David Moran said the Vibe Lounge has shown "total disrespect" for the the city and its people, and that he was "extremely comfortable" voting for full revocation. Third District Councilor Terry Mercer said the Silvas were robbing police resources from the rest of the city with four police-involved incidents in 18 days. He said he was "stunned" at a "defiant email" councilors received from Leslie Silva four days before the April 23 shooting. In the email, Silva complained about the police, he said.

Google Maps Image

Sixth District City Councilor Timothy Rudd, who represents the area where the Vibe Lounge is located, was not present at Tuesday's hearing. However, he submitted two letters arguing against full revocation. The letters were read into the record by City Clerk Richard Goldstein. Rudd wrote that he wanted to see a 30-day suspension, a $1,000 fine, paid police details on the weekends, and a dress code at the Vibe requiring no hats, hoodies, jeans, or boots. Rudd in one of the letters remarked that traditionally, license commissioners adopt the recommendation of the district councilor.

Police had said that Victor Silva repeatedly referred to "his friend Tim" on the City Council when they confronted him about problems. Second District Councilor Mark Wildenhain was among those to say he would not agree with Rudd's recommendation. Mercer remarked that the situation at the Vibe Lounge had become a "city-wide problem."

The police department recommended full revocation of the venue's Class 3 Victualer's License and entertainment license, Milos told the commissioners before they took their vote.

Moran said he expected the Silvas will appeal the decision to the Department of Business Regulation, but that he was comfortable "letting the chips fall where they may."

05/12/2021 update: Documents provided to the City Council, including police reports and an email from Vibe Lounge owners, can be viewed right here on the Pawtucket Patch:

Vibe Lounge Pawtucket 04112021 Liquor License Hearing by Mary Serreze on Scribd