Man fell, died after allegedly having 17 beers at bar: Provincial agency
Ontario's alcohol regulator says it intends to ban a Woodstock bar from selling liquor for two months following the agency's investigation into the death of a patron whom investigators allege was served 17 beers.
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Ontario’s alcohol regulator says it intends to ban a Woodstock bar from selling liquor for two months following the agency’s investigation into the death of a patron whom investigators allege was served 17 beers.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario said Thursday it has issued a notice of proposal to suspend the liquor sales licence of My Friends Place, located at 19 Burtch Street in Woodstock, for 60 days in connection with the Oct. 6, 2024, death of a person after departing the bar.
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The proposed suspension follows an inspection by officials into what the agency alleges were several violations of Ontario’s Liquor Licence and Control Act.
The first alleged infraction cited by the regulatory body was serving an intoxicated person, noting that on Oct. 6, 2024, “the patron in question was served 17 beers over a four-hour period and was served after appearing visibly intoxicated,” according to a written statement by the agency.
“After leaving the bar, the patron fell backwards outside the bar and struck his head,” the statement said. “He was transported to the hospital where he later died.”
The statement also cites two other alleged violations resulting from its inspection: One for permitting intoxication to occur on the bar’s premises, and another involving someone serving alcohol without the required training.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario also reported that less than three weeks after the man’s death, another patron was “allegedly permitted to drive their vehicle after being over-served alcohol.”
For the second incident, the commission cited alleged additional violations, including permitting intoxication and serving intoxicated persons.
Attempts to reach the owners of My Friends Place by phone and through social media on Thursday were unsuccessful.
The agency’s statement noted establishments served with a notice of proposal have the right to appeal the action to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, an adjudicative body independent of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission.
“Ontario’s liquor laws are specifically designed to prevent the kind of tragic outcome allegedly resulting from over-service at this establishment,” the agency’s chief executive Karin Schnarr said in a written statement.
“Adherence to Ontario’s responsible service standards is not optional and this suspension demonstrates that we hold licensees accountable.”
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