Brawl Jeopardizes Restaurant's Liquor License

A recent night of violence outside The Office Beer Bar & Grill in Montclair led the township’s governing body to question the establishment before renewing its liquor license.

The license was ultimately approved Tuesday after the warning was heard by the restaurant’s assistant general manager, who reported to the mayor and council the measures which have been taken to avoid potential fights in the future.

Since the incident, which occurred late May 31-early June 1, the manager said The Office has decided to close earlier, keep lights on 24/7 and chang the type of music played.

“At the end of the day, we are still a restaurant,” she said.

The fight involving 10 or more people outside the Bloomfield Avenue restaurant was all too reminiscent of altercations at bars in town in the past which got out of control, Mayor Robert Jackson said.

“We’d like to basically nip this in the bud,” Jackson said.

The council was told the business reviewed surveillance video and determined only two of the people involved in the fight had been inside the restaurant that night. Others tried to get in but were not allowed. 

At the time of the fight, officers were called to the scene of a shooting on Greenwood Avenue which critically injured a township man, leading the department to call Verona Police for back up. 

“To try and stop any problems,” Deputy Mayor Robert Russo advised The Office, “stay on top of them.”

In addition to The Office, the council renewed consumption and distribution licenses for other bars, restaurants and retail stores in town, including one belonging to The Rosen Group, which owns the The Wellmont Theatre on Seymour Street.