PJ Bottoms and Molly's Pub, two local bars notorious for underage drinking, were shut down over winter break after a Dec. 15 raid that resulted in charges against 20 minors and three bartenders.
State Liquor Authority commissioners subsequently revoked the liquor license for PJ Bottoms and banned any new bar from the building for the next two years. This sanction is the heaviest penalty possible against a bar that authority investigators have called the worst in the city for under-aged drinking, according to The Buffalo News.
The harsh penalty given to PJ Bottoms stemmed from unanswered charges over the past month. After several weeks it turned out the SLA was unable to get a hold of PJ's license holder and the sole member of its corporation, Anthony Harris, because he took his own life on Dec. 10. Harris, 34, shot himself outside a residence on Union Road.
In contrast with P.J. Bottoms, Molly's Pub was served with an emergency suspension and faced a court hearing on Tuesday.
"PJ Bottoms is shut down for good but the future of Molly's Pub is unclear," said E District Police Chief Mark Antonio.
According to Antonio, the closing of PJ Bottoms and Molly's Pub was a long time coming.
"These bars take chances with underage drinking and they got caught," he said. "PJ Bottoms has maintained a bad reputation with the SLA over the years for serving underage drinkers. Previous charges have closed PJ Bottoms many times during their 23-year life span."
The latest liquor license cancellation for PJ Bottoms came after the bar gave false information on a permit for a UB ski club's fundraising party in October. According to The Buffalo News, Harris committed suicide two days after the liquor authority charged him.
In response to the P.J. Bottoms charges, Dennis Black, vice president for Student Affairs, said he plans on meeting with members of the Schussmeister ski club during the spring semester.
"Schussmeister needs to make sure their focus is on skiing and not drinking," Black said. "All of their events should be conducted in a safe and healthy manner."
In an e-mail statement, the Schussmeister board of directors said PJ Bottoms was responsible for all the details of the party under the contract they signed.
"This includes all permits and checking of proper identification," the statement said. "We would like everyone to know that we do not promote underage drinking and take great pride in the ski services we provide to the university's community. It is unfortunate that Schussmeister has been wrongfully associated with any illegal behavior beyond our control."
Less than a week after Harris took his own life, New York State Police, along with individuals from the SLA, raided PJ Bottoms and Molly's Pub in a search for underage drinkers.
"Twenty minors and three bartenders were charged that evening," Antonio said.
Antonio attributed the raid to the many complaints both Buffalo police and the SLA had received regarding the bars, and as for those UB minors who were charged, their punishment usually involves community service and a sanction from the university.
"Any of those students charged during the Dec. 15 raid will face the consequences," Black said. "I want to make it clear to students that if you come here to drink and party you have made a big mistake."
Black said underage drinking has a significant negative effect on the university as an academic community. He also said it's a major factor in incidents of vandalism and on-campus crimes.
With the recent spate of crime in the University Heights district, Antonio said he believed that the closing of the bars would have little impact on the area. Black said even though those two bars closed on Main Street, underage drinkers would find other places to go.
Josh Rubin, a senior media studies major, said he thinks there will be an increase in house parties due to the closure of the two bars.
"Students will find alternate means of partying if they can't get into the bars," he said. "They will go somewhere else, probably drink in the dorms."
Antonio said police would still be on the lookout for underage drinkers.
"The bars are closed, so that means there are going to be more house parties," he said. "We will work to keep that under control."
Some students, like Lindsey Welbrock, say they aren't exactly said to see PJ Bottoms and Molly's Pub closed.
"I am just worried that The Steer and Mojo's will be very crowded now," said Welbrock, a senior business major.
In Rubin's opinion, it's not fair to place all the blame on the bars for serving underage drinkers.
"It is very easy to obtain fake identification to get into the bars," he said. "It isn't fair that a few bad students spoil it for everyone else."
Although many students may be disappointed to hear the news upon returning to UB for the spring semester, Black said the SLA's actions are generally for the best interest of students and University Heights residents.
"There is a huge health and safety issue to worry about with underage drinkers," he said. "Drinking is a factor on the buses that run at night (and) many students have found that it is a very unpleasant experience."
Representatives from both PJ Bottoms and Molly's Pub could not be reached for comment.
