TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

State Agents Say Club Refilling Liquor Bottles

ADVERTISEMENT

By KEITH MORELLI, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2007

YBOR CITY - State liquor agents say Club Fuel, a hip-hop club on the east end of Seventh Avenue, has been refilling bottles, a practice that could bring a fine or action against its liquor license.

Refilling involves pouring liquor, possibly cheap liquor, into bottles that held expensive liquor and selling at the higher price.

Undercover agents with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco were in the bar this summer and initiated the complaint at the end of August after they saw evidence of refilling, said Alexis Antonacci with the state's Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
Antonacci said Club Fuel was found guilty of refilling four years ago. The business was fined $1,500 and had its liquor license suspended for seven days, she said.
Antonacci said she didn't know what evidence the division has against the club.

'Some of our agents are so good, they can tell by the color,' she said. Other times, they witness the refilling of bottles, she said. Another indication of refilling is stored liquor bottles with broken seals, she said.

Undercover agents visited the club again three weeks ago and observed further evidence of refilling, she said.

Club Fuel has drawn law enforcement's attention before.

Last summer, Tampa police arrested two managers and a disc jockey on a charge of violating the city's noise ordinance.

Police conducted a noise-meter reading outside the club, at 1720 E. Seventh Ave., early one weekday morning and recorded a reading that was almost nine decibels higher than allowable under the city ordinance.

In June, Tampa Police Department Maj. Bob Guidara told the city council of continuing problems with nightclub patrons, particularly those from Club Fuel and the club next door, Empire.

Guidara said the problems typically begin after midnight with noise complaints, underage drinking, drug use and brawls.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT