O’Henry’s Food and Spirits on South Carrollton. (March 2014 photo by Google Maps)
O’Henry’s Food and Sprits on South Carrollton agreed to pay the city a $500 fine Tuesday after allegedly selling beer to a teenager last month, and Avery’s Place on Willow Street was warned by the city alcohol board to be on its best behavior while awaiting a hearing on noise complaints.
Agents at the state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control have said that a server at the restaurant’s bar sold a beer to a 17-year-old girl after looking at her identification last month. The restaurant was cited by the state, but officials were unavailable to comment on the status of those charges on Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the city attorney’s office had also filed charges with the New Orleans Alcohol Beverage Control board following last month’s sting by state agents. In Tuesday afternoon’s meeting of that board, assistant city attorney Dan McNamara said the city and the restaurant have reached an agreement for a $500 fine in the matter.
The consent judgment was granted by the alcohol board by a unanimous vote, without any discussion from the commissioners.
A manager at O’Henry’s declined to comment on the issue after the hearing.
In a separate issue, Avery’s Place located on Willow Street was brought before the board on issues of illegal conduct and noise complaints.
According to board member Nyka Scott, the establishment does not have a permit for live music, but complaints have been brought up regarding live music being played loudly.
Avery Manuel, manager and owner of the club, appeared before the alcohol board Tuesday without his attorney, James Johnson. Manuel told the board that Johnson “was fully aware” of need to be at the meeting in order to proceed with the hearing.
After a short recess, alcohol board member Robert Jenkins said that he spoke to Johnson and received assurance that he would be at the next meeting to represent Manuel. The board agreed to postpone the matter until next month’s board meeting.
In the meantime, MacNamara asked the board to require a new closing time of 10 p.m. of the establishment to prevent any further noise complaints until the meeting, but the board instead warned Manuel to tread lightly.
“I suggest you be on your best behavior,” board member Jerry Speir said.
Also on the agenda included the Palms Bar and Grill on Freret, which was postponed until the April 21 meeting.
Another university-area bar, Redd’s Uptilly Tavern on Maple Street (formerly known as Rocco’s), was on the docket for a clarification of a consent agreement that was entered with the bar’s previous owner. The bar is required to take measures to reduce noise, loitering and go-cups for drinks, as well as posting contact information outside of the premises to be contacted for noise complaints during the hours of operation. According to MacNamara, a clarified version of the agreement was accepted by board with a unanimous vote.
The city also postponed a hearing on the S Express Food Store at 2703 Ursulines. To read live coverage live coverage of the meeting from reporter Alicia Serrano, see below.
