Downtown Monterey bar forced to close early

A downtown Monterey restaurant andbar has been under scrutiny Tuesday night because of the number of police calls to the business.

The city council unanimously approved a ruling to force the Bull and Bear Whiskey Bar and Tap House on Alvarado Street to change its hours and close one hour earlier.

Formally known as the Mucky Duck, the owner’s have been working to change the bar’s reputation for the last three years.

“It was closed under ABC restrictions for the previous owners actions. We used that time to really clean the place up,” said owner Anthony Buich.

In 2011 the Mucky Duck was the scene of a New Year’s Eve shooting. Buich and his brother took over several months later.

“We immediately had to change the decor of the place. It had a very neglected interior and exterior,” said Buich.

But despite changing the name, installing over 30 security cameras and anentire makeover of the place, the planning commission wasn’t convinced.

According to a city report, between April 1st and November 1st of 2014, the bar had 26 calls for service resulting in 11 arrests.

This prompted the commission to develop a plan to force the business to close at 1 a.m. rather than 2 a.m. and require special training for the owners and all employees. But Buich appealed the plan, claiming it would hurt his business.

“It will also affect 24 full-time employees that work here, depend on that income to go to school and raise their families,” said Buich.

The ruling by the council is effective immediately.