Tavern loses liquor license

A popular bar in Santa Cruz County is losing its liquor license just days before Fourth of July weekend. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control said it’s the result of a long list of violations. The Seabreeze Tavern in Rio del Mar can no longer sell alcohol to the public. The bar is in a prime location right next to the beach and folks in town for the holiday weekend said they’re bummed they can’t grab a drink there.

“I am so sad these guys aren’t open so we can get a beverage, my family and friends come here all the time looking to have a good time,” said Danville resident, Claire Guttchen.

Joanne McPherson of San Jose said, “That’s horrible because we always come down here, we vacation down here like all the time and we always come in here.”

Earlier in June, The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, also known as ABC, filed violations against the Seabreeze Tavern. The owner, Rich McInnis is accused of selling marijuana, not allowing the ABC to review the Taverns alcoholic beverage sales, forging medical marijuana cards, and purchasing alcohol from a store instead of a licensed wholesaler.

“It’s a stiff penalty to have the license suspended indefinitely and for the owner to have to transfer the license to someone else,” said John Carr, of ABC.

KION tried to contact McInnis but he wasn’t available. The ABC said McInnis signed papers agreeing to those penalties June 15. Locals said they’re not surprised to hear the news at 101 Esplanade, some called it a whole in the wall.

“It was a strange feeling as if for a retail establishment why there was no more life especially right across from a very active beach and parking lot,” said Aptos resident, Jon Bloom.

The beach and parking lot are expected to be very busy this Fourth of July weekend. Tavern customers are going to have to find their celebratory drinks somewhere else.

The Seabreeze Tavern has one year to sell its liquor license and by the looks of it the owner is focusing on more alcohol free events like the wrestling match he’s hosting this Sunday.