April McCullum

Free Press Staff Writer

State liquor investigators have cited Zen Lounge, the Burlington night club, on suspicion of allowing three intoxicated minors to remain on the premises on St. Patrick’s Day.

The allegations arose from a sweep of 18 city bars Thursday night. Liquor control investigators and other law enforcement officers found six violations at four bars.

Zen Lounge was cited under state regulations that prohibit intoxicated people from remaining on-site, said Matt Gonyo, a state liquor investigator. His team could not show that the three intoxicated underage patrons had been served alcohol at Zen Lounge.

Akes’ Place was fined $260 for overcrowding, and Half Lounge and Red Square received warnings about insufficient lighting.

Zen Lounge, meanwhile, was called to answer its three violations at the state Liquor Control Board, which has authority to revoke or suspend the club’s liquor license or issue a fine.

The state took the more serious action against Zen Lounge because of the club’s history, Gonyo said.

“This is a reoccurring and continuing issue there,” Gonyo said.

Zen Lounge was previously cited to appear at the Liquor Control Board on April 13 to answer four pending violations, including allegations that the club served alcohol to a patron under 21 and an intoxicated patron.

Gonyo said he expects the St. Patrick’s Day citations to trigger a separate hearing.

Burlington city councilors are also considering the renewal of Zen Lounge’s liquor license in the wake of a fatal shooting in December that police believe stemmed from an argument inside the club.

Zen Lounge owner Robert Rapatski did not respond to a message seeking comment Friday, nor did his attorney, Andrew Manitsky. The club’s phone voicemail system was full.

At Akes' Place, where investigators found 105 revelers packed into an 85-person venue, owner Josh Markle said he had no plans to contest the fine.

St. Patrick's Day and the March Madness NCAA college basketball tournament drew lots of business, Markle said, and he said the sports bar generally works well with the community.

Zen Lounge faces new liquor citations

The St. Patrick’s Day inspection was the first chapter of a new effort to send liquor control, police and fire marshals into the community together — something Gonyo calls “high visibility saturation enforcement.”

Gonyo came up with the idea for the pilot project after attending a conference in South Carolina, he said.

Similar inspections will occur every couple of months, Gonyo said.

This story was first posted online March 18, 2016. Contact April Burbank at 802-660-1863 or aburbank@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AprilBurbank