Patrons of Joshua Tree, an Allston bar, returned Monday night for the first time following a 10-day suspension for serving alcohol to minors.
Joshua Tree was found responsible for serving alcohol to minors in February at a hearing on April 20, according to the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
The bar is located a short distance from Boston University's West Campus.
Four minors, ages 19 and 20, had produced fake forms of identification when entering the bar on Feb. 12. Investigators on the premises observed and confronted the individuals, who appeared to be under 21.
In general, such violations warrant mandatory five-day license suspensions.
However, according to ABCC executive director Ralph Sacramone, the ABCC found that Joshua Tree had violated three other Massachusetts laws and regulations in 2009, including the use of alcohol as a reward in a chance game.
After considering the 2009 violations, the ABCC issued Joshua Tree a 10-day license suspension.
The ABCC considers five aspects at hearings, Sacramone explained.
"They look at the past history of the establishment, warnings, suspensions, modifications of licenses and revocations and fines," he said.
Punishments like these are relatively rare in Boston, which only had 10 to 13 violations last year, according to the ABCC website.
Joshua Tree waiters said that it was often difficult to discern real identifications from fake.
"Some kids get fake I.D.s that scan, like a sibling's, so it's more of a subjective decision based on their picture," said Micah Tilove, a Joshua Tree waiter and Emmanuel College student.
Waitress Lindsy Warwick, also a student at Emerson College, agreed.
"Last week there were a couple of people who I wasn't sure about. It's standard procedure to go to the manager when you're not sure," Warwick said.
Some patrons of the bar sympathized with the waiters and bartenders.
"I'm sure it's just a simple oversight," said Joshua Tree regular Stephen Hall. "When you have so many college students around, it gets tricky... It's hard to decipher between people who are 21 or 19."
Opinions on the bar vary among students and area residents.
The recent controversy will not prevent Hall from returning to the bar. Hall said that he enjoys the atmosphere and appreciates the bar's employees.
"And there's tons of hotties," Hall said.
Boston University sophomore Allie Cole was less familiar with Joshua Tree.
"All I know is that it's notorious among students for letting in underage people," Cole said.
Joshua Tree general manager Jeremy Starr disagrees.
"I know for a fact that the feedback is "don't go the Joshua Tree because you'll get your [fake] I.D. taken away,'" Starr said.
Since the incident last February, Joshua Tree has made a few policy changes to curb underage entrance.
"We do have an I.D. scanner that is updated to recognize I.D.s from all 50 states," Starr said.
However, use of the scanner is inconsistent, said BU School of Law student Angela Gentile, who said she was only carded at the door and not asked for a second form of identification.
Complaints against bars serving minors can be called in anonymously, Sacramone said.
"We handle all complaints in a serious manner... If we find evidence, then we'll have a hearing and the licensing will come in front of the Commission. They can then defend themselves," Sacramone said.
"We get a lot of complaints that have validity to them, and a lot that don't," he said.
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