Smoke's awaits LCB decision

Paul Ryan is still waiting. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board told Ryan, the owner of Smokey Joe's Tavern, that his bar's liquor license would not be renewed last fall after several citations for serving alcohol to minors. But Ryan filed an appeal six days before the Halloween expiration of his old license and has continued to serve alcohol legally while awaiting a ruling. According to LCB spokesperson Donna Pinkham, the board will rule on recommendations from hearing examiners. However, a date for the hearing has not been set, and she does not know when it will occur. "I would think that it would be at least a couple of weeks and possibly longer [before the hearing takes place]," Pinkham said. The LCB said Ryan's liquor license would expire last fall after Smoke's was cited several times for allowing minors to frequent the bar and purchase alcohol. "That is considered a very serious offense," Pinkham said. Ryan will be allowed to present a defense at a hearing before the examiner decides. When a ruling is finally made, Ryan believes it will be in his favor. "We feel that the burden placed upon the tavern owner by the state has become unreasonable," Ryan said. "[But] I think we have a good defense." He added that his defense will include "hundreds" of letters of support from University parents and alumni, witnesses, and videotape from the bar's elaborate system designed to deter minors from entering. In order to enter the popular campus hangout located on 40th Street between Walnut and Locust, patrons must state their name while showing their identification to a video camera. "We take more extraordinary steps than anybody else in the state that I know of," Ryan said of the audio-visual system. Other local bars are facing similar circumstances, but at least one has decided not to fight the charges. The LCB also denied liquor license renewal for Kelly and Cohen restaurant located at 37th and Walnut streets. Owner Vinesh Vyas has decided not to appeal, and stopped selling alcohol last November. "The legal bills were getting outrageous," Vyas said. And Paul Ryan still waits.